Business Traveller Asia-Pacific tonight held its much-anticipated annual awards ceremony, recognising those superstars who provide exemplary services to frequent travellers.
The always-well attended event was made extra special this year by the fact that the publication was celebrating its 30th anniversary. The night, therefore, looked back to the decade of the magazine’s birth with a glamorous 80s theme.
Held in the Conrad Hotel Hong Kong's grand ballroom, the ceremony was attended by leading figures from across the travel industry. Adding extra sparkle to the evening were the guests of honour, famous Cantopop singer Frances Yip and acclaimed cellist Trey Lee.
To see photos from the evening, view them on Facebook and Google+
The much-coveted awards were given in 55 categories, with the winners voted for by Business Traveller Asia-Pacific readers in a poll conducted by the market research company Ipsos.
Many of last year’s winners succeeded in staying at the top, including IHG's Intercontinental which took Best Business Hotel Brand in the World for the third year, and Best Business Hotel Brand in Europe for a fourth year. Another IHG brand, Holiday Inn, held on to the title of Best Mid-Market Hotel Brand in the World for an impressive twelfth year.
Also a standout was Asian brand Shangri-La which swept seven titles, including Best Business Hotel Brand in Asia-Pacific and Best Business Hotel in the World for Shangri-La Singapore.
The awards saw several first time winners, including Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel, which took Best New Business Hotel in Asia-Pacific, and Lufthansa, which fought off competition to earn Best European Airline. Meanwhile, Mandarin Oriental beat a crowded field to win Best Business Hotel in Jakarta.
On the airline front, Singapore Airlines took three awards for Best Airline, Best Asia-Pacific Airline, Best Airline in Business and Economy, while Cathay Pacific won Best Airline First Class and the Best Frequent Flyer Programme. Qantas bagged Best Airline Premium Economy for a second year running. A new category introduced this year was Best Low-Cost Airline which went to AirAsia.
(To see a complete list of the winners scroll down)
The night also saw the announcement of the winners of the Business Traveller Anniversary Photo Competition, with awards attendees picking the most captivating photographs from a short list of twelve on display (see the winning photos here).
With these photos offering magical memories of travels past, and the awards highlighting services that helping to make new memories today, the evening was a glorious celebration of everything special in the world of travel.
2012 BUSINESS TRAVELLER ASIA-PACIFIC AWARDS
AIRLINES
Best Airline in the World
1. Singapore Airlines
2. Cathay Pacific
3. Qatar 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. Virgin Atlantic
Best North American Airline
1. United Airlines
2. Delta Air Lines
3. Air Canada
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. Cathay Pacific
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Emirates
Best Business Class
1. Singapore Airlines
2. Cathay Pacific
3. Qatar Airways
Best Premium Economy Class
1. Qantas
2. Air New Zealand
3. Virgin Atlantic
Best Economy Class
1. Singapore Airlines
2. Cathay Pacific
3. Korean Airlines
Best Frequent-Flyer Programme
1. Cathay Pacific – Asia Miles
2. Singapore Airlines - Krisflyer
3. Malaysia Airlines – Enrich Miles
Best Airline Lounge in Asia-Pacific
1. Singapore Airlines – Changi Airport
2. Cathay Pacific – Hong Kong International Airport
3. Thai Airways - Suvarnabhumi Airport
AIRPORTS
Best Airport in the World
1. Singapore Changi
2. Hong Kong International
3. Incheon International
Best Airport in Asia-Pacific
1. Singapore Changi
2. Hong Kong International
3. Incheon International
Best Duty-Free in the World
1. Incheon International
2. Singapore Changi
3. Hong Kong International
BEST CITIES
Best Business City in Northeast Asia
1. Hong Kong
2. Seoul
3. Tokyo
Best Business City in Southeast Asia
