The shortlists have been unveiled for the 2017 Silver Travel Awards, which will celebrate the best travel companies, experiences and destinations for the over-50s market, at a reception to be held at Madame Tussauds in London on Thursday 8 June, hosted by Classic FM presenter, Aled Jones, of ‘Walking in the Air’ fame.
Now in their third year, and supported by headline sponsor Saga Holidays, consumer media sponsor Mail Newspapers and Classic FM, the Awards have been expanded to a total of 17 main categories and have been voted for by more consumers than ever, with over 55,000 votes being cast.
Debbie Marshall, managing director of Silver Travel Advisor, the Awards’ organiser, said: “The strong voting for the Silver Travel Awards this year is testament to the significance older people attach to their travel experiences, which are increasingly important to the over 50s as a sort of social currency that defines who they are, as well as being a time of peak enjoyment. The Awards will recognise the travel companies that are best meeting the expectations and aspirations of older travellers, the ones mixing relaxation with adventure, discovery with activities, accessibility with great service. This group is spending more, holidaying more and travelling further afield than ever before, so there is much to gain for those who really understand their changing needs.”
“The Silver Travel Awards have been voted for by over-50s consumers to recognise the holiday companies and experiences that serve them best. The shortlisted companies are diverse but all share one common feature – the ability to listen to older travellers and respond to them with flair and imagination.”
In addition to the 17 consumer categories, an individual award will be made for Exceptional Achievement in this sector, while one company that has been in business for at least a quarter of a century will win the special Classic FM 25 Year Anniversary Travel Company Award, which marks the broadcaster’s own 25 years on the airwaves. Both of these awards will be judged by an independent panel of senior travel industry figures and presented on June 8th.
The shortlists for the 17 main awards are:
Best Ocean Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Saga Cruises, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, P&O Cruises, Cruise & Maritime Voyages.
Best River Cruise Line
Riviera Travel, Uniworld, Emerald Waterways, Viking River Cruises, Scenic, Shearings Holidays.
Best Specialist Cruise Line
Hurtigruten, Holland America Line, Silversea Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, Noble Caledonia, Azamara Club Cruises
Best Large Tour Operator
Shearings Holidays, Kuoni, Saga Holidays, Riviera Travel, Thomson Holidays, Thomas Cook
Best Activity Tour Operator
Explore, HF Holidays, Ramblers Holidays, Exodus, Shearings Holidays, Saga Holidays
Best City Breaks Operator
Cresta, Jules Verne, Riviera Travel, Superbreak, Shearings Holidays, Kirker Holidays
Best UK Breaks Operator
HF Holidays, Superbreak, Grand UK Holidays, Newmarket Holidays, Warner Leisure Hotels, Shearings Holidays
Best Escorted Touring Operator (UK Tours)
Trafalgar, Grand UK Holidays, Saga Holidays, Shearings Holidays, Titan Travel, Travelsphere
Best Escorted Touring Operator (Europe and Long-Haul Tours)
Titan Travel, Riviera Travel, Wendy Wu Tours, Jules Verne, Shearings Holidays, Saga Holidays
Best Cultural Tour Operator
Wendy Wu Tours, Jules Verne, Shearings Holidays, Riviera Travel, Saga Holidays, Cox & Kings
Best Self-Catering Accommodation
National Trust, AirBnB, Haven Holidays, Forest Holidays, Hoseasons, Center Parks
Best Car Rental Company
Enterprise, Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Budget
Best Rail Holiday Provider
Rail Discoveries, Railbookers, Belmond Orient Express, Great Rail Journeys, Rocky Mountaineer, Rail Trail
Best Airline
Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Jet 2, Emirates, EasyJet, Singapore Airlines
Best Accessible Travel Provider
Shearings Holidays, Can Be Done, Riviera Travel, Access Travel, Enable Holidays, Saga Holidays
Best Overseas Destination
Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India, Italy, USA
Best Operator for the Single traveller
Jules Verne, Just You, Solos Holidays, Saga Holidays, Shearings Holidays, Riviera Travel
In addition to Saga Holidays and Mail Newspapers, the Silver Travel Awards are supported by Wendy Wu Tours, Shearings Holidays and Solos Holidays, plus Holland America Line, Avis, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Classic FM, Four Communications, Your Service Centre Gatwick, Sun Park Living and My InterRail.
Travel Weekly is the official trade media partner.
