Emirates and British Airways have been pitched into another battle for airline honours, while Dubai`s hotel dominance faces challenges from Bahrain and Kuwait, in the…
Emirates and British Airways have been pitched into another battle for airline honours, while Dubai`s hotel dominance faces challenges from Bahrain and Kuwait, in the 2001 Travel Intelligence Middle East
Nominations for the Oscars of the Middle East travel industry, sponsored by MasterCard, were announced recently, to begin the countdown towards a spectacular evening at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Dubai, next Monday (April 30), when the winners will be revealed.
After carrying off two awards each last year, Emirates and British Airways face tough Middle East and overseas opposition this time from Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Saudi Arabian Airline, Swissair and Singapore Airlines.
While the majority of hotel nominations have gone to Dubai – two each being collected by the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the J.W.Marriott and Emirates Towers – Le Royal Meridien Bahrain for best conference facilities, and Le Meridien Kuwait for best business hotel, are also in the running for one of regional hospitality trade`s biggest accolades.
Emirates Holidays, Business Travel International and Thomas Cook Al Rostamani have also been nominated for awards in the travel agency and tour operator sectors, while Royal Caribbean Cruises is in contention to be honoured for a second year as best international cruise line.
Overall, the Travel Intelligence Middle East Awards, co-sponsored by the British Tourist Authority, has produced 59 nominations in 15 categories. The Middle East travel business is now left to guess who will emerge next Monday night with Oscars for the best services by airlines, hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines, travel agencies, and tour operators.
The publication of the nominations has set the scene for an exciting awards evening which is now eagerly anticipated by the Middle East travel industry, said Mohamed Belarj, Senior Vice President and General Manager, MasterCard International, Middle East /North Africa Region.
MasterCard and the travel industry are intrinsically linked through our wide variety of payment solutions, co-branding opportunities and other innovative programmes. As a consequence we are delighted to be associated with an event which unites the regional travel business.
Providing a glittering prelude to Arabian Travel Market 2001, which opens in Dubai the following day, the Travel Intelligence Middle East Awards produced a huge response from readers of the region`s leading travel magazine, whose votes have been independently audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
The magazine`s readership is made up entirely of travel trade professionals, so all those nominated have already received considerable recognition from the industry, said Paul Rouse, Managing Editor of Travel Intelligence Middle East.
The Travel Intelligence Middle East Awards will be given radio coverage by 104.8 Channel 4FM, which will be presenting a special award for the listeners` favourite destination.
Full list of 2001 Travel Intelligence Middle East Achieving Industry Excellence Awards:
Best Short Haul Airline: Emirates, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Saudi Arabian Airline
Best Long Haul Airline: British Airways, Emirates, Saudi Arabian Airline, Swissair
Best First Class Airline: British Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Swissair
Best Business Class Airline: British Airways, Emirates, Gulf Air, Swissair
Best Economy Class Airline: British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Swissair
Best Hotel Group Middle East: Hyatt, Jumeirah International, Le Meridien, Marriott
Best Business Hotel Middle East: Al Bustan Rotana Dubai, Emirates Towers Dubai, J.W.Marriott Dubai, Le Meridien Kuwait
Best Resort Hotel Middle East: Al Maha Resort Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Hotel Dubai, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Dubai, Royal Mirage Dubai
Best International Hotel Group: Four Seasons, Inter-Continental, Le Meridien, Marriott
Best International Car Rental Company: Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz
Best International Cruise line: Royal Caribbean Cruises, Cunard, P&O, Princess Cruises
Best Conference Facilities Middle East: Emirates Towers Hotel Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Hotel Dubai, J.W.Marriott Dubai, Le Royal Meridien Bahrain
Best Tour Operator Middle East: Arabian Adventures, Axis Holidays Worldwide, Emirates Holidays
Best Leisure Travel Agency Middle East: Emirates Holidays, Holidays by DNATA, Kanoo Travel, Thomas Cook Al Rostamani
Best Business Travel Agency Middle East: BTI UAE, Kanoo Travel Bahrain, MMI Dubai, Thomas Cook Al Rostamani
104.8 Channel 4FM Listeners Award: for My Favourite Holiday Destination – to be announced on 104.8 Channel 4FM on April 30.
Foto: MasterCard`s Mohamed Belarj: The awards evening is now eagerly anticipated by the Middle East travel industry.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
