World Travel Awards (WTA), which is celebrating its 17th anniversary, has unveiled 2010 Grand Tour Destinations. Dubai (UAE), Johannesburg (South Africa), Orlando (Florida, USA), Antalya (Turkey), New Delhi and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) have been selected by WTA for the same. Each place will stage one of the six WTA regional ceremonies, with victors progressing to the Grand Final in London (UK) on November 7, 2010. The growth of Sports Tourism, a sector now worth USD 600 billion annually, is reflected strongly in the choice of this year’s WTA host venues.

Johannesburg – playing host to 2010 FIFA World Cup – will hold the Africa Ceremony on July 7, 2010, while 2016 Olympics host Rio de Janeiro will follow with the South America Ceremony on October 20, 2010. London, currently gearing up for the 2012 Olympics, will host the WTA Grand Final on November 7, 2010.

Meanwhile, those destinations that have created tourism miracles away from the sporting field will also feature prominently in this year’s WTA Grand Tour. The Claridges Surajkund, New Delhi, will assume the WTA baton on October 17, 2010 for the Asia and Australasia Ceremony. In the UAE, the Address Hotel, of Emaar Dubai Marina development, will host the Middle East Ceremony on May 3, 2010.
Graham E Cooke, Founder and President, WTA said, “The World Travel Awards is about seeking excellence in travel and tourism. Our hosts represent some of the most innovative and exciting places to visit in 2010 – destinations with such a relentless drive to do things better they stand in a class of their own.”

Cooke added, “We have received a tremendous response to self nominations, which are up a phenomenal 50 per cent on 2009, with applicants from over 70 countries worldwide. This increase, in the face of a global recession, demonstrates the vital role that WTA now plays within the travel industry. More multinational companies than ever, ranging from Etihad Airways and TAP Portugal to InterContinental Hotels and Disney, are spearheading their global marketing campaigns with their award victories.”