British Travel Awards 2023: Winners, Host, Voting, Theme, and More
by Aishwarya R
Updated Nov 30, 2023
British Travel Awards 2023
On November 28, 2023, the travel industry eagerly gathered to unveil the highly anticipated results of The British Travel Awards. This annual event holds special significance as it represents the collective voice of the traveling consumer, who cast their votes to recognize outstanding contributions and exceptional services within the British travel sector. The awards serve as a testament to the industry's commitment to excellence, showcasing the dedication of companies and destinations that have left a lasting impact on the travel experiences of individuals throughout the year.
Amidst the excitement of the ceremony, various categories celebrated the diversity of the travel industry, ranging from accommodations and airlines to tour operators and travel agencies. The winners, determined by the discerning preferences of the public, reflect not only the popularity of destinations but also the quality of services provided by travel-related businesses. The British Travel Awards thus stand as a dynamic barometer, gauging the pulse of consumer satisfaction and industry performance, offering a comprehensive snapshot of the state of British travel in 2023.
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Host and Theme of British Travel Awards 2023
The British Travel Awards 2023 was not only a night of recognizing excellence in the travel industry but also a celebration infused with entertainment and philanthropy. The event was skillfully hosted by sports presenter and actress Charlotte Jackson Coleman, adding a vibrant touch to the proceedings. Guiding the audience through the night with charm and expertise, Coleman ensured a lively atmosphere, making the awards ceremony an engaging and memorable experience for all attendees.
Adding to the festivities, the awards night embraced a carnival theme, injecting a dose of excitement and energy into the ambiance. The Latin American dance performances further heightened the celebratory mood, creating a dynamic and visually captivating backdrop for the announcement of winners. The infusion of cultural elements through the theme and performances added an extra layer of uniqueness to the event, making it not only an awards ceremony but a cultural and entertainment spectacle.
Beyond the glitz and glamour, The British Travel Awards 2023 also demonstrated a commitment to making a positive impact. The event supported the Make-A-Wish charity, which focuses on fulfilling simple wishes for critically ill children.
As part of the charitable initiative, guests had the opportunity to contribute through a charity auction, bidding on various items to raise funds for Make A-Wish. This dual focus on celebration and philanthropy showcased the multifaceted nature of the British Travel Awards, bringing together industry recognition, entertainment, and a meaningful contribution to a noble cause.
British Travel Awards 2023 Highlights
The British Travel Awards 2023 showcased a night of triumph and recognition for outstanding achievements in the travel industry. Among the notable winners were the Leeds-based sister firms, who secured an impressive array of prizes, including Best Large Travel Company in multiple categories such as Summer Sun Holidays, Winter Sun Holidays, Family Holidays, Luxury Holidays, and Best Airline for Short-haul Flights and Economy Class Travel. Newmarket Holidays also shone with eight golds, excelling in categories like Best Travel Company for Escorted Group Holiday, Touring Holidays, and Safari Holidays, covering destinations from Central/Northern Europe to Sub-Saharan Africa and Canada and the USA.
Solmar Villas earned seven golds, securing Best Medium Travel Company in various holiday categories. The cruise industry saw P&O, Hurtigruten, Viking, and Cunard winning in different categories, while Spoons, the popular Wetherspoons, claimed the title of Best Airport Retailer for Food and Beverage. Boots soared as Best Airport Retailer for Consumer Goods. Heathrow and East Midlands were recognized as Best Large and Medium UK Airports for Leisure Travel, respectively. EasyJet took the crown for Best Airline for Low-Cost Flights, while Emirates excelled in Long Haul Flights and Business Class Travel. APH continued its winning streak for the 13th year as Best Company for Airport Parking.
In land travel, Avis reclaimed the gold for Best Company for Car Hire, Shearings dominated in coach holidays, and Leger Holidays secured Best for Coach Holidays and Special Interest Holidays. Travelzoo emerged as the Best Travel Website for Travel Deals, and Hays Travel took home three Golds for National Travel Retailer, Agency for Cruise Holidays, and Retailer of Forex/Travel Money. Notably, in its debut at the British Travel Awards, Lapland Specialist tour operator Santa Claus Trips was recognized as the Best Small Travel Company for Family Holidays and Central/Northern Europe. With over one and a half million votes, this record-breaking year marked the 15th edition of the British Travel Awards, emphasizing the significance of consumer input in determining the industry's best.
