The
votes have been counted and the trophies polished as the incredible
nation of India steps up to host the most important night of the year
in travel – World
Travel Awards
2012 Grand Final Gala Ceremony – on 12th December 2012.
The
VIP event, which is officially supported by Ministry of Tourism,
Government of India, will be hosted at The Oberoi, Gurgaon, New Delhi
Capital Region, the
new business and commercial district of Delhi
NCR.
The
likes of The Ritz-Carlton, Lufthansa,
Starwood Hotels, Jumeirah, Royal Caribbean
Cruise Line, Avis, Kuoni and Four Seasons are among
the brands in the running for top honours.
The
most important decision-makers in global travel and tourism are set
to attend the glittering ceremony. Categories to watch include
“World’s Leading Airline”, which features a heavy Asian and
Middle Eastern contingent. Nominees include Singapore
Airlines, Etihad Airways, Emirates and Malaysia
Airlines.
Another
key category is “World’s Leading Hotel”, with Copacabana Palace
(Rio), Le Bristol (Paris), St. Regis (Singapore), The Dorchester
(London), Burj Al Arab (Dubai) and W
Hotel (Barcelona) among the hot contenders.
The
evening marks the culmination of a year-long search for the very best
travel and tourism brands in the world, and will feature the regional
winners WTA’s Grand
Tour 2012 competing head to head. Regional
heats have taken place in Dubai, The Algarve (Portugal), Turks &
Caicos and Singapore competing head to head.
Graham
E. Cooke, President & Founder, World Travel Awards,
says India is a fitting destination for the world’s best travel
brands in 2012 to celebrate their achievements.
He
said: “It is an honour to have India host WTA’s Grand Final 2012.
In less than a decade, the number of international tourists here has
more than doubled, reflecting how travel and tourism is linked
inextricably with the economic evolution of this new superpower.”
“This
thriving country will also prove a gracious host for our Grand Final,
which will feature the elite of travel and tourism: the winners from
each of our WTA regional ceremonies going head-to-head. I look
forward to finding out which ones will make it on to the winner’s
podium on 12th December 2012.”
Dr.
K. Chiranjeevi, Minister of Tourism, India, says: “The Ministry of
Tourism, Government of India is honoured to host the World
Travel Awards Grand Final in India and sincerely hopes that this
prestigious event will help in promoting our nation as an incredible
destination.
“Tourists
from the world over can find their destination or product of desire
in India. We can proudly say that India is an incredible destination
with range of products like nowhere else,” he adds.
Kapil
Chopra, Executive Vice President, The Oberoi Group, says: “We are
indeed privileged to be chosen as the venue for the WTA’s Grand
Final Gala, the first time these are being held in India. These
awards recognise excellence in travel and hospitality and we are
delighted to have the finalists from
all over the world visit The Oberoi, Gurgaon. This evening is a
tribute to our excellent hotels and gracious hospitality.”
WTA
Grand Finals have previously been held in Doha, London and Turks &
Caicos.
