World Travel Awards Regional Gala Ceremony Programme 2009

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:04 Page 1

Asia, Australasia & Indian Ocean, South America, Caribbean Gala Ceremony 2009

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:04 Page 2

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:05 Page 3

Welcome President of the World Travel Awards Dear Travel Friends, I am both delighted and honoured to welcome you this evening to celebrate excellence in travel.

Tonight the spotlight falls upon the leading brands across Asia, Australasia, the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean and South America.

Almost 1,000 leading brands have been nominated to win “a travel industry Oscar”, and I am encouraged to find that competition this year is hotter than ever.

The number of votes has increased ten percent over the last year, demonstrating that in a recession winning industry recognition is a key marketing strategy. In particular, we have seen a huge voting flurry in the build up to tonight’s ceremony.

In spite of the challenging economic times, it should make you all so proud to realise that world’s leading brands are continuing to redefine what makes the ultimate travel experience.

Our industry is under no illusions that this year is enforcing widespread strategic reevaluations across the globe. 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 183,000 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.

This evening is all about celebrating the incredible achievements of the travel industry, and we are honoured to have gathered together under one roof the elite from each of the regions.

Congratulations to all award winners and also to those who have made this evening possible. We also extend a special thank you to our partners Mexicana, BBC World News, Breaking Travel News, eTurboNews, Safar Travel & Tourism, Yucatan Holidays and World.Mobi.

Honouring and promoting excellence and innovation in travel and tourism are why 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 congratulations once again for your incredible achievements.

Sincerely yours,

Graham E. Cooke President and Founder World Travel Awards

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:05 Page 4

Embrace the Mobile Market Connect to visitors wherever and whenever with a mobile website

“The future of the web is on mobile phones�

Tim Berners-Lee (Inventor of the World Wide Web)

Contact World Contact World M Mobi obi to to discuss development de velopment of your your o mobile web web strategy strategy y inffo@world.mobi info@world.mobi +44 (0) 44 7925 0000 h ttp://www.world.mobi http://www.world.mobi

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:05 Page 5

Welcome Visit Britain

Welcome to the World Travel Awards’ Gala Ceremony. I’m very proud that Britain once again hosts this prestigious event in one of the most vibrant, dynamic and contemporary cities in the world.

Coming as the world arrives in London for the World Travel Market, we celebrate the best in tourism – for Britain, a £114 billion industry that is vital to the wellbeing of our economy.

Supporting 2.6 million jobs and 200,000 small businesses in the UK, tourism is central to our efforts to emerge from one of the most severe economic downturns in living memory.

Although visits to many of the world’s destinations have faced the pressure of the tough economic climate since the last World Travel Awards, the relative position of sterling against the dollar and Euro have presented us with a great opportunity. It has meant that for many, exploring all that Britain has to offer has never been more affordable. As anyone who has spent time with us will know, our destinations offer world-class service and quality assured, ‘star-rated’ accommodation for every budget. We have a range of enviable tourism assets, from stunning landscapes to vibrant, multicultural cities. Our rich history of tradition, heritage and culture lives beside modern design, music, theatre and architecture.

We offer an unrivalled social season and a calendar of unbeatable events: from Royal Ascot to Cowes Week, the Edinburgh Tattoo and Wales’ National Eisteddfod to the Chelsea Flower Show. British destinations have inspired some of the world’s greatest

authors and poets, and produced number one musicians, leading fashion designers and award-winning actors, as well as sporting legends and iconic characters from Harry Potter to James Bond, Sherlock Holmes to Robin Hood.

A week ago, we celebrated the 1,000-day countdown to the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games when all eyes are on Britain for are the world’s biggest event. Major events are an important part of tourism, helping draw visitors here, but they are not the only game in town over the coming years. They are just a part of a really exciting decade of sport with the 2010 Ryder Cup in Wales, the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and the 2016 Rugby World Cup in England, and who knows, maybe the FIFA 2018 World Cup! As well as celebrating our sporting heritage and drawing visitors to some of the world’s greatest ‘cathedrals of sport’, events will get Britain on the wish list of potential travellers who have no historical ties to Britain. We have an unprecedented opportunity to deliver a worldclass welcome to all visitors and thereby to enhance the image of the UK as a truly world class visitor destination.

