Middle East Gala Ceremony 2009
Welcome President of the World Travel Awards Middle East Ceremony 2009 Dear Travel Friends, We are delighted to commence our World Travel Awards 2009 Grand Tour with the Middle East Ceremony in regal luxury at The Monarch Dubai.
Tonight is all about celebrating the incredible achievements of the Middle East, and we are honoured to have gathered together under one roof the region’s travel industry elite.
Over 500 of the region’s leading travel and tourism brands have been nominated to win “a travel industry Oscar”, and I am delighted to find that competition this year is keener than ever. Over the last month, in particular, we have received a huge surge in votes from the Middle East ahead of tonight’s ceremony.
We are also honoured to launch our inaugural Prix D’Or award here in Dubai. This evening you will be invited to take part in a special live vote to determine the brand that you think has contributed most to the Middle East’s travel industry over the past 12 months. The gala ceremony will culminate in the announcement of the Prix D’Or winner.
In spite of the challenging economic times it should make you all proud to realise that the leading brands in the Middle East are continuing to redefine what makes the ultimate travel experience. Our industry is under no illusions that 2009 is a year for enforcing widespread strategic reevaluations and making tough decisions, both globally as well as here in the Middle East. Yet these turbulent times are also being welcomed by the true travel leaders as an opportunity to rise above the parapet by turning adversity into opportunity. And tonight’s winners all share this vision, entrepreneurial spirit and inner strength to succeed. For winning a World Travel Award is the ultimate travel accolade. The endorsement of over 167,000 voting travel professionals will demonstrate to both the travel industry and the travel consumer that your brand stands in a class of its very own.
Congratulations to all award winners and also to those who have made this evening possible, in particular our host, The Monarch Dubai, as well as our media partners BBC World News and Khaleej Times. Honouring and promoting excellence and innovation in travel and tourism is the reason we are gathered all here – so please enjoy yourselves with this in mind, for we value your incredible achievements and what you are doing for our industry. Thank you all for being here with us on this very special occasion, and we wish tonight’s winners the best of luck in the World Travel Awards Grand Final, Jamaica this October. Sincerely yours,
Graham E. Cooke President and Founder World Travel Awards
Middle East Regional Report by Breaking Travel News
With the financial hurricane that toppled some of Wall Street’s most established names blowing across the world, how is the Middle East equipped to ride the economic storm? Breaking Travel News investigates
Precious few could have predicted either the severity or breadth of the global downturn. Even economic powerhouses such as India and China have had their stratospheric growth called into check, whilst the financial crisis has all but crippled the Western banking system. So how is the Middle East – a region often considered immune to the vagaries of the world economy – faring in what globally is being dubbed the “perfect economic storm”?
www.breakingtravelnews.com
As a chief architect in the transformation of the region into a global hub for trade and tourism, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has made an unprecedented move by recently answering a series of questions from journalists via his website, and although he admitted the Emirate had been hit by the downturn, figures from the start of the year pointed to a recovery.
His words were echoed by Robert O’Hanlon, Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Partner at Deloitte Middle East.
He stated: “We are on the way out of the crisis, and we are on the right track. Our economy will resume its health faster than other economies.”
He also pointed to the “Dubai-led trend” for quality mid-market and budget hotels as a key driver for recovery.
O’Hanlon believes the significant investments made in the Middle East’s tourism industry during the past 10 years will help it recover from the current economic downturn quicker than other areas.
“Gulf countries have signalled they are willing to invest in long-term, sustainable tourism developments which appeal to a global audience,” he said. “The hotel industry is viewed by these players as the decisive driver in the development of their business and tourism sectors.” In terms of hotel occupancy levels, Dubai had a slow start to the year, but picked up in March and April with occupancy levels around the 60%-70% mark. Meanwhile, neighbour Abu Dhabi has been largely unaffected by the crisis. In fact, it is leading the world when it comes to bucking the downturn in the tourism industry, according to a survey by US travel management company Ovation Travel Group. A survey of more than 92,000 room night bookings across the world during the first quarter of 2009 showed Abu Dhabi had the highest increase in hotel room rates. On average, its year-on-year rates rose by more than 33 percent, compared to Dubai which recorded a room rate decrease of 25 percent. A Deloitte hotels report earlier this year revealed the UAE capital’s revPAR grew by 46% while occupancy levels rose to 81.5% – one of the highest in the Middle East. Similarly, building works continue as usual in Abu Dhabi. They include two buildings which will establish Abu Dhabi as a worldclass centre for the arts – a Guggenheim Museum and a Louvre. There are also plans to develop a number of Abu Dhabi’s 200 natural islands into a nature reserve, a luxury resort, and a whole new district of Abu Dhabi housing 150,000 people. Abu Dhabi is also hosting the final round of the 2009 F1 season and has built a track and hotel and marina complex on another island. The UAE’s neighbours are also eyeing tourism investment as the road to recovery.
