Travel Daily News: World Travel Awards honours global innovators at 2025 Grand Final in Bahrain

Tourism leaders from around the world gathered in the Kingdom of Bahrain for the World Travel Awards (WTA) Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2025, recognising the organisations driving excellence and innovation across global travel. The event brought together industry executives, government representatives, and hospitality stakeholders for a celebration of high achievement across all segments of the sector.

Among the headline winners, the Maldives secured the title of World’s Leading Destination, while Athens was named World’s Leading City Break Destination. Chile was recognised as the World’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination, Tanzania received honours as the World’s Leading Safari Destination, and Jamaica earned the distinction of World’s Leading Cruise Destination. In hospitality, The St. Regis The Palm was awarded the World’s Leading Hotel Service Award, while Katara Hospitality was named World’s Leading Hospitality Development Company. Jumeirah Thanda Island, Tanzania took home World’s Leading Exclusive Private Island.

In the newcomer categories, Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek was named World’s Leading New Hotel, and The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort in Oman secured World’s Leading New Resort, highlighting the region’s growing development pipeline.

Aviation excellence was prominently represented. Qatar Airways collected World’s Leading Airline and World’s Leading Airline – Business Class. Etihad Airways was recognised for World’s Leading Airline – Economy Class, World’s Leading Airline – Customer Experience, and World’s Leading Airline Lounge – Business Class. Emirates was awarded World’s Leading Airline – First Class, World’s Leading Airline Brand, and World’s Leading Airline Lounge – First Class. Star Alliance received World’s Leading Airline Alliance. AirAsia achieved double honours as World’s Leading Low-Cost Airline and World’s Leading Low-Cost Airline Cabin Crew. TAP Air Portugal was named World’s Leading Airline to Africa and World’s Leading Airline to South America.

The ceremony marked the conclusion of WTA’s Grand Tour 2025, with regional events throughout Tanzania, Cancún, Saint Lucia, Hong Kong, Sardinia, and Dubai. Reflecting on the year’s achievements, Graham Cooke, Founder of the World Travel Awards, said: “It has been a privilege to host our Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2025 in the Kingdom of Bahrain, which has delivered an incredible ceremony featuring the leading lights of travel from across the world. Our winners are stellar examples of tourism excellence, and I congratulate each and every one for helping to raise the collective benchmark across our industry.”

Bahrain’s growing influence as a regional tourism hub was underscored by its hosting role. With a heritage spanning more than 4,000 years and a geographic position linking East and West, the Kingdom continues to strengthen its profile across global tourism and MICE markets. Exhibition World Bahrain, a key infrastructure investment, is central to this strategy.

Sara Ahmed Buhiji, CEO of Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority and Chairperson of Exhibition World Bahrain, noted: “Hosting the World Travel Awards Grand Final demonstrates Bahrain’s capacity to deliver international events of this significance. Our investment in MICE infrastructure through Exhibition World Bahrain continues to position the Kingdom as a competitive destination for major industry gatherings. The networking and dialogue facilitated during this event will contribute to strengthening partnerships and advancing opportunities within the region.”

Additional winners included Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis, named World’s Leading City Business Hotel, and two Greek brands – Ikos Resorts and Sani Resort – which won World’s Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort Brand and World’s Leading Family & Beach Resort respectively. Cannes was selected as World’s Leading Festival & Event Destination, Madrid secured World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination, and Dark Sky Alqueva in Portugal won the World’s Responsible Tourism Award.

Several destinations celebrated their first-ever World Travel Awards titles, including Vietnam’s Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark (World’s Leading Regional Cultural Destination), Spain’s Huesca La Magia (World’s Leading Regional Adventure Tourism Destination), and the Cancún Convention & Visitors Bureau (World’s Leading City Tourist Board).

The event underscored the continued evolution of global tourism, with destinations and brands investing in innovation, sustainability, and differentiated experience design to remain competitive in a rapidly changing landscape.