The dawn of space tourism, the launch of Tripadvisor, online check-in, and jetting off to Dubai for sun and shopping, are among the greatest travel triumphs of the Noughties, according to the World Travel Awards.

Manon Han, Executive Vice President, World Travel Awards said: “World Travel Awards is all about finding the excellence in the industry and we are pleased to be naming the greatest travel triumphs of the past decade. These have changed the landscape and the way we travel for the benefit of tourism tomorrow.

“The World Travel Awards has been celebrating excellence in travel for 17 years, and we look forward to another decade of innovation and evolution.”

The World Travel Awards top ten travel triumphs of the decade are:
1. Dawn of space tourism (2001)
2. Citizen publishing and the launch of Tripadvisor (2002)
3. Low-cost flying revolution (2000 onwards)
4. Dubai Goldrush (2002)
5. Emergence of BRIC economies (2000 onwards)
6. Online check-in (2000)
7. Superjumbo Airbus A380 inaugural flight (2007)
8. Mid-haul – the new short haul
9. Ocean bling and Oasis of the Seas (2009)
10. Launch of Youtube (2005)

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 poll comes as the entry deadline for the 2010 World Travel Awards closes this weekend. Organisations wishing to enter the “Oscars of the travel industry” must submit their nominations by 14 February.

The organisers report that this year is set to be the most hotly-contested yet with a record number of entries, ranging from household travel brands to newly-launched boutique products, all vying to scoop the highest accolade in travel.

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.

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

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