Asia’s night of tourism triumph

As the XIX Commonwealth Games drew to a close, India also stole the show at this year’s World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia Ceremony held in Delhi on Thursday, October 14.

The industry’s elite – including CEOs and directors of leading travel companies, government ministers, and tourist board chiefs – all gathered to see who would be crowned the “best of the best” during the most important evening of the year in the Asian travel and tourism calendar.

Despite the controversy surrounding the build-up to the Commonwealth Games, India has proven its credentials as a top travel destination, taking away the title of “Asia’s Leading Destination” at the World Travel Awards Ceremony.

Other big wins for the region include “Asia’s Leading Hotel” and “Asia’s Leading Luxury Hotel” for the Trident Gurgaon; “Asia’s Leading Resort” for The Leela Kempinski Kovalam Beach Kerala; Oberoi Hotels & Resorts won the award for “Asia’s Leading Hotel Brand;” while India Tourism picked up “Asia’s Leading Tourist Board.”

With Asia leading the world out of recession, several key brands were rewarded for their extraordinary efforts, including Malaysia Airlines, which was voted “Asia’s Leading Airline” and “Asia’s Leading Airline Business Class.” Shanghai won the award for “Asia’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination,” Avis received the trophy for “Asia’s Leading Car Hire,” Cox & Kings were awarded “India’s Leading Destination Management Company.” The Pan Pacific Singapore won the trophy for “Asia’s Leading Business Hotel,” while Swissôtel was crowned “Asia’s Leading Business Hotel Brand.”

The arrival of several new properties over the past years has raised the Asian hospitality bar even higher. Of these, Sheraton Incheon Hotel, South Korea, received the award for “Asia’s Leading New Hotel,” while Resorts World Sentosa picked up “Asia’s Leading New Resort.”

The luxury market also revealed some strong contenders, with China’s Fuchun Resort winning “Asia’s Leading Luxury Golf Resort,” while Raffles Group picked up “Asia’s Leading Luxury Hotel Brand.” Indonesia’s Ayana Resort and Spa Bali was voted “Asia’s Leading Luxury Resort” and Ayana Villa won “Asia’s Leading Luxury Villa.”

There were awards, too, for travel companies, organizations, and destinations in over 20 individual countries across Asia.

Le Meridien Angkor won both “Cambodia’s Leading Hotel” and “Cambodia’s Leading Spa Resort.” Swissôtel Grand Shanghai took away the trophy for “China’s Leading Business Hotel,” The Claridges Surajkund won “India’s Leading Business Hotel,” and Mandarin Oriental was awarded “Malaysia’s Leading Hotel.”

THOUSANDS VOTED

The winners were selected by thousands of industry professionals and consumers worldwide who have been voting online.

Graham E. Cooke, founder and president of World Travel Awards said: “The level of competition here in Asia is exceptional, and it is no wonder that the region is leading the world out of recession.”

“As the Commonwealth Games draws to a climax, millions around the world have not merely enjoyed world-class action on the athletics track, they have witnessed India coming of age, with Delhi proving its credentials as a world-class sport tourism hub,” he added.

Established 17 years ago, World Travel Awards is committed to raising the standards of customer service and overall business performance throughout the international industry.

Winners of the regional ceremony will now go on to compete in World Travel Awards 2010 Grand Final in London, immediately before World Travel Market on Sunday, November 7.

Log on to www.worldtravelawards.com for a complete list of winners for the Asia region.