The Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards celebrate the best of the travel industry, from the destinations to the airlines and holiday firms that get us there. This year’s awards span 16 categories, including the world’s best country and the top cruise and tour operators. There’s also an editor’s choice award, which recognises a travel company that has gone above and beyond for its customers.
The shortlists were compiled based on feedback from readers and input from travel writers and editors for The Times and The Sunday Times. This year, almost 470,000 votes were cast for more than 100 destinations and companies to find the very best in the business.
The winners were announced at an industry event in London on September 20, 2024. These are the winners (and the well-deserved runners-up) — congratulations.
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An Emirates plane takes off from Zurich airport
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Best airline
Winner Emirates
Runners-up British Airways, Singapore Airlines
Skiers in St Anton, Austria
CRYSTAL SKI HOLIDAYS
Best ski operator
Winner Crystal Ski
Runners-up Inghams, Club Med
• Best great-value ski resorts in Europe
• Best family ski resorts in Europe
Trailfinders runs tours to Australia, including Uluru in the Northern Territory
ALAMY
Best tour operator
Winner Trailfinders
Runners-up Jet2holidays, British Airways Holidays
• Best tour operators
• Best tours of Australia
Mauritius is a popular destination for Kuoni
KUONI
Best luxury tour operator
Winner Kuoni
Runners-up Audley Travel, Abercrombie & Kent
• Best Galapagos tours
• Best tours of Japan
Great Rail Journeys itineraries venture through the Swiss Alps
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Best guided adventure operator
Winner Great Rail Journeys
Runners-up Riviera Travel, Intrepid Travel
• Best adventure holidays for 2024
• Best rail journeys in Europe
• The world’s greatest rail journeys
Beaches Turks & Caicos by Sandals Resorts
Best all-inclusive hotel brand
Winner Sandals Resorts
Runners-up All-inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy, Riu Hotels
• Best all-inclusive hotels in Cancun
• Best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean
A room at the Oberoi, Lombok, Indonesia
Best luxury hotel group
Winner Oberoi Hotels and Resorts
Runners-up Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
• The Oberoi, Bengaluru hotel review
• Best luxury hotels in Rome
• Best luxury hotels in Milan
Villa Kassie in Santorini is available through Abercrombie & Kent Villas
CHRISTOS DRAZOS
Best villa operator
Winner Abercrombie & Kent Villas
Runners-up Oliver’s Travels, Vintage Travel
• Best villas in the world
• Best villas in Santorini
• Best villas in Antigua
Hurtigruten is renowned for its Norwegian cruises
Best ocean cruise operator
Winner Hurtigruten
Runners-up Royal Caribbean International, Cunard
• Best adults-only cruises
• Best all-inclusive cruise lines
• Best cruise lines for solo travellers
Viking Octantis in Antarctica
VIKING
Best luxury ocean cruise operator
Winner Viking
Runners-up Silversea, Saga Cruises
• Best luxury cruises for 2024 and 2025
• Best luxury cruise lines
A Viking Longboat on the River Main in Germany
VIKING
Best river cruise operator
Winner Viking
Runners-up Riviera Travel, Saga Cruises
• Best European river cruises for 2024 and 2025
• Best river cruises for solo travellers
HX Hurtigruten Expeditions’ MS Santa Cruz II sailing off the Galapagos Islands
ALAMY
Best adventure cruise operator
Winner HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
Runners-up Viking, Silversea
• Best cruise lines for every kind of traveller
• Best cruise lines for amazing excursions
The Millennium Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral in London
ALAMY
Best city (Europe)
Winner London
Runners-up Rome, Barcelona
• Best luxury hotels in London
• Best things to do in London
• Best boutique hotels in London
Central Park in New York
ALAMY
Best city (worldwide)
Winner New York
Runners-up Sydney, Vancouver
• Best restaurants in New York
• Best hotels in New York
• Best things to do in New York
The harbour on the island of Procida, near Naples, Italy
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Best country or region (Europe)
Winner Italy
Runners-up Greece, United Kingdom
• Best luxury villas in Italy
• Best tours of Italy for your next getaway
Milford Sound, New Zealand
ALAMY
Best country or region (worldwide)
Winner New Zealand
Runners-up Caribbean, India
• Best things to do in New Zealand
• Where should I go in New Zealand?
An easyJet Airbus A320 taking off from Barcelona airport
GETTY
Editor’s choice award
Winner easyJet
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