World Travel Awards News
BA to offer direct flights to Amman
British Airways’ has signed a new codeshare with oneworld partner, Royal Jordanian. The agreement will give BA passengers access to direct daily flights to the country’s capital Amman.
Saudi Arabia to build world’s tallest skyscraper - twice height of Burj Khalifa
The Saudi Royal family has unveiled plans to start construction of the world’s tallest skyscraper. The Kingdom Tower will measure 1.6km high, making it twice the height of the current world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The mixed-use development will cost £12bn and consist of hotels, offices, luxury apartments and a shopping centre.
Oberoi Gurgaon wins hosting rights to WTA 2012 ceremony
Following the success of its 2010 event, World Travel Awards will be returning to India in 2012 to host its Asia & Australasia Ceremony at Delhi’s brand new luxury hotel, The Oberoi, Gurgaon. The organisers of the ‘Oscars of the travel industry’ selected the Indian capital as host due to its continuing evolution as a world-class business and leisure destination, spearheaded by its thriving luxury hospitality sector.
First Choice to go all-inclusive only
First Choice holidays will make all its holidays “all inclusive” from next summer in a bid to save money. Its packages will include flights, in-resort transfers, hotel accommodation, three meals a day and unlimited local drinks as standard. The tour operator claims the move will make it the UK’s first mainstream holiday company to specialise in “all-inclusive” only.
Middle East ceremony to kick off World Travel Awards Grand Tour 2011
World Travel Awards is set to kick off their 2011 Grand Tour with the Middle East Gala Ceremony, taking place at Armani Hotel Dubai on May 2nd. Hailed as the ‘Oscars of the travel industry’ by the Wall Street Journal, more than 400 senior industry figures from the region’s leading travel and tourism companies, as well as a host of international media, will be in attendance.
BTN Interview: Avis South Africa
Avis South Africa was voted the World’s Leading Business Car Rental Company at the World Travel Awards in 2010. Here Breaking Travel News catches up with chief executive Wayne Duvenage to see how the organisation is faring in 2010.
Soho Square reports “very strong” bookings for UB40 legend
Sharm El Sheikh is continuing to rebound with reports of “very strong” bookings for the first of the summer season’s concerts at Soho Square. The award-winning leisure and entertainment centre on Egypt’s Red Sea Coast says a special Easter concert by Ali Campbell, UB40’s legendary lead singer, “has been attracting very strong interest and early bookings.”
WTA places faith in swift Egyptian tourism recovery
World Travel Awards has announced its continued support for tourism in Egypt by renewing plans to host its Africa & Indian Ocean Ceremony in Sharm el Sheikh on September 16th 2011. In the wake of the recent political upheaval, World Travel Awards is also urging the travel trade and holidaymakers alike to follow suit by supporting Egypt’s tourism industry, and Sharm el Sheikh in particular.
Double digit growth in Abu Dhabi guest nights
Abu Dhabi saw a sharp increase in visitor numbers during February, according to the latest figures from the local tourist organisation. Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority – which recently scooped the title of World’s Leading Tourist Board at the World Travel Awards – reported guest nights rose 29 per cent last month when compared to the previous year.
Fiesta Group illustrates Jamaican strength
Jamaica’s ability to grow its tourism sector in the midst of the global recession has increased its attractiveness for investment, tourism minister Edmund Bartlett said earlier. The declaration comes as the Fiesta Hotel Group confirmed it would start the expansion of their 1,056-room Grand Palladium Resort and Spa in Hanover.
Breaking Travel News Interview: Club Travel
With South Africa basking in its ever-growing international profile, travel agents in the country have been coming under the spotlight. Leading the pack has been Club Travel – which was last year recognised by the World Travel Awards as Africa’s Leading Travel Agency. Here Breaking Travel News chats with Wally Gaynor, Club Travel managing director, to see what is next for this top brand.
World Travel Awards launches digital consumer travel magazine
World Travel Awards has launched Best in Travel, a free digital monthly magazine aimed at the luxury traveller. An industry first, Best in Travel blends leading interactive technology with unrivalled market knowledge to create the definitive insider’s guide to the world’s most glamorous travel experiences.