British Travel Awards 2023 Voting
The British Travel Awards 2023 witnessed an unprecedented level of public engagement with a record-breaking 1.56 million votes cast by UK travelling consumers. Serving as the largest consumer-voted travel awards in the UK, the BTAs garnered opinions across 76 award categories, reflecting the diverse experiences and services encountered by individuals during their leisure travels in 2023. The substantial number of public votes serves as a testament to the significance of the awards in the travel industry and highlights the trust placed in the opinions of the general public to determine the winners.
Since its inception in 2008, the British Travel Awards has been dedicated to gauging public sentiment towards leisure travel companies. The transparency and authenticity of the award accreditations are maintained through a meticulous process where the number of public votes is the sole determinant, with security software in place to identify and investigate any spurious or suspicious voting activity. This commitment to fair and unbiased results has solidified the British Travel Awards as a reliable benchmark for excellence in the travel industry.
The voting period for the 2023 awards spanned from June 19 to October 1, during which 420,453 voters cast an impressive total of 1,561,370 votes. In appreciation of the participants, all BTA voters were entered into a draw for a substantial travel prize jackpot valued at around £47,700. The prize pool included a diverse range of offerings such as cruises, villa holidays, ferry crossings, holiday vouchers, European trips, airport hotels and parking, staycations, and more, adding an extra layer of excitement to the voting process. Furthermore, the partnership with Reach plc, boasting over 130 national and regional news brands, including the Mirror website, as the official media partner of the 2023 BTAs, underscored the awards' widespread recognition and influence within the travel industry.
British Travel Awards 2023 Winners
Category
Gold Winner
Best Small Travel Company to Hellenic Europe
Abercrombie & Kent
Best Small Travel Company to the Far East/Central Asia
Abercrombie & Kent
Best Small Travel Company for Arts & Culture Holidays
ACE Cultural Tours
Best Small Travel Company to the Indian Ocean
Affordable Luxury Travel
Best Small Travel Company to Southern Asia
Affordable Luxury Travel
Best Small Travel Company for All-Inclusive Holidays
Affordable Luxury Travel
Best Small Travel Company to the U.S.A.
American Sky
Best Company for Airport Parking
APH (Airport Parking & Hotels)
Best Small Travel Company to Iberia/Macaronesia
Archipelago Choice Ltd
Best Company for Holiday Car Hire
Avis
Best Medium Travel Company to the Caribbean/Central America
Blue Bay Travel
Best Medium Travel Company to Southeast Asia
Blue Bay Travel
Best Medium Travel Company for All-Inclusive Holidays
Blue Bay Travel
Best Small Company for UK Family Holidays
Bluestone Wales
Best Small Travel Company to Italy/Western Med. Islands
Bookings For You
Best Airport Retailer for Consumer Goods
Boots
Best Small Travel Company for Coach Holidays
Brightwater Holidays
Best Medium Travel Company to Western Europe
Brittany Ferries
Best Small Travel Company for Luxury Holidays
Ciconia Exclusive Journeys
Best Large Travel Company for Ski/Winter Sports Holidays
Crystal Ski Holidays
Best Cruise Line for Ultra-Luxury Holidays
Cunard
Best Small Travel Company to East/Southeast Europe
Cyprus Paradise
Best Medium UK Airport for Leisure Travel
East Midlands
Best Airline for Low-Cost Flights
EasyJet
Best Airline for Long-haul Flights
Emirates
Best Airline for Business Class Travel
Emirates
Best Large Travel Company to the Middle East/North Africa
Emirates Holidays
Best Large Travel Company to the Indian Ocean
Emirates Holidays
Best Large Travel Company to Western Europe
Eurostar
Best Medium Travel Company for Adventure Holidays
Exodus Travels
Best Small Company for UK Coach/Touring Holidays
Family Outings North East
Best Small Travel Company for Activity/Sports Holidays
GolfKings
Best Small Travel Company for Sports Tours Holidays
GolfKings
Best Medium Travel Company for Rail Holidays
Great Rail Journeys
Best Small Travel Company to Sub-Saharan Africa
Hayes & Jarvis
Best Small Travel Company to Australasia/Oceania
Hayes & Jarvis
Best Small Travel Company for Special Occasions Holidays
Hayes & Jarvis
Best Small Travel Company for Safari Holidays