The Qatar Tourism and Exhibition Authority, for example, has announced a $17 billion investment in tourism specifically on high-end hotels, resorts and leisure facilities. In terms of hotels, Qatar will increase capacity from the current 7,000 luxury rooms to 29,000 in the next three years. It is also concentrating heavily on the Mice market, with a number of large projects underway including the Doha Convention Centre and Tower; and opening in late 2010, the Qatar National Convention Centre. A recent report by the National Bank of Kuwait stated that Qatar was in a good position to ride out the crisis largely unscathed thanks to government spending and strong measures to support the financial system. New GDP figures confirm the strength and resilience of the Qatari economy. The country’s nominal GDP grew by 44 percent in nominal terms last year, rising to QR372bn ($102bn). Qatar is also developing a $6bn new international airport which it hopes will cater for up to 24 million passengers a year and become a new gateway to the Middle East. Meanwhile in Oman, tourism is emerging as one of the key drivers of the economy. The government’s Vision 2020 plans hopes to establish the country as a regional travel and tourism hub, increasing the contribution of tourism to overall GDP to 3%. The recently-established Ministry of Tourism has been set up to market the country overseas, emphasising its largely undeveloped coastlines and cultural heritage. The emphasis is also on luxury developments, as the luxury travel sector emerges as a key segment in its tourism drive. New luxury developments are likely to focus on two distinct types of accommodation – boutique resorts and large hotels.
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The biggest project is the Blue City, which will feature 16 hotels on a 34 sq km site near Muscat. The hotels form only a small part of the US$10 billion project, which will take 15 years to complete and could house as many as 300,000 people. The Wave, another high-profile development, will be an US$800 million resort stretching along 7.3km of beach, west of Muscat. In terms of airlift, Oman Air has had a cash injection of OR37m from the government, allowing it to refurbish and expand its network to include flights to Asia and Europe. And finally, the country is also tapping into the cruise industry with lines such as Silversea, P&O Cruises and Oceania Cruises including Muscat on their Middle East itineraries. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s table of top 10 countries showing the most business travel growth potential
in 2007, Bahrain was ranked third. However, it is held back from major tourism development as it has no promotion board. But it is investing in infrastructure and projects, including a theme park which will involve the renovation of a landmark public garden which has been neglected for years and turning it into a major tourist attraction featuring rides and a natural park. The overall message coming from industry experts is that the Gulf region is well placed to recover from the downturn quicker than other regions. Adrian Slywotsky, director of management consultancy Oliver Wyman, said that cautious investors would consider spending in this region before others such as the US or Europe.
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“I’m not sure it [the recovery] will be equally balanced across countries, but the capacity to invest here is obviously greater than some other regions, so I think this region will probably come out of it earlier than others,” he said. At Breaking Travel News, we predict a similar outcome, with the short-term proving an inevitable period of consolidation after years of stratospheric growth. Yet the Middle East has also developed a quality and depth of product that makes the medium and long-term very bright indeed. Local travel brands will continue to blaze a trail through developments and initiatives that will remain the envy of the world. editor@breakingtravelnews.com
www.breakingtravelnews.com
World Travel Awards Middle East Ceremony 2009
Date: Venue: Location:
5th May 2009 The Monarch Dubai Dubai, UAE
✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ Evening Programme Cocktail Reception: Gala Dinner & Show: Carriages:
19.00 20.00 23.00
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“
Travel industry's equivalent to the Oscars...” Wall Street Journal
History World Travel Awards Honouring excellence in travel & tourism worldwide since 1994
1994 Hollywood
1995 New York
1996 Las Vegas
1997 New York
1998 Bahamas
1999 London
2000 Jamaica
2001 Malaysia
2002 St Lucia
2003 New York
2004 Barbados
2005 London
2006 Turks and Caicos
2007 Grand Final Turks and Caicos
2008 Grand Final Turks and Caicos
2009 Grand Final Jamaica
? 2010
2009... History in the making World Travel Awards
As well as addressing the challenges that a deteriorating world economy will bring to the travel and tourism industry, the key message in the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer is that times of crisis often lead to the biggest opportunities. The industry is under no illusions that the course of 2009 will enforce wide-scale strategic re-thinks and many tough decisions will have to be made. But what is just as certain is that the industry is a highly-resilient sector and will eventually return to strong growth. These challenging economic times will only succeed in separating those companies who with fortitude and vision remain unbowed in their commitment to excellence from those companies complacent or average.
