Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards 2013

The results of this year’s Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Travel Awards were announced on September 27 at the annual presentation luncheon at the Conrad Hong Kong hotel.

The coveted awards, given out in 56 categories, are celebrating their 22^nd anniversary. As in previous years, they reflect the highest accolade discerning Business Traveller readers bestow on travel and hospitality service providers. They are based on the ballots returned from the yearly Reader Poll conducted and interpreted by global market research company Ipsos.

This year’s guest of honour and award presenter was prominent Hong Kongpolitician Regina Ip Lau Suk Yee, who worked for the Hong Kong Government from 1975 to 2003. During her 28-year tenure, Ip held senior positions including Director of Immigration and Secretary for Security, and was the first woman to hold both posts.

After leaving the civil service, Ip went to the US to study and upon returning in 2006, she established think tank Savantas Policy Institute. She ran for a seat at the Legislative Council (Legco) in 2008 and won, and in 2010, she founded the New People’s Party. She was reelected to Legco in 2012 and in the same year, appointed a non-official member of the Executive Council.

The hospitality industry is highly competitive, and travellers’ expectations are constantly rising. Service providers also have to keep up with fast-changing technologies and update their offerings constantly. It is not easy to stay on top of the game but a majority of last year’s winners have done just that.

Once again Singapore Airlines retained its place as the Best Airline in Asia-Pacific and the World, while Air China, Lufthansa, United Airlines and Qatar Airways have successfully defended their titles as the best airlines of their respective regions. Air Asia has once again won Best Low Cost Airline, a new category introduced last year. Singapore Changi remains the Best Airport in the World while Incheon International Airport has again been recognised by our readers as offering the Best Duty Free experience in the world.

Cathay Pacific snagged the Best Premium Economy honour, having only just launched the new product early last year. The Hong Kong-based airline has reclaimed its award for the Best Airline Lounge in Asia-Pacific, proving that its renovation of VIP facilities atHong KongInternationalAirport in recent years have not gone unnoticed.

On the hotel front, Grand Hyatt made a comeback as the Best Business Hotel Brand in the World, an award it also claimed in 2002 to 2009. Hotel Quote Taipei and Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore scooped Best Boutique Hotel and Best New Business Hotel in Asia-Pacific respectively after a brief interlude last year. Holiday Inn and Regal Airport Hotel continue their winning streaks as the Best Mid-Market Hotel Brand and Best Airport Hotel. Having been under the radar for some time, the institution that is Intercontinental Bali Resort garnered the title of Best Resort Hotel in Asia-Pacific.

In the serviced residence sector, Ascott has a lot to celebrate, with its properties taking all top three spots in the Best Service Residence in Asia-Pacific category in addition to winning Best Serviced Residence Brand in Asia-Pacific.

As for the best places for work and play, Business Traveller Asia-Pacific readers have again chosen Hong Kong as the Best Business City in Northeast Asia and in the World, and Singapore as the winner in Southeast Asia. Bangkok retains its title as Best Leisure Destination in Asia-Pacific.

AIRLINES

Best Airline

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Cathay Pacific
3. Thai Airways
Best Asia-Pacific Airline

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Cathay Pacific
3. Thai Airways

Best China Airline

1. Air China
2. China Southern
3. China Eastern

Best European Airline

1. Lufthansa
2. British Airways
3. Swiss

Best North American Airline

1. United Airlines
2. Air Canada
3. American Airlines

Best Middle-East/African Airline

1. Qatar Airways
2. Emirates
3. Etihad Airways

Best Low Cost Airline

1. AirAsia
2. Jetstar
3. Cebu Pacific

Best First Class

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Cathay Pacific
3. Emirates

Best Business Class

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Cathay Pacific
3. Emirates

Best Premium Economy Class

1. Cathay Pacific
2. Qantas Airways
3. Virgin Atlantic

Best Economy Class

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Cathay Pacific
3. Thai Airways

Best Frequent-Flyer Programme

1. Cathay Pacific – Asia Miles
2. Singapore Airlines – Krisflyer
3. Thai Airways – Royal Orchid

Best Airline Lounge in Asia-Pacific

1. Cathay Pacific – Hong Kong International Airport
2. Singapore Airlines – Changi Airport