Special categories
We have three special categories for 2025, including the now hotly contested category of Luxury Travel Workplace of the Year, which can be entered by any luxury travel company.
These categories also include Sustainability Hero of the Year, which continues to attract a high number of entries, demonstrating how important this area has become within the luxury sector. Both of these categories are judged by panels of relevant industry experts.
We will also announce the recipient of the 2026 Contribution to Luxury Travel award during the dazzling ceremony at The Chancery Rosewood.
Luxury Travel Workplace of the Year
This category 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.
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. Luxury travel must be core to your proposition.
The TTG Luxury team will first shortlist these submissions, then a panel of senior industry experts will meet virtually to choose the winner.
Sustainability Hero of the Year
For this important award, we seek to recognise an individual going above and beyond to drive change in their own business, in the destinations to which they operate or in the luxury travel sector more widely.
Nominees might be a business owner/founder; an employee of a luxury travel provider or retailer in the UK and/or Ireland; or be based in-destination (travel advisors should look to enter the Responsible Luxury Travel Designer of the Year category).
Individuals might be responsible for initiatives such as leading and innovating in ESG within a business; pioneering ways or driving the protection of wildlife and biodiversity; supporting local communities in luxury travel destinations; or any other leading approaches to operating responsibly.
Contribution to Luxury Travel
We give this award to an outstanding individual who has driven huge change in the sector, is a known and respected innovator, or is revered as a shining example of a leader in luxury travel. The recipient of this special award is announced only on the day of the awards. We do not accept applications for this award, but those with a suggestion can contact April Hutchinson via ahutchinson@ttgmedia.com
Past recipients include Matthew Upchurch, Virtuoso; Bill Bensley, BENSLEY; Amanda Matthews and Karen Pocock, Designer Travel; Roy Collett, Colletts Travel; Edwina Lonsdale, Mundy Cruising; and Tom Marchant & James Merrett, Black Tomato.
"We feel honoured, grateful and overwhelmed to receive this award. Days like this give you a chance to reflect, and it's so nice to have the acknowledgement in front of so many peers you respect."
Tom Marchant (pictured) and James Merrett, co-founders, Black Tomato, winners: Contribution to Luxury Travel 2025