Since 1993, “the Oscars of the travel industry” has stood unrivalled in impartially recognising and rewarding those who set the standards across all sectors of travel and tourism. This year, all eyes will be on Dubai and the World Travel Awards Middle East Ceremony. Tonight’s winners will show what it truly takes to make a difference and will act as beacons of hope for the rest of the industry. History will prove that 2009’s World Travel Awards Winners will be those companies that best navigate economic fluctuations and will emerge from these challenging times with exponential growth, augmented market share and galvanised reputations.
Through an unswerving commitment to excellence, through recognising examples of best practice and through collective learning and solidarity, these challenging times present us with the opportunity to re-enforce the overall industry infrastructure. 2009 is a year of positive action for everyone involved in the travel and tourism industry. We hope that World Travel Awards can play its part in helping the region to be in the best possible shape for the upturn.
There has never been a more important year for positive action. Now is the time for individuals to step forward and demonstrate what can be done to make a difference.
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Menu World Travel Awards Middle East Ceremony 2009
POACHED ATLANTIC LOBSTER Carrot mousseline, micro leaves, cocktail dressing
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PAN FRIED SEA BASS Casserole of root vegetables, glazed button onions and veal bacon
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FILLET OF VEAL Morel sauce, grilled white & green asparagus, violet perigord potato puree
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WTA DESSERT SURPRISE 2009
Coffee, tea and mignardises
World Travel Awards Celebrating 16 Years of Excellence World Travel Awards is the most prestigious, comprehensive and soughtafter awards programme in the global travel and tourism industry. Established in 1993 to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in all sectors of the industry, World Travel Awards is recognised as the hallmark of excellence, with the winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire. The Wall Street Journal re c e ntly heralded World Travel Awards as the "travel industry's equivalent to the Oscars". World Travel Awards is proud of its impartial nature and the comprehensive process of its voting programme. Votes are cast by an audience of over 170,000 travel agents and tourism pro fessionals from over 160 participating countries. Voted for by industry peers, this level of accountability makes winning an award the greatest form of recognition in the travel business. Attended by the industry’s key decision makers and figure heads, World Travel Awards brings together all corners of the globe and all areas of travel and tourism to celebrate both individual success and the collect i ve achieve m e nts of the industry. World Travel Awards attracts an unpre c e d e nted amount of both trade and consumer media coverage spearheaded by BBC World - our global media partner - whose coverage spans a global audience of over 274 million. Jamaica is our final stop after we have visited the Middle East, Africa, Asia, North & Central America, Europe and South America. 2010 will see another exciting Grand Tour take World Travel Awards across the globe.
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Middle East Finalists Middle East Ceremony 2009
Middle East's Leading Airline
Middle East's Leading Airline Website
Emirates Etihad Airways Kuwait Airways MEA - Middle East Airlines Qatar Airways Royal Jordanian Airlines Saudi Arabian Airlines Oman Air
Emirates Etihad Airways Gulf Air Qatar Airways Saudi Arabian Airlines
Middle East's Leading Airport Abu Dhabi International Airport, United Arab Emirates Bahrain Muharraq International Airport Doha International Airport Dubai International Airport, Terminal 3 Kuwait International Airport
Middle East's Leading Airline Inflight Entertainment Emirates Etihad Airways Qatar Airways
Middle East's Leading Airline Lounge Airmiles
Middle East's Leading Airport Hotel Al Bustan Rotana, Dubai Doha Marriott Hotel Le Meridien Dubai Millennuim Airport Hotel, Dubai Moevenpick Hotel Bahrain The Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel Residence & Spa, Bahrain
Abu Dhabi - Etihad Airways Bahrain - Gulf Air Doha - Qatar Airways Dubai - Emirates
Middle East's Leading Airline Airmiles Rewards Program
Middle East's Leading Budget / No Frills Airline
Emirates - Skywards Etihad Airways - Etihad Guest Gulf Air's Frequent flyer programme Qatar Airways - Privilege Club
dubai.mobi
Middle East's Leading Beach Resort Al Hamra Fort Hotel and Beach Resort, United Arab Emirates Beach Rotana Hotel & Towers, Abu Dhabi Chedi Muscat, Oman Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna, Abu Dhabi InterContinental Al Bustan Palace Muscat, Oman Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, Dubai Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa Jumeirah Al Qasr, Dubai Jumeirah Mina al Salam, Dubai Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Fujairah Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa Mina A'Salam at Madinat Jumeirah One & Only Royal Mirage Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort, Oman Sheraton Coral Beach Hotel & Resort, Lebanon The Chedi Muscat The Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai The Westin - Mina Siyahi, Dubai
