Members of the travel trade and media had a fantastic time at the Travel Media Awards 2015, in association with Blue Insurance, which were held in the 5* Westbury Hotel on 11th September. These awards are unique in that they ask members of the travel media to have their say and vote for their favourite travel companies. This year also saw the introduction of two special Peer Awards for Best Travel Writer and Best Travel Blog. Our lovely host Kathryn Thomas returned for the fifth time, ensuring the tone was kept light-hearted and fun throughout the presentation.
Winners
With six categories (‘Cruise Control’ and ‘No Place Like Home’ to name two) and 25 awards, there were plenty of well-deserving winners and happy faces at this year’s Travel Media Awards 2015. Awards were given to the companies that really stood out from crowd – no mean feat considering what a great year it’s been for travel so far. New awards, such as Best Airport Wifi Experience, Best Use of Social Media and Best Use of Video, were introduced to reflect current trends and changes in the industry.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Con Horgan of Abbey Travel was the well-deserving winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Having worked in the industry for 57 years, Con sure knows a thing or two about travel and the Irish market. Before the award presentation, the crowd watched a heart-warming video in which Con’s friends discussed his win. It’s worth a watch if only to see why Walt Disney Company’s Karl Moen compares Con to Mickey Mouse!
Lucky prize winners
There were plenty of goodies up for grabs at this year’s Travel Media Awards, including a wonderful two-day stay in the Lodge at Ashford Castle thanks to Red Carnation Hotel Collection, a two-year motor or home insurance policy with Blue Insurance and flights to Dubai or Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways. Dublin Airport’s Maura Moloney picked up what was arguably the biggest prize of the day – an amazing two-week all-inclusive trip to beautiful Jamaica for two on the Thomson Airways Dreamliner. Maura will enjoy celebrity treatment and soak up some sun at the 5* Couples San Souci and Couples Tower Isle resorts. Can we come?!
Unicef’s #ChildrenofSyria
Those in the travel industry are well aware of the devastation that exists in many areas of the world. In light of this, a collection was made at the awards for Unicef’s wonderful #ChildrenofSyria appeal. A whopping €2,500 was raised to help children experiencing poverty, displacement and war in Syria, as well as children of Syria who now live as refugees. A massive thank you to all of those who donated generously for this marvellous cause.
Bewitching entertainment
Award-winning magician and illusionist Shane Black provided the entertainment on the day, wowing the crowd with his mind-blowing tricks. There were more than a few squeals of shock and delight as Shane worked the room. One astounding act in particular went down a storm with the TravelMedia.ie crew. After asking Niamh to think of a holiday she had been on, Shane was not only about to correctly identify what it was but also produced a paragraph about her trip from a stapled envelope in his wallet. Magic at its best!
Trending on Twitter
You may have guessed by now that we love social media – it plays a very important role in promoting what we do. Our bespoke hashtag #TMevents , used at all of our networking events, awards and road shows, trended number one on Twitter at the Travel Media Awards 2015. This was due to a record number of tweets, not only from the TravelMedia.ie team, but also from attendees on the day who were keen to share photos and stories. The pressure is on to perform as well next year!
Photos and videos
Our photographer Maura was busy at the awards snapping our happy guests and well-deserving winners. You can see check out photos from the event on our Facebook page. And if you want to relive all the action of the day, head over to our YouTube channel.
Thank you
A massive thank you from the TravelMedia.ie team to everyone who made this year’s awards so special. To our main sponsor Blue Insurance, as well as our other award category sponsors – Amadeus, the Italian Tourist Board, the Jamaica Tourist Board, Shannon Airport and Nassau Paradise Island. To all of our wonderful prize sponsors – Thomson Holidays, Couples Resorts, ANA – All Nippon Airways, Multitrip.ie, Etihad Airways, Aer Lingus, Concorde Hotel Antalya, lowcostholidays, Emirates, Shannon Airport, Red Carnation Hotels, Stena Line and Hertz. And to Alex Gibson and his team in the Department of Tourism at DIT who independently audited and managed the votes. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Please see the list of winners of the Travel Media Awards 2015 below:
1. Best Short Haul Airline Europe – Aer Lingus
2. Best Long Haul Airline Flying West – Aer Lingus
3. Best Long Haul Airline Flying East – Emirates
4. Best Airport WiFi Experience – Dublin Airport
5. Best International Hotel Group – Red Carnation Hotels
6. Best Non-Hotel Accommodation Provider – Airbnb
7. Best Hotel Search Engine – trivago
8. Best Cruise Company – MSC Cruises International
9. Best Ferry Company – Stena Line
10. Best Canal or River Cruise Company – Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
11. Best Car Hire Company – Hertz
12. Best Tour Operator (operates primarily as a TO) – American Holidays
13. Best Online Travel Agent (OTA) – GoHop.ie
14. Best Ski Operator – Crystal Ski Holidays
15. Best Travel Insurance Provider – Blue Insurance
16. Best City or Short-Break Destination – Lisbon
17. Best Summer Destination 2015 – Spain
18. Best Ski Resort – Pas de la Casa, Andorra
19. Best Tourist Board or CVB (Convention & Visitors Bureau) – Tourism Northern Ireland
20. Best Use of Social Media by a Travel Company Operating in the Irish Market – lowcostholidays
21. Best Use of Video by a Travel Company or Tourist Board, via DIT – Meet in Ireland
22. Peer Award, Best Irish Travel Writer – Pól Ó Conghaile
23. Peer Award, Best Irish Travel Blog – Tom Sweeney
24. Innovator of the Year – World Travel Centre/Selective Travel
25. Lifetime Achievement Award – Con Horgan, Abbey Travel