SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Each year, in addition to our Leisure Lifestyle Awards, Global
Traveler acknowledges those travel companies going above and beyond. Our Special Achievement Awards recognize leaders in innovation, environmental initiatives and community outreach. Congratulations to this year’s honorees!
Delta Air Lines takes an impressive two Special Achievement Awards: Outstanding Social Responsibility and Outstanding Innovations. When it comes to its social responsibility efforts, Delta shines for its continued work to fight human trafficking, with initiatives including a $2.5 million donation to an antitrafficking organization, an in-house apprenticeship program to create jobs for survivors, training employees to detect human trafficking, and much more.
There are just as many reasons Delta is tops for innovation, among them its $4 billion remodel at New York’s Laguardia Airport and the $2.3 billion Delta Sky Way at Los Angeles International Airport to be completed this year. The airline’s parallel reality experience for customers at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport created a more streamlined and personalized airport experience and simplified operations.
For cruisers looking to customize their entire cruise experience, consider Princess Cruises, winner of Outstanding Customized Services. Its Ocean Medallion personalized the travel experience through wearables, allowing the cruiser to do more than previously imagined. The device also works with Ocean Compass, a digital experience portal that holds passenger preferences.
Last year, Viking launched a new hydrogen-powered cruise ship designed to lower carbon emissions, so it’s no wonder the brand received this year’s Outstanding Environmental Initiatives honor. Viking plans to incorporate the system on more ships in the coming years.