Asia’s role in leading the global travel and tourism recovery has been acknowledged at a VIP gala ceremony hosted by World Travel Awards (WTA) in Bangkok, Thailand on 28 September 2011.

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

Malaysia Airlines overcame stiff competition from Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, Thai Airways and Air China to collect “Asia’s Leading Airline”. Meanwhile India saw off the likes of Bali, Korea and Sri Lanka to win “Asia’s Leading Destination”; whilst Trident Gurgaon was voted “Asia’s Leading Hotel”. Korean Air was voted “Asia’s Leading Airline First Class” and the new super luxury hotel Oberoi Gurgaon collected “Asia’s Leading Luxury Hotel”.

Thailand, which played host to WTA for the first time, enjoyed a large slice of the evening’s honours, reflecting its growing role as a travel and tourism hub of Asia. Home-grown winners included Bangkok Airways (Asia’s Leading Regional Airline); Six Senses Hideaway, Samui (“Asia’s Leading Honeymoon Resort”); and Bangkok (“Asia’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination”).

It was also an evening of travel triumph for Australasia. Among the big winners were Air New Zealand, which was voted “Australasia’s Leading Airline”, Bora Bora, French Polynesia named “Australasia’s Leading Destination” and Sheraton on the Park, Sydney, picked up “Australasia’s Leading Hotel”.

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 strength of the region’s travel and tourism economy. He said: “Asia is powering the global travel and tourism recovery, and tonight’s winners represent the very cream of our industry.

“The burgeoning middle classes in markets such as India, China and Malaysia are fuelling a surge in intra-Asia travel. We expect this growth to continue for at least the next decade, making the future very bright indeed for Asia’s luxury hospitality sector. Thailand, in particular, is reaping the rewards of the changes sweeping across the region thanks to its culture, amazing beaches and world-class facilities.”

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

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