I hope you have time to explore this historic city and perhaps take a few extra days to see what else Britain has to offer you. But however long you stay, I hope we will welcome you again soon.

Christopher Rodrigues Chairman Visit Britain

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:05 Page 6

18 hole championship golf course designed by Greg Norman

Jamaica

Antigua

St. Lucia

WORLD’S LEADING ALLINCLUSIVE COMPANY SANDALS RESORTS INTERNATIONAL

13 years running

Bahamas

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:05 Page 7

Luxury Included Opening 22nd January 2010

All Butler

ANNOUNCING the New Sandals

All Oceanfront

All You Could Ever Imagine

Emerald Bay

Great Exuma, Bahamas

THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN OF SANDALS LUXURY INCLUDED® RESORTS Situated on a spectacular powder white sand

charming bay house settings – all oceanfront,

At Sandals you’re guaranteed the holiday of a

mile-long stretch of beach in the Bahamas,

extremely spacious and all come with personal

lifetime. We include more than you ever dreamed

against a backdrop of emerald clear waters,

Butlers, trained by the Guild of Professional

of so all you need to do is sit back, relax and be

this all-suite resort offers 183 luxury rooms

English Butlers.

pampered.

and suites, ranging from beachfront villas to

Call 0800 742 742

Visit www.sandals.co.uk

See your local travel agent

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:05 Page 8

One destination,

a world of disti

AYANA Resort and Spa Bali is proud to have been nominated t "TJB T -FBEJOH -VYVSZ 3FTPSU t "TJB T -FBEJOH 4QB 3FTPSU

t "TJB T -FBEJOH 7JMMB ":"/" 7JMMB

t *OEPOFTJB T -FBEJOH 3FTPSU

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:05 Page 9

i nction #BMJ T NPTU CSFBUI UBLJOH TBODUVBSZ XJUI QSJWBUF WJMMBT BOE B SPPN IPUFM

PO IFDUBSFT PG DMJĊ UPQ MBOE PWFS +JNCBSBO #BZ

Escape

B XPSME PG SJDI DVMUVSBM IFSJUBHF PNOJQSFTFOU JO UIF BSDIJUFDUVSF EFDPS BOE NPTU PG BMM UIF XBSN IPTQJUBMJUZ BOE EBJMZ SJUVBMT PG ZPVS IPTUT

Explore

UIF LJMPNFUFS DPBTUMJOF XJUI TFDMVEFE XIJUF TBOE CFBDI PDFBO GSPOU QPPMT HPMG QVUUJOH DPVSTF BOE TFDSFU HBSEFOT

Savor

B EJĊFSFOU EJOJOH FYQFSJFODF FWFSZ EBZ BU WFOVFT JODMVEJOH UIF OFX 3PDL #BS QFSDIFE PO SPDLT EJSFDUMZ PWFS UIF PDFBO

Rejuvenate

JO ɨBMBTTP IFBMJOH BOE #BMJOFTF UIFSBQJFT BU ɨFSNFT .BSJOT #BMJ 4QB "RVBUPOJD 1PPM BOE 4QB PO UIF 3PDLT

&BDI EBZ PĊFST OFX EJTDPWFSZ

+M ,BSBOH .BT 4FKBIUFSB +JNCBSBO #BMJ 5 ] '

XXX BZBOBSFTPSU DPN

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:06 Page 10

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:06 Page 11

World Travel Awards Asia, Australasia & Indian Ocean, South America, Caribbean Ceremony 2009 Date: Venue: Location:

7th November 2009 Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel London

Evening Programme Cocktail Reception: Gala Dinner & Show: Carriages:

19.00 20.00 23.00

“

Travel industry's equivalent to the Oscars...”

