Online voting has now opened ahead of the World Travel Awards Central & South America Gala Ceremony, scheduled to take place in Peru on July 20th.

The organisers of the awards are encouraging both trade representatives and consumers to submit votes in order to determine those companies and organisations which excel in travel, tourism and hospitality in the combined regions.

Eight new Awards have been added to find the leading companies and organisations on the continents, including categories such as “Leading Romantic Resort”, “Leading National Park”, “Leading Hotel Residences”, “Leading Hotel Suite”, “Leading Airline Lounge”, “Leading Tourist Attraction”, “Leading New Hotel” and “Leading Meetings & Conference Destination”.

World Travel Awards is celebrating a landmark 20th year as the Oscars of the travel industry in 2013.

At the Central & South American Gala Ceremony, travel, tourism and hospitality companies from 13 countries will compete for the prestigious top accolades.

The ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international media.

The 2013 Central & South American nominees have been published here.

Votes can be cast here.