LOUNGE OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2013

Recognising the world’s best in class airport VIP lounges

Press Pack – 12th June 2013

www.prioritypass.com

Barcelona El Prat Airport Lounge wins

Priority Pass Global Lounge of the Year Award

• No.1 Heathrow lounge voted best for refreshments • Manchester’s Escape Lounge T1 scoops best staff • Bahrain’s Dilmun Lounge voted best for business facilities • Regional Winners announced for Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and Caribbean, Middle

East and Africa, North America

12th June 2013 – The Pau Casals VIP lounge at Barcelona El Prat airport has been named the global winner of this year's prestigious Priority Pass Lounge of the Year awards.

Now in their ninth year, the awards recognize excellence within Priority Pass’ network of over 600 partner operated lounges worldwide. Nearly 60,000 Priority Pass members voted based on their experiences of the program’s lounges globally and against a set of criteria for lounge quality including refreshments, staff, business facilities and overall ambience. But it was the Barcelona lounge with its unique design and luxurious facilities that emerged as the overall global winner for 2013.

Barcelona was rated consistently high on all the criteria, with members particularly enthusiastic about the lounge design alongside its quality facilities. Leading Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill has delivered a spacious retreat from the stress of the main airport terminal with dual aspect views to both runway and airport concourse through floor to ceiling glass. The design also comprises zoned areas for work, refreshments, rest and entertainment. The quiet zone features low lighting and chaise longues for resting between or while waiting for flights. There is also a spa where travelers can unwind with a massage or even book in for a haircut. Global Marketing Director for Priority Pass, Stephen Simpson said: "With so many of our members taking part, Lounge of the Year provides the most comprehensive overview of the quality of the world’s airport lounges in 2013. “For the past eight years, the Lounge of the Year awards have given Priority Pass members the opportunity to provide input to us and our partners regarding what they value in an airport lounge. As our members are regular travelers, many of them on business, airport lounges are a key contributor to a smooth and productive trip, and so the quality of the experience is of great importance. “The win is a notable achievement for Barcelona-based GIS Trade Centre, who manage the lounge under airport operator, AENA. Their experience in the hospitality and conference sector means that they know how to deliver both business facilities and luxuries, and that is clearly being appreciated by our members.

We also commend the category and regional winners for the outstanding lounge experience that they provide.”

No.1 Heathrow triumphed in the best refreshments category, by offering a variety of complimentary food options to order, including a poached egg dish and Welsh rarebit, as well as a comprehensive wine, spirits and soft drinks list, also complimentary. A seasonal A la Carte menu, created in conjunction with leading British restaurateur Michael Nadra, can be purchased separately and includes Moroccan spicy lamb, chicken Caesar salad and the No.1 Burger.

Manchester’s Escape Lounge in Terminal 1, winner of the best staff category, cited its thorough staff selection process and the team’s dedication to ensuring each visitor can truly relax as the reasons behind its win. Opened in July 2010, the team at Manchester strive to build rapport with each visitor, many of whom are frequent visitors to the lounge.

The Dilmun Lounge at Bahrain International Airport was named best for business facilities. This is the sixth time that the Dilmun Lounge has achieved an award, having previously won the best lounge in the Middle East and Africa region four times, and the best refreshments award once.

There were a total of nine winners in the Priority Pass 2013 Lounge of the Year Awards, including five regional winners: Global Best Lounge: Pau Casals VIP lounge, Barcelona El Prat Global Best Refreshments: No.1 Heathrow, Terminal 3, London Heathrow Airport Global Best Staff: Escape Lounge, Manchester Airport Global Best Business Facilities: Dilmun Lounge, Bahrain International Airport Asia Pacific: Louis’ Tavern CIP First Class Lounge, International Terminal, Concourse G, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport Europe: Pau Casals VIP lounge, Barcelona El Prat (Global Winner) Latin America and Caribbean: Sumaq VIP Lounge and Business Centre, Lima Jorge Chavez International Airport Middle East and Africa: Al Dhabi Lounge, Abu Dhabi International Airport North America: United Club, Houston Texas International Airport High resolution Images plus video content of the winning lounge can be found at www.prioritypass.com/globalloungeoftheyearawards2013

ENDS

Stephen Simpson

Stephen joined Priority Pass in 2013 to build on the existing global reach and strategic planning of its marketing endeavours, as well as to drive the brand to ensure it delivers against significant commercial objectives for growth.

He has over 12 years experience working in senior management within telecoms, technology, energy and retail sectors, across three continents. Stephen’s career has a strong focus on delivering global marketing strategies, while driving regional and channel implementation.

Before joining Priority Pass, Stephen was Global Consumer Marketing Director at AVG Technologies, a security software firm. Prior to that, he worked at the global telecoms provider Orange-France Telecoms Group and the Carphone Warehouse Group, the European based telecoms retailer, as well as several businesses in his home country of Australia.

Stephen is delighted to bring his experience to an industry for which he is very passionate about, having himself been a frequent business traveler for over a decade.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Priority Pass

Priority Pass provides frequent travellers with airport lounge access, irrespective of their class of travel, airline flown or existing membership in an airline loyalty programme. Launched in 1992, Priority Pass now offers more than 600 airport lounges worldwide in 300 cities in over 100 countries. Priority Pass is part of Priority Travel Group, a division of The Collinson Group, specialising in the international travel clubs and services sector. For more information, visit www.prioritypass.com For further press information and images: Adrian Beeby, Director FWD PR T +44 (0)20 7623 2368 M +44 (0)7867 330324 Email: Adrian.Beeby@fwdpr.co.uk