• World Travel Awards 2013 for unique hospitality products and services

    December 2, 2013
    World Travel Awards 2013 for unique hospitality products and services

    Doha : The 2013 World Travel Awards Grand Final was hosted at a glittering ceremony at La Cigale Hotel in Doha, Qatar on 30th November 2013.

    The industry’s elite – including CEOs of leading travel companies, government ministers and tourism board chiefs – travelled from around the globe to join guests of honour HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani, chairperson of Qatar Museums Authority and Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz al-Thani to celebrate the very best travel and tourism brands. 

    World Travel Awards celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade, celebrating those companies, organisations and brands that are pushing the boundaries of industry excellence in product and service.

    Winners on the night included Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts who were voted “World’s Leading Hotel Brand” whilst JW Marriott Marquis Dubai was named “World’s Leading New Hotel” and “World’s Leading Hotel” went to Burj Al Arab. “World’s Leading Spa Resort” was awarded to Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dubai.

    In the destination categories, Kenya triumphed with “World’s Leading Safari Destination”, “World’s Leading Culinary Destination” was captured by Peru with “World’s Leading Golf Destination” was awarded to Portugal. Dubai won the coveted “World’s Leading Destination” trophy in a week which saw the destination chosen as the first Middle Eastern city to host of the 2020 World Expo trade convention.

    Voters from around the world selected Etihad Airways as “World’s Leading Airline” whilst AirAsia was voted “World’s Leading Low-Cost Airline”.

    From the Travel Technology sector, highlights included Expedia who were voted “World’s Leading Online Travel Agency Website” and Marriott Hotels & Resorts who were awarded “World’s Leading Hotel Brand Website”.

    It was also an evening of celebration for Qatar with Doha being named “World’s Leading Business Travel Destination” for the third year running. The St. Regis Doha was named “World’s Leading Business Hotel” while “World’s Leading Hotel Residences” was awarded to W Doha Hotel & Residences. “World’s Leading Travel Agency” went to Regency Travel & Tours, “World’s Excellence in Service Award” to La Cigale Hotel and “World’s Leading Villa” to the Royal Villa at Sharq Village & Spa.

    Graham E. Cooke, President and Founder, World Travel Awards said: “We are proud to have held these Awards in Doha, showing our continued support for innovative development of tourism in this region. The Grand Final is a very competitive evening for our World Travel Awards nominees from all over the world, and these particular winners continue to serve as an example of the most luxurious and innovative brands with unique hospitality products and services.”

