Saint Petersburg, itself preparing to host the World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony 2017, was also honoured, taking the title of World’s Leading Cultural City Destination.
MALE, MALDIVES – Katara Hospitality has taken the title of World’s Leading Hospitality Company at the World Travel Awards Grand Final 2016.
The Middle Eastern hospitality giant was crowned during a glittering event at The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi in the Maldives in front of an audience of over 250 hospitality leaders from around the world.
Also recognised was Abu Dhabi flag-carrier Etihad Airways, taking the title of World’s Leading Airline for the eighth time in succession.
Saint Petersburg, itself preparing to host the World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony 2017, was also honoured, taking the title of World’s Leading Cultural City Destination.
Andrey Mushkarev, Chairman of the St Petersburg Committee for Tourism Development, said: “St Petersburg is now at the peak of its popularity. The city has won the most prestigious award in tourism.
“The northern capital of Russia hosts a large number of cultural and business events each year and this is recognition of our growing significance in hospitality. This is the result of city authorities’ work in terms of St. Petersburg promotion as a world tourist destination.”
The news comes at an exciting time for St Petersburg, which will itself welcome the World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony in summer 2017. The ceremony is one of a large number of important events on the horizon, with the FIFA Confederations Cup also set to visit St Petersburg next year. In 2018, the sporting capital will also welcome the biggest event of them all, the FIFA World Cup, when Russia plays host to the competition.
Lev Kuznetsov, Deputy General Manager, St Petersburg Tourism Information Bureau, part of the government of St Petersburg, said: “St Petersburg is the cultural tourist capital, not only of Russia, but of the world.
“The cultural heritage of our city is the heritage of the entire world. This award is a great Christmas present for all of St Petersburg’s citizens and all Russians. At the same time it is a warm invitation to visit our wonderful city during this Christmas holidays. Next year promises to become the top year for the number of visitors in St Petersburg. I am sure that a visit to our city for everyone will become one of the most memorable experience in life. Welcome to St Petersburg!”
World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke said: “It has been a real honour to return here to the Maldives, and in particular to bring the Grand Final to Sun Siyam Iru Fushi for the first time. We have seen the best of international tourism recognised here at the resort tonight.
“More than 1.1 million votes were cast during our Grand Tour 2016, both from members of the public and from within the hospitality industry, and these voices have been heard.
“My congratulations to all of our winners this evening and I look forward to greeting many of you next year as we begin our search anew.”
From North America, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority took the title of World's Leading Meetings & Conference Destination, while Miami Beach Visitor & Convention Authority walked away with the World's Leading City Tourist Board title.
Host Maldives was recognised by voters from around the globe as the World's Leading Beach Destination.
HNA Tourism Group shone the spotlight on the rapid development of Chinese hospitality, taking the title of World's Leading Integrated Tourism Group.
In South America, Ecuador was awarded the trophy for World's Leading Green Destination.
Frasers Hospitality was honoured with the title of World's Leading Serviced Apartment Brand, while Europcar took the title World's Leading Green Transport Solution Company.
Partners for the Grand Final 2016 included Sun Siyam Group, Trans Maldivian Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Ooredoo, and St. Petersburg Committee for Tourism Development.
TV5 Monde acted as the World Travel Awards’ Intentional Broadcast Partner.
World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.
Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.
Each year World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective successes within each key geographical region.
World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries, and international print and broadcast media.
Find a complete list of Grand Final 2016 winners here.
Angelos is the news editor for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). His role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy.
He currently studies Communication, Media & Culture in Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens.
