The World Travel Awards (WTA), a prestigious organization recognizing excellence in travel and tourism, has unveiled its 2024 winners for the Middle East region. This announcement coincides with the Arabian Travel Market, a leading industry event in the region.
This year’s winners showcase the Middle East’s diverse offerings, highlighting exceptional destinations, hotels, airlines, and tourism services. Let’s delve into the key categories and celebrate the outstanding achievements.
Destinations and Cities: Unveiling Gems Across the Region
- Middle East’s Leading Destination: Dubai continues to reign supreme, solidifying its position as the region’s top tourist hub.
- Middle East’s Leading City Destination: Doha, Qatar, takes the crown, recognized for its vibrant culture and urban appeal.
- Middle East’s Leading Beach Destination: Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, emerges victorious, offering pristine beaches and luxurious resorts.
- Middle East’s Leading Business Travel Destination: Abu Dhabi, with its state-of-the-art infrastructure and thriving business scene, takes the top spot.
- Middle East’s Leading Heritage Destination & Middle East’s Leading Cultural Destination: Saudi Arabia’s rise in tourism is evident with these wins, highlighting the kingdom’s rich history and cultural treasures.
- Middle East’s Leading Wedding Destination: Bahrain secures this prestigious title, recognized as a premier location for fairytale weddings.
Hospitality Sector: Where Luxury Meets Innovation
- Middle East’s Leading Hotel: Jumeirah Al Naseem clinches the coveted title, demonstrating exceptional service and opulent accommodations.
- Middle East’s Leading All-Suite Hotel: The iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah continues to captivate with its luxurious all-suite offerings.
- Middle East’s Leading Luxury Resort: Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach takes the prize, known for its unparalleled resort experience.
- Middle East’s Leading Hotel Suite: The Royal Mansion @ Atlantis The Royal emerges victorious, offering the ultimate in opulent accommodations.
The ceremony also recognized leading hotel brands in the region, including:
- Middle East’s Leading Luxury Hotel Brand: Jumeirah
- Middle East’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel Brand: Address Hotels + Resorts
- Middle East’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand: The Ascott Limited
Newcomers Take Center Stage: Rising Stars in Travel
- Middle East’s Leading New Hotel: Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay makes a grand entrance, impressive with its luxurious amenities and impeccable service.
- Middle East’s Leading New Resort: Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort emerges as a new favorite, offering stunning beachfront experiences.
Soaring High: Recognizing Excellence in Aviation
- Middle East’s Leading Airline: Qatar Airways retains its coveted title, recognized for its exceptional service and extensive network.
- Middle East’s Leading Cabin Crew: Etihad Airways’ crew earns recognition for their warm hospitality and dedication to passenger comfort.
- Middle East’s Leading Airline – Economy Class: Etihad Airways receives another win, showcasing its commitment to comfort and value in economy travel.
- Middle East’s Leading Airline – First Class: Emirates takes home the award for its luxurious first-class experience.
- Middle East’s Leading Airline Brand & Middle East’s Leading Airline Rewards Programme: Emirates earns a double win, solidifying its position as a leading name in luxury air travel with its Skywards program.
Industry Leaders Reflect on Achievements
Graham Cooke, the Founder of the World Travel Awards, expresses his congratulations to all the winners, acknowledging their significant contributions to the region’s thriving travel and tourism sector. He emphasizes their role in propelling the Middle East toward even greater heights in attracting tourists.
Azfar Shakeel, CEO of Lumi Rental, a leading mobility provider in Saudi Arabia and a key partner of the World Travel Awards, highlights the importance of the event in recognizing excellence and enhancing travel experiences. He reaffirms Lumi’s commitment to providing exceptional services and reshaping the future of travel within the region.