    World’s Excellence In Service Award                           La Cigale Hotel, Qatar
    World’s Leading Adventure Tour Operator                     Mantis Extreme
    World’s Leading Air Travel Service Provider                  dnata
    World’s Leading Airline                                               Etihad Airways
    World’s Leading Airline – Business Class                    Virgin Atlantic Airways
    World’s Leading Airline – Economy Class                     Hainan Airlines
    World’s Leading Airline – First Class                            Etihad Airways
    World’s Leading Airline Alliance                                  Oneworld
    World’s Leading Airline Lounge – Business Class Virgin Atlantic ClubHouse – London Heathrow Airport, UK
    World’s Leading Airline Lounge – First Class Emirates First Class Lounge – Emirates Terminal 3, Dubai International Airport, UAE
    World’s Leading Airline Rewards Programme Emirates – Skywards
    World’s Leading Airport Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore
    World’s Leading Airport Hotel Airways Hotel Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
    World’s Leading Airport Resort Hulhule Island Hotel, Maldives
    World’s Leading All Inclusive Company Sandals Resorts International
    World’s Leading All Inclusive Family Resort Brand Beaches Resorts
    World’s Leading All Inclusive Resort Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island, The Bahamas
    World’s Leading All Suite Hotel Burj Al Arab, Dubai, UAE
    World’s Leading All Suite Hotel & Spa Hotel Les Ottomans, Turkey
    World’s Leading Apartment Hotel The Regent, South Africa
    World’s Leading Beach Destination Grace Bay Beach (Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands)
    World’s Leading Beach Resort Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai, UAE
    World’s Leading Boutique Cruise Zambezi Queen
    World’s Leading Boutique Hotel Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas & Spa, South Africa
    World’s Leading Boutique Hotel Brand Small Luxury Hotels of the World
    World’s Leading Boutique Resort Vila Joya, Portugal
    World’s Leading Boutique Villa Resort Eagles Nest, New Zealand
    World’s Leading Business Car Rental Company Sixt
    World’s Leading Business Hotel The St. Regis Doha, Qatar
    World’s Leading Business Hotel & Apartments Grosvenor House Dubai, UAE
    World’s Leading Business Hotel Brand Rotana Hotels
    World’s Leading Business Travel Agency Carlson Wagonlit Travel
    World’s Leading Business Travel Destination Doha, Qatar
    World’s Leading Cabin Crew Etihad Airways
    World’s Leading Car Hire Avis
    World’s Leading Caribbean Attraction Company Island Routes Caribbean Adventures
    World’s Leading Casino Resort MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, USA
    World’s Leading Charter Airline Tui Fly
    World’s Leading City Break Destination Paris, France
    World’s Leading City Hotel Banyan Tree Bangkok, Thailand
    World’s Leading Classic Hotel Dukes Hotel, England
    World’s Leading Conference Hotel Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi, UAE
    World’s Leading Conservation Company Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua, Portugal
    World’s Leading Corporate Resort Beach Rotana, Abu Dhabi, UAE
    World’s Leading Cruise Brand Royal Caribbean International
    World’s Leading Cruise Destination Jamaica
    World’s Leading Cruise Line Royal Caribbean International
    World’s Leading Cruise Port Port Rashid, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    World’s Leading Cruise Travel Agent Cruise.co.uk
    World’s Leading Culinary Destination Peru
    World’s Leading Desert Resort Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, UAE
    World’s Leading Design Hotel The Vine Hotel, Portugal
    World’s Leading Destination Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    World’s Leading Destination Management Company Kuoni Destination Management
    World’s Leading Dive Destination Seychelles
    World’s Leading Dive Resort Royal Savoy Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
    World’s Leading Eco-Lodge Shamwari Game Reserve – Eagles Crag Lodge, South Africa
    World’s Leading Emerging Luxury Hotel Brand Shaza Hotels
    World’s Leading Extreme Adventure Bear Grylls Survival Academy
    World’s Leading Family Hotel Angel’s Peninsula, Turkey
    World’s Leading Family Resort Jebel Ali Golf Resort, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    World’s Leading Ferry Operator DFDS Seaways
    World’s Leading Fully Integrated Resort Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa, Turkey
    World’s Leading Golf Destination Portugal
    World’s Leading Golf Resort Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic
    World’s Leading Golf Resort & Spa Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa, Turkey
    World’s Leading Green Cruise Line Star Clippers
    World’s Leading Green Destination Ecuador
    World’s Leading Green Hotel Conrad Macao, Cotai Central, China
    World’s Leading Green Resort Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa, Thailand
    World’s Leading Green Tour Operator Explorandes, Peru
    World’s Leading Green Transport Solution Company Europcar
    World’s Leading Heritage Hotel The Raj Palace, India
    World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination Mauritius
    World’s Leading Honeymoon Resort Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa, Antigua
    World’s Leading Hospitality Company Katara Hospitality
    World’s Leading Hotel Burj Al Arab, Dubai, UAE
    World’s Leading Hotel Alliance Leading Hotels of the World
    World’s Leading Hotel Brand InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
    World’s Leading Hotel Dining & Entertainment Experience La Cigale Hotel, Qatar
    World’s Leading Hotel Loyalty Programme Starwood Preferred Guest
    World’s Leading Hotel Penthouses The One Penthouse @ One&Only Cape Town, South Africa
    World’s Leading Hotel Residences W Doha Hotel & Residences, Qatar
    World’s Leading Hotel Spa The Regent Palms. Turks & Caicos
    World’s Leading Hotel Suite Palace Suite at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
    World’s Leading Ice Hotel ICEHOTEL, Sweden
    World’s Leading Island Destination Maldives
    World’s Leading Island Resort Pullman Timi Ama Sardegna, Italy
    World’s Leading Island Villas Baros Maldives
    World’s Leading Landmark Hotel Armani Hotel Dubai, UAE
    World’s Leading Landmark Resort Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, UAE
    World’s Leading Large Ship Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line
    World’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi, UAE
    World’s Leading Lifestyle Resort Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel, UAE
    World’s Leading Low-Cost Airline AirAsia
    World’s Leading Luxury All Suite Hotel Tower Club at lebua
    World’s Leading Luxury Beach Resort Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, UAE
    World’s Leading Luxury Business Hotel Radisson Royal Hotel, Moscow, Russia
    World’s Leading Luxury Car Hire Avis Prestige
    World’s Leading Luxury Chauffeur Service Sixt Limousine Service
    World’s Leading Luxury Hotel The Oberoi Gurgaon, India
    World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Brand Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
    World’s Leading Luxury Island Resort Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa, Mauritius
    World’s Leading Luxury Leisure Resort & Spa Conrad Algarve, Portugal
    World’s Leading Luxury Lodge Thanda Private Game Reserve, South Africa
    World’s Leading Luxury Resort InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort, Thailand
    World’s Leading Luxury Safari Company &Beyond
    World’s Leading Luxury Sailing Cruise Company Star Clippers
    World’s Leading Luxury Sharia Compliant Hotel Angel’s Peninsula, Turkey
    World’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator Kuoni Group
    World’s Leading Luxury Train Maharajas’ Express
    World’s Leading Luxury Villa Resort Raffles Praslin, Seychelles
    World’s Leading Marketing Campaign Welcome To Yorkshire
    World’s Leading Medical Wellness & Spa Operator VAMED Vitality World
    World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE
    World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
    World’s Leading MICE Hotel Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE
    World’s Leading New Hotel JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    World’s Leading New Resort Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa, UAE
    World’s Leading Palace Hotel The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    World’s Leading Polar Expedition Operator Quark Expeditions
    World’s Leading Private Game Reserve Shambala Private Reserve, South Africa
    World’s Leading Private Island Resort Necker Island
    World’s Leading Private Jet Charter Royal Jet
    World’s Leading Resort Forte Village Resort, Italy
    World’s Leading River Cruise Company American Cruise Lines
    World’s Leading Safari Destination Kenya
    World’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand The Ascott Limited
    World’s Leading Serviced Apartment Hotel Oasis Beach Tower, Dubai, UAE
    World’s Leading Serviced Apartments Fraser Suites Le Claridge Champs-Elysees, France
    World’s Leading Small Ships Cruise Line American Cruise Lines
    World’s Leading Spa Resort Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dubai, UAE
    World’s Leading Specialist Cruise Line Swan Hellenic
    World’s Leading Sports Academy Forte Village Resort, Italy
    World’s Leading Sports Resort Meydan, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    World’s Leading Thalasso Resort Aldemar Royal Mare, Greece
    World’s Leading Themed Resort Universal Orlando Resort, Florida, USA
    World’s Leading Tour Operator TUI Travel PLC
    World’s Leading Tourist Board Incredible India
    World’s Leading Travel Agency Regency Travel & Tours
    World’s Leading Travel Club DreamTrips by Rovia
    World’s Leading Travel Management Company FCm Travel Solutions
    World’s Leading Villa Royal Villa, Sharq Village & Spa, Qatar
    World’s Leading Villa Resort Round Hill Hotel & Villas, Jamaica
    World’s Leading Water Villa Resort Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Maldives
    World’s Leading Wellness Hotel Grand Hotel Lienz, Austria
    World’s Most Innovative Airline Korean Air
    World’s Most Romantic Resort Baros Maldives
    World’s Responsible Tourism Award National Ferries Company  Source : World Travel Awards