Air Arabia Bahrain Air flydubai Jazeera Airways Sama
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Middle East's Leading Business Car Rental Company
Middle East's Leading Business Hotel
Middle East's Leading Business Travel Agency
Avis Budget Europcar Hertz Holiday Autos Supreme Limousines Thrifty
Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Dubai Amman Marriott Hotel, Jordan Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City Dusit Thani Dubai Grand Hyatt Amman, Jordan InterContinental Dubai Festival City Grosvenor House Dubai InterContinental Abu Dhabi InterContinental Amman, Jordan Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai Le Meridien Amman, Jordan Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai The Fairmont Dubai The Monarch Dubai The Palace - The Old Town The Ritz-Carlton Doha, Qatar
Airlink International U.A.E Dnata, Dubai Kanoo Omeir Travel agency, Abu Dhabi Orient Tours Overseas Travel Bureau, Qatar Regency Travel & Tours, Qatar Safar Travel & Tourism Sharaftravel SNTTA - Sharjah National Travel & Tourist Agency
Middle East's Leading Business Class Airline Emirates Etihad Airways Qatar Airways Saudi Arabian Airlines
Middle East's Leading Cabin Staff Air Liban Emirates Etihad Airways Gulf Air Jazeera Airways Kuwait Airways Qatar Airways
Middle East's Leading Car Hire Avis Budget Europcar Hertz Holiday Autos Supreme Limousines
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Middle East Finalists Middle East Ceremony 2009
Middle East's Leading Conference Centre
Middle East's Leading Corporate Resort
Middle East's Leading Destination Marketing Campaign
Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre Dubai World Trade Centre Sheraton Doha Convention Centre, Qatar
Beach Rotana Hotel & Towers Grand Hyatt Dubai Habtoor Grand Hotel Convention Center and Spa InterContinental Abu Dhabi InterContinental Doha Le Royal Beirut Park Hyatt Dubai Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel
Abu Dhabi Bahrain Dubai Egypt Jordan Lebanon Oman Qatar
Middle East's Leading Conference Hotel Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Dubai Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi Grand Hyatt Dubai InterContinental Abu Dhabi InterContinental Amman (Jordan) Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai Le Meridien Amman, Jordan Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai Radisson SAS Hotel Dubai Deira Creek Sheraton Doha Hotel & Resort, Qatar The Fairmont Dubai The Gulf Hotel Bahrain The Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai
Middle East's Leading Conference Resort Beach Rotana Hotel & Towers Crowne Plaza Hotel Dubai Emirates Palace Grand Hyatt Dubai Grand Hyatt Muscat InterContinental Abu Dhabi Madinat Jumeirah Park Hyatt Dubai Raffles Dubai Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort, Oman Sheraton Doha Convention Centre, Qatar
doha.mobi
Middle East's Leading Cruise Line
Middle East's Leading Economy Airline
Costa Cruises Cunard Line Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Silversea Cruises The World Cruise (Residensea)
Emirates Etihad Airways Gulf Air Qatar Airways Saudi Arabian Airlines
Middle East's Leading Cruise Port
Middle East's Leading Exhibition Centre
Aqaba, Jordan Bahrain Dubai, UAE Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Muscat Oman Salalah, Oman
Middle East's Leading Destination Abu Dhabi Bahrain Dubai Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia
Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre Bahrain International Exhibition Centre Beirut International Exhibition and Leisure Center Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre Expo Centre Sharjah Kuwait International Fair
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Middle East's Leading Family Resort
Middle East's Leading Hotel
Al Hamra Fort Hotel and Beach Resort Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna Dubai Marine Resort, Dubai Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa - Al Aqah Beach Jumeirah Bab al Shams Desert Resort & Spa Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea Le Meridien Al Agah Beach Resort Madinat Jumeirah Movenpick Hotel & Resort Beirut Movenpick Resort and Residence aqaba
Al Faisaliah Hotel, A Rosewood Hotel Al Qasr at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai Atlantis The Palm, Dubai Burj Al Arab, Dubai Desert Palm Dubai Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi Four Seasons Hotel Amman, Jordan Four Seasons Hotel Doha, Qatar InterContinental Abu Dhabi InterContinental Al Bustan Palace Muscat, Oman Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Dubai Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai Madina Oberoi, Saudi Arabia Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi One&Only Royal Mirage Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort, Oman Taj Palace Hotel Dubai The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai The Chedi Muscat, Oman The Fairmont Dubai The Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa The Ritz-Carlton Doha, Qatar
