Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has been awarded the prestigious title of “World’s Leading Airline” for a second consecutive year at the World Travel Awards (WTA).

Industry leaders from across the tourism industry have arrived in London for the annual World Travel Market, with World Travel Awards on hand to reward the leading brands from around the world for their success. Following a sumptuous Gala Ceremony at London’s Grovsner Hotel on Sunday, the industry leading prizes were handed out to those who had truly redefined achievement in 2010.

World Travel Awards capped its year-long search for travel and tourism’s finest with its glittering Grand Final 2010 Ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House hotel. After a challenging year for the industry, organisations including American Express, Kuoni, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Europcar and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority all demonstrated their world-class pedigree as they spearheaded the global travel and tourism recovery.

Janet Abrahams, Executive Director of Sales & Marketing, Emirates Palace Janet Abrahams, Executive Director of Sales & Marketing, Emirates Palace

Thoyyib Mohamed Waheed, State Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Maldives

Amit Arora, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Emaar Hospitality Group