Honouring the best results for the 2014 Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Travel Awards have been announced – here is the list of glory
Who’s the winner in your book? If you're a regular reader of Business Traveller Asia-Pacific, you’ll know why I'm asking this question. On September 26, we announced the names of travel service providers that had captured the most votes from our readers in the 2014 Reader Poll and taken home the trophies at the Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Travel Awards luncheon.
As with previous years, the poll was conducted between April and June, with results tallied by global market research leader Ipsos. The most significant difference this year is that we have gone fully digital with the process, which has given us the flexibility to add new questions that better reflect today’s travel environment.
We are based in a dynamic region and reporting about an ever-changing sector, so it is important that our poll keeps up with the times and remains relevant to our readers. This year, we are adding one award category: "Best In-flight Catering".
When you spend an accumulation of hours and days on the plane every month, you naturally become more discerning about inflight products and service. Airlines are investing much more in the food they serve across all cabins, and even in economy, “fish or chicken” just won’t do anymore. We want to acknowledge the efforts that they have put in.
And our readers enjoy flying, based on discussions we see on our online forum and my recent meeting with one of our readers, Rohan Muralee. “I like flying, because it's the only time in your life, really, that you are non-contactable,” he said.
But he’s probably not going to root for a “Best In-flight Connectivity” award. “I normally refuse to – unless it’s absolutely necessary – do any work on a plane, because it’s personal time – I am cut off, I can’t be on the phone, I can’t be on the internet, I enjoy that time.”
I also recently sat down with a group of subscribers for lunch, to gauge their views on various subjects, especially about low-cost carriers. Two years ago we added a new award category for this growing sector.
John Hotchandani, one reader who travels to LCC-hotbed Singapore frequently, said: “I know a lot more people are using them. I personally would not, as frankly the price differential is not that much if you don’t book at the last minute. When you travel for business, and you have a status on the airline, you want the lounge access, you want priority boarding and you want the miles.”
He also cited scheduling as the reason for sticking with legacy airlines, as an LCC would not be able to offer him an early morning flight to Singapore and a late night flight back – something he does regularly.
Fellow reader Stefan Behr-Heyder, however, said that to make the best of LCCs, one needed to do away with the conventional approach to booking flights. He said: “You can go on Jetstar come back on Tiger.”
Travis Wong, who works as a travel agent recalled a bad experience with an LCC, where he was stuck in Hanoi for seven hours. “For business travellers, time is money,” he said.
It is, however, necessary to point out that LCC offerings are increasingly competitive and they are gaining in popularity. AirAsia, arguably the region’s pioneer LCC, has held a firm grip on the awards. Has it been because of first-mover advantage, or offerings such as Red Carpet service and no-child zone? That is hard to say, but for sure, competition is getting fiercer as new LCCs such rivals Vanilla Air and Tiger Taiwan come onboard.
We also spoke about hotel trends, and one of the discussions was whether or not hotels still need to have business centres. The consensus seemed to be "no".
Wong said, “I’ve arranged for lots of corporate clients to go on business trips; nowadays I don’t see them using business centres frequently.”
Jasmine Zhou, who works for a developer that is also involved in hospitality, said: “A lot of hotel rooms these days have their own fax machines and internet, so hotels would rather save space for other amenities.”
Hotchandani also pointed out a club lounge would provide the same services.
So, is there potential for a “Best Club Facility” award in the future? Do let us know – we are all ears.
For now, let’s take a look at this year’s winners. Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts by emailing [email protected]. Frankly, you are the reason why we are doing what we are doing.
Happy travels!
