London, 4th March 2014
World Travel Awards (WTA), the “Oscars of the travel industry”, will kick start its 2014 Grand Tour in sumptuous style at the world’s tallest hotel, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, on May 4th 2014.
The who’s who of Arabian travel will attend WTA’s Middle East Gala Ceremony 2014 to celebrate and acknowledge their achievements of the past twelve months.
The five-star property, which is owned by Emirates Group, will serve as a fitting venue to host the world’s most celebrated travel accolades programme. Soaring 355 meters high, it comes in just 26 metres shorter than New York City’s Empire State Building, and holds the Guinness World Record title as the “World’s Tallest Hotel”. The hotel enjoys an elevated position above Dubai’s business district, and is spread across two iconic towers.
The ceremony will mark the opening leg of WTA’s 2014 Grand Tour, a year-long global search for the world’s finest travel tourism and hospitality organisations, covering seven continents.
Ahead of the evening, WTA has unveiled the Middle East nominees for its 2014 programme. This year, WTA’s 21st anniversary, will see the competition at its fiercest yet as growing numbers of companies and destinations acknowledge the kudos that a WTA nomination offers.
Voting is now open for the Middle East. Travel industry professionals and the general public can vote for their favourite travel organisations at www.worldtravelawards.com/vote. Voting for Africa and Indian Ocean opens on March 10th, with Asia, Australasia, Caribbean, Europe and North, South & Central America beginning on April 14th.
Graham E Cooke, President & Founder, WTA, says: “I am delighted we will be returning to Dubai for what promises to be the most exciting and competitive Middle East Ceremony yet. The emirate is a hotbed of fresh ideas being put into practice, as exemplified by our host, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai. This landmark hotel has catapulted Dubai into the major league of conventions and events destinations.”
He adds: “Voting has now opened for Africa, Indian Ocean and Middle East, and I urge travel industry executives and the public alike to vote for their favourite travel and hospitality organisations by visiting our website.”
Bill Keffer, Hotel Manager, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, commented: “We are delighted to be hosting World Travel Awards in 2014. As the 2013 winner of ‘World’s Leading New Hotel’, this is a great opportunity for us to showcase why we were chosen and why Dubai really is a remarkable city and forward thinking hub for the hospitality and travel business. It’s wonderful to be associated with such prestigious awards, and to be part of constantly evolving and competitive industry and destination.”
WTA’s 2014 Grand Tour will include regional legs in Athens (Greece), Dubai (UAE), Quito (Ecuador) and Caribbean throughout the year. The winners of these regional heats will progress to the Grand Final, which will take place at the end of 2014.
