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The World Travel Awards keeps rolling out the red carpet for the who’s who of the travel industry, with celebratory events in all corners of the world and a dizzying procession of radiant winners.

In its 15 years of existence, the World Travel Awards has strived to, as noted on its website, “Separate the good from the outstanding. Identify companies that consistently excel beyond expectation. Take customer expectations to a new, unparalleled high.” They’re obviously doing something right. According to Philip Chen, CEO, Cathay Pacific, “These awards are internationally recognized and are a big morale boost.”

This year’s Grand Tour, which the World Travel Awards points out is bigger than ever before with more exciting destinations and a dazzling array of star-studded events, has been hop-scotching around the globe since May, with a first stop in Durban, South Africa, for the Africa Awards ceremony, where Cape Town took the prize for “Africa’s Leading Destination,” South African Airways was named “Africa’s Leading Airline,” and the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve in South Africa accepted the award for “Africa’s Leading Safari Lodge.” Then, in June, it was off to Sydney, Australia, for the Australasia Gala Dinner, which honored Tourism Australia as “Australia’s Leading Tourist Board,” the Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney for “Australia’s Leading Hotel,” The George Christchurch for “New Zealand’s Leading Boutique Hotel,” and the Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa for “French Polynesia’s Leading Spa Resort,” among others.

The Asia & Indian Ocean Ceremony was also held in June in Shanghai, China, with the coveted “Leading Hotel Award,” for example, going to The Imperial New Delhi in Asia (overall), the Le Meridien Angkor in Cambodia, The Portman Ritz-Carlton Shanghai in China, the InterContinental Hong Kong in Hong Kong, the Trident Hilton, Gurgaon in India and the JW Marriott Phuket in Thailand, to name only a few.

Last month, Orlando, Florida, hosted the North & Central America Awards Ceremony, which applauded such travel industry leaders as New York City for having “North America’s Leading Tourist Board” and as “North America’s Leading Destination”; Miami, for having “North America’s Leading Cruise Port”; Royal Caribbean Cruise Line as “North America’s Leading Cruise Line”; and Pan Pacific Vancouver as “British Columbia’s Leading Hotel.” Meanwhile, in the Central America category, Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort in Costa Rica won for “Central America’s Leading Golf Resort,” and “Mexico’s Leading Spa Resort” award went to One&Only Palmilla Resort.

Upcoming events include the Europe & Green Awards Ceremony in Poprad, Slovakia, on Oct. 15; the South America Awards Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Oct. 21; the Middle East Ceremony in Dubai, on Oct. 28; and finally, the World & Caribbean Awards Ceremony, in Turks & Caicos on Dec. 12, where the global winners will be announced.
For more information on the World Travel Awards, including upcoming events and winners, visit worldtravelawards.com.