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    Best in Travel : ULTRAS Awards ceremony in Dubai

    November 27, 2025
    Tourism News
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    Best in Travel : ULTRAS Awards ceremony in Dubai

     Travel Biz News —

    Dubai, UAE : The world’s leading hotels, airlines, airport, cruise line and destination, as voted for by the 32 million globetrotting members of the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme, were unveiled at the annual luxury travel awards ceremony, the ULTRAs (Ultratravel Awards), on 17th November 2025 in Dubai.

    Recognising the best of the best in global travel, the ULTRAs is a must-attend event for the luxury travel and tourism elite, organised by Global Hotel Alliance, the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands and operator of award-winning loyalty programme GHA DISCOVERY.

    Staged at Dubai’s glamorous beachfront lifestyle destination, Nikki Beach Club, the ULTRAs acknowledged travel leaders across 17 categories, with each winner voted for by GHA DISCOVERY’s global membership and the readers of Ultratravel magazine.

     The awards were presented by well-known radio personality Tom Urquhart and popular presenter and content creator Lily Coleman, with a raft of celebrity sport stars in attendance including three rugby union world cup winners, former England International and British & Irish Lions star, Simon Shaw MBE, former South Africa internationals Bryan Habana and Schalk Brits together with former Japan international Akihito Yamada.

    The line-up of 2025 winners included Capella Bangkok, which was hailed as the ‘Ultratravel Collection Hotel of the Year’, and Capella also took home the title of ‘Luxury Brand of the Year’; Viceroy at Ombria Algarve in Portugal, named ‘Best New Hotel in the World’ and The Leela Palace Udaipur, honoured as the ‘Best Sustainable Hotel’.

     Among the most celebrated hotels, Pan Pacific London was crowned ‘Best Hotel in Europe’; The Murray, Hong Kong, a Niccolo Hotel won ‘Best Hotel in Asia’; Ciragan Palace Kempinski in Istanbul triumphed as ‘Best Hotel in the Middle East/Turkey/Africa and Castaway Island, Fiji was voted ‘Best Hotel Oceania/Pacific’. Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas was recognised as ‘Best Hotel in the Indian Ocean’ and The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel, was named ‘Best Hotel in the Americas/Caribbean’.

    Dubai-based Emirates once again claimed the title of ‘Best Airline in the World’ and also was honoured for ‘Best Premium Economy Class’, demonstrating its continued leadership in global aviation. This achievement was further underscored by the recognition of Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, who received a ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award for his outstanding service to the global aviation industry presented to him by Nick Perry, Chairman of Ultratravel.

    Dubai International Airport, the busiest airport globally for international passenger traffic, was named ‘Best Airport in the World’. Singapore Airlines took home the title for the ‘Best First Class’, and Qatar Airways secured the ‘Best Business Class’ title.

    Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) was selected as ‘The Best Luxury Cruise Line’ while Japan was revealed as the ‘Favourite Holiday Country’, just a little more popular than runners-up, Italy and Thailand.

    “The ULTRAs are especially meaningful because they reflect the voice of our GHA DISCOVERY members – millions of passionate travellers who recognise and celebrate the world’s best hospitality experiences,” said GHA CEO Chris Hartley. “This year, we received a record number of votes, making the results even more significant. Congratulations to all the winners for setting the standard in excellence and showcasing the best of hospitality, aviation, and travel.”

    Ultratravel Collection features a curated selection of the world’s most exceptional hotels and resorts, recognised for their luxury, individuality, and outstanding guest experiences. These iconic properties participate in the global GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme, enabling them to reward discerning travellers with exclusive benefits and recognition.

    Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) is the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands with 45 brands and 850 hotels in 100 countries. Its award-winning loyalty programme – GHA DISCOVERY – provides 32 million members recognition, D$ rewards and exclusive experiences across its hotels and partners, both with and without a stay. GHA DISCOVERY generated US$2.7billion in member hotel revenue and 11 million room nights in 2024.

    Image : Viceroy at Ombria Algarve of Portugal won best new hotel award.

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      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)