SA represents at World Travel Awards
2012-12-14 09:01
World Travel Awards has capped its year-long search for the most popular travel and tourism brands in the world with a Grand Final Gala Ceremony in New Delhi, India earlier this week.
Organisations including Jumeirah, Starwood Hotels, Lufthansa, Korean Air, Royal Caribbean International and Kuoni walked off with top honours for their roles spearheading the global travel and tourism recovery.
Four South African properties also made the winners' list. Shamwari Game Reserve won both 'Leading Conservation Company' and 'Leading Private Game Reserve,' the Regent won 'Leading Apartment Hotel,' Saxon Boutique Hotel won 'Leading Boutique Hotel' and Thanda Private Game Reserve walked away with 'Leading Luxury Lodge.'
Etihad Airways continued its meteoric rise by being voted "World's Leading Airline" and "World's Leading Airline First Class", following a milestone year that saw the UAE flag-carrier continue its journey as the fastest growing airline in history. Singapore Airlines won "World's Leading Airline Business Class" and Lufthansa was named "World's Leading Airline Economy Class.".
It was also an evening of celebration in India, with the nation seeing off the likes of Dubai, London, Cape Town and Rio de Janeiro to win the blue riband "World's Leading Destination" award. Incredible India was voted "World's Leading Tourist Board" in recognition of its part in raising international tourist arrivals.
Other destination winners included the Maldives ("World's Leading Island Destination"), Mauritius ("World's Leading Honeymoon Destination") and Jamaica ("World's Leading Cruise Destination").
Graham Cooke, President & Founder, World Travel Awards, says: "The past year has continued to challenge every area of travel, tourism and hospitality. However our Grand Final winners have all demonstrated their world-class pedigree over this period, and are currently spearheading the global recovery of travel and tourism. In doing so they are also reinforcing our industry's role as one of the mainstays of the global economy."
Check out the full list of winners on the World Travel Awards website.