Wall Street Journal

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:06 Page 12

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:06 Page 13

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:06 Page 14

golfoeste PORTUGAL

Praia d’El Rey Golf & Beach Resort (Marriott Hotel) | Óbidos www.praia-del-rey.com Tel. +351 262 905 005 The Westin CampoReal Golf Resort & Spa (Westin Hotel) | Torres Vedras www.westin.com/camporeal Tel. +351 261 960 900

t s a o c r e v l i s c i t s a t n a f u A o y r o f wa it i n g

Golden Eagle, Residence & Golf Resort Rio Maior www.goldeneagle-golfresort.com Tel. +351 243 940 040 Bom Sucesso Design, Leisure & Golf Resort Óbidos www.bomsucesso.net Tel. +351 262 965 310 Vimeiro Golf Resort (Golf Mar Hotel) | Torres Vedras www.hotelgolfmar.com Tel. +351 261 980 800 Botado Golf Club (Atlântico Golfe Hotel) | Peniche www.atlanticogolfehotel.com Tel. +351 262 757 700 Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort (open 2011) | Óbidos www.royalobidos.com Tel. +351 262 960 241

GOLFOESTE Rua Direita, n.º 87 – Apartado 42 – 2510-914 Óbidos – Portugal Tel. +351 262 955 060 – Fax +351 262 955 061 golf@turismodooeste.pt | www.turismodooeste.pt

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:06 Page 15

About Us

The World Travel Awards acknowledges and celebrates those organisations that have made the greatest contribution to the global tourism and travel industry. It also recognises those brands that are driving the industry to greater heights and innovation in travel.

Now celebrating its 16th anniversary, the awards has grown into a truly global search for the very best travel and tourism brands, with winners from seven regional ceremonies then progressing to the World Travel Awards Grand Final.

This year, 183,000 travel professionals registered to vote and participate in the prestigious World Travel Awards programme – a phenomenal 10% rise in registrations this year compared to last year.

This record number is conclusive evidence that World Travel Awards has become the “Oscars” of the global travel industry.

Graham E. Cooke, Founder and President, World Travel Awards, said: “World Travel

2010

Awards is a unique benchmark for industry quality and business excellence in every region and sector.”

“The increase in registered voters, despite a global recession, demonstrates the vital role of performance delivery in a challenging and highly competitive marketplace,” he added.

This level of accountability makes the World Travel Awards one of the highest accolades in the travel business and is why the award ceremony is broadcast by BBC World News and other networks to over 254 million households worldwide and attended by the industry’s global decision makers.

For the tourism trade, winning a World Travel Award is more than an award – it is an

endorsement from the thousands of professionals from around the globe, as well as gold seal to the consumer of travel excellence guaranteed.

The World Travel Awards has continuously evolved, expanding the number of awards as the industry has grown. There are now over 1,000 different categories – an understandable number seeing how the industry has diversified and given the fact that there were over 3,600 different nominees this year.

And as confidence returns to the global economy, the World Travel Awards will be there to reward those travel and tourism players that spearhead the recovery.

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:06 Page 16

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:06 Page 17

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:06 Page 18

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:07 Page 19

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

2007

2008

2009

Abu Dhabi New York Newcastle Bangalore Turks & Caicos

Durban Sydney Shanghai Orlando Poprad Rio de Janeiro Dubai Turks & Caicos

Dubai Durban Riviera Maya Obidos London

2006 Turks and Caicos

2010

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:07 Page 20

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:07 Page 21

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 London and the World Travel Awards 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.

worldtravelawards.com

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:07 Page 22

TThe he Internet Internet

Your Your Website Website

World World Mobi Mobi is a mobile mobille web web development development company compan ny based in London, London, UK focusing focu using on designing and optimizing mizing websites websites tailored tailored for for use u on mobile phones. phones. Our Our bespoke bespoke solutions provide provide our our world world wide client client list with h the ideal platform platform to to engage and and grow grow their mobile audience. audien nce.

“Mobile “Mobile Web Web Users Users to to top top 1.7 Billion by by 2013” - Juniper Jun niper Research Researrch ch

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:08 Page 23

The The Mobile Mobile IInternet nternet

Do you have a mobile website? “Mobile Internet usage is skyrocketing worldwide.

Throughout 2009, 50 percent of all new Internet connections worldwide are coming from phones “ eMarketer, 2008 and 2009

Your Your o Mobile Mobile Website Website

Contact W Contact World orld M Mobi obi tto o discuss d development de velopment of y your our mobile mo obile website. website.

