Travel Industry "Oscars" Recognize World’s Best

The capital of Qatar hosted a glittering Grand Final Gala Ceremony for the 2011 World Travel Awards on 11 January 2012, recognizing the most successful travel and tourism brands in a night branded as the Oscars of the travel industry.

Top honors went to organizations such as American Express, Starwood Hotels, Lufthansa, Abercrombie & Kent, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Europcar and Incredible India for their involvement in aiding in the global travel and tourism recovery.

Etihad Airways was voted the “World’s Leading Airline” for a third year running, with Abu Dhabi’s new  Jumeirah at Etihad Towers taking honors of the “World’s Leading New Hotel” over favorite rivals The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong , Mandarin Oriental Paris, Hotel Missoni Edinburgh and W Hotel London.

India beat power destinations such as London, Sydney, Cape Town and New York to win the blue ribbon award as the world’s leading destination.

Qatar celebrated some hometown winners, with Doha being voted “World’s Leading Business Travel Destination” and national airline carrier Qatar Airways named “World’s Leading Airline Business Class”.  Local agency Regency Travel & Tours won the award for “World’s Leading Travel Agency”.

The prestigious World Travel Awards, established 19 years ago, featured more than 5,000 companies from 162 countries nominated across 1,000 categories