Hayes & Jarvis
Best National Travel Retailer
Hays Travel
Best Travel Agency for Cruise Holidays
Hays Travel
Best Retailer for Forex/Travel Money
Hays Travel
Best Small Company for UK Short Breaks
Holiday Extras
Best Hotel Brand for Midscale Accommodation
Holiday Inn
Best Cruise Line for Expedition Voyages
Hurtigruten
Best Large Travel Company for Special Interest Holidays
Inghams
Best Large Travel Company for Activity/Sports Holidays
Inghams
Best Medium Travel Company to Hellenic Europe
Ionian & Aegean Island Holidays
Best Small Travel Company for Villa Holidays
Ionian & Aegean Island Holidays
Best Small Travel Company for Weddings & Honeymoons
Ionian Weddings
Best Airline for Short-haul Flights
Jet2.com
Best Airline for Economy Class Travel
Jet2.com
Best Large Travel Company to East/Southeast Europe
Jet2.com/Jet2holidays
Best Large Travel Company to Iberia/Macaronesia
Jet2.com/Jet2holidays
Best Large Travel Company to Italy/Western Med. Islands
Jet2.com/Jet2holidays
Best Large Travel Company to Hellenic Europe
Jet2.com/Jet2holidays
Best Large Travel Company for Summer Sun Holidays
Jet2.com/Jet2holidays
Best Large Travel Company for Winter Sun Holidays
Jet2.com/Jet2holidays
Best Large Travel Company for Family Holidays
Jet2.com/Jet2holidays
Best Large Travel Company for Luxury Holidays
Jet2.com/Jet2holidays
Best Travel Website for Flight Booking
Jet2.com/Jet2holidays
Best Small Travel Company to South America
Journey Latin America
Best Medium Travel Company for Singles Holidays
Just You
Best Medium Travel Company to the Indian Ocean
Kuoni
Best Medium Travel Company to Australasia/Oceania
Kuoni
Best Medium Travel Company for Luxury Holidays
Kuoni
Best Medium Travel Company for Weddings & Honeymoons
Kuoni
Best Medium Travel Company for Special Occasions Holidays
Kuoni
Best Medium Travel Company for Coach Holidays
Leger
Best Medium Travel Company for Special Interest Holidays
Leger
Best Large UK Airport for Leisure Travel
London Heathrow
Best Small Company for UK Holiday Home Rentals
Luxury Coastal
Best Small Travel Company to the Caribbean/Central America
Luxury Worldwide Collection
Best Medium Company for UK Family Holidays
Lyons Holiday Parks
Best Medium Company for UK Parks & Lodges Holidays
Lyons Holiday Parks
Best Small Travel Company to Southeast Asia
Mabuhay Travel
Best Small Travel Company to Canada
My Canada Trips
Best Small Travel Company for Tailor-Made Holidays
My Canada Trips
Best Small Travel Company for Touring Holidays
My Canada Trips
Best Medium Company for UK Coach/Touring Holidays
National Holidays
Best Medium Company for UK Holiday Home Rentals
National Trust Holidays
Best Small Travel Company for Wildlife & Nature Holidays
Naturetrek
Best Medium Travel Company for Activity/Sports Holidays
Neilson Active Holidays
Best Medium Travel Company for Ski/Winter Sports Holidays
Neilson Active Holidays
Best Medium Travel Company to Central/Northern Europe
Newmarket Holidays
Best Medium Travel Company to Italy/Western Med. Islands
Newmarket Holidays
Best Medium Travel Company to Sub-Saharan Africa
Newmarket Holidays
Best Medium Travel Company to Canada
Newmarket Holidays
Best Medium Travel Company to the U.S.A.
Newmarket Holidays
Best Medium Travel Company for Escorted Group Holidays
Newmarket Holidays
Best Medium Travel Company for Touring Holidays
Newmarket Holidays
Best Medium Travel Company for Safari Holidays
Newmarket Holidays
Best Small Company for UK Parks & Lodges Holidays
North Lakes Lodges
Best Small Travel Company to Western Europe
Osprey Holidays
Best Cruise Line for Family Holidays
P&O Cruises
Best Cruise Line for No-fly Cruise Holidays
P&O Cruises
Best Operator for Short Sea/Mini Cruises
P&O Ferries
Best Large Company for UK Family Holidays
Parkdean Resorts
Best Large Company for UK Parks & Lodges Holidays
Parkdean Resorts
Best Large Company for UK Short Breaks
Parkdean Resorts
Best Hotel Brand for Tourist Accommodation
Premier Inn
Best Hotel Brand for Upscale Accommodation
Radisson
Best Hotel Brand for Luxury Accommodation
Radisson Blu
Best Small Travel Company to the Middle East/North Africa
Red Sea Holidays
Best Large Travel Company to Sub-Saharan Africa
Riviera Travel
Best Large Travel Company for Arts & Culture Holidays
Riviera Travel
Best Large Travel Company for Singles Holidays
Saga
Best Large Travel Company for Escorted Group Holidays
Saga
Best Large Travel Company for Rail Holidays
Saga
Best Large Travel Company for Special Occasions Holidays