TTel: el: +44(0)20 7925 0000 info@world.mobi inf fo@world.mobi | w www.world.mobi ww.world.mobi

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:08 Page 24

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:08 Page 25

Wine World Travel Awards Asia, Australasia & Indian Ocean, South America, Caribbean Ceremony 2009 White wine Sauvignon Blanc, Emporium, Venezia

***** Red wine Shiraz, Emporium, Sicily

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:08 Page 26

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:08 Page 27

Menu World Travel Awards Asia, Australasia & Indian Ocean, South America, Caribbean Ceremony 2009 Antipasto plate of Portobello mushroom, asparagus, goats cheese, roasted tomato confit, pepper oil and sauce verte

***** Tomato tapenade stuffed sea bass, sautéed spinach, red pepper and potato mash with fennel-pernod cream

***** Lime crème brûlée, wild berry sorbet

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:08 Page 28

Experience the Dream...

Cilantro Restaurant

Luxury Suite Villa

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:08 Page 29

Spread Spre ead across across o 27 acres acre es of lush tropical trropical o gard denss gardens 750 m of o white sandy beach 65 Suite to Su e Villas Villas as (from (fro om 163m2 63 o 345m2) 345m2) 5 ) each with with private pool 24hr butler utler service Cilantro o Restaurant - finest Pan Asian cuisine on the island Maradiva Maradivva Spa - A Leading spa with authentic tic Ayurvedic Ayurvedic treatment treatment Limousine ine service Championship Championship Golf course nearby by

For information info ormation and reservation reservation n: Presidential Suite Villa

Maradiva Maradivva Villas Villas Resort & Spa Wolmar, Wolmarr,, Mauritius Telephone Telephone elepho one : (230) 403 1500 Email : reservation@maradiva.com reservation@maradiva.com om www.maradiva.com www.m maradiva.com

Spa Suite

Main Infinity Pool

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:08 Page 30

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:09 Page 31

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 recently 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 183,000 travel agents and tourism professionals 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 collective achievements of the industry.

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 our Gala Ceremonies take the World Travel Awards to the Middle East, Africa, North & Central America and Europe. London is our final stop where the Grand Final will take place.

2010 will see another exciting Grand Tour take World Travel Awards across the globe.

worldtravelawards.com

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:09 Page 32

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:09 Page 33

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:09 Page 34

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:09 Page 35

Grand Tour 2009 Dubai, Durban, Riviera Maya, Oeste, London

The World Travel Awards toured the globe in search of the very best travel brands, with regional ceremonies in 2009 in Dubai, UAE; Durban, South Africa; Yucatan, Mexico and Oeste, Portugal.

The dinner reception, The Middle East Ceremony held at The Monarch Dubai

Peter Baumgartner, Executive Vice President Marketing, Etihad Airways Graham Cooke, President & Founder, World Travel Awards

“

As the travel industry’s highest accolade, there has never been a more valuable time to demonstrate the pursuit of excellence and to win a World Travel Award.

“

A night of travel triumph, The Middle East Ceremony

eTurboNews

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:10 Page 36

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:10 Page 37

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:11 Page 38

www.think.com.mv

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:11 Page 39

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:11 Page 40

Regency Travel brings you the best of both worlds.

At Regency Travel & Tours, we understand the importance of your trip, whether it is business or leisure.

Our expert travel professionals are proactive enough to understand your requirements and offer appropriate travel solutions.

a ! n!e ! !

Al Asmakh Street Tel: 4315007/4315008 Fax: 4315005

! a ! il: tou!e ! gen!yo ! li!ay!o ! !

Industrial Area Tel: 4604953/4604950 Fax: 4604938

Masaieed Tel: 4771900/4771988 Fax: 4772014

General Post Office Tel: 4831486 Fax: 4831480

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:11 Page 41

Lulu Hypermarket Tel: 4550851 Fax: 4672141

Al Asmakh Centerpoint Mall Tel: 4325381 Fax: 4364340

Al-Rayyan Tel: 4820675 Fax: 4806036

Al Wakra Tel: 4647068/4647725 Fax: 4641145

!

