On an August evening, trazeetravel.com honored the winners of its 11th annual The Trazees and whereverfamily.com celebrated the recipients of its eighth annual Wherever Awards at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. The elegant venue set the tone for an evening of recognition and celebration. FXExpress Publications, Inc. also presented its 2025 Industry Leader Awards during the event.
© Amy Opoka
For the first time, the Joey Fecci Award for Culinary Excellence was presented to Chef Rashida Holmes of Bridgetown Roti in Los Angeles. Named in memory of Chef Joey Fecci of Yolan at The Joseph in Nashville, the award recognizes outstanding chefs under 40 who reflect the passion, creativity and dedication Fecci exemplified. Fecci passed away at 26, and this award carries on his legacy by honoring emerging culinary leaders.
Several sponsors supported the evening, including Condor Airlines, iGA Istanbul Airport, Holland America Line Rewards Visa Card from Barclays and Santa Monica Travel & Tourism.
Join us in congratulating the leaders and brands recognized for excellence in family, millennial and luxury travel. Below is a recap of the winners across categories honored at the event.
WINNERS’ CIRCLE
Favorite International Airline
Condor Airlines
Favorite Airline Alliance
oneworld
Favorite Aircraft Type
Boeing 787
Favorite Airline Website
alaskaair.com
Favorite Frequent-Flyer Program
United MileagePlus
Favorite Airline in Africa
Royal Air Maroc
Favorite Airline in Asia
Korean Air
Favorite Airline in Europe
TAP Air Portugal
Favorite Airline in Mexico
Aeromexico
Favorite Airline in the Middle East
Etihad Airways
Favorite Airline in North America
Alaska Airlines
Favorite Airline in South/Central America
Avianca
Favorite Green Airline
Turkish Airlines
Favorite Airline App
Delta Air Lines
Favorite Premium Economy Class, Asia
Japan Airlines
Favorite Premium Economy Class, Europe
Virgin Atlantic Airways
Favorite Premium Economy Class, South/Central America
Avianca
Favorite Premium Economy Class, United States
Delta Air Lines
Favorite Overall Airport in the World
iGA Istanbul Airport
Favorite Airport in Asia
Incheon International Airport
Favorite Airport in Europe
iGA Istanbul Airport
Favorite Airport in North America
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Favorite Airport in the Middle East
Hamad International Airport
Favorite Airport in South/Central America
Bogotá El Dorado International Airport
Favorite Airport Dining
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Favorite Airport Shopping
Miami International Airport
Favorite Duty-Free Shopping
Singapore Changi Airport
Favorite Individual Hotel
Nemacolin
Favorite Hotel Chain
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
Favorite Lifestyle Hotel Chain
Moxy Hotels
Favorite Hotel Website
marriott.com
Favorite Hotel Rewards Program in the World
Marriott Bonvoy
Favorite Hotel Chain in Asia
Taj Hotels
Favorite Hotel Chain in Europe
Mandarin Oriental
Favorite Hotel Chain in Mexico
Fiesta Americana Travelty
Favorite Hotel Chain in the Middle East
Jumeirah International
Favorite Hotel Chain in South/Central America
RIU Hotels & Resorts
Favorite Green Hotel
Element Hotels
Favorite Hotel App
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Favorite Country
Greece
Favorite Worldwide City
Seoul
Favorite Honeymoon Destination
Turks & Caicos
Favorite Adventure Destination
Taiwan
Favorite Foodie City
Austin, Texas
Friendliest City
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Favorite Beach Town, Northeast United States
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Favorite Beach Town, Mid-Atlantic United States
Cape May, New Jersey
Favorite Beach Town, Mid-Southern United States
Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Favorite Beach Town, Florida (East)
Cocoa Beach
Favorite Beach Town, Florida (West)
Sarasota
Favorite Beach Town, West Coast United States
Santa Monica, California
Favorite Beach Town, Hawai‘i
Kaimukī, Oahu
Favorite Car Rental Company
Hertz
Favorite Tour Operator
Abercrombie & Kent
Favorite Luggage Brand
Samsonite
Favorite Credit Card
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
Favorite Credit Card Design
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase
Favorite Cruise Line Credit Card
Holland America Line Rewards Visa Card
Favorite Cruise Line
Princess Cruises
Wherever Awards
WINNERS’ CIRCLE
Best Family-Friendly Domestic Airline
Alaska Airlines
Best Family-Friendly Airline in North America
United Airlines
Best Family-Friendly International Airline
TAP Air Portugal
Best Family-Friendly Frequent-Flyer Program
United MileagePlus
Best Family-Friendly Hotel Chain
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Best Family-Friendly Resort Chain
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
Best Family-Friendly Individual Hotel
Nemacolin
Best Family-Friendly Frequent-Stay Program
Marriott Bonvoy
Best Family-Friendly All-Inclusive Hotel
Hyatt Ziva
Best Family-Friendly Pet Hotel
IHG Hotels & Resorts
Best Family-Friendly Hotel Kids Club
Beaches Turks & Caicos
Best Family-Friendly Domestic Tour Company
National Geographic Family Journeys
Best Family-Friendly International Tour Company
Abercrombie & Kent
Best Family-Friendly Cruise Line
Princess Cruises
Best Family-Friendly MultiGen Cruise Line
Seabourn Cruises
Best Family-Friendly Cruise Line Kids Club
Princess Cruises – Youth & Teens
Best Family-Friendly Credit Card
Capital One Venture X
Best Family-Friendly Credit Card Rewards Program
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase
Best Family-Friendly International Destination
Spain
Best Family-Friendly Domestic Destination
Phoenix, Arizona
Best Family-Friendly Caribbean Island/Destination
Jamaica
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Northeast United States
Ocean City, Maryland
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Southern United States
Tybee Island, Georgia
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Florida (East)
Amelia Island
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Florida (West)
Marco Island
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, West Coast United States
Santa Monica, California
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Hawai‘i
Waikiki, Oahu
Best Family-Friendly Multigenerational Destination of the Year
Greece
Best Family-Friendly Amusement Park
Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Best Family-Friendly Waterpark
Great Wolf Lodge
Best Family-Friendly Rental Car Company
Hertz
Best Family-Friendly Domestic Airport
Chicago Midway Airport
Best Family-Friendly International Airport
iGA Istanbul Airport
Best Family-Friendly Airport Dining
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Best Family-Friendly Airport Shopping
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Family Innovator of the Year, Airline
Alaska Airlines
Family Innovator of the Year, Hotel
Great Wolf Lodge
Family Innovator of the Year, Resort
Beaches Resorts
Family Innovator of the Year, Rental Car
Hertz
Family Innovator of the Year, Travel Provider
MSC Cruises
Family Innovator of the Year, Destination
Ocean City, New Jersey
Family Innovator of the Year, Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Industry Leader Awards
© Amy Opoka
WINNERS’ CIRCLE
Best Aviation Industry Leader
Vanessa Hudson
CEO, Qantas Airways
Best Hotel Industry Leader
Enrique Calderón Fernández
COO & Vice President, Posadas
Best Cruise Line Industry Leader
Janet Bava
Chief Commercial Officer, Windstar Cruises
Best Airport Industry Leader
Khaled Aylouch
Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications, Hamad International Airport
Best Tourism Industry Leader
Victoria Isley
President & CEO, Explore Asheville
© Amy Opoka