In partnership with 
Celebrating the best in travel
The TUMI X WIRED Innovation in Travel Awards returns for a second year. The series is designed to celebrate the companies, destinations and services delivering unparalleled experiences in the travel sector. It's also a way for WIRED readers to discover new ways to enjoy the rich and diverse travel opportunities our planet offers.
Through the 2016 edition of these awards, we want to showcase those producing unique, thorough and well-designed products and services, whether they be international travel hubs, airlines or individual bloggers. A TUMI X WIRED-award winner must make the traveller feel that special something that only globetrotting can – and do it with quality, efficiency and style. So browse the below categories and please vote for the nominees who you think live up to the suitably high ideals of WIRED and Tumi travellers.
Vote below and you could win a seven-night luxury holiday for two adults at Sandals Barbados, with accommodation in a deluxe room and flights included. The winner will receive the suitcases to travel with too – a two piece Tumi luggage set, worth up to £1,000, is also up for grabs.
Staying connected – in comfort
Best-connected hotel/resort
The destinations going above and beyond to keep guests connected to the world – even when away from home. We’re looking for the best tech and slickest experiences.
Aloft in California’s Cupertino has installed an Apple TV in every room and allows customers to check in, obtain their room numbers and even unlock the door using an app. In New York, Yotel micro-hotels feature a robot concierge and boast super-fast WiFi throughout. Singapore’s luxury W Hotel rooms come with a complementary Handy Smartphone, Bose sound systems, mood lighting and a 40-inch TV. While the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner experiments with hotel concepts, such as its IBM Watson-powered robot concierge, LG AV suite, smartphone key system and electric car charging. London’s Eccleston Square Hotel wants to keep you online, in smart rooms featuring 46-inch HD 3D TVs, an iPad2 for in-room concierge and free Handy Smartphones. Seattle’s Hotel 1000 uses heat-detecting sensors for accurate occupied/unoccupied room readings.
Cruising above the clouds, connected to the ground
Best in-flight experience
The airlines delivering unbeaten levels of technology and services – whether in their standard classes or their first class suites. It’s all about raising the bar beyond the humdrum and making flying a thrill once again.
With its “gate-to-gate” entertainment, Air New Zealand offers its passengers a huge range of films, audio and games, as well as enabling food and drink orders from touchscreen-backed seats that boasts an in-plane messenger. Emirates international flights now have a 33.7cm screen for every economy seat, and Thai Airways Thai Sky Connect lets customers connect to in-flight Wi-fi, plus supplies toys, games and books for children. In the luxury department, Etihad’s First Class apartments feature a two-metre bed, refreshments cabinet, large leather armchair and a private bathroom with shower. While Singapore Airline Suites are designed by French luxury yacht designer Jean-Jacques Coste and feature a 90cm wide leather armchair, separate bed, and specialist inflight entertainment. Finally, Virgin America, the airline that offers power outlets at every seat and ViaSat WiFI with high-profile partnerships to Netflix, Spotify and The New York Times, is bringing updates to its Red® in-flight entertainment system by adding higher resolution monitors and the first 3D sound experience in the skies to the already popular platform that features on-demand food ordering, live television, latest release movies and a send-a-drink feature with text chat.
The best in the world at your service, thanks to digital technologies
Best specialist travel agent/concierge
The apps, services and platforms that offer the best travel experiences. From building your own custom escapes to luxury travel designers and personalised services. The companies and individuals you can trust.
Pana is an app-based on-demand travel agent blending human knowledge with machine search – it gets smarter the more you use it. Similarly, Kayak is bringing personalised holidays to millions – it’s available in 18 languages. An offshoot of the celebrated Wendy Wu, Asia Inspirations lets users build itineraries online or by phone. Similarly, award-winning travel company Black Tomato specialises in creating exceptional tailor-made experiences for its clients. Offering more than travel Victoria James will also take care of lifestyle management, business services and property portfolios. Explore the city with Urbanologie, an app-based members club offering news and exclusive content about the coolest new hangouts, pop-ups and events.
The advise to trust when taking a break
Best UK-based Travel Influencer
Good travel influencer feel like a trusted friend sharing their experiences. These influencers – from travel writers and bloggers, to local city dwellers – are the best for identifying what and where for your next trip.
Looking for the best luxury accommodation and most exclusive transport? Check out Luxury Travel Diary. Chris John Millington at forgetfashion.com blends his passion for fashion with his love of travel while on the road with his trusty camera. Mr and Mrs Smith are the go-to for travellers looking for luxury hotel news and boutique finds. Get a fashion editor’s inside guide to where to eat, drink, shop and party at The Style Traveller. At a Hotel Life, editor-in-chief Ben Pundole oversees more than 100 contributors for a local look at exotic locations. Finally, the Bon Vivant Journal -- the off-shoot of the luxury travel and concierge service of the same name -- gathers insider tips of the trade.
Finding your perfect space
Best travel destination or experience
From the most exciting cities and the most luxurious resorts, to the hottest city quarters and stylish cultural spots, this category gathers some of the finest destinations in the world for 2016.
For a taste of where the old world meets the new, try Georgetown, Malaysia. If luxurious relaxation is your cup of miso, then the Amanemu hot spring resort in Ise Shima National Park, Japan is a must see. The Canopy by Hilton in Reykjavik, Iceland might be the hippest new urban establishment, but The Peninsula in Paris might just beat in with its traditional style and contemporary hospitality. Elsewhere in Europe, the Courtesy of Hotel des Galeries Hôtel des Galeries in Brussels blends culture and historical elegance in a single newly-opened spot.
Keeping you moving – in style
Best Transport Hub
Not just stress-free airport lounges, these locations add as much to your travel experience as the destinations themselves – whether they be high speed rail links, or local hubs.
Singapore’s Changi airport has won more than 500 awards since its 1981 launch. It continues to impress with airy architecture and excellent rail links. Tokyo International Haneda, which handled 75 million customers in 2015, ranks highly for its towering halls and top facilities. In Belgium’s third largest city, you might find the world’s most beautiful railway station – the ultra modern Liège-Guillemins station. Kanazawa Station in Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture melds spectacular contemporary architecture with 19th century prowess. While Logroño high-speed train station in Spain continually wins plaudits for its stealth-meets-origami angular design.
What's your journey? Watch Lewis Hamilton's here.
A bit about TUMI
Since 1975, TUMI has been creating world-class business and travel essentials, designed to upgrade, uncomplicate and beautify all aspects of life on the move. Blending flawless functionality with a spirit of ingenuity, we’re committed to empowering journeys as a lifelong partner to movers and makers in pursuit of their passions. Designed in America, for Global Citizens everywhere. The brand is sold in over 310 stores from New York to Paris to London and Tokyo, as well as the world’s top department and specialty stores and travel retail in more than 75 countries.
About Sandals
To be the best requires creativity, commitment, and constant innovation - all things we do very well at Sandals Resorts.
And one of the reasons we keep getting voted the best all-inclusive resorts in the world is because only Sandals Resorts includes the best of everything. The Caribbean’s most spectacular beaches and decadently romantic suites with private plunge pools. English Guild-trained butlers and world-class service. Premium brand drinks at up to eleven bars, and delectable 5-star Global Gourmet™ dining at up to 16 restaurants per resort. More land and water sports than anyone, including golf, waterskiing, and unlimited scuba diving. It’s all included, all unlimited, all the time… and it doesn’t get much better than that.
