New categories have been added to the line-up for this year’s British Travel Awards.
As nominations open for the awards, the organisers have revealed what’s new for 2018.
Airline awards go from from three awards to five – Best Long-haul Airline; Best Short-haul Airline; Best Low-Cost airline; Best Airline Economy Class; Best Airline Business Class.
Two new cruise awards have been added -Ultra Small?Boutique Cruise Line (max 350 passengers) and Ultra Luxury Cruise Line.
In the accommodation section, there’s a new category, Best Wintersports Accommodation Provider, and Best Villa Holiday Company and Best UK Holiday Cottage/Self Catering Holiday Booking Company Awards have been added to those defined by size according to bookings turnover.
Also new for 2018 is Best Holiday Resort for Animal Welfare
In total there are 82 award categories, 37 graded by company size (large, medium, small).
Bronze awards – dropped last year – have been re-instated following pressure from the industry.
BTA CEO Lorraine Barnes Burton said: "Travel companies have only until May 31 to apply for listing on the 2018 consumer facing voting form.
"The online listing application is very straightforward – there is no requirement to complete a lengthy submission – all we need to know is who you are, how to contact you and in which awards you wish to be listed.
"The winners are determined solely by the number of consumer votes cast and last year 359,634 holiday buyers voted for their preferred providers, making the British Travel Awards the largest and most influential of all travel industry awards."
The awards are open to: Airlines, Booking Websites, Car Hire, Cruise Lines, Ferry and Rail Operators, Holiday Accommodation Providers, Holiday Add-on (Airport Parking, Attraction Tickets, Foreign Exchange, Travel Insurance), Hotel Brands or Groups, Travel Agencies, Travel Websites (Deals, Price Comparison, Review), Travel Magazines, Tour Operators, UK/Domestic Holidays and UK/Domestic Visitor Attractions.
The BTAs are the only travel industry accolade voted for exclusively by the travelling public.