Middle East's Leading First Class Emirates Etihad Airways Gulf Air Qatar Airways Saudi Arabian Airlines
Middle East's Leading Golf Course Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club Emirates Golf Club Four Seasons Golf Club Dubai Festival City Jebel Ali Golf Golf Course The Montgomerie
Middle East's Leading Golf Resort Arizona Golf Resort, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, Dubai Park Hyatt Dubai The Montgomerie Dubai Club House
Middle East's Leading Hotel Brand Hilton Hotels InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Jumeirah Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts Rotana Hotels
riyadh.mobi
Middle East's Leading International Marketing Campaign Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority - Traveller's Welcome Etihad Airways - From Abu Dhabi to the World Qatar Airways - The World's 5-star Airline Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Office - Travel Essentials
Middle East's Leading Marina Dubai Festival City Dubai Marina Pearl of Qatar Umm Al Quwain Marina
Middle East's Leading MICE Destination Abu Dhabi Bahrain Dubai Qatar
Middle East's Leading New Hotel Angsana Dubai Atlantis The Palm, Dubai Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City InterContinental Dubai Festival City Le MĂŠridien Towers Makkah Moevenpick al Bidaa, Kuwait Rosewood Corniche Shangri-La Abu Dhabi Sharq Village and Spa Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai The Monarch Dubai
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World Travel Awards Inaugural Prix D'Or Middle East Ceremony 2009 World Travel Awards will tonight unveil the winner of the inaugural Prix D’Or. The World Travel Awards Prix D’Or will be presented to the tourism brand or product that has contributed most to the development of the region’s travel industry over the last 12 months. Both the travel trade and consumers in the region were offered the opportunity to nominate who they think should receive the highly-prestigious award. A shortlist of the six highest-ranking nominees will be showcased in front of tonight’s audience. You – the region’s travel industry elite – will then be invited to cast your vote for the overall winner.
The presentation of the World Travel Awards Prix D’Or will be the highlight of the World Travel Awards Middle East Ceremony, heralded as the “Oscars of the travel industry” The inaugural overall winner will demonstrate to the travel and tourism industry and world’s media what it truly takes to make a positive difference and will act as the ultimate benchmark to which all others will aspire.
“
Travels highest accolade”
Middle East Finalists Middle East Ceremony 2009
Middle East's Leading Overseas Development Company Al-Futtaim Real Estate Dubai World Africa Emaar Hospitality Group IFA Hotels & Resorts FZ LLC. Kingdom Hotel Investments Mubadala Nakheel Hotels
Middle East's Leading Private Jet Charter Aircharter International ExecuJet Middle East Prestige Jet Royal Jet VistaJet
amman.mobi
Middle East's Leading Resort
Middle East's Leading Spa Resort
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai Atlantis The Palm, Dubai Desert Islands Resort and Spa Desert Palm Dubai Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi Hilton Fujairah Resort Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, Dubai Kempinski Hotel Ajman, UAE Le Meridien Al Aqqa Beach Resort, Fujairah Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort, Oman Sheraton Abu Dhabi Resort & Towers, Abu Dhabi Sheraton Coral Beach Hotel & Resort, Lebanon Sheraton Doha Hotel & Resort, Qatar Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay The Chedi Muscat, Oman The Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai The Palace – The Old Town The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai Desert Palm Dubai InterContinental Mountain Resort & Spa Mzaar, Lebanon Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, Dubai Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort, Oman The Chedi Muscat, Oman The Fairmont Dubai The Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa
Middle East's Leading Suite Amiri Suite, The Ritz-Carlton Doha, Qatar Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Dubai Monarch Suite, The Monarch Dubai Palace Suite, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi Penthouse, Grosvenor House, Dubai Presidential Suite, Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Fujairah Royal Suite, Al Faisaliah Hotel, A Rosewood Hotel Royal Suite, Burj Al Arab Royal Suite, Four Seasons Hotel Doha, Qatar Royal Suite, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai Royal Suite, One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai Royal Suite, The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa
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Middle East's Leading Tourism Development Project
Middle East's Leading Tourist Attraction
Middle East's Leading Travel Management Company
Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi Cairo Festival City - Al Futtaim Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi - ADNEC Desert Islands - TDIC Dubai Towers - Sama Dubai Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) Salam - Bahrain Beach Resort & Spa Sama Dubai Taj Exotica - ETA Star The Blue City, Oman - Blue City Development Company The Palm Jumeirah - Nakheel The Pearl - Qatar - United Development Company The Wave Muscat - MAFI Yas Island - Aldar Cairo Festival City – Al Futtaim Blue City, Oman – Blue City Development Company Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi, ADNEC Desert Islands – TDIC Dubai Culture Village – Dubai Properties Taj Exotica - ETA
Atlantis, The Palm Burj Al Arab Persepolis Iran Petra Jordan Ski Dubai The Dubai Mall, Dubai The Palm Jumeirah - Nakheel Wild Wadi Waterpark, Dubai
Al Futtaim Travel, Dubai Alshamel International, Kuwait Amex Arabian Tours Attar Travel, Saudi Arabia Dnata, Dubai Kanoo, Dubai Orient Tours Regency Travel & Tours, Qatar
Middle East's Leading Tourism Property Development Company Abu Dhabi Investment House Aldar Emaar ETA Star Mubadala Nakheel Qatari Diar Sama Dubai Sorouh Tourism Development & Investment Company United Development Company Zabeel Properties
Middle East's Leading Tourist Board Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority Bahrain Tourism Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing Government of Dubai Jordan Tourism Board Ministry of Tourism, Syria Oman Qatar Tourism Authority Sharjah Tourism Authority
Middle East's Leading Travel Technology Provider Amadeus EmQuest Galileo by Travelport Illusions Online ISO Travel Solutions TechTuners Software & Services
Middle East's Leading Water Park Middle East's Leading Travel Agency Al Rais Travel Alshamel, Dubai Amiral Tours & Travel, Jordan Dnata, Dubai Emirates Holidays Orient Tours Regency Travel & Tours, Qatar Salem Travel Agency, Abu Dhabi Sharaftravel SNTTA - Sharjah National Travel & Tourist Agency
Aqua Park Kuwait Aquaventure Dreamland Aqua Park WaterGate Park Waves Aqua Park Wild Wadi Waterpark Wonderland
Middle East's Leading Travel Exhibition Arabian Travel Market Bahrain International Travel Expo Business Travel Show Dubai GIBTM Kuwait World Travel Expo
muscat.mobi
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Your Golden Ticket World Travel Awards Last year’s Grand Final saw the travel industry’s elite gather in Turks & Caicos, with regional winners from seven continents going head to head in their bid to win the industry’s highest accolade – a World Travel Award. The Middle East made all of the headlines, picking up a phenomenal 14 travel industry Oscars. Amongst the winners were Burj Al Arab, Dubai (World’s Leading Hotel); Dubai (World’s Leading Destination); Etihad Airways (World’s Leading First Class); The Monarch Suite, The Monarch, Dubai (World’s Leading Suite); and Qatar Airways (World’s Leading Business Class). Tonight’s Middle East winners all qualify to attend the World Travel Awards 2009 Grand Final, which will be staged on the beautiful Caribbean island of Jamaica on the 30th October. To reserve your seat or for more information contact: awards@worldtravelawards.com
Tareq Abdullatif Taha, General Manager, Regency Travel & Tours, voted World’s Leading Travel Agency, with Miss World
The magnificent Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa, host of World Travel Awards 2008 Grand Final
Thatcher Brown, Director of Sales & Marketing, Jumeirah, scoops “World’s Leading Hotel”
Bill Schachte, Mid Atlantic USA, Qatar Airways wins “World’s Leading Business Class”
Josephine Boulus, Country Manager, USA, Etihad Airways, voted “World’s Leading First Class”
Grand Tour 2009 World Travel Awards World Travel Awards attracts an unprecedented amount of both trade and consumer media coverage spearheaded by BBC World News – our global media partner – whose coverage spans a global audience of over 274 million.
This year, Regional Awards are staged in each key geographic region – Middle East, Africa, North & Central America, Europe, Asia and South America, culminating in the World Travel Awards Grand Final in Jamaica at the end of the year.
In 2007, World Travel Awards expanded its portfolio by adding a Grand Tour of Regional Awards to recognise winners in their own territory.
World Travel Awards is currently selecting the destinations to host the prestigious 2010 Regional Awards. The winning hosts will be presented to the world as the respective
World Travel Awards Media Partners
Middle East Ceremony Dubai, UAE, 5th May
Event Partner:
region’s premier top quality tourism destination with the World Travel Awards endorsed global message. To find out more contact: awards@worldtravelawards.com
Africa Ceremony Durban, South Africa, 11th May
Event Partner:
North & Central America Ceremony Riviera Maya, 21st September
Event Partner:
Oeste awaits the world Portugal’s Oeste region is hotly tipped for tourism superstardom, and has recently been selected to host the European leg of the prestigious World Travel Awards. Oeste, the Portuguese for west, stretches for over 200km along the ruggedly beautiful Atlantic coastline between Portugal’s two main cities, Lisbon and Oporto. The region’s must-see site is the stunning medieval town of Óbidos.
