The entry deadline for the 2010 World Travel Awards has been extended by two weeks to 14 February. The organisers report that this year is set to be the most hotly-contested yet and that there had been a record number of entries, ranging from household travel brands to newly-launched boutique products, all vying to scoop the highest accolade in travel.

Described by The Wall Street Journal as “the Oscars of the travel industry”, the World Travel Awards recognises best practice within the industry, and encourages organisations worldwide to raise the customer travel experience to new levels of excellence.

The 998 categories cover all aspects of the travel and tourism industry, and all regions of the world. Examples include “Europe’s Leading Hotel Brand”, “Asia’s Leading Airline” and “South America’s Leading Green Hotel”.

Leading organisations can nominate themselves to enter the World Travel Awards 2010, with the winners from six regional events progressing to the Grand Final in November.

Being a nominee is a powerful way for top players to demonstrate to both the industry and the consumer that they have created a top-of-the-range travel product.

Graham Cooke, President and Founder, World Travel Awards, said: “We have been overwhelmed by both the quality and the quantity of this year’s nominations. We can’t wait for the 2010 World Travel Awards Grand Tour to get underway in May when we will begin finding out which travel brands have been voted the very best in the world.”

“The World Travel Awards is a symbol of travel excellence guaranteed, and a gold seal to both the travel trade and the consumer that your brand stands in a class of its very own. More multinational companies than ever, ranging from Etihad Airways and TAP Portugal to InterContinental Hotels and Disney, are spearheading their global marketing campaigns with their World Travel Awards victories, which demonstrates how our seal of excellence matters to the consumer.”

“With just two weeks until the extended entry deadline, don’t miss your chance to be a part of ‘the Oscars of the travel industry’”.

The World Travel Awards 2010 nominations will be announced on the 10th March.

The official entry form can be downloaded at www.worldtravelawards.com/selfentry2010, with the deadline for receipt of entries 14 February 2010.