Having become a beacon of excellence during its 18-year history, visiting some of the most prestigious destinations around the globe, it comes as a surprise to discover World Travel Awards has never been hosted by Asian tourism powerhouse Thailand.

That is set to change, however, when Dusit Thani Bangkok plays host to the WTA Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony on September 28th.

Industry leaders from across the region – from India in the east, through Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and China, to Australia and New Zealand in the west – will be in town ahead of the show.

Tickets for the hotly anticipated event – known to many as the Oscars of the travel industry – are selling fast, with just a handful remaining ahead of the event next week.

Among the most eagerly anticipated guests are representatives from the Dusit Thani Group itself, with observers keen to see if Dusit Thani Bangkok - pictured - can emulate the success of the Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, which was last year recognised as Thailand’s Leading Beach Resort by World Travel Awards.

The group also recently confirmed plans for its first resort in the Maldives - Dusit Thani Maldives.

Dusit Thani Bangkok – which will host the World Travel Awards later this month – has been nominated as Asia’s Leading City Hotel

Awards for Asia’s Leading Airline, Asia’s Leading Resort, and Asia’s Leading Hotel are also expected to go right down to the wire.

Check out a complete list of nominees here.

The event will be co-hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau, with more information on the official World Travel Awards website.

To find out about the best attractions and hotels in Bangkok from your mobile phone, visit bangkok.mobi.