Saga
Best Cruise Line for Luxury Holidays
Saga
Best Hotel Brand for All-Inclusive Resorts
Sandals & Beaches Resorts
Best Small Travel Company to Central/Northern Europe
Santa Claus Trips
Best Small Travel Company for Family Holidays
Santa Claus Trips
Best Large Travel Company for Touring Holidays
Shearings
Best Large Travel Company for Coach Holidays
Shearings
Best Large Company for UK Coach/Touring Holidays
Shearings
Best Cruise Line for Ultra-Small/Boutique Holidays
Silversea
Best Small Travel Company for Ski/Winter Sports Holidays
Ski Safari
Best Travel Website for Price Comparison
Skyscanner
Best Medium Travel Company to East/Southeast Europe
Solmar Villas
Best Medium Travel Company to Iberia/Macaronesia
Solmar Villas
Best Medium Travel Company for Summer Sun Holidays
Solmar Villas
Best Medium Travel Company for Winter Sun Holidays
Solmar Villas
Best Medium Travel Company for Family Holidays
Solmar Villas
Best Medium Travel Company for Villa Holidays
Solmar Villas
Best Medium Travel Company for Tailor-Made Holidays
Solmar Villas
Best Small Travel Company for Singles Holidays
Solos Holidays
Best Company for Travel Insurance
Staysure Travel Insurance
Best Online/Call Centre Travel Retailer
Stewart Travel
Best Large Company for UK Holiday Home Rentals
Sykes Holiday Cottages
Best Small UK Airport for Leisure Travel
Teesside International Airport
Best Small Travel Company for Adventure Holidays
The Bucket List Company
Best Small Travel Company for Rail Holidays
The Railway Touring Company
Best Medium Travel Company to South America
Titan Travel
Best Medium Travel Company to Southern Asia
Titan Travel
Best Medium Travel Company for Wildlife & Nature Holidays
Titan Travel
Best Large Travel Company to Central/Northern Europe
Trailfinders
Best Large Travel Company to Southeast Asia
Trailfinders
Best Large Travel Company to Australasia/Oceania
Trailfinders
Best Large Travel Company for Tailor-Made Holidays
Trailfinders
Best Large Travel Company for Safari Holidays
Trailfinders
Best Medium Travel Company for Sports Tours Holidays
Travel Center
Best Small Travel Company for Escorted Group Holidays
Travel Department
Best Small Travel Company for Special Interest Holidays
Travel Editions
Best Travel Website for Accommodation Booking
Travel Republic
Best Medium Travel Company to the Middle East/North Africa
Travel Talk Tours
Best Medium Travel Company for Arts & Culture Holidays
Travel Talk Tours
Best Large Travel Company to Canada
Travelbag
Best Large Travel Company to Southern Asia
Travelbag
Best Travel Website for Travel Deals
Travelzoo
Best Large Travel Company for All-Inclusive Holidays
TUI
Best Large Travel Company for Weddings & Honeymoons
TUI
Best Medium Company for UK Short Breaks
ukBreakaways
Best Cruise Line for River Cruise Holidays
Viking
Best Large Travel Company to the U.S.A.
Virgin Holidays
Best Medium Travel Company to the Far East/Central Asia
Wendy Wu Tours
Best Airport Retailer for Food & Beverages
Wetherspoons
Best Ferry Operator for Routes from/to UK Ports
Wightlink
British Travel Awards 2023 - FAQs
The British Travel Awards (BTAs) are prestigious accolades in the travel industry, honoring outstanding contributions and services based on consumer votes. Winners are determined solely by the number of public votes cast, with a transparent process that investigates any suspicious voting activity.
The British Travel Awards 2023 covered 76 categories, reflecting the diverse experiences in leisure travel. This extensive range underscores the awards' ability to capture the nuanced aspects of the industry and recognize excellence across various segments.
The 2023 British Travel Awards set a record with 1.56 million public votes, making it a standout year for consumer engagement. This increased participation highlights the growing importance of public opinion in determining industry benchmarks.
Yes, the 2023 British Travel Awards introduced two new categories. Wetherspoons claimed the title of Best Airport Retailer for Food and Beverage, while Boots secured the position of Best Airport Retailer for Consumer Goods, adding fresh dimensions to the awards.
The voting period for the 2023 awards ran from June 19 to October 1, allowing ample time for travel enthusiasts to voice their opinions. All voters were entered into a draw for a substantial travel prize jackpot worth around £47,700, including cruises, holiday vouchers, and various other enticing travel experiences.