The World Travel Awards has unveiled its 2020 World category winners. Winners include Maldives, Portugal, Lisbon and The Algarve.
The Maldives cemented its reputation as the definitive secluded sanctuary to win
World’s Leading Destination for the first time, while Portugal also performed strongly, with Madeira voted
World’s Leading Island Destination; Lisbon was named
World’s Leading City Break Destination, while The Algarve picked up
World’s Leading Beach Destination.
World's Leading Cultural Destination was awarded to Russia’s, with its cities emerging with top honours: Moscow was voted
World’s Leading City Destination and Saint Petersburg collected
World’s Leading Cultural City Destination.
The Greek Ministry of Tourism/GNTO was voted
World’s Leading Tourist Board.
In the
hospitality sector, Armani Hotel Dubai emerged as
World’s Leading Hotel whilst Sardinia’s Forte Village Resort claimed
.
The remote Amanpulo, Philippines was named
World’s Leading Dive Resort, and The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort took
World’s Leading Luxury Island Resort.
Vietnam’s InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort gained recognition for its eco-credentials with
World’s Leading Green Resort. Royal Penthouse, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai won
World’s Leading Hotel Penthouse.
In the newcomer categories, Address Sky View, with its mesmerising panorama of Dubai’s skyline, secured
World’s Leading New Hotel, while the barefoot chic paradise Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa picked up
World’s Leading New Resort.
Brand winners include Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts as
World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Brand, Sandals as
World’s Leading All-Inclusive Company and Frasers Hospitality as
World’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand.
In the
aviation sector, Etihad Airways lifted ‘World’s Leading Airline’, whilst ‘World’s Leading Airport’ went to Dubai International Airport. Aeroflot - Russian Airlines was voted
World’s Leading Airline - Business Class, Emirates as
World’s Leading Airline - Economy Class, with
World’s Leading Airline - First Class scooped by Oman Air.
The results follow a year-long search for the world’s top travel, tourism and hospitality brands. Votes were cast by travel industry professionals and the public, with the nominee gaining the most votes in a category named as the winner.
Graham Cooke, founder, World Travel Awards, says: "Our World winners represent the best in global travel and tourism and my congratulations to each of them. They have all demonstrated remarkable resilience in a year of unprecedented challenges."
He adds: "The World Travel Awards 2020 programme received a record number of votes cast by the public. This shows that the appetite for travel has never been stronger. With hope and the tourism bounce on the horizon, our industry can look forward to a resurgent and bright future."
Other winners include Madrid as
World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination; Royal Caribbean International as
World’s Leading Cruise Brand; Jamaica as
World’s Leading Cruise Destination; Beaches as
World’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort Brand; and Hertz as
World’s Leading Car Rental Company.
View the full list of winners.
