Hainan Airlines has led winners at the World Travel Awards Grand Final 2017.
Headquartered in Haikou, Hainan (China), the airline scooped the trophies for World’s Leading Airline – Business Class, World’s Leading Airline Inflight Entertainment, World’s Leading Cabin Crew and World’s Leading Excellence Inflight Service, while Hainan Airlines’ International Lounge at Beijing Capital International Airport was hailed World’s Leading Airport Lounge – Business Class.
Also receiving top titles during the glittering red carpet event, which took place at the glamorous JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay earlier this evening, were Deer Jet – which was recognised as World’s Leading Private Jet Charter – and Aeroflot.
The Russian airline was voted World’s Leading Airline Brand.
Portugal was also celebrating having been named World’s Leading Destination, while Lisbon – the country’s coastal capital – was presented with the trophy for World’s Leading City Break Destination.
Meanwhile the Maldives walked away with the prizes for World’s Leading Dive Destination and World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination, while the Madeira Islands picked up the award for World’s Leading Island Destination.
World Travel Awards president, Graham Cooke, said: “We have recognised the leading lights of global tourism tonight and I wish to offer my heartfelt congratulations to all of our winners.
“Phu Quoc has proved a wonderful host for our Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2017, cementing the island’s reputation as an up-and-coming paradise.”
Ecuador and Miami had cause to celebrate too.
The small South American nation was named World’s Leading Green Destination, with the country’s UNESCO listed Galapagos Islands recognised as the World’s Leading Beach Destination, while Miami took the title World’s Leading City Tourist Board.
Elsewhere Middle Eastern icon, Emirates Palace, picked up the trophies for World’s Leading Conference Hotel and World’s Leading Luxury Beach Resort and The St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort took the titles World’s Leading Luxury New Resort and World’s Leading Luxury Island Resort.
InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort scooped the awards for World’s Leading Luxury Resort and World’s Leading Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant for La Maison 1881, while Armani Hotel Dubai was recognised as World’s Leading Design Hotel, Burj Al Arab as World’s Leading Luxury All Suite Hotel 2017, Fairmont Dubai as World’s Leading Hotel Service Award and Sofitel Dubai The Palm Luxury Apartments as World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Apartments.
Katara Hospitality was honoured with the award for World’s Leading Hospitality Development Company, while HNA Tourism was voted World’s Leading Integrated Tourism Group, and Frasers Hospitality was presented with the trophy for World’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand.
The Convention Centre Dublin also claimed a share of the spoils, walking away with the award for World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre.
The travel and tourism industry’s event of the year, was held alongside the third annual World Spa Awards.
JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay – Phu Quoc’s newest and only luxury five-star international resort – was the perfect host for the dual event.
Enviably situated at the southernmost tip of Vietnam’s biggest island, the Bill Bensley-designed luxury resort – inspired by the legend of a fictional former university for French colonists – is a dream for adventurous, imaginative travellers.
A full list of winners from the World Travel Awards Grand Final Ceremony can be seen here, while the complete World Spa Awards winners are available here.