WORLD – The winners of the 2013 World Travel Awards Grand Final have been named at a ceremony at La Cigale Hotel in Doha, Qatar on 30 November 2013. World Travel Awards celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
The industry’s elite, including CEOs of leading travel companies, government ministers and tourism board chiefs, travelled to join guests of honour HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums Authority and Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, to celebrate the best travel and tourism brands.
Guests of the gala event, hosted by Turkish broadcaster Ece Vahapoglu, were treated to exclusive live performances from Lebanese artiste Maya Diab, dance group Enana and electric violinist Micah.
Winners on the night included Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts who were voted ‘World’s Leading Hotel Brand’ while JW Marriott Marquis Dubai was named ‘World’s Leading New Hotel’ and ‘World’s Leading Hotel’ went to Burj Al Arab. ‘World’s Leading Spa Resort’ was awarded to Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dubai.
It was also an evening of celebration for Qatar with Doha being named ‘World’s Leading Business Travel Destination’ for the third year running. The St Regis Doha was named ‘World’s Leading Business Hotel’ while ‘World’s Leading Hotel Residences’ was awarded to W Doha Hotel & Residences.
In the destination categories, Kenya triumphed with ‘World’s Leading Safari Destination’, ‘World’s Leading Culinary Destination” was captured by Peru with ‘World’s Leading Golf Destination’ was awarded to Portugal. Dubai won the coveted ‘World’s Leading Destination’ trophy in a week which saw the destination chosen as the first Middle Eastern city to host of the 2020 World Expo trade convention.
Voters from around the world selected Etihad Airways as ‘World’s Leading Airline’ while AirAsia was voted ‘World’s Leading Low-Cost Airline’.
From the Travel Technology sector, highlights included Expedia who were voted ‘World’s Leading Online Travel Agency Website’ and Marriott Hotels & Resorts who were awarded ‘World’s Leading Hotel Brand Website’.
Graham E. Cooke, President and Founder of the World Travel Awards, said: “We are proud to have held these Awards in Doha, showing our continued support for innovative development of tourism in this region.
“The Grand Final is a competitive evening for our World Travel Awards nominees from all over the world, and these particular winners continue to serve as an example of the most luxurious and innovative brands with unique hospitality products and services.”
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