    • Connecting you with the world of travel and tourism

      An Opportunity to enter South-East Asian market in 2023

      KAZAKHSTAN International Exhibition “Tourism & Travel” Almaty, Kazakhstan

      CHINA- Beyond your imagination

      UNWTO becomes “UN Tourism” 

      The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) enters a new era  with a new name and brand: UN Tourism. With this new brand, the Organization reaffirms its status as the United Nations specialized agency for tourism and the global leader of tourism for development, driving social and economic change to ensure that “people and planet” are always center stage.

      UN Tourism: Transforming tourism for a better worldTo achieve this goal, UN Tourism engaged the services of Interbrand, the leading global branding agency. Interbrand successfully translated the Organization’s renewed vision for tourism into a new visual identity and brand narrative.

      This involved renaming the Organization, transitioning from UNWTO to UN Tourism. At the same time, a new brand narrative was meticulously crafted, one that seamlessly aligns with UN Tourism’s central mission and priorities. This narrative pivots around three main messages: the UN as a global altruistic organization, the notion of connecting humans around the world, and the concept of proactivity and movement.

      Enhancing the well-being of individuals, safeguarding the natural environment, stimulating economic advancement, and fostering international harmony are key goals that are the fundamental essence of UN Tourism

      By moving away from acronyms, UN Tourism adopts a more approachable stance and capitalizes on its strengths: the “UN”, signifying authority, and tourism, a simple and relatable concept for all. This change has been endorsed by the Organization’s membership, highlighting its united support for the profound transformation and reinvention of UN Tourism in recent years, as it has become more agile, visible, and ever closer to its Member States, partners and the sector as a whole.

