Telegraph Travel Awards: your favourite airlines, hotel groups, tour operators and destinations

The winners of the 2015-16 Telegraph Travel Awards - voted for by more than 75,000 readers - have been announced. 

Following what is the most comprehensive, wide-ranging and reliable travel survey in Britain, the world's best destinations, airlines, tour operators and cruise lines were recognised at a ceremony today.

The awards were introduced by Charles Starmer-Smith, The Telegraph's Head of Travel, and presented by Gyles Brandreth, the broadcaster and former MP. Guests at the event included John Simpson, Martin Bell, Michael Buerk and Kate Adie.

Audley picked up the highly-coveted award for best tour operator, British Airways was named best airline, while you voted for Cape Town and New Zealand as your favourite city and country, respectively. 

Here we reveal the winners and runners-up in all 14 categories. 

Best country

1. New Zealand
2. Maldives
3. South Africa

For the fourth consecutive year, Telegraph Travel readers named New Zealand their favourite country. The top European country in the survey was Italy (14th overall). 

Best city

1. Cape Town
2. Vancouver
3. Venice

Cape Town scooped the best city award, also for the fourth consecutive year. The top UK city was Edinburgh (30th overall).

Best short-haul airline

1. British Airways
2. Swiss
3. Icelandair

BA has been named best short-haul airline for five years running.

Best long-haul airline

1. Emirates
2. Singapore
3. Air New Zealand

Emirates pipped last year's winner, Singapore Airlines, to the top spot in the long-haul category. 

Best small cruise line

1. Saga
2. Seabourn
3. Silversea

Saga replaced Seabourn as the favourite small cruise line of Telegraph Travel readers. 

Best large cruise line

1. Cunard
2. Hurtigruten
3. Celebrity Cruises

For the fourth year in a row, Cunard was named best cruise line.  

Best river cruise line

1. APT
2. Uniworld
3. Riviera

For the second year in a row, APT was named best river cruise line.

Best hotel group

1. Six Senses
2. Shangri-La
3. RIU Hotels & Resorts

Six Senses took the award for best hotel group: telegraph.co.uk/besthotelgroups2015/16 

Best tour operator

1. Audley
2. Trailfinders
3. Scott Dunn

Audley was named best tour operator. Last year's winner, Trailfinders, came second.

Best escorted tour operator

1. Trafalgar
2. APT
3. Wendy Wu

Trafalgar replaced Scenic Tours as top escorted tour operator.

Best specialist tour operator

1. Wellbeing Escapes
2. Vintage Travel
3. Inspired Luxury

Our poll of 75,000 readers saw Wellbeing Escape named best specialist tour operator.

Best rail operator

1. Rocky Mountaineer
2. Great Rail Journeys
3. Railbookers

Canada's Rocky Mountaineer took the award for best rail operator - beating last year's winner, Great Rail Journeys. 

Best ski operator

1. Scott Dunn
2. VIP Ski
3. Le Ski

Scott Dunn was named best ski operator for the first time. Previous winners of the award have included Mark Warner, Neilson and Crystal.

Best ferry operator

1. Brittany
2. P&O
3. Stena Line

And finally... Brittany was named best ferry operator for the third year in a row.