Group Leisure & Travel Awards 2018

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The Group Leisure & Travel Awards recognise the best providers, attractions and destinations for groups, as voted for by readers of Group Leisure & Travel magazine.

The winners of the 2018 Group Leisure & Travel Awards were honoured at a glittering ceremony held in Birmingham on 10th October.

Voted for by readers of Group Leisure & Travel magazine, the annual Reader Awards celebrate first class destinations, attractions and providers across group travel. 

Held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, 20 accolades were handed out on the night which was full of fizz, delicious food and entertainment.   

Gracing the stage to pick up trophies for the second-year running were LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, which retained the title of the Best UK Attraction for Children & Families and Group Line, named Best Ticketing Agency for 2018.

New for 2018

There were some exciting changes this year, not least with all finalists being revealed ahead of the ceremony itself. 

And there were some new awards too, the gong for Best Museum or Gallery went to the team behind the King Richard III Visitor Centre in Leicester while readers named Chatsworth in Derbyshire as the Best Historic Attraction or Venue.

London was the focus of other honours with Disney’s Aladdin winning Best Theatre Production and Best UK Attraction won by The View from The Shard. Planet Hollywood scooped Best Group Dining Experience.

But the north of England also had its moment with Manchester voted Best UK Destination for a group visit. Further afield scenic Switzerland surprised many after it emerged as the winner of the Best International Destination.

Pictured: Guests enjoying the Group Leisure & Travel Awards ceremony.

The awards were presented by TV personality and self-confessed ‘culture vulture’ Gyles Brandreth, alongside Group Leisure & Travel Magazine publisher Rob Yandell. 

Individual awards

Individual awards were presented on the night to Barbara Flood of Warner Leisure Hotels who won The Excellence Award, for great service to people organising group experiences. 

Read our full report about the highlights of the evening and find out who all the winners were.

The hotly anticipated Group Travel Organiser of the Year Award® was awarded to Olivia Goodfellow of the Enfield Over 50s Forum. Olivia was chosen by a judging panel for her commitment and passion in organising trips for members of her group to a whole range of destinations. 

Exciting changes for 2019

The 2019 Awards will be held on Wednesday 9th October, 2019 at the Hilton in Milton Keynes, adjacent to Stadium MK where the Group Leisure & Travel Show will be held the following day (Thursday 10th October, 2019). 

Becoming an official Awards Partner for 2019

Official sponsorship packages are a great way for companies and brands to connect with and support the most important awards in group travel and leisure. 

It gives you a massive range of branding across a multitude of platforms, leading right up to the dinner itself when partners have their own private tables and present the category they have chosen.

Go to our Awards Partners page to find out what you get and why you should support this important initiative.

If you would like more information telephone Sharon Yandell on 01908-613323 or use the Contact Us form.