In a venue befitting such a prestigious event, the recipients of 12 awards were announced on stage, including two agent categories, nine supplier categories in aviation, cruise, hotels and tour operating and Contribution to Luxury.

The winners were picked from more than 230 travel companies who entered across all categories.

There were two agent winners – Luxury Travel Agency of the Year (store) and Luxury Travel Designer of the Year (individual) – who had to go through a rigorous entry process, completing a substantial submission online, which was then judged by a panel of industry experts.

Supplier categories were rated by a hand-picked panel of some of the UK’s finest travel agencies, ensuring decisions on the winners were made by those who book luxury travel on a day-to-day basis.

The recipient of Contribution to Luxury was personally selected by the team at ttgluxury.

Meanwhile, the winner of Best New Luxury Hotel 2017 was selected via an expert panel of no less than 13 luxury travel journalists and editors, who contribute to some the world’s most respected and well-known titles.

The category was open to new properties making their debut in 2017, with judges looking for how impactful the hotel has been in the destination; the quality of its design; level of innovation; attention to sustainability; and service proposition.

Editor of ttgluxury April Hutchinson said: “In our inaugural year, I’m delighted we had such a fantastic calibre of entrants and winners, demonstrating the great breadth of incredible companies across the global luxury travel sector. Huge congratulations to all our winners and thanks to headline sponsor ANA - All Nippon Airways and our fabulous venue partner, Rosewood London.”

The ceremony for the inaugural ttgluxury Travel Awards was attended by 200 leaders from across the luxury travel sector, who enjoyed a Champagne and canape reception and lunch at Rosewood London accompanied by live entertainment, before hearing about all the winners.