      With 160 Member States and hundreds of private sector affiliates, UN Tourism has its headquarters in Madrid, Spain, and Regional Offices in Nara (Japan) covering Asia & Pacific, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) for the Middle East, as well as forthcoming Regional Offices for the Americas (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Africa (Morocco). Its priorities center on promoting tourism for sustainable development in line with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Global Goals. UN Tourism promotes quality education, supports decent jobs in the sector, identifies talent and drives innovation and accelerates tourism climate action and sustainability . – UN Tourism Jan. 2024

      TAT launches

      “Thais Always Care” Campaign 

      “The Tourism Authority of Thailand launches ‘Thais Always Care’ campaign in collaboration with other organizations to ensure tourists’ safety and enhance positive image.”

      The “Thais Always Care” online communication campaign was officially launched by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with the Tourist Police Bureau, Grab Taxi (Thailand), and Central Pattana (CPN) to ensure the safety and welcome of tourists from around the world. The campaign aims to provide seamless travel experiences for visitors to Thailand while also reinforcing the positive image of the country as a safe destination.

      The campaign reflects Thailand’s renowned hospitality and warmth to visitors, showcasing the country as a desirable destination for tourists. “CARE” stands for Compassion, Assistant, Relief, and Elevate, encompassing the generosity of the Thai people and their commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable travel experience for tourists.

      Partners involved in the campaign have strengthened their safety measures and are utilizing technology to ensure the safety of tourists in Thailand. This includes installing CCTV cameras, implementing strict security checks at department stores, and utilizing technology like the “POLICE I LERT U” application to offer emergency assistance to international visitors. The campaign will also involve working with international KOLs to enhance the positive image of Thailand’s tourism assets and reinforce the country’s reputation as a safe destination. -Tourism Authority of Thailand

      China’s resort island receives

      90 m tourists in 2023

      More than 90 million domestic and overseas tourists visited south China’s tropical island province of Hainan in 2023, up 49.9 percent year on year, local authorities said .

      Hainan’s total tourism revenue surged 71.9 percent year on year to about 181.3 billion yuan (about 25.5 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, according to the provincial department of tourism, culture, radio, television and sports.

      Last year, Hainan experienced rapid development in cruise tourism. Cruises to the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea saw 400 trips, up 277.8 percent year on year, and received 149,400 domestic tourists, up 405.33 percent.

      This year, Hainan aims to receive 99 million tourists and its tourism revenue is expected to reach 207 billion yuan. The province aims to receive more than 1 million inbound tourists in 2024.

      China aims to build Hainan into an international tourism and consumption center by 2025 and a globally influential tourism and consumption destination by 2035. – Xinhua

      Vietnam  to welcome 17-18

      million tourists  this year

      Việt Nam’s tourism industry has set a target to welcome 17-18 million foreign visitors in 2024, approaching the pre-pandemic record in 2019 when COVID-19 had yet to disrupt global travel.

      In 2023, the figure hit 12.6 million, surpassing the initial target set earlier in the year (before China, which accounted for a third of foreign arrivals to Việt Nam pre-pandemic, announced reopening plans) by 57 per cent and achieving the adjusted goal of 12-13 million.

      The number of domestic travellers, meanwhile, stood at 108 million, up 6 per cent compared to the set target. Tourism activities generated about VNĐ678 trillion (US$27.85 billion) in revenue, 4.3 per cent higher than the yearly plan.

      Despite substantial recovery in 2023, the Việt Nam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) said the domestic tourism recovery will still face challenges in the year ahead. This is particularly true in the context of the unpredictable global developments stemming from economic uncertainties, regional conflicts and climate change.

      Việt Nam’s socio-economic conditions remain stable; the economy continues to grow and inflation has been kept in check. But the persistent threat of disease and natural disasters are likely to create uncertainty affecting production, business activities and the daily lives of citizens.

      According to forecasts from the UN World Tourism Organisation and the World Travel and Tourism Council, international travel activities may fully recover by the end of 2024, reaching the levels achieved in 2019. However, the recovery is expected to be uneven across different regions.

      The ever-changing demands of international tourists require higher standards in product quality, diversity and unique experiences. The trends of integrating information technology, artificial intelligence and digital transformation are envisioned to drive the emergence of new forms of tourism.

      Based on these analyses and projections, Việt Nam aims to serve 17-18 million foreign and 110 million domestic visitors this year, with an expected total revenue from tourism nearing VNĐ840 trillion.

