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Cozumel, Europcar, Anthony Travel, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Mexicana were among the names of travel and tourism bodies which triumphed at the World Travel Awards North and Central America regional ceremony, last night (September 21).

The ceremony, which was staged in the luxurious Hacienda Tres Rios in Mexico, attracted senior management and decision makes from across the region.

The awards, described by the Wall Street Journal as the Oscar’ of the global travel and tourism industry, unveiled who were the best of the best in the region.

In the North American categories, American Airlines won North America’s Leading Airline.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts scooped four awards including Canada’s Leading Golf Resort, Canada’s Leading Ski Resort, Canada’s Leading Business Hotel and North America’s Leading Golf Resort.

The Leading Hotel Brand for North America went to Marriott Hotels & Resorts, and North America’s Leading Destination went to Miami.

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.

Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau picked up Central America’s Leading Destination award.

More than 500 travel organisations were nominated in the ceremony, held in partnership with Hacienda Tres Rios, Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau, Yucatan Holidays, Yucatan Travel, RCI and Vive Mexico.

Senior management and decision makers of America’s travel and tourism industry came together to celebrate their achievements during the ceremony.

Graham Cooke, President, World Travel Awards commented: “The past 12 months have brought several challenges, namely the economic downturn and the outbreak of swine flu, which has impacted travel and tourism worldwide."

“Today’s winners have remained focused on their long term objectives, and continued to deliver above and beyond the call of duty, setting an industry example.” Cooke said: “This year’s winners can display the official World Travel Awards symbol with pride on their sales and marketing literature, offering travellers a cast-iron assurance that what they are buying is a guarantee of travel excellence.”

Each winner has automatically been put forward for the spectacular WTA Grand Final which will take place at the five-star Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel, in London on November 8 immediately before World Travel Market.