Hilton Hotels, Air Mauritius, Sun Island Resort & Spa, Seychelles and Lux Resorts were among the big names to emerge victorious at World Travel Awards 2013 Indian Ocean ceremony, held at the Paradise Island Resort & Spa, Maldives on 12th May 2013.
The industry’s elite, including CEO’s and SVPs of leading travel companies, government ministers and tourist board chiefs, attended the idyllic island gala event hailed as “The Oscars of the Travel Industry”. World Travel Awards celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade, celebrating those brands that are pushing the boundaries of industry excellence in product and service.
Air Mauritius was one of the shining stars on the night, capturing Indian Oceans Leading Airline. Other Award winners from across the region, saw Indian Oceans Leading New Hotel going to Coco Privé Kuda Hithi Island, Indian Oceans Leading Resort to One&Only Reethi Rah, Leading Water Villa Resort and Most Romantic Resort went to Baros and Leading Luxury Resort to Gili Lankanfushi with Lets Go Maldives taking Leading Luxury Tour Operator and a new Award went to SriLankan Airlines for Outstanding services to the Tourist Industry, Indian Ocean.
The Maldives continuing rise to tourism stardom was rewarded too, as it took home top honours for best Airport awarded to Maldives Airports Company Limited for Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, Indian Oceans Leading Tourist Board and Indian Oceans Leading Destination.
Indian Ocean’s Travel & Tourism Personality goes to the Maldives Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture – Hon. Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor.
Graham E Cooke, President and Founder, World Travel Awards said: “The Indian Ocean continues to serve as an example of a responsible eco-tourism region whilst offering the most unique hospitality products and services. It strives to set the highest possible bar to raise the standards of excellence in travel and tourism and it has been an honour to hold the first ever Indian Ocean World Travel Awards here.”
