Portrait Milan named Hotel of the Year, The Leela Palace Hotels & Resorts named Top Luxury Hotel Brand, Italy Shines as Most Popular Holiday Spot, The Surrey a Corinthia・Hotel New York was named the best new hotel, and Emirates was named the best airline in the world.
London, UK, November 8, 2024: The world’s best hotels, destinations, airlines and airports, as voted by the 28 million members of the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty program, were honored at the 18th edition of the prestigious ULTRAs Awards Ceremony. It was announced at the time. Thursday 7th November 2024 in London.
Recognizing the best of the best in travel around the world, ULTRA (Ultimate Luxury Travel Association Awards) is the luxury travel industry’s coveted annual event, presented by multimedia brands in partnership with the Global Hotel Alliance; Hosted by Nick Perry, Chairman of Ultratravel. GHA Discovery, the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands and operator of award-winning loyalty programs, includes a long-standing joint venture, the UltraTravel Collection.
Held at London’s historic royal residences, The State Apartments and The Orangery at Kensington Palace, this year’s ULTRA featured 18 categories and was voted by millions of GHA DISCOVERY members to travel We celebrated the major names in the industry. This award reflects the growing global reputation for excellence in a wide range of luxury travel experiences.
The award was presented by eminent British television presenters Natalie Pinkham and Gethin Jones, alongside Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie, double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes and Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins. Many celebrities attended, including Mr. Australian-British author Kathy Lett.
The 2024 lineup of winners includes Portrait Milano, winner of the “UltraTravel Collection Hotel of the Year” award. The Leela Palace Hotels & Resorts earns the title of “Luxury Brand of the Year” The Surrey A Corinthia Hotel in New York is named “The World’s Best New Hotel” and the Apurva Kempinski Bali has been awarded the “Best Sustainable Hotel” award.
Among the most prestigious hotels, Lutetia Paris was crowned “Best Hotel in Europe”. Capella Sydney was awarded ‘Best Hotel in Asia/Pacific’. The Leela Palace, New Delhi was named “Best Hotel in the Middle East/India.” Anantara’s Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel was named ‘Best Hotel in Africa/Indian Ocean’ and Sugar Beach at Viceroy Resort was named ‘Best Hotel in America/Caribbean.’
Dubai-based Emirates Airlines has once again earned the title of ‘World’s Best Airline’, demonstrating its continued leadership in the global aviation industry, while Regent Seven Seas Cruises has been named ‘Best Luxury Cruise Line’. Italy was revealed as the “best country for vacation” and was slightly more popular than runners-up Australia and Japan.
Singapore Changi Airport won the hotly contested ‘World’s Best Airport’ category, while Virgin Atlantic won ‘Best Premium Economy Class’ and Qatar Airways won ‘Best Business Class’.
To celebrate Ultra Travel’s 20th anniversary, the special award for that year’s ‘Most Innovative Airline of the Last 20 Years’ went to Qatar Airways, while Anantara Hotels & Resorts won the ‘Most Innovative Airline of the Past 20 Years’ award. recognized as a company.
“ULTRA truly reflects the highest standards in luxury travel today, based on the opinions and preferences of millions of GHA DISCOVERY members,” said GHA CEO Chris Hartley. “Congratulations to all the winners for setting new benchmarks in the industry and showcasing the best in hospitality, aviation and travel.”
For more information, please visit Global Hotel Alliance, Ultratravel Collection, Ultratravel, and GHA Discovery.
Media inquiries
Andrea Crenn
Male: +971566818025
E: andrea.krenn@gha.com
About the Ultra Travel Collection
The UltraTravel Collection is a collection of great hotels for the discerning traveler. Its membership is exclusive to the world’s best hotels and resorts, truly luxurious and iconic properties that offer unsurpassed service and personalized guest experiences. Member hotels will share an integrated global platform for guest recognition and loyalty benefits, partner Global Hotel Alliance’s GHA DISCOVERY program, as well as multimedia brand Ultratravel, another founding partner of the Ultratravel Collection. We share a beneficial relationship. For more information, please visit ultratravelcollection.com.
About GHA and GHA Discovery
Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) is the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands, with more than 800 hotels across 40 brands in 100 countries. GHA DISCOVERY, an award-winning loyalty program, provides its 28 million members with recognition, D$ benefits and exclusive experiences across hotels and partners, whether they stay or not. GHA DISCOVERY generated US$2.3 billion in revenue and 10 million night nights in 2023.
Through GHA membership, brands expand their global reach, drive revenue growth and reduce dependence on third-party channels, while maintaining operational independence and individual positioning. For more information, visit globalhotelalliance.com or ghadiscovery.com.
