The Independent Travel Awards 2015 were decided through a combination of reader nominations and an expert judging panel, which included TV presenter Ben Fogle, The Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder and its head of travel Sophie Lam, and TTG’s editor Pippa Jacks.
Travel companies and tourist-related innovations were recognised across 16 different categories, covering European and long-haul airlines, airports, rail operators, travel apps, and guide books.
Heathrow took the trophy for Best Airport, with Calgary in Canada, achieving highly commended status.
Citymapper was declared best travel app, while Chiltern Railways, which carries passengers between London Marylebone and Birmingham, was named best train operator.
A more unusual category, for Destination Innovation, recognised efforts to offer visitors something new or unusual. The Attabad Lake Tunnel, which connects Pakistan and China, was highly commended by the judges for improving the Karakorum Highway, as was Dreamland in Margate. But the trophy was claimed by Gloucester Services on the M5, which readers described as “the Glastonbury of road stops”, for serving wholesome local produce and countryside calm.
The Reader’s Choice award named Michael Palin as Britain’s most inspiring traveller.
The ceremony took place at London’s Corinthia Hotel. See a full list of winners on the Independent’s website.
