Etihad Airways, Burj al Arab, Emirates Airways, Avis, Europcar, Qatar Tourism Authority, and Rotana were among the big names to emerge victorious at World Travel Awards 2013 Middle East Gala Ceremony, held at Le Royal Meridien Resort & Spa earlier.

Elite travel insiders, including chief executives, government ministers and tourist board chiefs, attended the glittering gala event hailed as “the Oscars of the travel industry”.

World Travel Awards celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade, celebrating those brands that are pushing the boundaries of industry excellence in product and service.

Etihad Airways was one of the shining stars on the night, capturing Middle East’s Leading Airline, Middle East’s Leading Airline First Class, and Middle East’s Leading Cabin Crew.

Not to be outshone, Emirates took Middle East’s Leading Airline Business Class, Middle East’s Leading Airline Awards Programme and Middle East’s Leading Airline Website.

Other winners from across the GCC saw the award for Middle East’s Leading Business Travel Destination going to Doha, Qatar.

Middle East’s Leading Villa went to Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, the Talise Ottoman Spa at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray walked off with the prize for Middle East’s Leading Spa and the award for Middle East’s Leading New Hotel went to JW Marriott Marquis, Dubai.

A bevy of awards were won by Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai including Dubai’s Leading Resort, Dubai’s Leading Hotel Suite and Middle East’s Leading Resort.

Abu Dhabi’s continuing rise to tourism stardom was rewarded too, as the destination took home a host of top honours, including Middle East’s Leading Exhibition & Convention Centre for Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Middle East’s Leading Tourist Board for Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, and Middle East’s Leading Beach Destination for Saadiyat Beach.

W Hotel & Residences Qatar, La Cigale Qatar, Six Senses Zighy Bay Oman with Al Faisaliah Hotel, A Rosewood Hotel Saudi Arabia and Rosewood Corniche Saudi Arabia ensured the other nations in the region were well represented with awards.

The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital was the recipient of Middle East’s Responsible Tourism Award.

WTA president Graham Cooke said: “The Middle East was the perfect region to mark the start of the World Travel Awards 2013 Grand Tour, setting the highest possible bar for the rest of the world to raise the standards of excellence in travel and tourism.”

Visit the official website for the complete list of winners.