Travel Biz Monitor: Travel Biz Monitor

India Tourism made a strong presence at the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2012 Grand Finale held for the first time in India. At the celebration of excellence of the global travel and tourism industry, held at The Oberoi, Gurgaon, India’s efforts to emerge as a leading travel destination on the global stage have got a big boost. The important decision makers of the industry attended the VIP ceremony, which was officially supported by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

While Incredible India branding of India Tourism has been recognised as the world’s leading Tourism Brand, India also bagged the Leading Tourism Destination Award at the annual awards. Once again, India’s tourism icon, Taj Mahal, was selected as World’s Leading Tourist attraction. Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Ltd’s (IRCTC) Maharaja Express received the award for the Leading Luxury Train. The awards were received by Dr K Chiranjeevi, Minister of State with Independent Charge for Tourism, Government of India, and Parvez Dewan, Secretary – Tourism, Government of India.

Other recognitions that came calling for India at the 2012 edition of WTA were in the form of World’s Leading Luxury Hotel brand for The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts; and World’s Leading Luxury Hotel for The Oberoi, Gurgaon (NCR).

Etihad Airways continued its meteoric rise by being voted as ‘World’s Leading Airline’ and ‘World’s Leading Airline First Class’, while Singapore Airlines won ‘World’s Leading Airline Business Class’, and Lufthansa was named ‘World’s Leading Airline Economy Class’. The loyalty programme of Emirates was voted as the ‘World’s Best Airline Loyalty Programme’ and ‘OneWorld’ was voted as the Best Airline Alliance.

The hospitality categories included Dubai’s Burj Al Arab (World’s Leading Hotel), Italy’s Forte Village Resort (World’s Leading Resort), InterContinental Hotels & Resorts (World’s Leading Hotel Brand), St. Regis Doha (World’s Leading New Hotel), and Atlantis The Palm, Dubai (World’s Leading Landmark Resort). Among the budget hotel brands, Holiday Inn Express was conferred the Leading Budget Hotel brand, while Intercontinental Hotels has been bestowed with the world’s Leading Business Hotel brand.

The destination winners included the Maldives (World’s Leading Island Destination), Mauritius (World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination), and Jamaica (World’s Leading Cruise Destination). The other top awards included Europcar (World’s Leading Car Hire), Grosvenor House Dubai (World’s Leading Business Hotel & Apartments), and dnata (World’s Leading Air Travel Service Provider).

Established 19 years ago, World Travel Awards is committed to raising the standards of customer service and overall business performance throughout the international tourism industry.