Unlike more famous and populated regions in the south of the country, here you can discover pretty villages and a real Portuguese way-of-life amongst stunning coastal scenery, including some of the best beaches in Europe. So much of this area has yet to be undiscovered by the mass tourism market, guaranteeing you a beach to yourself. The landscape is indeed rather special, starting off from Castelo de Paiva, all the way down south to Arruda dos Vinhos, you will be amazed by the picturesque fishing towns (Nazaré, Peniche, Ericeira) and the beautiful lagoon of Óbidos that links to the stunning beach of Foz do Arelho. The weather is invariably one of perfect blue skies, providing the perfect backdrop for outdoor activities including water sports, hiking or camping in the lush green surrounding land. The balmy weather and the white sandy beaches offer the choice between practising water sports and enjoying the calm life of the seaside.
Golf with a sea-view While the Algarve is famous the world over for its golf, the lesserknown Oeste region is rapidly earning a reputation too for its world-class fairways. The gentle rolling hills set against the backdrop of huge skies and deep oceans make this a golfer’s paradise. The recent opening of the new Bom Sucesso course near Praia D’El Rey is welcoming more and more golfers from around Europe, as word spreads about the Donald Steel-designed course. The legendary Seve Ballesteros has also designed some courses in the pipeline.
Jewel of the Oeste Set along a beautiful sandy beach less than one hour from Lisbon, in an area of protected rural landscape of rolling sand dunes and pine tree forests, Praia D’El Rey Golf & Beach Resort epitomises the charm of the Oeste region. With year-round sunshine, a championship links golf course, luxury accommodation, world-class spa and a vast range of outdoor activities, this is the best holiday location under the sun. The resort will also play host to the World Travel Awards Europe Ceremony this autumn. Its luxury hotel is worthy of a capital city, whilst overlooking a sandy beach on one of Europe’s most serene and natural coastlines. Book into the resort’s spa and health club and get down to some serious relaxation therapy.
The resort also has much to offer outside its gates. History is to hand, including nearby Peniche, a pretty and unspoilt ancient fishing port, known for the sprawling landmark fortress overlooking its harbour, as well as some of Portugal’s finest surfing. But while the days are hot, the area around Praia D’El Rey is prized by sunbathers for its empty, pristine beaches, especially those near Baleal, a small island village five minutes from the resort. Almost every town near Praia D'El Rey can trace its history back to the 12th century but the most famous is Óbidos, 15 minutes from the resort but a whole world away. Its untouched town centre is medieval in feel and many of its buildings date back to the time of the Conquests, their whitewashed and ochre walls and blue-framed windows and doors crying out to be photographed.
www.rt-oeste.pt www.praia-del-rey.com
Grand Tour 2009 World Travel Awards South America Ceremony Rio de Janeiro, 1st October
Europe Ceremony Obidos, 17th October
Event Partner:
& Oeste, Portugal
Asia, Australasia & Indian Ocean Ceremony Singapore, 22nd October
World & Caribbean Ceremony Jamaica, 30th October
Event Partner:
WORLD SPORT DESTINATION EXPO 2010 SOUTH AFRICA
6-10 July 2010 Sa n d ton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa World Sport Destination Expo will for the very first time showcase the inter-linked importance of sport, sporting events and travel and tourism at the heart of one of the biggest and most important events that the world will ever stage.
DATE
CONTACT
World Sport Destination Expo will take place from 6-10 July 2010. The event will put into focus the true value of sports tourism during the busiest period of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
For more information contact: info@worldsportsnet.co.uk
The world's most sought after sporting destinations, resorts, specialist tour and event organisers, sporting bid committees, worldwide media and elite buyers will meet to conduct business in a unique expo co-located alongside the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Johannesburg, South Africa's economic powerhouse.
2010 FIFA LOCATION Johannesburg - Official Host City for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. As well as hosting a total of 15 World Cup matches including the opening ceremony and opening and final matches - Johannesburg will be the world's business and media hub for the 4 weeks of the World Cup.
www.worldsportdestinationexpo.com
Gala Show Entertainment World Travel Awards Middle East Ceremony 2009
BONEY M. original Maizie Williams The 1970s saw the birth of Disco - 100% freaking, boogying, hustling, bumping, busstopping, pure disco dancing. It started in the mid-70s and continued right through into the 80s. One of the biggest groups to stand out and make their mark was BONEY M. Their career was comet-like in that they seemed to blast out of nowhere. Suddenly every discotheque around the world played Boney M and every TV show wanting to be hip had to have this stunning-looking and fabulous-sounding foursome from the Caribbean. Their sound - a mix of reggae, disco, funk, gospel, soul and rock - hit the charts around the world in a flash. Within moments, it seemed, everyone knew the Boney M. name and music, and their onward progress would maintain its star-studded track through our consciousness, day and night for over ten years, with an endless stream of unforgettable, sensational hits. Maizie Williams was with Boney M. from the very beginning and to this day is recreating those unique special moments live with her own band of musicians.