1. Singapore
2. Bangkok
3. Kuala Lumpur
Best Business City in the World
1. Hong Kong
2. Singapore
3. London
Best Leisure Destination in Asia-Pacific
1. Bali
2. Bangkok
3. Singapore
HOTELS
Best Business Hotel Brand in the World
1. InterContinental
2. Grand Hyatt
3. Four Seasons
Best Business Hotel Brand in Asia-Pacific
1. Shangri-La
2. Peninsula
3. Grand Hyatt
Best Business Hotel Brand in Europe
1. InterContinental
2. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
3. Sheraton
Best Business Hotel Brand in North America
1. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
2. Grand Hyatt
3. Sheraton
Best Business Hotel Brand in Middle East/Africa
1. Jumeirah
2. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
3. InterContinental
Best Mid-Market Hotel Brand in the World
1. Holiday Inn
2. Courtyard by Marriott
3. Novotel
Best Business Hotel in the World
1. Shangri-La, Singapore
2. Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong
3. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
Best Business Hotel in Asia-Pacific
1. Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong
2. Shangri-La, Singapore
3. The Peninsula, Hong Kong
Best Airport Hotel in Asia-Pacific
1. Regal Airport, Hong Kong
2. Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, Singapore
3. Pan Pacific KLIA, Kuala Lumpur
Best New Business Hotel in Asia-Pacific
1. Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel
2. The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
3. The Fullerton Bay, Singapore
Best Resort Hotel in Asia-Pacific
1. W Retreat & Spa Bali - Seminyak
2. Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa
3. Banyan Tree Phuket
Best Boutique Hotel in Asia-Pacific
1. Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund
2. The Upper House, Hong Kong
3. The Quincy Hotel, Singapore
Best Business Hotel in Bangkok
1. Mandarin Oriental
2. Grand Hyatt Erawan
3. Shangri-La
Best Business Hotel in Beijing
1. Grand Hyatt
2. Raffles
3. China World
Best Business Hotel in Guangzhou
1. Garden Hotel
2. The Westin
3. Shangri-La
Best Business Hotel in Hanoi
1. Hotel Sofitel Legend Metropole
2. InterContinental Hanoi Westlake
3. Hilton Hanoi Opera
Best Business Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
1. Park Hyatt
2. InterContinental Asiana Saigon
3. The Caravelle
Best Business Hotel in Hongkong
1. Island Shangri-La
2. Four Seasons
3. InterContinental
Best Business Hotel in Jakarta
1. Mandarin Oriental
2. Shangri-La
3. Grand Hyatt
Best Business Hotel in Kuala Lumpur
1. Hilton
2. Mandarin Oriental
3. Grand Hyatt
Best Business Hotel in Macau
1. Grand Hyatt
2. Mandarin Oriental
3. Hotel Okura
Best Business Hotel in Manila
1. Makati Shangri-La
2. The Peninsula
3. Crowne Plaza
Best Business Hotel in Melbourne
1. Park Hyatt
2. Grand Hyatt
3. The Langham
Best Business Hotel in Mumbai
1. The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower
2. Grand Hyatt
3. The Oberoi
Best Business Hotel in New Delhi
1. The Oberoi
2. The Taj Palace
3. The Leela
Best Business Hotel in Osaka
1. Hyatt Regency
2. The Ritz-Carlton
3. Hilton
Best Business Hotel in Seoul
1. Lotte
2. Grand Hyatt
3. Shilla
Best Business Hotel in Shanghai
1. Pudong Shangri-La
2. Grand Hyatt
3. Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
Best Business Hotel in Shenzhen
1. Futian Shangri-La
2. Grand Hyatt
3. JW Marriott
Best Business Hotel in Singapore
1. Grand Hyatt
2. Shangri-La
3. Fullerton Bay
Best Business Hotel in Sydney
1. InterContinental
2. Shangri-La
3. Hilton
Best Business Hotel in Taipei
1. W Taipei
2. Le Meridien
3. Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza
Best Business Hotel in Tokyo
1. Park Hyatt
2. Mandarin Oriental
3. ANA InterContinental
Best Serviced Residence in Asia-Pacific
1. Ascott Raffles Place Singapore
2. Ascott Jakarta
3. Parkroyal Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur
Best Serviced Residence Brand in Asia-Pacific
1. Ascott
2. Oakwood
3. Marriott Executive Apartments
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