comparecarhire.co.uk: comparecarhire.co.uk

The latest regional round of the World Travel Awards were held last week at Mexico’s palatial Hacienda Res Rios resort as the industry recognised the best of the best from the Central and North American region. The event on the Mayan Riviera is a lead up to the WTA Grand Final which will take place at London’s Grosvenor Lodge on November 8th.

This year’s award winners featured traditional powerhouses Europcar, Avis, Marriot Hotels, Cozumel, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and American Airlines and saw host to a who’s who of industry executives and major players from around the region. The event was held on the stunning Yucatan peninsula and was in conjunction with partners Yucatan Holidays, Yucatan Travel, Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau, Vive Mexico and RCI.

American Airlines took out the top honour for Leading North American Airline while Mexicana was named Central America’s winner. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts was the big winner in accommodation taking home the awards for Canada’s Leading Ski Resort (Banff Springs), Canada’s Leading Business Hotel (Palliser), Canada’s Leading Golf Resort (Whistler) and North American Leading Golf Resort (Tunbury Isle).

Marriott Hotels was named Leading Hotel Brand in North America with Miami named Leading Destination. Avis and Europcar were named best car hire companies in North and Central America respectively.

In Central America Leading Destination was won by the Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau while the region’s Leading Hotel was awarded to the Parador Boutique Resort & Spa.

In the Central America categories, Mexicana triumphed as Central America’s Leading Airline, while Parador Boutique Resort & Spa picked up Central America’s Leading Hotel award.

President of the World Travel Awards Graham Cooke commended all the winners of their commitment to deliver exceptional customer service in the economic downturn and in an industry affected by swine flu. Cooke claimed the WTA awards enabled the winners to display a recognised symbol of travel excellence.

By Sally Peters