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Global Traveler magazine releases 2012 list of best hotel, tourist destination and other travel award winners

By Frances Cha 4 December, 2012

Guess which name is hiding behind the wing.

Who do you trust more for your destination and hotel recommendations -- picky travel industry editors or picky fellow travelers?

Global Traveler, a U.S.-based magazine for international business travelers, has announced this year’s winners of its annual reader survey in 70 travel-related categories.

More than 28,000 frequent business and luxury travelers responded to this year’s survey.

It's a selective, high-earning crowd: Global Traveler estimates its readers’ average household income to be US$368,900 a year. The magazine says its readers average 16 international and 16 domestic round-trip flights a year. Seventy-six percent usually travel in business class. 

The awards range from the expected (Best Airport in the World: Incheon; Best Airport Lounges: Emirates) to the debatable (Best Airline for Flight Attendant Uniforms: Etihad) to the downright odd (Best Airport Gate Agents: Qatar Airways; Best Hotel Club Floor: The Ritz-Carlton Club Level).

The winners’ reception is planned for December 12 at The Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel, which readers named the Best Hotel in the United States.

Below is a small sampling of this year's winners.

Global Traveler magazine 2012 Annual Reader Survey Awards

Best Airline in the World: Singapore Airlines

Best Airline for International First Class: Emirates

Best Airline for Business Class: British Airways

Best Airline for Flight Attendants: Asiana Airlines

Best Airline for Flight Attendant Uniforms: Etihad Airways

Best Airline Cuisine: Alitalia

Best Airport in the World: Incheon Airport (Seoul)

Best Hotel in the World: The Address Downtown Dubai

Best Tourism Destination: Ireland

Best Golf Resort: Bandon Dunes, Bandon, Ore. (United States)

Best Frequent-Flyer Program: United MileagePlus

Best Airport Hotel: Hyatt Regency Incheon 

Best Noise-Canceling Headset: Sony Noise-Canceling Headset 

For the complete list, click here. 

More on CNN: Eyebrow raisers at the World Travel Awards 2012