Reggie Ho
Group editor, Asia
AIRLINES
Best Airline
1. Singapore Airlines
2. Cathay Pacific
3. Emirates
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. American Airlines
3. Delta Air
Best Middle-East/
African Airline
1. Qatar Airways
2. Emirates
3. Etihad Airways
Best Low Cost Airline
1. AirAsia
2. Jetstar
3. Easyjet
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. British Airways
3. Qantas Airways
Best Economy Class
1. Singapore Airlines
2. Cathay Pacific
3. Emirates
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
3. Qantas Airways - Sydney Airport
Best Airline Inflight Catering
1. Singapore Airlines
2. Cathay Pacific
3. Emirates
AIRPORTS
Best Airport in the World
1. Changi Airport
2. Hong Kong International
3. Dubai Airport
Best Airport in Asia-Pacific
1. Changi Airport
2. Hong Kong International
3. Incheon Airport
Best Duty-Free in the World
1. Incheon Airport
2. Hong Kong International
3. Changi Airport
Best Business City in Northeast Asia
1. Hong Kong
2. Tokyo
3. Shanghai
Best Business City in Southeast Asia
1. Singapore
2. Bangkok
3. Kuala Lumpur
Best Business City in the World
1. Hong Kong
2. London
3. New York
Best Leisure Destination in
Asia-Pacific
1. Bangkok
2. Bali
3. Singapore
HOTELS
Best Business Hotel Brand in the World
1. Grand Hyatt
2. InterContinental
3. JW Marriott
Best Business Hotel Brand in
Asia-Pacific
1. Shangri-La
2. Grand Hyatt
3. Mandarin Oriental
Best Business Hotel Brand in Europe
1. InterContinental
2. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
3. Sofitel
Best Business Hotel Brand in
North America
1. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
2. Four Seasons
3. JW Marriott
Best Business Hotel Brand in
Middle East/Africa
1. Jumeirah
2. InterContinental
3. Sheraton
Best Mid-Market Hotel Brand in
the World
1. Holiday Inn
2. Courtyard by Marriott
3. Novotel
Best Mid-Market Hotel Brand in
Asia-Pacific
1. Holiday Inn
2. Courtyard by Marriott
3. Novotel
Best Business Hotel in the World
1. Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore
2. Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
3. Four Seasons, Hong Kong
Best Business Hotel in Asia-Pacific
1. Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
2. The Peninsula, Hong Kong
3. Four Seasons, Hong Kong
Best Airport Hotel in Asia-Pacific
1. Regal Airport, Hong Kong
2. Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, Singapore
3. Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott
Best New Business Hotel in
Asia-Pacific
1. Parkroyal on Pickering, Singapore
2. The Westin, Singapore
3. Grand Hyatt, Kuala Lumpur
Best Resort Hotel in Asia-Pacific
1. W Retreat & Spa Bali - Seminyak
2. The St. Regis, Bali
3. W Koh Samui
Best Boutique Hotel in Asia-Pacific
1. The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore
2. Hotel Quote Taipei
3. Hotel Indigo, Hong Kong
Best Business Hotel in Bangkok
1. Grand Hyatt Erawan
2. Mandarin Oriental
3. Shangri-La
Best Business Hotel in Beijing
1. Grand Hyatt
2. Shangri-La
3. Park Hyatt
Best Business Hotel in Guangzhou
1. The Westin
2. Langham Place
3. Garden Hotel
Best Business Hotel in Hanoi
1. Sofitel Legend Metropole
2. Hilton Hanoi Opera
3. InterContinental Hanoi Westlake
Best Business Hotel in
Ho Chi Minh City
1. Park Hyatt
2. Sheraton
3. InterContinental Asiana Saigon
HOTELS
Best Business Hotel in Hong Kong
1. Island Shangri-La
2. The Peninsula
3. InterContinental
Best Business Hotel in Jakarta
1. Grand Hyatt
2. Shangri-La
3. The Ritz-Carlton
Best Business Hotel in Kuala Lumpur
1. Mandarin Oriental
2. Grand Hyatt
3. Hilton
Best Business Hotel in Macau
1. Grand Hyatt
2. The Venetian
3. Conrad Macao, Cotai Central
Best Business Hotel in Manila
1. Makati Shangri-La
2. The Peninsula
3. Fairmont
Best Business Hotel in Melbourne
1. Grand Hyatt
2. Park Hyatt
3. Hilton
Best Business Hotel in Mumbai
1. The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower
2. Grand Hyatt
3. Leela
Best Business Hotel in New Delhi
1. The Oberoi
2. Taj Palace Hotel
3. Shangri-La – Eros
Best Business Hotel in Osaka
1. The Ritz-Carlton
2. Swissotel
3. Hyatt Regency
Best Business Hotel in Seoul
1. Lotte Hotel
2. The Shilla
3. Grand Hyatt
Best Business Hotel in Shanghai
1. Pudong Shangri-La, East Shanghai
2. Park Hyatt
3. Mandarin Oriental
Best Business Hotel in Shenzhen
1. Futian Shangri-La
2. Grand Hyatt
3. Langham
Best Business Hotel in Singapore
1. Shangri-La Hotel
2. Grand Hyatt
3. Mandarin Oriental
Best Business Hotel in Sydney
1. Park Hyatt
2. InterContinental
3. The Westin
Best Business Hotel in Taipei
1. W Taipei
2. Grand Hyatt
3. Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza
Best Business Hotel in Tokyo
1. Park Hyatt
2. Conrad
3. Shangri-La
Best Serviced Residence
in Asia-Pacific
1. Ascott Raffles Place Singapore
2. Four Seasons Place, Hong Kong
3. Ascott Sathorn Bangkok
Best Serviced Residence Brand
in Asia-Pacific
1. Ascott
2. Fraser
3. Marriott Executive Apartments
