Mauritius, Seychelles and the Maldives scooped the majority of key overall awards for the Indian Ocean in this year’s prestigious World Travel Awards.
It was a night of elation – and disappointment for some – at the World Travel Awards Africa and Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony in Johannesburg on Wednesday 7 July, attended by 1200 of the region’s most senior industry leaders.
CEO’s, directors of leading travel companies, Government Ministers, heads of tourism departments and destinations, industry association leaders and celebrities looked on as representatives for the islands walked away in triumph with so many of the accolades.
Air Mauritius took the Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline and Mauritius’s Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport won the title of Leading Airport.
Mauritius also won the coveted Indian Ocean Leading Destination while the legendary Hotel Trou Aux Biches was voted winner of the new category of Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination.
The Seychelles’ Fregate Island Private took the Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort award and Lémuria Resort of Praslin, the region’s Leading Golf Resort; the conservation-oriented and ethically driven North Island was presented with the Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Resort and Port Victoria was the Leading Cruise Port.
The small, private Cocoa Island in the Maldives was awarded the title of Indian Ocean’s Leading Boutique Hotel. The Maldives also got the vote for romance in the new category of Leading Honeymoon Destination and the reef-fringed sandy shores of Baros took the title of Leading Hotel. The sumptuous surroundings, environment and service of the W Retreat & Spa won them Leading Spa Resort in a hotly contested category with 14 nominations.
The winners were selected with the help of thousands of industry professionals worldwide who have been voting online.
Graham E. Cooke, Founder and President of World Travel Awards said that in addition to the prestige for their respective companies and destinations, the winners gain considerable commercial benefit from their deserved success.
“Because of their global reach and reputation, World Travel Awards are unique and regularly referred to as the ‘Oscars’ of travel and tourism”, said Cooke.
“This means that consumers are increasingly using our portfolio of winners as a reliable and independent guide when booking their vacation.”
The awards, established 17 years ago, are committed to raising the standards of customer service and overall business performance throughout the international industry.
“Customer care and professionalism of Indian Ocean tourism has come a long way in the years since the World Travel Awards was first started”, added Cooke. “There have been many challenges and issues to confront, but the Indian Ocean has proved that it more than measures up to the test.
“The region can be justly proud of its achievements, raising the quality bar for the rest of the world and fulfilling customer dreams.”
Winners of the regional ceremony will now go on to compete in World Travel Awards 2010 final in London, immediately before World Travel Market on Sunday 7 November.
The world acclaimed theatre production AFRICA UMOJA and Kewela Tebza provided spectacular entertainment at the ceremony and the instrumental pop super group Sterling EQ were the stage band.
Log on to www.worldtravelawards.com for a complete list of winners for the Indian Ocean region.
