Le Royal Meridien Resort & Spa Dubai will host for the World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony this evening.

The event opens the World Travel Awards 2013 Grand Tour, heralding the start of a search for the very best travel, tourism and hospitality organisations around the world.

World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony will be held in Dubai for the sixth year in succession, affirming the emirate’s impressive growing importance in travel, not just in the region but throughout the world.

WTA president Graham Cooke believes the selection of hosts is an integral part of the success of the world’s most influential travel awards programme.

He explained: “I am delighted that we return to Dubai for what promises to be an exciting and competitive Middle East Gala Ceremony.

“The emirate continues to breathe innovation and direction into the travel industry landscape, and our host exemplifies this.”

Le Royal Meridien Resort & Spa continues to be a market leader despite fierce competition in Dubai.

Set in acres of lush, landscaped gardens with a private beach, Le Royal Meridien is a tri-building property designed for both leisure and business travellers.

The resort provides 500 plush rooms and suites in addition to 13 restaurants and bars.

Inspired by the rituals of ancient Rome, Caracalla Spa offers a selection of beauty treatments with Hammam pools, a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and three temperature-controlled swimming pools.

“We are extremely proud to host this year’s prestigious WTA Middle East Gala Ceremony at Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort, one of the region’s premier resorts,” commented Pam Wilby, complex general manager of Grosvenor House Dubai and Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort.

“Having won numerous accolades at the World Travel Awards for the past six years ourselves, we now have the honour and privilege to welcome some of the leading players in the industry for what is sure to be one of the biggest nights of the year in the social calendar of Dubai.”

WTA Middle East Gala Ceremony 2013 will attract more than 600 of the most important decision-makers in the region’s travel and tourism sector, as well as a host of international media.

There is more information here.