The winners of the region’s most prestigious travel awards were announced today at an exclusive presentation luncheon at the Conrad Hong Kong hotel.
The Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards is now in its 25th year and still growing. One of the reasons the awards are so revered, and so popular, is that they are chosen by people who travel for a living, frequently using airports, airlines and hotel services, and visiting regional destinations. These people are the readers of and subscribers to Business Traveller Asia-Pacific. A good proportion of them travel particularly frequently, racking up a frightening amount of miles along the way!
This year a number of brands have held their award-winning positions from 2015, reflecting their popularity and pursuit of excellence. But there were some significant new winners, particularly among hotels, reflecting the ongoing growth and intense competition in the region.
Impressively, Singapore Airlines was once again a major winner, winning the overall award for Best Airline in the World and Best Asia-Pacific Airline for the 16th year running. The airline also managed to scoop awards for: Best First Class; Best Business Class; Best Economy Class; and Best In-flight Catering.
Meanwhile, its close rival Cathay Pacific took the honours in Best Premium Economy; Best Frequent Flyer Programme; and Best Airline Lounge in Asia Pacific – a reflection of the efforts it has made in raising those products to class-leading standards.
Air China won the award for Best China Airline, whilst awards for Best North American Airline, Best Middle East/African Airline and Best European Airline were won by Delta Air Lines, Qatar Airways and Lufthansa respectively. Three of the four airlines also won the same awards last year – the new winner being Delta Air Lines, rising from runner-up spot in 2015.
Grand Hyatt won the award for Best Business Hotel Brand in the World, marking its fourth consecutive year in top spot, whilst Shangri-La once again won the award for Best Business Hotel Brand in Asia-Pacific.
The Peninsula, Hong Kong and Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong won Best Business Hotel in the World and Best Business Hotel in Asia-Pacific, respectively. The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore won Best Boutique Hotel in Asia-Pacific for the third year running, while Fairmont Jakarta was voted the Best New Business Hotel in Asia-Pacific.
This year’s award for Best Luxury Hotel Brand in Asia-Pacific went to The Ritz-Carlton, while the new award for Best Business Hotel in Chengdu was won by Niccolo, an “urban chic” property from the Marco Polo Hotels group. The Best Hotel Loyalty Programme award was won by Starwood Preferred Guest for the second year running.
In the awards for serviced residences, Ascott remains undefeated in the category of Best Serviced Residence Brand in Asia-Pacific since 2004, when the award was introduced; Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard, Singapore won the award for Best Serviced Residence in Asia-Pacific; and Frasers Hospitality was the winner of the new Best Luxury Serviced Residence Brand in Asia-Pacific category.
For work and play destinations, Singapore took over from Hong Kong as the Best Business City in the World, while Bangkok was once again voted Best Leisure Destination in Asia-Pacific.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
Between April and June of this year, Business Traveller Asia-Pacific sent out poll forms to its subscribers, who are some of the region’s most frequent travellers. Results were compiled and tabulated by market research leader Ipsos. The full results will appear in the October 2016 issue of the magazine.
Business Traveller leads the portfolio of titles belonging to international publishing house Panacea Publishing, which is headquartered in London. Business Traveller Asia-Pacific is one of 14 titles around the world, including Business Traveller China.
Since its first issue in 1982, Business Traveller Asia-Pacific has represented a valuable resource for frequent travellers, as well as serving as a platform for their concerns.
