A Milestone Year

Hello again! After some time on maternity leave, I’m back just in time to help close the last issue of 2023, and this one is truly a milestone issue and one I couldn’t miss: our GT Tested Reader Survey awards turn 20! We’ve been building up to this hallmark moment all year, and it’s finally here. Every year you, our beloved readers, vote on your favorites in all things travel, and this year was no exception. Turn to page 34 to see if your selections made the cut.

Our December issue always highlights our awards, and we’re keeping the celebration going, also naming our 2023 Airline of the Year and Hotel of the Year. Who do you think won? Flip to page 30 to find out. For the third year we’re honoring an airline, hotel and cruise line for Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel. You can find those winners on page 54. As you probably remember from years past, we celebrate the GT Tested Reader Survey award winners who’ve won the same award for five consecutive years (Quint Status), 10 years (Hall of Fame) and 15 years (Crystal Status); and as we reach 20 years, we introduce our Platinum Status for those travel providers claiming their title 20 times over. Wow, talk about impressive! Those honorees are announced on page 50.

4

This month our team celebrates the winners at a gala event at the iconic The Langham Huntington, Pasadena. For nearly two decades I’ve been looking forward to celebrating the big 2-0 (I recently hit the 17-year mark with Global Traveler!), but, alas, I won’t be attending this year. I, like those of you who can’t attend, will eagerly be following along on social media and anticipating the photos. Look for our March 2024 issue for a full recap of the celebration.

I will be missing the event for a very good reason, as I’m over the moon to announce the birth of my sweet baby girl, Harper Grace Inlander, who joined us on Sept. 9, 2023. I can’t wait to share my love of travel with her and to rediscover this world through her eyes.

How is 2023 already coming to a close? This issue also brings us to Frankfurt, Germany; Washington, D.C.; Ontario, Canada; Tokyo, Japan; Brisbane, Australia; Mauritius; and Copenhagen, Denmark. On page 81, take a look at the 2024 Summer Olympics, held in Paris.

We’ll see you in February for our first issue of 2024 — which also happens to be our 300th issue and 20th birthday. In the meantime, happy holidays and Happy New Year!