The recent Grand Travel Award Gala in Stockholm was a huge success for a previously troubled Scandinavian Airlines (for more on the story of its successful transformation back to the top, read here). SAS was named winner in three categories: Best European airline, Best intercontinental airline and Best domestic transportation. To top off the evening on February 16, the airline’s global sales manager, Annelie Nässén won the Manager of the Year Award.

Twelve hundred members of the travel industry — organized by the travel trade publication Travel News — picked the winners for the annual awards. SAS won in competition with British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates and others. Among the other awards were Best Domestic Hotel Chain – Clarion; Best International Hotel Chain – Radisson Blu and interestingly, the Annual Innovator award was awarded to Airbnb. STF Abisko Mountain station received a well deserved Annual Ecotourism Award and the Annual Digital Award was awarded to Fritidsresor charter for its introduction of a smart bracelet, TUI, for travelers. The TUI works as a room key, can be used as a means of payment and to regulate your room’s temperature. Best Tour Operator in Special Travel was Swanson’s Travel, which specializes in travel to North America and Tourist Destination of the Year, the United States.

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SAS is starting non-stop service between Los Angeles and Stockholm, Sweden on March 14, 2016. Daily services to Miami will start in the fall 2016.

Grand Travel Awards –the full list of winners
Best domestic transportation – SAS
Best European airline – SAS
Best intercontinental airline – SAS
Best charter organizer – Ving
Best tour operator, special travel – Swanson’s Travel
Best domestic hotel chain – Clarion Hotels
Best international hotel chain – Radisson Blu
Best cruisline – Birka Cruises
Best international cruiseline – Royal Caribbean
Best car rental – Hertz
Best foreign tourist information – Visit Denmark
Touris Destination/Country of the Year – USA
Innovator of the Year – Airbnb
Digital Award – Fritidsresor, which introduced a smart bracelet for travelers
Ecotourism Award fo the Year – STF Abisko Fjällstation
Manager of the Year – Annelie Nässén, SAS