World Travel Awards (WTA) - the “Oscars of the travel industry” - has announced it will host its Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2012 at The Oberoi, Gurgaon, New Delhi, India on December 12th.

The event will mark the first time WTA’s Grand Final will be hosted in Asia.

The WTA organisers chose Delhi as host due to the Indian capital’s continuing evolution as a world-class business and leisure destination.

In particular, Delhi’s luxury hospitality sector is enjoying a golden age, spearheaded by the likes of The Oberoi, Gurgaon.

This was reflected at WTA’s Grand Final 2011 in Qatar, when The Oberoi, Gurgaon emerged victorious in the hotly-contested ‘World’s Leading Luxury Hotel’ category.

Meanwhile India saw off competition from London, New York, Cape Town, Rio de Janeiro and Sydney to win the award for ‘World’s Leading Destination’.

World Travel Awards president Graham Cooke said: “The selection of our hosts is fundamental to the success of our awards programme, and Delhi possesses all the ingredients to rise to the challenge of hosting our Grand Final.

“The ceremony also aims to highlight the growing contribution of travel and tourism to the Indian economy.

“The number of international tourists has doubled in less than a decade, and by 2015 the industry is expected to create an additional 25 million jobs in India.”

He added: “The Oberoi, Gurgaon exemplifies India’s emergence as a new tourism superpower. Since opening last year, this exquisite property has set a new precedent for luxury, not just in India but globally, and it serves as an excellent hub both for business and for leisure.”

Set over nine lush acres of landscaped gardens, The Oberoi, Gurgaon offers an urban sanctuary presiding over a quiet resort setting, personalised service and the best of modern amenities, all in the heart of the business and commercial district of Delhi.

The hotel is a 15-minute drive from Delhi International Airport, and also within easy reach from the New Delhi city centre, major sightseeing destinations and the entertainment, shopping and recreation hubs in Gurgaon city.

Kapil Chopra, executive vice president, The Oberoi Group, said: “We are indeed privileged to host the Grand Final Gala Ceremony in December 2012.

“WTA celebrates the best in the hospitality and tourism industries. Having just bagged the honour of ‘World’s Leading Luxury Hotel’ in 2011, we are very excited to welcome the crème de la crème of the travel industry to The Oberoi, Gurgaon and look forward to offering them a memorable experience.

“The event is also an excellent opportunity for Indian tourism industry. The spotlight of the world’s travel industry will definitely be shining on India this December.”

The glittering WTA Grand Final 2012 will attract the most important decision-makers in global travel and tourism as they compete for the most revered accolade in the industry.

The night will mark the culmination of a year-long search for the very best travel and tourism brands in the world, and will feature the regional winners from WTA’s Grand Tour 2012 competing head to head.

Regional heats in 2012 will be taking place in Dubai (UAE), Turks & Caicos, Nairobi (Kenya), Algarve (Portugal), and Singapore.

World Travel Awards

WTA was launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognise excellence in the global travel and tourism industry.

Now celebrating its 19th anniversary, it is regarded as the very highest accolade a travel product can receive.

Votes are cast by 217,000 travel professionals including travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organizations in 162 countries.

Main partners include BBC World News, TV5MONDE, Qatar Tourism Authority, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Jebel Ali International, the Jamaica Tourist Board, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, World.Mobi, Sandals Resorts and WeClickMedia.

WTA’s global media partner network includes: International Herald Tribune, CNBC Arabiya, National Geographic Traveller, Khaleej Times, Trade Arabia, TTN, ABTA Magazine, Publituris, ASTA Network, Breaking Travel News, eTurboNews, Trav Talk, Travel Daily News, Focus on Travel News, New Focus Travel Magazine, Tourism Review, JAX FAX, Passport Magazine, and Travel & Leisure China.

This global media partner network has a monthly readership of 1.4 million and a TV audience reach of 90 million.

For more info about World Travel Awards 2012 Grand Final Gala Ceremony & bookings visit the official website.