As global travel picks up, we’ve recently announced the finalists for this year’s Business Traveler Awards.
Our expert judges narrowed down a short list of nominees comprising the best airlines, airports, hotels, and travel services of 2023, compiled with the cooperation of our panel of travel experts.
Please vote for your favorites through October 15. The results will be announced in our December/January double issue. In the meantime, please meet our judges.
From winning a bid for ANA’s inaugural Dreamliner flight to enjoying Singapore Airlines’ A380 maiden voyage, Gino Bertuccio is a seasoned traveler with 22 inaugural and final flight experiences in premium cabins. Alongside his collection of nearly 2,000 model airplanes, his passion also extends to airline memorabilia and luxury sky adventures.
A fashion and products expert, Laurie Brookins reports on the latest accessories and trends for travelers. You can find her product reviews in our signature “Tried & Tested” section; she writes for The Hollywood Reporter and Robb Report.
Since age eight, Jeb Brooks has loved planes and trains. Today, he travels professionally as a YouTuber, with as many as four million viewers traveling right along with him each month on his channel, @GreenerGrass.
Aviation journalist Josh Cahill covers airlines, aviation, and unconventional travel destinations on his popular YouTube channel, @gotravelyourway. With 160+ airlines and 600+ flights under his belt in five years, he delivers honest and unbiased reviews through self-funded journeys. His channel has garnered 750k+ subscribers and 200M+ views.
Rachel Dube is a freelance travel and beauty writer based in New York. Her work has appeared in Condé Nast Traveler, Hotels Above Par, Robb Report, among others.
JT Genter is the editor-in-chief of AwardWallet, a platform which analyzes how credit card rewards slash travel costs. He is a full-time travel writer and digital nomad with seven million+ miles/points, one million+ miles flown, and 44 countries visited.
Based in Miami, Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon (@JetSetSarah) is a writer and an on-air travel expert who contributes to brands including Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler.
Henry Harteveldt is a renowned industry analyst and advisor. Atmosphere Research, his market research and advisory firm, is a go-to for global media, and he’s often featured on networks including Bloomberg and CNN.
Jennifer Kester is a freelance writer and editor focusing on luxury travel. During her time as Vice President/Executive Editor at Forbes Travel Guide, she visited more than 250 luxury hotels.
David Kolner is the Executive Vice President of Virtuoso. His experience spans more than 25 years in corporate and leisure travel, and its intersection with technology.
Travis Levius (@misterlevius) is a luxury travel journalist and content creator loosely based between Atlanta and London. His writing has appeared in Time, Condé Nast Traveler, Robb Report, Travel + Leisure and others.
Andy Luten founded Andy’s Travel Blog in 2012. His blog is part of the BoardingArea network and has been featured in publications including Conde Nast Traveler, D Magazine, and Business Insider.
Jarvis Marcos is the founder of The Luxury Traveller, a leading luxury travel agency and travel review website.
He has flown almost every First and Business Class product in the sky and has amassed 400k followers on his social channels.
Jessica Nabongo is a global citizen, storyteller and travel expert. She is the first Black woman to have traveled to every country in the world. Named one of the 50 Most Notable People in Travel, by Travel + Leisure, Jessica uses her platforms to educate and inspire others.
Lisa Niver is the founder of We Said Go Travel and host of the Make Your Own Map podcast. She is an award-winning travel pro, who has explored 102 countries. Lisa is the author of Brave-ish, One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty. She is the founder of We Said Go Travel and host of Make Your Own Map podcast.
Mark C. O’Flaherty is a London-based writer and photographer who contributes to The Telegraph and The Financial Times, among other international lifestyle publications. He reports on design, travel and interiors.
Jessica Poitevien is the Florida-based journalist and content creator behind She Dreams of Travel, a brand inspiring others to experience the world through meaningful travel.
Brett Snyder is the airline enthusiast behind Cranky Flier LLC. He has an extensive industry background including roles at USAir, America West, and United. He manages the Cranky Concierge and Cranky Daily.
Stephanie Vermillion is a travel journalist and photographer who writes for National Geographic, AFAR, and Travel + Leisure. She covers stories at the intersection of travel, wellness, and adventure, from the myriad benefits of forest bathing to the restorative power of hot springs.
While writing about all aspects of travel, Susan J. Young is a veteran of more than 325 ocean, river and expedition cruise lines. Her articles have appeared on The Avid Cruiser and The Sunday Times of London. She covers cruise trends for Business Traveler.
Zarikian is a culinary and cocktail expert who contributes to our signature “Tried & Tested” section, advising readers where to dine, drink and stay. His writing also appears in Venice magazine and The Miami Herald.