As the XIX Commonwealth Games drew to a close, the eyes of Australasia were also looking to India for this year’s World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia Ceremony held in Delhi on Thursday 14 October.
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 Australasian travel and tourism calendar.
Despite the controversy surrounding the build-up to the Commonwealth Games, the night was a great success.
Much of the spotlight was on Australia, which scooped several awards on the night including “Australasia’s Leading Beach” for the world-famous Bondi Beach. Other big wins included “Australasia’s Leading Business Hotel” for The Westin, Sydney and “Australasia’s Leading Hotel” which went to Palazzo Versace, Gold Coast, Australia.
Neighbouring New Zealand also had its time in the spotlight, taking away the title of “Australasia’s Leading Destination” for Auckland. Other prestigious titles included “Australasia’s Leading New Hotel” for Hilton Lake Taupo, New Zealand and “Australasia’s Leading Tourist Board” for the New Zealand Tourist Board.
Air New Zealand saw off competition from the likes of Air Pacific and Qantas to pick up the blue riband award for “Australasia’s Leading Airline”.
Although a tough year for the whole industry, several key players shone at the ceremony including Europcar taking away the title of “Australasia’s Leading Car Hire”, InterContinental Wellington winning “New Zealand’s Leading Business Hotel” and Sheraton on the Park voted “Australia’s Leading Hotel”.
There were awards too for travel companies, organisations and destinations in over 20 individual countries across Australasia.
Tourism Queensland won the award for “Australia’s Leading Tourist Board”, Pacific Resort Aitutaki received the trophy for “Cook Island’s Leading Resort” and Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa won the award for “Fiji’s Leading Golf Resort”.
Thousands Voted
The winners were selected with the help of thousands of industry professionals worldwide who have been voting online.
Graham E. Cooke, Founder and President of World Travel Awards said: “The level of competition here in Australasia 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 7 November.
Log on to www.worldtravelawards.com for a complete list of winners for the Australasia region.
