Travel Weekly: Everything winner you need to know about at World Travel Awards 2023

Some of the largest travel brands in the world have been named amongst the winners at the World Travel Awards (WTA) Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2023.

Tourism bosses and staff from around the world convened at Dubai’s Burj Al Arab to find out who amongst them had been voted the best of the best. The red-carpet reception marked the climax of WTA’s landmark 30th anniversary of celebrating travel excellence.

The Maldives emerged as one of the evening’s stars, picking up the ultimate honour of ‘World’s Leading Destination’, with Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) voted ‘World’s Leading Tourist Board’.

The pristine beaches and reefs of the Philippines were recognised with awards for ‘World’s Leading Dive Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Beach Destination’. Madeira’s wild beauty proved a winner with voters, as the Atlantic archipelago collected ‘World’s Leading Island Destination’. With its timeless elegance and world-class facilities, Cannes was named ‘World’s Leading Festival & Event Destination’.

The Caribbean enjoyed a strong showing, with the paradise island of Saint Lucia voted ‘World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination’. Jamaica also reinforced its credentials as a tourism powerhouse by winning ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’.

Qatar’s buoyant tourism sector led to a raft of awards. Following the success of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Doha was voted ‘World’s Leading Sports Tourism Destination’. It was also named ‘World’s Leading Business Travel Destination’. Qatar Tourism collected ‘World’s Leading Marketing Campaign’.

In the newcomer categories, Dubai’s iconic Atlantis The Royal lived up to its billing by claiming ‘World’s Leading New Resort’. Qatar’s new architectural masterpiece, Raffles Doha was voted ‘World’s Leading New Hotel’. The ascent of Saudi Arabia’s tourism economy was acknowledged with Red Sea International Airport taking ‘World’s Leading New Airport’.

The Burj Al Arab Jumeirah provided the perfect fitting for the ceremony. An icon of Arabian luxury, the hotel has played a significant role in putting Dubai on the global luxury tourism map.

Graham Cooke, founder, WTA, says: “It has been a privilege to host our 30th anniversary celebrations at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Dubai for an incredible evening that will last long in everyone’s memory. Our World winners represent the pinnacle of tourism excellence, and I congratulate each and every one for helping to raise the collective benchmark to even greater heights”.

The strength of Arabian aviation was highlighted with big wins for Qatar Airways (‘World’s Leading Airline’ and ‘World’s Leading Airline – Business Class’); Etihad Airways (‘World’s Leading Airline – Economy Class’ and ‘World’s Leading Airline – Customer Experience’); and Emirates (‘World’s Leading Airline – First Class’).

The opulent beachside retreat, Jumeirah Al Naseem, UAE claimed ‘World’s Leading Hotel’, whilst Sardinia’s Forte Village Resort took ‘World’s Leading Resort’.

Winners:

• World’s Leading Airline 2023 – Qatar Airways (Aeromexico, Air Canada , Air France, Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, Bahamasair, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Kenya Airways, LATAM Airlines, Lufthansa, Oman Air, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines)
• World’s Leading Airline – Business Class 2023 Qatar Airways (Air France, Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Japan Airlines, Kenya Airways, Lufthansa, Oman Air, Royal Brunei Airlines, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Airways)
• World’s Leading Airline – Customer Experience 2023 Etihad Airways (Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Vietjet Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Airways)
• World’s Leading Airline – Economy Class 2023 Etihad Airways (Air France, Air Mauritius, Air Seychelles, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Lufthansa, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Airways)
• World’s Leading Airline – First Class 2023 Emirates (Air France La Première, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Etihad Airways, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Airways)
• World’s Leading Airline – Premium Economy Class 2023 ANA (ALL Nippon Airlines)
• World’s Leading Airline Alliance 2023 – Star Alliance
• World’s Leading Airline Brand 2023 Emirates
• World’s Leading Airline Inflight Entertainment 2023 Emirates
• World’s Leading Airline Rewards Programme 2023 Emirates – Skywards
• World’s Leading Airline to Africa 2023 TAP Air Portugal
• World’s Leading Airline to Asia 2023 Singapore Airlines
• World’s Leading Airline to Europe 2023 Air France
• World’s Leading Airline to North America 2023 Delta Air Lines
• World’s Leading Airline to South America 2023 TAP Air Portugal
• World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean 2023 Air Seychelles
• World’s Leading Airline to the Middle East 2023 Emirates
• World’s Leading Airport 2023 Dubai International Airport, UAE
• World’s Leading Airport – Customer Experience 2023 Muscat International Airport, Oman
• World’s Leading Airport Duty Free Operator 2023 Dubai Duty Free
• World’s Leading Airport Hotel 2023 Hilton London Heathrow Airport, England
• World’s Leading Airport Lounge 2023 Club Aspire Lounge at London Heathrow Airport Terminal 3
• World’s Leading Beach Destination 2023 Philippines
• World’s Leading Boutique Villa Resort 2023 Eagles Nest, New Zealand
• World’s Leading Budget Hotel Brand 2023 Holiday Inn
• World’s Leading Business Hotel Brand 2023 InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
• World’s Leading Cabin Crew 2023 Royal Brunei Airlines
• World’s Leading Car Rental Company 2023 Avis
• World’s Leading Charter Airline 2023 TUI fly
• World’s Leading City Destination 2023 Manila, Philippines
• World’s Leading City Hotel 2023 JW Marriott Grosvenor House London, England
• World’s Leading City Tourist Board 2023 Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority
• World’s Leading Cruise Destination 2023 Jamaica
• World’s Leading Cruise Line 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line
• World’s Leading Cultural Airline 2023 Vietnam Airlines
• World’s Leading Cultural City Destination 2023 Athens, Greece
• World’s Leading Cultural Destination 2023 Peru
• World’s Leading Destination 2023 Maldives
• World’s Leading Hotel Brand 2023 Marriott Hotels
• World’s Leading Iconic Hotel 2023 Raffles Singapore
• World’s Leading Inflight Magazine 2023 Kia Ora Magazine (Air New Zealand)
• World’s Leading Polar Expedition Operator 2023 Aurora Expeditions
• World’s Leading Theme Park 2023 Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, UAE
• World’s Leading Theme Park Destination 2023 Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
• World’s Leading Theme Park Resort 2023 Walt Disney World, Florida, USA
• World’s Leading Themed Hotel 2023 Hotel Football, England