AIRLINES
Best Airline
- Singapore Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- Emirates
Best Asia-Pacific Airline
- Singapore Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- Thai Airways
Best China Airline
- Air China
- China Eastern
- China Southern
Best European Airline
- Lufthansa
- British Airways
- Air France
Best North American Airline
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
- American Airlines
Best Middle-East/African Airline
- Qatar Airways
- Emirates
- Etihad Airways
Best Low Cost Airline
- AirAsia
- Hong Kong Express
- Jetstar
Best First Class
- Singapore Airlines
- Etihad Airways
- Cathay Pacific
Best Business Class
- Singapore Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- Qatar Airways
Best Premium Economy Class
- Cathay Pacific
- Singapore Airlines
- Air France
Best Economy Class
- Singapore Airlines
- Thai Airways
- Emirates
Best Frequent-Flyer Programme
- Cathay Pacific – Marco Polo Club
- Singapore Airlines – Krisflyer
- Thai Airways – Royal Orchid
Best Airline Lounge in Asia-Pacific
- Cathay Pacific – Hong Kong International Airport
- Singapore Airlines – Changi Airport
- Qantas – Sydney Airport
Best In-flight Catering
- Singapore Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- Thai Airways
AIRPORTS
Best Airport in the World
- Changi Airport
- Heathrow Airport
- Hong Kong International
Best Airport in Asia-Pacific
- Changi Airport
- Hong Kong International
- Incheon Airport
Best Duty-Free in the World
- Incheon Airport
- Changi Airport
- Dubai Airport
Best Business City in Northeast Asia
- Hong Kong
- Shanghai
- Seoul
Best Business City in Southeast Asia
- Singapore
- Bangkok
- Kuala Lumpur
Best Business City in the World
- Singapore
- Hong Kong
- London
Best Leisure Destination in Asia-Pacific
- Bangkok
- Seoul
- Tokyo
HOTELS
Best Business Hotel Brand in the World
- Grand Hyatt
- InterContinental
- Shangri-La
Best Business Hotel Brand in Asia-Pacific
- Shangri-La
- Grand Hyatt
- Westin
Best Business Hotel Brand in Europe
- InterContinental
- Hilton Hotels & Resorts
- Sofitel
Best Business Hotel Brand in North America
- Hilton Hotels & Resorts
- JW Marriott
- Grand Hyatt
Best Business Hotel Brand in Middle East/Africa
- Jumeirah
- Hilton Hotels & Resorts
- Rotana
Best Mid-Market Hotel Brand in the World
- Holiday Inn
- Novotel
- Courtyard by Marriott
Best Mid-Market Hotel Brand in Asia-Pacific
- Holiday Inn
- Novotel
- Four Points by Sheraton
Best Luxury Hotel Brand in Asia-Pacific
- The Ritz-Carlton
- Four Seasons
- Mandarin Oriental
Best Hotel Loyalty Programme
- Starwood Preferred Guest
- IHG Rewards Club
- Marriott Rewards
Best Business Hotel in the World
- The Peninsula, Hong Kong
- The Fullerton Singapore
- Park Hyatt Tokyo
Best Business Hotel in Asia-Pacific
- Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong
- Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
- Park Hyatt Tokyo
Best Airport Hotel in Asia-Pacific
- Regal Airport, Hong Kong
- Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, Singapore
- Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand
Best New Business Hotel in Asia-Pacific
- Fairmont Jakarta
- Four Seasons Seoul
- Taipei Marriott
Best Resort Hotel in Asia-Pacific
- InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort
- Alila Seminyak Bali
- Four Seasons Samui
Best Boutique Hotel in Asia-Pacific
- The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore
- Upper House, Hong Kong
- Hotel Quote Taipei
Best Business Hotel in Bangkok
- Grand Hyatt Erawan
- Shangri-La
- Westin
Best Business Hotel in Beijing
- China World Summit Wing, Beijing
- New World
- Grand Hyatt
Best Business Hotel in Chengdu
- Niccolo
- Shangri-La
- The St. Regis
Best Business Hotel in Guangzhou
- White Swan
- Mandarin Oriental
- The Garden
Best Business Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
- Park Hyatt
- InterContinental Asiana Saigon
- Sofitel Saigon Plaza
Best Business Hotel in Hong Kong
- Island Shangri-La
- Grand Hyatt
- Langham
Best Business Hotel in Jakarta
- Grand Hyatt
- Hotel Mulia
- Mandarin Oriental
Best Business Hotel in Kuala Lumpur
- Shangri-La
- Grand Hyatt
- Mandarin Oriental
Best Business Hotel in Macau
- Grand Hyatt
- Conrad Macao, Cotai Central
- The Venetian
Best Business Hotel in Manila
- Makati Shangri-La
- Fairmont Makati
- The Peninsula
Best Business Hotel in Melbourne
- Grand Hyatt
- Hilton
- Langham
Best Business Hotel in Mumbai
- The Taj Mahal Palace
- The Oberoi
- Four Seasons
Best Business Hotel in New Delhi
- The Leela Palace
- The Taj Palace
- The Oberoi
Best Business Hotel in Seoul
- Lotte Hotel
- The Westin Chosun
- InterContinental Seoul COEX
Best Business Hotel in Shanghai
- Park Hyatt
- Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
- Pudong Shangri-La
Best Business Hotel in Shenzhen
- Futian Shangri-La
- JW Marriott
- Grand Hyatt
Best Business Hotel in Singapore
- The Fullerton
- Grand Hyatt
- Shangri-La
Best Business Hotel in Sydney
- Park Hyatt
- InterContinental
- Langham
Best Business Hotel in Taipei
- W Taipei
- Grand Hyatt
- Humble House
Best Business Hotel in Tokyo
- Park Hyatt
- Shangri-La
- The Westin
Best Serviced Residence in Asia-Pacific
- Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard, Singapore
- Ascott Raffles Place Singapore
- Beijing Kerry Residence
Best Serviced Residence Brand in Asia-Pacific
- Ascott
- Frasers Hospitality
- Marriott Executive Apartments
Best Luxury Serviced Residence Brand in Asia-Pacific
- Frasers Hospitality
- Ascott
- Oakwood