LONDON (5 December 2019) — The Hairy Bikers, Trailfinders and Lisbon were among the winners announced last night at the National Geographic Traveller Reader Awards 2019, in association with Audley Travel. The ceremony, held at The Montcalm London Marble Arch on 4 December, was presented by Katrina Ridley and attended by some of the travel industry’s most senior figures.

Pat Riddell, editor of National Geographic Traveller, said: “We had an incredible response from our readers this year, and they’ve shared their tried-and-tested favourites with us to honour the very best in travel. We hope the 21 awards will go some way towards reflecting the extraordinary achievements made across our industry.”

The 2019 awards saw readers vote in 20 categories between June and September. The winners are featured in the Jan/Feb 2020 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK), on newsstands today.

Voters were automatically entered into a prize draw. Up for grabs were a seven-night trip for two to the Dominican Republic, staying at the Grand Bahia Principe Aquamarine, in Punta Cana, with flights from Air Europa; a two-night luxury stay in Another Place, The Lake, on the shores of Ullswater in the Lake District; five £50 vouchers, courtesy of historic bookshop Stanfords; and 20 National Geographic Traveller (UK) subscriptions.

2019 READER AWARDS WINNERS:

One to watch (city/region): Antarctica
Firm favourite (country): Italy
New national treasure (UK attraction): National Maritime Museum, London
Far & away (overseas attraction): Skywalk at Fuxi Mountain, China
One for the kids (family experience): Adventure Parc Snowdonia, Conwy
Right track (rail): DiscoverEU and Interrail
Across the waves (cruise & expedition): Celebrity Cruises’ Xpedition Class ships
Domestic bliss (UK hotel): Titanic Hotel Belfast
The destination hotel (overseas hotel): The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland
Unique stays (accommodation worldwide): Panorama Glass Lodge, Iceland
High-flyer (airline): Emirates
The big operator (tour operators & travel agents): Trailfinders
The small-medium operator (tour operators & travel agents): Exodus Travels
The innovator (industry movers and shakers): Aberdeen Airport’s therapy dogs
Book worm (travel books): Around the World In 80 Trains, by Monisha Rajesh
Sound & vision (TV & radio): Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond The Lobby (BBC Two)
Beyond the recipe book (food & travel): Around the World in 80 Food Trucks, Lonely Planet
Tastiest food & travel show (TV, radio, podcasts): The Hairy Bikers’ Mediterranean Adventure (BBC Two)
Foodie hotspot (destination): Lisbon
The wish list (destination): Japan
Special contribution to travel: Felicity Aston MBE

Sponsors of the National Geographic Traveller Reader Awards 2019 are:

HEADLINE SPONSOR
Audley Travel

SPONSOR
Flight Centre
Guatemala

VENUE PARTNER
The Montcalm London Marble Arch

For more information, please visit nationalgeographic.co.uk/reader-awards

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The National Geographic Traveller (UK) digital edition is available for Apple, Android and Kindle devices: ngtr.uk/NGTdigital

Notes

National Geographic Traveller (UK) is published under licence by APL Media Limited, from National Geographic Partners LLC in Washington, D.C. The 180-page travel and lifestyle magazine launched in December 2010, and is packed full of you-are-there photography, authentic travel experiences and inspiring narratives. nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel

National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivalled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 131 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching millions of people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27% of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. nationalgeographic.com

National Geographic Society is a leading non-profit that invests in bold people and transformative ideas in the fields of exploration, scientific research, storytelling and education. It supports educators to ensure that the next generation is armed with geographic knowledge and global understanding. National Geographic Society aspires to create a community of change, advancing key insights about the planet and probing some of the most pressing scientific questions of our time. Its goal is measurable impact: furthering exploration and educating people around the world to inspire solutions for the greater good. nationalgeographic.org

For editorial enquiries:
Tel: +44 (0)20 7253 9906
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Pat Riddell, Editor
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7253 9906
[email protected]

Maria Pieri, Editorial Director
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7253 9906
[email protected]

Matthew Jackson, Managing Director
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7253 9009
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Anthony Leyens, CEO
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7253 9009
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