The tourism industry’s highest accolade, The World Travel Awards, Middle East was held in Dubai this year on May 5, 2009.
The event which has been hailed as the “Oscars of the Travel Industry” by the Wall Street Journal celebrates the industry’s best practices by recognising achievements from over 100 travel and tourism brands from across the Middle East.
Rotana Group packed a total of 7 awards including the Middle East’s Leading Hotel Brand, Lebanon’s Leading Business Hotel for Gefinor Rotana, Beirut, Middle East Leading Corporate Resort for Beach Rotana, Abu Dhabi, Dubai’s Leading City Hotel for Al Bustan Rotana, Dubai, Dubai’s leading Meetings Hotel for Al Murooj Rotana, Dubai, Middle East Leading Hotel Apartments Arjaan, Duabi and Middle East Leading Family Resort for Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa
Qatar Airways was awarded the Middle East’s Leading Business Class Airline, and Middle East’s Leading Cabin Staff award, received by Ali Al Rais, general manager commercial, Qatar Airways
Pam Wilby, general manager of Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa colelact her award for Dubai’s Leading Spa Resort, Middle East’s Leading Beach Resort, Middle East’s Leading Spa Resort, UAE’s Leading Spa Resort from Graham Cooke, president & founder of World Travel Awards.
Hans Peter Leitzke, managing director for Rosewood Corniche collect their award for Saudi Arabia’s Leading Business Hotel, Saudi Arabia’s Leading Hotel
Peter Baumgartner, executive vice president marketing for Etihad Airways collected their awards for Middle East’s Leading Airline, Middle East’s Leading Airline Lounge, Middle East’s Leading Airline Website, Middle East’s Leading First Class and Middle East’s Leading International Marketing Campaign. The airline also won the Prix D’Or award for its contribution to the region’s travel industry over the last 12 months.
Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi won the Abu Dhabi’s Leading Conference Hotel, Abu Dhabi’s Leading Hotel, Abu Dhabi’s Leading Resort and Middle East’s Leading Conference Resort awards. General manager Hans Olbertz collects the awards from Graham Cooke
Adrian Rudin, general manager for Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi collect the award for Middle East’s Leading Beach Resort
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority was awarded the 2009 World Travel Award for Middle East’s Leading Destination Marketing Campaign. The award was presented to ADTA’s deputy director general Ahmed Hussein
Middle East’s Leading Travel Agency award was given to Regency Travel & Tours collected by their general manager Tareq Abdullatif Taha
Dubai International has won the Middle East’s Leading Airport award at the 16th World Travel Awards - Middle East. This is the second year in a row that Dubai International has won the award which was collected by Majed Al Joker, VP, Terminal operations
