Asia's leading brands win big at World Travel Awards
Bangkok's attempt to boosting its status in the meeting and conference market, yield fruits, as the city is voted Asia's Leading Meetings & Conference Destination.
Other Thai winners of World Travel Awards, announced at the evening of Sept 28 in Bangkok, are Dusit Thani Bangkok as Asia's Leading City Hotel; Banyan Tree Bangkok as Asia's Leading City Spa Hotel; Bangkok (Laem Chabang) as Asia's Leading Cruise Line; Ramada Resort, Karon Beach, as Asia's Leading Family Resort; Six Senses Hideaway, Samui as Asia's Leading Honeymoon Resort; Bangkok Airways as Asia's Leading Regional Airline; and Layana Resort & Spa as Asia's Leading Resort Brand.
VIPs, senior tourism leaders, captains of industry and international media travelled from over 30 nations to attend the WTA Asia & Australasia Ceremony 2011 at Dusit Thani Bangkok.
Thailand, which played host to WTA for the first time, enjoyed a large slice of the evening’s honours, reflecting its growing role as a travel and tourism hub of Asia.
Malaysia Airlines overcame stiff competition from Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, Thai Airways and Air China to collect “Asia’s Leading Airline”. Meanwhile India saw off the likes of Bali, Korea and Sri Lanka to win “Asia’s Leading Destination”; whilst Trident Gurgaon was voted “Asia’s Leading Hotel”. Korean Air was voted “Asia’s Leading Airline First Class” and the new super luxury hotel Oberoi Gurgaon collected “Asia’s Leading Luxury Hotel”.
Graham E. Cooke, President & Founder, World Travel Awards, underlined the incredible strength of the region’s travel and tourism economy.
“Asia is powering the global travel and tourism recovery, and tonight’s winners represent the very cream of our industry. The burgeoning middle classes in markets such as India, China and Malaysia are fuelling a surge in intra-Asia travel. We expect this growth to continue for at least the next decade, making the future very bright indeed for Asia’s luxury hospitality sector. Thailand, in particular, is reaping the rewards of the changes sweeping across the region thanks to its culture, amazing beaches and world-class facilities,” Cooke said.
The Asia & Australasia Ceremony marks the fourth leg of World Travel Awards 2011 Grand Tour, and follows the legs in Dubai, UAE; Antalya, Turkey; and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt; whilst Montego Bay, Jamaica will play host to the final heat on 19 October. The regional winners will then progress to the Grand Final at the end of the year.
The event partners were Dusit Thani Bangkok, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau, BBC World News and WeClickMedia, and the media partners included eTurboNews, Breaking Travel News, Trav Talk and Travel Daily News.
