2009
Awards ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
RE ADER’S ★ C H★I C E
You voted… and the results are in! Congratulations to our 2009 Reader’s Choice winners, selected by readers of Leisure Group Travel. Subscribers voted by mailing in their Reader Service Card or going online at leisuregrouptravel.com. About This Year’s Award Winners
New York City once again proved it’s A-No. 1, top of the heap, earning Platinum in the Domestic Destination category. Washington, DC, and Hawaii bumped out Alaska and Las Vegas, our second and third place finishers in 2007 and 2008. Canada placed first in the International Destination sweepstakes, perhaps a reflection of closer-to-home travel in these difficult economic times. When it comes to Tour Operator, readers of Leisure Group Travel for the third year in a row give the Platinum and Gold to Collette Vacations and Globus, respectively. Tauck World Discovery knocked Diamond Tours out of its 2008 Silver slot.
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Several categories show remarkable consistency from year to year. Florida’s Disney World (admittedly a destination in itself ) was again favorite Attraction, with the Tulip Time Festival in Holland, Mich., creeping up to Gold (from Silver last year). Mt. Rushmore, in a surprising move to some, won Silver, the first time it has placed in the top three. Broadway, for the third year running, took Platinum in Theater, with Wisconsin’s Fireside No. 2 and Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Maryland taking Silver for the second consecutive year. Sight & Sound, a consistent past winner, failed to make the cut. Marriott, another perennial favorite, again topped the Hotel Chain category, followed by Hampton, which has
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ATTRACTION
HOTEL CHAIN
Disney World • Platinum Tulip Time Festival • Gold Mt. Rushmore • Silver
Marriott • Platinum Hampton • Gold Holiday Inn • Silver
CRUISE LINE
DOMESTIC DESTINATION
Holland America • Platinum Royal Caribbean • Gold Princess • Silver
New York City • Platinum Washington, DC • Gold Hawaii • Silver
THEATER
INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION
Broadway • Platinum The Fireside Dinner Theatre • Gold Toby’s Dinner Theatre • Silver
Canada • Platinum Germany • Gold Italy • Silver
GAMING ESTABLISHMENT
TOUR OPERATOR
Hard Rock • Platinum Harrah’s • Gold Belterra • Silver
Collette • Platinum Globus • Gold Tauck • Silver
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earned Gold or Silver in previous contests. Holiday Inn won Silver. For the first time in recent years, Hilton did not place. In the Cruise Line category, Holland America continues to rate Platinum with group tour organizers. Princess repeated its 2008 Silver performance, while Royal Caribbean beat out Celebrity, last year’s Gold winner. In Gaming Establishment, Harrah’s slipped to Gold from its 2008 Platinum perch, but the real surprise was Hard Rock coming in first and two past favorites—Mohegan Sun and Greektown—not making the top three spots. Thanks to all who voted in this year’s Reader’s Choice Awards. If you disagree with the results, ensure your opinion is voiced in our 2010 Awards—voting starts next August.
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