Apple has once again proved it is a brand that everyone wants a bite of with the MacBook Pro today named among the twelve travel must-haves of 2010.
Smythson’s coveted Nancy tote bag and kids favourite Trunki luggage were also chosen from more than 140 products in the second annual Heathrow Travel Product Awards.
Launched to recognise the great and the good of travel products, the awards are shortlisted by a panel of travel experts and voted for by the general public via the Heathrow Travel Product Awards microsite.
This year more than 8000 votes were cast across 12 categories including gadgets, beauty and travel reads.
The winning products will be showcased in a 3m x 2m giant suitcase in Terminal 5 for the month of October – and available to purchase at Heathrow with significant savings compared to the high street.
1. Top Travel Must-Have – Trunki Children’s Tipu Ladybird Case
Proving fun and functionality are both as important as each other when travelling with kids, this playful childrens luggage came head, shoulders (and wheels) above the other must-have contenders. In second and third place were the Design Go ‘Weigh to Go’ compact travel scales and Samsonite’s futuristic Cosmolite luggage concept.
2. Top Technology – Apple MacBook Pro 15in
The super fast and super slim-line MacBook Pro took Apple to the top in the technology category – cementing its place as a frequent traveller’s lifeline when on the move. Narrowly missing out on the top spot were business traveller favourite Sony Vaio Z series laptop and the HTC Desire smartphone.
3. Best Travel Entertainment – Nintendo DS – Brain Training game
Nintendo’s ‘mind gym’ training game came out tops in the Travel Entertainment category, which gives some indication that passengers like to stay alert when they’re on their travels. In fact, Nintendo wiped the floor in this category claiming second and third places with other games titles
4. Best Camera – Canon 500D
Canon’s lightweight 500D digital SLR camera, featuring a 12.2 mega pixel CMOS sensor, snapped up the number one spot in the best cameras list, followed by Paul Smith’s LiquidImage Camera Mask, allowing holidaymakers to take great underwater snaps, and the Panasonic TZ9
5. Best Handbag – Smythson Nancy Tote
This coveted tote features Smythson signature hand-riveted quilting in a luxe, slouchy, carry-all style. Taking second and third places in the category were two Mulberry models – the brand new Daria Hobo in Ostrich Print and the East West Mitzy.
6. Best Sunglasses – Ray-Ban Black Suspended Lens
Ray-Ban’s black suspended lens models knocked shades off the other competitors in this category, which included Ray-Ban Aviators and Prada’s Grey Shield women’s model.
7. Best Travel Beauty Product – Prevage anti-age serum
Proving that passengers make an extra special effort when it comes to in-flight glam, Prevage’s wrinkle-busting anti-age serum topped the Travel Beauty Product category. In second place was a more practical Soltan Light Lotion, followed by Sisley’s Supremÿa night cream in third place.
8. Best Men’s Fragrance – Gucci by Gucci Pour Homme
The sweet smell of success belongs to Gucci in this category, which picks up first place for its Gucci by Gucci Pour Homme - the first male fragrance entirely designed by Creative Director Frida Giannini. Other sparkling high notes were taken by Paco Rabanne One Million and Marc Jacob’s new fragrance, Bang.
9. Best Women’s Fragrance – Marc Jacobs Lola Velvet EDP
Marc Jacobs’ iconic bottle for his Lola women’s fragrance swayed passengers in this category, with Gucci Guilty and a classic – Calvin Klein Beauty following in second and third.
10. Best Watch & Jewellery – Omega Speedmaster Professional
The sparkling victors in the Watch & Jewellery category included three classic timepieces – Omega’s Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch clocked up enough votes to put it into the number one slot. Also recognised were the Omega Ladies’ Constellation and the IWC Gent’s Portugese Chronograph.
11. Top Travel Gift – Harrods Paddington Bear
Everyone’s favouite travelling bear, Paddington, took the number one spot in this category, followed closely by the beautiful Pandora bracelet and classic Churchills toffee tin – great for greeting expecting relatives at your destination!
12. Top Travel Read – At Home by Bill Bryson
Top travel tomes were dominated by Mr. travel writer himself – Bill Bryson. Bill’s At Home took the top spot, whilst his Road Less Travelled took number three. In second place was Frankie Boyle’s frankly titled My **** Life So Far.
Brian Woodhead, Retail Concessions Director at Heathrow, said: “The Heathrow Travel Product Awards were launched to showcase the many brands and products sold at the airport. It’s great to see what our passengers really value when they travel - and the luxuries and essentials they just can’t live without.
“We hope the awards will not only raise awareness of the offering at Heathrow – and the substantial savings that can be made - but also our commitment to making every journey better than last.”
The winners of the 2010 Heathrow Travel Product Awards will be honoured at a special awards presentation at Heathrow later this month.
