In this issue we’re pleased to present a recap of our annual awards festivities, this year hosted at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles at L.A. Live, honoring the best in business and luxury travel. The Ritz-Carlton offered an exciting new venue, and it was a pleasure to welcome so many industry leaders and subscribers to join the GT team for an evening of celebration and entertainment.
© Francis X. Gallagher
After the Los Angeles event, I flew to Tampa to visit the FXExpress office in Sarasota. During the COVID pandemic we expanded our footprint to include a Florida office to better serve our audience in the southern United States and nearby regions. Hurricane Ian had produced some damage, so I attended to minor repairs and enjoyed reconnecting with the Sarasota team in person.
The start of the year has been busy and full of positive developments. In January I met with key partners and clients at Marriott Bonvoy, Celebrity Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Costa, Tahiti Tourism and Singapore Airlines. I traveled across the country efficiently, keeping overnight stays to a minimum while ensuring productive face-to-face meetings.
While in Los Angeles for several appointments, I relied on MOTEV, a luxury eco-friendly car service that operates an all-Tesla and EV limousine fleet. Our driver, Harry, provided smooth, timely transportation between meetings, and I recommend this service for business travel or any itinerary where comfort and sustainability matter.
Meanwhile, our subscriber community has been on the move, with recent trips across Africa, Europe and South America. It’s energizing to see so much global travel activity resume.
As I write, I’m en route to meetings in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, then on to New York to visit both new and long-standing accounts, including Cathay Pacific, Tourism Ireland and Greek Tourism. Packing for rapid temperature swings—from warm 80-degree days to chilly 39-degree weather in New York—remains a familiar challenge for frequent travelers.
Voting for the 2023 GT Tested Reader Survey awards is open now through Aug. 31. Make sure to cast your vote for favorite travel providers, and check the recap on page 34 for the full list of 2022 winners.
Travel appears to be back in full swing. If you’re interested in joining a hosted journey, consider the Global Traveler-organized AmaWaterways cruise departing Oct. 8.
Francis X. Gallagher
Publisher and CEO