Nima Abu-Wardeh Nima Abu-Wardeh is the personality to watch for her intelligence, knowledge, versatility and charisma. She is a bilingual English-Arabic broadcaster who brings credibility, integrity and objectivity to the Arab corporate marketplace. She has her finger on the pulse of the business environment across the region and people turn to her for the inside track.
and on-screen credentials, having produced and presented programmes for Al Jazeera and Dubai’s Business Channel, as well as BBC World News. Known for her enthusiasm, energy and nononsense approach, Nima is an engaging and inspirational speaker, panelist, MC and a Young Arab Leader.
Nima presents BBC World’s weekly business and finance programme, Middle East Business Report. She was part of the team that set up the programme and has been the linchpin ever since. She comes with strong production
STERLING EQ Sterling EQ is one of the most sought after bands on South Africa’s entertainment and corporate events circuits. This instrumental super group captivates audiences from all walks of life with their spectacular display of virtuosity and their energetic stage presence, which, together with their sleek appearance and stylish modern instruments, makes for an unforgettable entertainment experience. The band is made up of some of South Africa’s top qualified, award-winning and most gorgeous young virtuosos. Their live
performance contains striking and unforgettable arrangements of classical works and well-known favourites, giving new life to the compositions of masters like Vivaldi, Bach and Beethoven by incorporating elements of contemporary music - Vanessa Mae style. The inclusion of well-known South African compositions like Mbube and Nkalakatha combined with their sleek appearance and futuristic electric string instruments make them simply irresistible!
ADNAN DAWOOD Marketing Strategy • Publicity • Business • Development
Dubai United Arab Emirates
www.adnandawood.com Adnan@AdnanDawood.com
Thank you to all our partners We wish to express our gratitude to our partners and supporters worldwide. In particular, we extend a heartfelt “thank you” to our gracious host The Monarch Dubai for its outstanding hospitality and extreme professionalism. We would also like to thank our media partners BBC World News, Khaleej Times, Breaking Travel News and all other media partners around the world.
The Team World Travel Awards President & Founder Graham E. Cooke
Sales Director Tony Prince
Online Project Manager Sid Thaker
PA to President Rebecca Cohen
Marketing & Global PR Consultant Adnan Dawood
Executive Vice President & Event Director Manon Han
PR Executive Cristina Onodi
Web Team Ben Roberts George Cooke Joe McCann Tom Fogarty
Senior Vice President David Falcon
Event Manager Susan Mundy
Creative Director Mike Gibas
Group Vice President Kevin Taylor
Event Organising Executive Kim Hawkins
Designer Adam Williams
Financial Director Xiaolan Tang
Editors Anton Strack Mary Aziz
Commercial Director Christopher Frost Director, Global Business Sion Rapson
Official Photographers Mark Hakanson Gareth Morris
Head of Business Development Max Miller
E-Commerce Managers Kelly Footit Hayden Pitout
Marketing Manager, South America Antonio Castro Neves
Online Marketing Executive Chris Whitfield
World Travel Awards 1 Northumberland Avenue Trafalgar Square London WC2N 5BW United Kingdom T +44 (0)20 7925 0000 F +44 (0)20 7925 2552 a wa rds@worldtravelawards.com www.worldtravelawards.com Copyright © World Travel Awards 2009
Congratulations…
…to all of tonight’s 2009 Middle East and country winners.
Over the past 12 months, each one of you has demonstrated what it takes to make a difference and will stand as inspirational examples of travel and tourism excellence for the year ahead. The Middle East Winners will go head-to-head with the other regional winners to compete for the ultimate travel accolade at the World Travel Awards Grand Final in Jamaica on 30th October 2009.
…roll on 2010 World Travel Awards will shortly be announcing the host and venue for the 2010 Middle East Ceremony. The initial 2010 Nomination Programme, which will decide the 2010 Middle East finalists, will open on November 1st. As the benchmark of excellence is once again raised, will 2010 see your brand voted the very best of the very best? New categories being introduced next year include; Best Hotel Architecture, Leading Luxury Hotel and Best Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative. To reserve a table at the World Travel Awards Grand Final 2009 or Middle East Gala Ceremony 2010, or to discover more about the World Travel Awards Nomination Programme please contact: awards@worldtravelawards.com or call +44 (0) 20 7925 0000.
worldtravelawards.com
Middle East Winners' Portfolio A Celebration of Travel Excellence in the Region November • 2009 Roll Call of Honour 2009 Winners
*****
2009 Middle East's Best
***** Destination Showcase ***** Development Showcase ***** Report Tourism *****Preview 2010
worldtravelawards.com Distribution: 50,000 industry professionals, 11,000 top buyers, 2,500 international press To be part of this key publication: winners@worldtravelawards.com or call +44 (0)20 7925 0000