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The grand final of the World Travel Awards took place last night at London’s Grosvenor House. Many see this as the Oscars of the world’s travel industry. President and founder of the World Travel Awards, Graham Cooke said that he felt the awards were particularly important in an unsteady and unpredictable economic climate. He went on to say that winning one of the awards was the highest accolade anyone in the travel industry could hope to take home.

Saturday night saw the Caribbean regional awards dominated by Sandals Resorts who managed to walk away with a staggering nine awards. These included gongs for best family all-inclusive in the Caribbean and leading hotel brand in the region. Other Caribbean winners were Jamaica which was named favourite destination and Air Jamaica which scooped first prize as favourite airline in the region.

The awards 200 categories saw more than 3,000 different travel companies nominated. 750 travel officials and travel industry bosses were present to celebrate the achievements of the winners.

In the South American category the big winner was Brazil. Discover Brazil was considered the best travel agency in South America and Copacabana Palace was voted best South American Hotel. In the Asian category India managed to scoop best country with its Trident Gurgaon getting the region’s best hotel gong. In the Australasian category Sydney was voted premier destination and Air New Zealand the region’s best airline. The regions leading hotel group was Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts and the areas best travel agency was given to STA Travel.

All of the Saturday night winners were then entered into Sunday night’s grand final.

by Cally Dunnbard