Group Leisure & Travel Awards finalists to be revealed ahead of ceremony

Britain’s biggest and most prestigious Awards event for the group travel sector has announced that for the first time ever, the finalists of this year’s Group Leisure & Travel Awards will be made public ahead of the ceremony in October.

The annual GLT reader Awards initiative, first launched 21 years ago, will culminate in the much-anticipated black tie dinner, which takes place on Wednesday 10th October at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, located conveniently near the NEC.

Previously, the identities of the shortlisted finalists were private and not revealed until the ceremony itself. However, this year sees big changes and the shortlist will be published in the September edition of GLT magazine, as well as online. Winners will have to wait until the ceremony, taking place on the eve of the Group Leisure & Travel Show the following day at the NEC, to find out if they have been voted best by readers.

From April, group travel organisers are invited to cast their votes across 19 categories. Entries and nominations will also open for the GTO of the Year Award and The Excellence Award, with 21 awards in total.

GLT editor Keeley Rodgers said: “We’re incredibly excited about the change to this year’s Group Leisure & Travel Awards, which of course includes the Group Travel Organiser of the Year presentation. It’s the first time the awards have worked in this way and we anticipate it will create even more excitement in the run up to the ceremony.”

Backed by a range of official partners, including such names as Travelsphere, Daish’s Holidays, Planet Hollywood and Switzerland Travel Centre, the awards recognise the best providers, attractions and destinations for groups, as voted for by Group Leisure & Travel readers.

Two new categories have been added this year; Best Museum or Gallery and Best Historic Attraction or Venue, joining some of the more familiar awards such as Best UK Destination and The Excellence Award.

Tickets and table bookings for the Group Leisure & Travel Awards dinner 2018, which includes the coveted Group Travel Organiser of the Year Award, and its £2,000 prize for the winner, are available to book now.

Tickets and tables include a free drinks reception, followed by a delicious dinner and complimentary wine; live music, a VIP celebrity host which will be announced next month, and the opportunity to network and enjoy the evening with the travel trade and GTOs.

The ceremony is a sell-out event each year, so to secure a table or tickets to the Group Leisure & Travel Awards 2018, visit www.groupleisureandtravel.com/tickets or call Lauren Buckley on 01908-613323.