A host of luxury travel businesses are to be recognised at the eighth annual outing for the TTG Luxury Travel Awards, with the deadline for entries heading up fast this Halloween.
Firmly established since 2018, the TTG Luxury Travel Awards is a sector-wide recognition programme with entries open across 19 categories, and with the deadline of Friday 31 October.
In recognition of the growing role of sustainability in all travel businesses, one of the most important categories is Sustainable Travel Hero of the Year, which will shine a light on a range of changemakers and inspirational individuals in the sector.
“We are always particularly excited to see the submissions come in for this category, as they highlight the incredible work being carried out by individuals and companies across the spectrum, truly championing the crucial and rewarding work being done in the travel universe,” said April Hutchinson, editor and publisher, TTG Luxury.
Nominees might be responsible for pioneering ways of driving the protection of wildlife and biodiversity; supporting local communities in key destinations; or any other leading approaches to operating responsibly. Travel advisors should look to enter the individual Responsible Luxury Travel Designer of the Year category.
Praveen Moman, founder of Volcanoes Safaris, was named Sustainability Hero of the Year at last year's event
Past recipients of the award include Praveen Moman, founder of Volcanoes Safaris and a pioneer of conservation and community tourism in Rwanda and Uganda, and Thys Taljaard, for his innovative work as head chef skills developer for Singita.
Other special categories include Luxury Travel Workplace of the Year, which is open to any UK or Ireland-based luxury travel or tourism business, including suppliers and retailers, and those that sell direct to consumers as well as through the trade.
Panache Cruises accepted the award for Luxury Cruise Agency of the Year and Luxury Travel Workplace of the Year
“We want to spotlight companies perceived to be the best employers based on examples of refreshed or new ways of working; commitment to staff contentment; new ideas on recruitment, retention and workplace environment, or outreach support, if homeworking-based,” added Hutchinson.
Individual agents in the spotlight
New for this year, all categories for the travel advisor community are focused on individuals, giving a range of talented and passionate agents the chance to shine and benefit from valuable peer, supplier and client recognition.
Areas that will receive special recognition for the first time include the rapidly growing field of wellbeing travel, with the new category of Wellness Travel Designer of the Year.
Travel designers will be able to enter across eight categories, including Responsible Luxury Travel Designer of the Year and Luxury Adventure Travel Designer of the Year, as well as highlighting the best homeworking, shop-based and concierge agents.
In line with these changes, all agent finalists will now also take part in a video judging session, giving them the chance to convey their passion, prowess and personality to the judges as a supplement to their entry form. Entry for agents remains free.
There will now be a £99 fee for suppliers to enter, and for the first time ever at the awards, Luxury River Cruise Line of the Year is being added as a new category.
“We encourage everyone who thinks they have a story to share it via the awards, to shine a light on the success of their projects and motivate others,” said Hutchinson. “And we can’t wait to celebrate with peers and friends from across the sector at our event next year.”
Finalists will be announced at the end of November, and the reveal of the winners will take place on 6 March 2026 at one of the capital’s newest luxury hotels, The Chancery Rosewood, which made its debut in September.
The event will be the biggest to date, returning with its popular Friday afternoon format, with guests enjoying welcome networking drinks, a two-course lunch, entertainment from the House Gospel Choir and the celebratory awards ceremony.
House Gospel Choir is a London-based vocal group which debuted in 2014 at Glastonbury Festival. Founded by creative director Natalie Maddix, the choir combines two distinct musical genres – house music and gospel.
