Raise a glass to hol winners

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Brits love a cheeky drink at an airport bar ahead of a stupid o’clock holiday flight and now it’s official – Spoons is our venue of choice.

At this week’s gala night for the benchmark 2023 British Travel Awards, held at Battersea Evolution, London, two new categories had Wetherspoon’s claiming Best Airport Retailer for Food and Beverage and Boots taking off with Best Airport Retailer for Consumer Goods.

Also in the aviation world, Heathrow was voted Best Large UK Airport for Leisure Travel, with East Midlands winning in the medium category.

Best Airline for Low-cost Flights was Easyjet, with Emirates taking Best Airline for Long Haul Flights and Best Airline for Business Class Travel. For the 13th year, APH (Airport Parking & Hotels) won Best Company for Airport Parking.

On the roads, Avis reclaimed gold for Best Company for Car Hire, Shearings picked up three golds for Best Large Company for Coach Holidays, Best Large Travel Company for Touring Holidays, and Best Large Company for UK Coach/touring Holidays.

In the medium category Leger Holidays held on to Best for Coach Holidays and won Best for Special Interest Holidays. Brightwater Holidays won Best Travel Company for Coach Holidays in the small company category.

A record 1.56 million public votes were cast for the nation’s benchmark travel industry accolades as travelling consumers had their say in 76 award categories covering their leisure travel experiences and services.

A full list of gold, silver and bronze winners is at britishtravelawards.com

All BTA voters were entered in a draw for a bumper travel jackpot worth £47,700, with cruises, villa breaks, ferry crossings, vouchers, Europe trips, airport hotels, staycations and more to be won. Reach plc, with more than 130 national and regional news brands across print and online – including this newspaper – is the official media partner of the 2023 BTAS.