AUSTRALASIA WINNERS REVEALED AT WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS

28th September 2011 - Bangkok, Thailand

The resilience of Australasia’s travel and tourism industry has been acknowledged at a VIP gala ceremony hosted by World Travel Awards in Bangkok, Thailand on 28 September 2011.

VIPs, senior tourism leaders, captains of industry and international media travelled from over 30 nations across Australasia and Asia to attend the WTA Asia & Australasia Ceremony 2011 at Dusit Thani Bangkok.

Air New Zealand overcame stiff competition from Qantas Airways, Virgin Blue, Air Pacific and Jetstar Airways to collect “Australasia’s Leading Airline”. Meanwhile Bora Bora, French Polynesia saw off the likes of Sydney, Auckland, Queenstown and Yasawa Islands to be crowned “Australasia’s Leading Destination”. Meanwhile Sydney’s Sheraton on the Park picked up “Australasia’s Leading Hotel”.

Aitutaki in the Cook Islands emerged victorious as “Australasia’s Leading Beach Destination”, ahead of the likes of Abel Tasman National Park, Bondi Beach, Cable Beach and Bora Bora.

Other big winners included InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto voted “Australasia’s Leading Business Hotel” and Europcar named “Australasia’s Leading Car Hire”. The Spire, Queenstown won “Australasia’s Leading Boutique Hotel”, whilst Fiji’s Taveuni Palms collected “Australasia’s Leading Boutique Resort”.

The industry’s elite travelled from over 30 countries across Asia and Australasia to attend the glittering gala ceremony. The raft of media in attendance included CNN, Thailand Tatler, Bangkok Post, National Geographic Traveller and Lonely Planet.

Graham E. Cooke, President & Founder, World Travel Awards, underlined the incredible resilience of Australasia’s travel and tourism economy.

He said: “During times of economic uncertainty world-class brands come into their own, continuing to grow market share whilst competitors flounder. Tonight’s winners have proven their credentials as a world-class tourism brands, and continue to spearhead to global travel and tourism recovery.”

The famed Dusit Thani Bangkok played host to the ceremony. For 41 years, the 517-room five-star property has served as a social and business landmark in Thai capital.

Alex Willats, Acting General Manager, Dusit Thani Bangkok, said: “It was a marvelous honour for Dusit Thani to play host to this blue riband event in Asia and the opportunity to showcase our unique Thai hospitality to the world. To become the recipient of a regional World Travel Award is indeed recognition of our staffs dedication to service and of Dusit Thani Bangkok which continues to remain a preferred hotel in Asia.”

The Asia & Australasia Ceremony marks the fourth leg of World Travel Awards 2011 Grand Tour, and follows the legs in Dubai, UAE; Antalya, Turkey; and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt; whilst Montego Bay, Jamaica will play host to the final heat on 19 October. The regional winners will then progress to the Grand Final at the end of the year.

The event partners were Dusit Thani Bangkok, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau, BBC World News and WeClickMedia, and the media partners included Breaking Travel News, Trav Talk and Travel Daily News.

For a full list of winners at World Travel Awards 2011 Asia & Australasia Ceremony visit: www.worldtravelawards.com/winners2011-4

To view all images from the ceremony visit: www.worldtravelawards.com/gallery

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