The World Travel Awards (WTA) recently unveiled the nominations for its 2010 awards, as well as a number of new categories to reflect the changing face of travel and tourism.
More than 5,000 organisations spanning 162 countries have been nominated by industry peers for a chance to win the most coveted prize in travel and tourism.
Nominees range from destinations, tourist boards and airlines to luxury hotels, travel technology providers and adventure tour operators.
Online voting is now open and provides both the trade and the consumer an opportunity to support their favourite brands in the bid for travel glory.
WTA has also unveiled a series of enhancements to mark the first Grand Tour of a new decade.
Technology is top of the agenda with a host of new categories, ranging from ‘Leading New Hotel Website’ to ‘Leading Dynamic Packaging Product’.
The awards programme, which serves to encourage best practice within the industry, is also honouring its commitment to sustainable tourism. A number of new green categories – spanning cruise, destinations, hotels and tour operators – aim to reward those brands striving for innovative and responsible solutions to the environmental crisis.
Competition in this year’s WTA will undoubtedly prove hotter than ever.
Graham Cooke, founder and president of the World Travel Awards, said: “We have been overwhelmed with the tremendous response to self nominations, which have grown a phenomenal 50 per cent on 2009.
“This increase, in the face of a global recession, demonstrates the vital role that World Travel Awards now plays within the travel industry.
More multinational companies than ever, ranging from Etihad Airways and TAP Portugal to InterContinental Hotels, Universal Studios and Disney, are spearheading their global marketing campaigns with their award victories.”