The red-carpet reception marked the fourth leg of WTA’s Grand Tour 2024, a global search for the finest travel and tourism organisations, covering six continents.
Winners at the VIP reception included Vietnam, which took the title for ‘Asia’s Leading Destination’. The beautiful Ha Giang province was named ‘Asia’s Leading Regional Cultural Destination’, and Ho Chi Minh City collected ‘Asia’s Leading Business Travel Destination’. Hong Kong Tourism Board took to the podium as ‘Asia’s Leading Tourist Board’. Cebu, Philippines was voted ‘Asia’s Leading Wedding Destination’. Bali claimed the title for ‘Asia’s Most Romantic Destination’.
New Zealand confirmed its reputation as the land with it all to secure ‘Oceania’s Leading Destination’. Sydney won ‘Oceania’s Leading City Destination’. Fiji Tourism lifted the trophy for ‘Oceania’s Leading Tourist Board’. The fusion of ancient storytelling with a technological twist helped Wintjiri Wiru – Ayers Rock Resort, Uluášu to win the title for ‘Oceania’s Leading Tourist Attraction’.
In the hospitality sector, W Osaka was voted ‘Asia’s Leading Hotel’, with Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort taking ‘Asia’s Leading Resort’. InterContinental Grand Stanford emerged victorious as ‘Hong Kong’s Leading Hotel’. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts claimed ‘Asia’s Leading Luxury Hotel Brand’.
The Ascott Limited enjoyed a double celebration, winning ‘Asia’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand’ and Ascott Makati, Philippines voted ‘Asia’s Leading Serviced Apartments’. Vietravel claimed ‘Asia’s Leading Tour Operator’ and Discovery Primea, Philippines took ‘Asia’s Leading Business Hotel’.
In the hotly-contested newcomer categories, Japan’s The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka claimed ‘Asia’s Leading New Hotel’, Nha Trang Marriott Resort & Spa, Hon Tre Island, Vietnam collected ‘Asia’s Leading New Resort’, whilst W Sydney reigned supreme as ‘Oceania’s Leading New Hotel’.
The bustling metropolis of Manila is a global hub for both business and leisure travellers, offering a superb glimpse of Philippine culture, history, entertainment and nightlife. Visitors can experience everything from exploring the ancient walled city of Intramuros to discovering artisan markets and Manila’s thriving arts scene.
Graham Cooke, Founder, WTA, said: “It has been a privilege to host our first ceremony in the Philippines – a celebration that has served as a fitting showcase for this incredible destination and its historic capital Manila.”
He added: “Our winners are stellar examples of tourism excellence, and I congratulate each and every one for helping to raise the collective benchmark across Asia and Oceania.”
“Today, the Philippines stands ready to host global events of all scales while maintaining our local charm and authenticity. We are a nation that rises to challenges, innovates with passion, and embraces every opportunity with optimism, exerting every effort towards our country becoming a tourism powerhouse in Asia. This year’s World Travel Awards is not only a celebration of excellence in tourism, but a testament to the resilience, creativity, and collaborative spirit of our global tourism community,” said Philippines Department of Tourism Secretary, Christina Garcia Frasco, who was also awarded the Transformational Leader Award in Tourism Governance.
Aviation winners included Singapore Airlines taking ‘Asia’s Leading Airline’ and Air New Zealand winning ‘Oceania’s Leading Airline’. Hong Kong Airport was voted ‘Asia’s Leading Airport’. AirAsia took double honours, landing both ‘Asia’s Leading Low-Cost Airline’ and ‘Asia’s Leading Low-Cost Airline Cabin Crew’. Qantas Airways claimed the title for ‘Oceania’s Leading Airline Brand’.
Find more information and a full list of winners on the official WTA website.
WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.
Today, the WTA brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.
Each year, WTA covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.
WTA 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.