      To achieve the stated objectives, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyễn Văn Hùng has instructed the VNAT to continue focusing on advising and improving the institutional framework, policies, reviewing identified deficiencies for adjustment, and international commitments in the field of tourism. Collaboration with other ministries and sectors is emphasised to formulate policies for developing various types of products such as agricultural tourism and digital transformation in tourism. He also noted the need for attention on strengthening tourism statistics and digital transformation to enhance the effectiveness of data collection, providing reliable figures to efficiently support tourism policy planning.

      The ministry also calls for enhanced training for tourism officials and workers to meet requirements of new situations, especially in terms of language proficiency and technology expertise. — VNS

      Global Medical Tourism market 

      USD 136.93 billion in 10 years

      Newark, Jan. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Brainy Insights estimates that the USD 20.07 billion in 2022 global Medical Tourism market will reach USD 136.93 billion by 2032. There is a growing trend towards health and wellness tourism, with individuals seeking medical treatments, preventive care, wellness programs, and holistic health experiences. Medical tourism destinations can capitalize on this trend by offering comprehensive health and wellness packages.

      Furthermore, integrating digital health technologies, including telemedicine, virtual consultations, and electronic health records, can enhance the accessibility and coordination of medical tourism services. Digital platforms can streamline pre-travel consultations, post-treatment follow-ups, and information exchange between healthcare providers and patients. Introducing new and advanced medical treatments, therapies, and procedures can attract medical tourists seeking cutting-edge healthcare solutions. Countries and healthcare providers that stay at the forefront of medical innovation can position themselves as leaders in the industry.

      In addition, customized and personalized medical tourism packages catering to individual patient’s unique needs and preferences present an opportunity for service providers. Tailoring experiences that include cultural activities, recovery retreats, and concierge services can set providers apart in a competitive market.

      Besides, wellness tourism, including genetic testing and personalized health assessments, is gaining traction. Medical tourism destinations can offer specialized wellness packages, including genetic evaluations and preventive health screenings, to attract individuals interested in proactive healthcare.

      China eases visa application for US tourists

      BEIJING: China will simplify visa applications for tourists from the United States from Jan 1, cutting the documents required, according to a notice on Friday (Dec 29) on the website of the Chinese embassy in Washington.

      The move is the latest by China to revive tourism and boost the world’s second-largest economy following a slump during the COVID-19 pandemic.

      Tourist visa applicants in the US will no longer need to submit air ticket bookings, hotel reservations or an invitation letter, the embassy’s notice said.

      Beijing earlier cleared the way for passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia to visit the country without visas from Dec 1.Visa-free treatment will run for 12 months, during which tourists from those six countries can visit China for up to 15 days. China also expanded its visa-free transit policy to 54 countries in November.

      The number of inbound tourists to the country plummeted during the pandemic due to the country’s strict COVID-19 control policies.

      China’s visa-free policy facilitates

      travels from 6 countries

      Around 214,000 people from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia entered China in December 2023, an increase of 28.5 percent compared with November, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA).

      China’s unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from these countries took effect on December 1, facilitating inbound travels from there.

      Of these inbound trips, 118,000 were made by ordinary passport holders without a visa, accounting for 55.1 percent of all inbound trips from the six countries during this period. Around 91,000 visa-free entries were made for travel and business.

      Thanks to the visa-free policy, ports in the southern Chinese city of Nanning welcomed many inbound travelers. Data showed that 121 inbound travel groups of nearly 2,800 people entered China through ports in Nanning in December.

      Since the inception of the visa-free policy, ports in Beijing had, by December 31, witnessed more than 12,000 visa-free entries from the relevant countries.

      The NIA pledged more optimized entry-exit management policies for foreigners to facilitate their business, study, work, and life in China.

      International flights to China have picked up since Beijing dropped COVID-19 restrictions a year ago but are still only at 60 per cent of 2019 levels. – Xinhua

      FACTS —

      Tourism helps in:

      👉Reducing poverty

      👉Reducing Inequalities

      👉Promoting gender equality

      👉Fostering decent work and economic growth

      World Tourism Day 2021: ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’

      In 2019, Travel & Tourism’s direct, indirect and induced impact accounted for:
      -US$8.9 trillion contribution to the world’s GDP
      -10.3% of global GDP
      -330 million jobs, 1 in 10 jobs around the world
      -US$1.7 trillion visitor exports (6.8% of total exports,
      28.3% of global services exports)
      -US$948 billion capital investment (4.3% of total
      investment)