Gharrafa Tel: 4869610 Fax: 4118955

e ! gen!yo ! li!ay!o ! !

Ras Laffan Tel: 4748836 Fax: 4748838

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:11 Page 42

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:11 Page 43

Grand Tour 2009 Dubai, Durban, Riviera Maya, Oeste, London

Show host Nima Abu-Wardeh at the Middle East Ceremony

(Above) Boney M headlined the World Travel Awards Africa Ceremony

(Below) Peet Cilliers, CEO, Legend Lodges, Entabeni Private Game Reserve, Graham Cooke, President & Founder, World Travel Awards, Africa’s Leading Tourism Development Project

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:15 Page 44

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:18 Page 45

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:18 Page 46

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:18 Page 47

Grand Tour 2009 Dubai, Durban, Riviera Maya, Oeste, London

Orlando Arroyo, CEO of Tres Rios, Hacienda Tres Rios Resort, Manon Han, Executive Vice President, World Travel Awards, Mexico & Central America's Leading All-inclusive Resort

Disco legends Village People woo the crowd at Hacienda Tres Rios Resort

World Travel Golf Tournament held at Bom Sucesso Golf Course, Obidos

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:18 Page 48

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:19 Page 49

Grand Tour 2009 Dubai, Durban, Riviera Maya, Oeste, London

“

The World Travel Awards Ceremony is a fantastic event and a great opportunity for the travel industry... it makes sense to partner with a high profile and well-connected event like WTA.

“

BBC World News

Manon Han, Executive Vice President, World Travel Awards delivers the opening address

Telmo Faria, Mayor, Obidos; Jose Pampolim, Vice President and Stuart Swycher, President, of Beltico Group, Europe’s Leading Golf & Leisure Resort

The co-hosts (Olga Diegves, Bobby Davro) and winners, Europe Ceremony

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:19 Page 50

Virtual World Internet designs, develops, hosts, and markets high value visual content for the travel and tourism sector with a proven track record of delivering world class solutions to our clients.

Grosvenor House Dubai www.virtual-grosvenorhouse.com

The Monarch Dubai www.virtual-monarch.com

Swissotel Nai Lert Park Bangkok www.virtual-nailertpark.com

Contact Virtual World Internet to discuss how we can help produce and deliver video, virtual tours, and image galleries of your hotel or resort to your online visitors.

Email: virtual@virtualworldinternet.com Phone: +44 (0) 20 7925 0000

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:19 Page 51

World Travel Awards Grand Tour 2010 Our events are attended by the top-level decision makers - more than 70 percent of our attendees are Director level or above.

Our events are the perfect platform to gain your brand top-level exposure.

Our events are famed for the great networking opportunities.

For more information and to book tickets please email: booking@worldtravelawards.com

worldtravelawards.com

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:20 Page 52

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:20 Page 53

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:20 Page 54

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:21 Page 55

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:21 Page 56

Gala Show Entertainment World Travel Awards Asia, Australasia & Indian Ocean, South America, Caribbean Ceremony 2009

Steve Nallon Steve is one of Britain’s most versatile and prolific writers and performers working in all aspects of the media from film and television to radio and theatre.

The leading impressionist on the award winning Spitting Image series, he is recognised as one of Britain’s most entertaining comic impressionists. His recent television and radio appearances include Harry and Paul, Celebrity Special: The Weakest Link, Call My Bluff, Alistair McGowan’s Big Impression, Night of a Thousand Faces, The Impressionable Jon Culshaw, and First Impressions.

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:21 Page 57

Todd Miller and the Joe Loss Orchestra 2010 will see the Joe Loss Orchestra celebrating its 80th anniversary. The orchestra is now Britain’s longest running live entertainment company of any kind. In 1990, Joe entrusted the leadership to Todd Miller, who has led the orchestra through to the present day. Todd, who joined the orchestra in 1972, has continued the great tradition of performing the best in live entertainment for all generations.

Todd Miller’s vocal prowess and versatility has received acclaim from many eminent professionals from within the music industry and most importantly, from audiences and fans around the world. He has performed on 14 World Tours, 2 Royal Weddings, all the major TV Channels and Radio Stations, all the main venues throughout the UK, many Royal Commands and Premiers and as leader, he is proud to have been presented to Her Majesty the Queen on many different occasions.

