The biggest players of Arabian travel and tourism are gearing up for the most important evening of the year – the World Travel Awards 2010 Middle East Ceremony.

The gala event, known as “the Oscars of the travel industry” is taking place on 3 May at the Address Dubai Marina, with His Highness Prince Bandar Bin Saud Bin Khalid as Guest of Honour.

The evening marks the first leg of the World Travel Awards 2010 Global Tour – a global search for the very best travel organizations in the world. Regional events include Johannesburg on 7 July (during the finals of 2010 Fifa World Cup), Orlando, Florida (11 September), Antalya, Turkey (1 October), New Dehli, India (14 October), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (20 October) with the Grand Final in London (7 Novermber).

World Travel Awards, which is the globally renowned gold seal of travel excellence, will take place the evening before the start of Arabian Travel Market. More than 400 senior industry figures from the region’s leading travel and tourism companies will be attending.

Guest of honour, Prince Bandar is the Deputy Managing Director of the world renowned King Faisal Foundation, and also the Chairman of Al Khozama Management Company – a leading property investment and management company, developing Middle Eastern commercial properties in prime locations where business and pleasure can thrive in unrivalled surroundings. 

Graham E. Cooke, Founder and President of World Travel Awards said he was delighted that Prince Bandar would be Guest of Honour at this important industry occasion.

He explained that no one should be surprised that the Middle East has defied the gloomy predictions forecast for international travel and tourism.

“The region has shown remarkable resilience to overcome the challenges of recent times, with an exceptional focus on excellent customer service and facilities that are simply second to none,” he said.

“The parade of winners at the Middle East World Travel Awards Ceremony demonstrates more powerfully than anything I can say about why the region continues to build on its success with solid growth and new initiatives, projects and improved inbound and outbound tourism products.

“Those companies that hold aloft their trophies on the night are an example to the world, raising standards with determination, creativity and innovation.”
World Travel Awards, now in its 17th year, is committed to helping the global industry improve business performance in a competitive marketplace.

Marc Dardenne, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group and Emaar Hotels & Resorts said: “The World Travel Awards is a celebration of excellence in hospitality and tourism, and puts the global spotlight on Dubai and the region. The Awards not only boost industry confidence but also highlight the robust developments in the region including new hotel brands such as The Address Hotels + Resorts that redefine the standards in hospitality. The Address Dubai Marina is privileged to host the event, which brings together the world’s finest minds in the hospitality and travel industry.”

More than a thousand of the Middle East’s premier travel companies and operators have been canvassing agents and industry professionals worldwide in the hope of taking home one of the coveted World Travel Awards. Voting has now closed and the votes counted.

In addition to the overall regional award categories, there are also awards for Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, Yemen, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Ra al-Khaimah and Sharjah.

In the running for Middle East’s Leading Airline, for example, are Emirates, Etihad Airways, Kuwait Airways, Middle East Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines.

There’s also fierce competition for the title of Middle East’s Leading Destination. In the running are: Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.