Trazees & GBTA Conference Highlights: Key Takeaways and Trends

The Global Traveler team celebrated the annual Global Business Travel Association convention with a Roaring Twenties–themed reception at the new speakeasy-style Itta Bena in Orlando, Fla. The event, hosted in partnership with co-sponsor Meliá Hotels International, brought together industry colleagues, partners and friends for an evening of networking and celebration.

In addition to marking another successful GBTA convention, the reception honored the inaugural winners of The Trazees, awards presented by Global Traveler’s sister site, trazeetravel.com. Representatives from many of the winning travel companies attended to accept awards on behalf of their organizations and to celebrate achievements across the industry.

Trazee Travel focuses on travel news, trends and advice for travelers aged 18–35. Updated daily, the site covers new products, travel tips and lifestyle content relevant to younger travelers. Nominations for the first Trazees were gathered through an online ballot and contributed by trazeetravel.com’s staff, and a selection committee from FX Express Publications, Inc. reviewed the entries to choose the winners.

“This year proved to be another successful GBTA convention,” said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO of Global Traveler. “After announcing the launch of trazeetravel.com at last year’s show, it was fitting to honor the first Trazees at this year’s event. We enjoyed celebrating our partners’ successes at the remarkable 1920s-themed Itta Bena, a standout destination in Orlando.”

The event took place during the 47th annual Global Business Travel Association convention, which drew more than 6,000 attendees representing hotels, airlines, travel companies and corporate travel departments. The next GBTA annual convention is scheduled for Denver in July 2016.

Winners’ Circle

Favorite International Airline
American Airlines

Favorite Aircraft Type
Boeing 787

Favorite Airline Website
JetBlue

Favorite Frequent-Flyer Program
United MileagePlus

Favorite Airline in North America / Favorite Budget Airline
Southwest Airlines

Favorite Airline to South America
LAN Airlines

Favorite Airline in Europe
Aer Lingus

Favorite Airline in Africa
South African Airways

Favorite Asian Airline
EVA Air

Favorite Overall Airport in the World
Munich Airport

Favorite Airport in North America
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Favorite Individual Hotel
The James Chicago

Favorite Hotel Chain
Kimpton Hotels

Favorite Lifestyle Hotel
Andaz

Favorite Hotel Website
Marriott

Favorite Hotel Rewards Program
IHG Rewards Club

Favorite Hotel Chain in Latin America
InterContinental Hotels Group

Favorite Hotel Chain in Mexico
Fiestamericana Hotels & Resorts

Favorite Hotel Chain in the Middle East
Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Favorite Green Hotel
Element Hotels

Favorite Country
Spain

Favorite Worldwide City
Dublin

Favorite Wireless Service
Verizon

Favorite Event Around the Globe
Oktoberfest

Favorite Rental Car Company
National