Jon Scott Jon Scott is not your typical singer-songwriter.

You won’t find this Nigerian-born and London-based Afro-soul optimist wearing busker chic, doing the usual circuit of open mics and toilet venues, or hanging about hopefully in Hoxton. Because Jon Scott took his parents very seriously when they packed him off to London as a wide-eyed teen to study for a proper career. So seriously that, when he isn’t writing, recording and performing his inspiring songs of love, peace and unity, running his own Brown Babes label, and being a proud father, he has a very proper job. Jon Scott is probably the only music-obsessed singer-songwriter who owns his own law firm in the city of London.

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:21 Page 58

How to Enter 2010 The World Travel Awards serves to acknowledge, reward and celebrate the achievements of the brightest players in the global travel and tourism industry.

If you think your organisation stands in a class of its own then visit worldtravelawards.com for an online entry form.

Self nomination for 2010 opens 11 January.

worldtravelawards.com

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:22 Page 59

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:22 Page 60

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:22 Page 61

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 Grosvenor House for their outstanding hospitality and professionalism. We would also like to thank our media partners BBC World News, Publituris, 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

Executive Vice President & Event Director Manon Han

Marketing Executive Deanna Walker

Senior Vice President David Falcon

PR Executive Anna Gouldman

Web Team Ben Roberts George Cooke Tom Fogarty

Group Vice President Kevin Taylor

Events Production Manager Susan Mundy

Financial Director Xiaolan Tang

Event Organising Executive Ben Seal

Global Sales & Marketing Director James A. A. Khan

Editor Anton Strack

Commercial Director Christopher Frost

Official Photographers Mark Hakanson Gareth Morris

Director, Global Business Sion Rapson Head of Business Development Max Miller Marketing Manager, South America Antonio Castro Neves

Creative Director Mike Gibas Designer Adam Williams

E-Commerce Managers Kelly Footit Hayden Pitout

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 awards@worldtravelawards.com www.worldtravelawards.com

Online Marketing Executive Chris Whitfield

Copyright Š World Travel Awards 2009

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:22 Page 62

KEEPING DESTINATIONS SPECIAL...

We’re working to ensure that sustainable tourism makes a world of difference at favourite destinations.

Protecting the natural environment, traditions and culture – the things that make holidays special. And improving lives – so that local people benefit from tourism and are happy to give visitors a warm welcome. All of which can offer customers a richer holiday experience and help ensure there are special places for us all to sell, into the future.

Everyone wins!

JUST SOME OF THE WAYS WE’RE ALREADY CHANGING LIVES...

IN MEXICO, WE’RE CHANGING LIVES WITH JAM Children like Elsy now have fresh hope for the future.

The ladies of Chumpon are creating a whole new business, making jams for visitors to enjoy. There is a long way to go, but these amazing women have already developed new skills and confidence... and are on the road to creating a more secure future for their families.

IN CYPRUS, WE’RE KEEPING LIFE IN THE TRADITIONAL VILLAGES Maria is opening a café because of new self-drive routes taking visitors in to the heart of the island. This is giving rural people a way to make a living through tourism and a reason to stay in the mountains. And giving visitors a whole new experience of an old favourite!

2 communities have fresh hope through beekeeping and jam making initiatives in Mexico, supplying produce for tourists to enjoy.

90 local communities and 118 businesses are now benefiting from sustainable tourism in Cyprus.

Find out much more at www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk – and access a range of communication and training tools to help transform your business.

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:22 Page 63

Congratulations… …to all of tonight’s 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 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 London on 8th November 2009.

…roll on 2010 World Travel Awards will shortly be announcing the hosts and venues for the Regional Ceremonies.

The initial 2010 Nomination programme, which will decide the 2010 nominees, will open on January 1st 2010. As the benchmark of excellence is once 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 discover more about the World Travel Awards Nomination Programme please contact: awards@worldtravelawards.com or call +44 (0) 20 7925 0000.

worldtravelawards.com

WTA_Regional_PRINT:Layout 1 04/11/2009 12:22 Page 64