From the Newsroom*
São Paulo – Pyramids, hotels, airlines, resorts, beaches and services in the Arab countries were elected the best in the world in 2007 by the World Travel Awards (WTA), granted annually by travel agencies worldwide. The pyramids of Giza, in Egypt, and Burj Al Arab hotel, in the United Arab Emirates, were respectively awarded as leading attraction and hotel. The voting, which is done on the Internet, was announced this week.
The awarding ceremony, which has been taking place since 1993 is considered the "Oscar of tourism", recognises the main attractions, services and tourist destinations in 80 categories. The award is considered the most prestigious among representatives of the international tourism and travel market. According to information disclosed on news site Globo Online, 160,000 travel agencies, tourism operators and transport companies elected the pyramids of Giza as main attraction.
Apart from the pyramids, other destinations awarded were the Egyptian Sharm El Sheikh, as leading dive destination and resort Royal Savoy Sharm El Sheikh, leading diving resort. In Qatar, airline Qatar Airways was awarded twice, as leading airline inflight meal service and leading business class airline. The Qatari Regency Travel & Tours was also elected leading travel agency.
The Arab country that received the largest number of awards was the Emirates, elected in 13 categories, among them leading hotel, leading luxury hotel, Hotel Jumeirah, leading hotel serviced apartment, Grosvenor House, leading new destination, Abu Dhabi (capital), leading suite, at the Emirates Palace, leading travel television commercial, Etihad Airways, best leading tourism property development company, Nakheel and leading private jet charter, Royal Jet Group, among others.
The award for leading destination in the world was London, in England. WTA also awarded Disney, in Florida, as the leading theme park in the world. Jamaica was elected leading cruise destination, Grace Bay, in the Caribbean, leading beach, St. Moritz, in Switzerland, leading ski destination and British Airways, the leading airline.
Best of Brazil
The most voted hotels of Brazil were Kiaroa Eco-Luxury Resort, in Bahia (NE), Grand Hyatt, in São Paulo (SE), Copacabana Palace, in Rio de Janeiro (SE), Casa Grande Hotel and Resort, on the coast of São Paulo, Kurotel Clínica e Spa, in Rio Grande do Sul (S), and the best presidential suite was that of Palace Hotel in Minas Gerais. Confirm below the site with the complete list of winners.
World Travel Awards
Site: www.worldtravelawards.com
*Translated by Mark Ament
