World Travel Awards - Tour 2020

THE WORLD’S LEADING TRAVEL AWARDS CEREMONIES 2016 TO 2020

www.worldtravelawards.com

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS World Travel awards (WTa) honours the elite brands of the global travel industry and its Grand Tour is a search for the very best travel and tourism brands in the world.

Each year, WTA hosts a series of red-carpet gala ceremonies held in the world’s finest travel destinations, with winners progressing to the Grand Final at the end of the year.

WTA started its 2016 Grand Tour with its gliering Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony at Diamonds La Gemma dell’Est in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Winners from across the region flocked to the star-studded ceremony on the paradise island. The Peruvian capital of Lima welcomed WTA for the second leg of its Grand Tour, staged at the prestigious Swissötel Lima.

Forthcoming ceremonies on the 2016 Grand Tour include WTA’s Europe Gala Ceremony on 4 September at Forte Village, Sardinia; Caribbean & North America Gala Ceremony at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Middle East Gala Ceremony at The St. Regis Dubai; Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Vietnam on 15 October. The regional winners will progress the WTA’s Grand Final Gala Ceremony which will take place on 2 December at Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort in The Maldives.

WTA’s will also be staging World Spa Awards (5 September, Forte Village, Sardinia); World Golf Awards (12 November at Conrad Algarve, Portugal) and World Ski Awards (18-20 November at A-ROSA Kitzbühel, Austria).

WTA continues its Grand Tour into 2017 and beyond with a growing roster of red-carpet extravaganzas, including its inaugural ceremonies in Zimbabwe as well as the historic Russian city of St Petersburg.

World Luxury Daily gives the lowdown of all the forthcoming host destinations up to 2020. We’ll uncover the hippest upcoming destinations, hotels and resorts – those exclusive spots that are driving the travel industry to new heights.

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CONTENTS 4

World Travel aWards 2016

6

europe awards sardinia

8

Caribbean & North america awards Jamaica

10

Middle east awards Ceremony dubai

12

asia & australasia awards vietnam

14

Grand Final Maldives

16

World spa awards sardinia

18

World ski awards Kitzbühel

20

World Golf awards Portugal

22 World Travel aWards 2017 24

africa & Indian ocean awards Zimbabwe

26

India awards delhi

28

Middle east awards dubai

30

China awards shanghai

32

europe awards saint Petersburg

34

latin america awards argentina

36

Caribbean & North america awards Turks & Caicos

38

Grand Final venice

40

World spa awards Thailand

42

World ski awards Kitzbühel

44

World Golf awards abu dhabi

46

World Cruise awards dubai

78 World Travel aWards 2019 80

africa & Indian ocean awards Mauritius

82

Middle east awards dubai

84

europe awards antalya

48 World Travel aWards 2018 50

africa & Indian ocean awards durban

86

latin america awards Brazil

52

Middle east awards dubai

88

Caribbean & North america awards st lucia

54

europe awards lisbon

90

India awards delhi

56

latin america awards equador

92

China awards Beijing

58

Caribbean & North america awards antigua

94

asia & australasia awards Hong Kong

60

India awards delhi

96

Grand Final abu dhabi

62

China awards sanya

98

World spa awards doha

64

asia & australasia awards Malaysia

100

World ski awards Kitzbühel

66

Grand Final las vegas

102

World Golf awards abu dhabi

68

World spa awards abu dhabi

104

World M.I.C.e. awards sanya

70

World ski awards Kitzbühel

106

World Cruise awards dubai

72

World Golf awards abu dhabi

108 World Travel aWards 2020

74

World M.I.C.e. awards Moscow

76

World Cruise awards dubai

110

World Travel awards at expo 2020 dubai

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WORLD TRAVE

2016 |2|

EL AWARDS

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4 September 2016 • Forte Village reSort, Sardinia, italy With its exceptional natural beauty, long white sand beaches and spectacular Mediterranean Sea, the south coast of the island of Sardinia is home to the Forte Village. Set in 47 hectares of lavish gardens and grounds, Forte Village provides a truly wonderful holiday, perhaps that is why we have been voted by travel agents as the ‘World’s Leading Resort’ every year since 1998. Additionally, the Acquaforte Thalasso Spa, with its thalassotherapy centre, is one of the few very special “Leading Spas of the World”.

The resort offers a wealth of accommodation and leisure options for the whole family, spread over the wonderful self-contained complex, comprised of seven luxurious hotels, 21 different restaurants and a leading wellness centre.

Forte Village Managing Director Lorenzo Giannuzzi added: “We are excited to be hosting the World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony and very much looking forward to welcoming all the guests that will take part.

“This event takes on even more meaning for us as 2016 has marked a ’new era’ for Forte Village Resort, enabling us, more than in any other year, to surprise our guests and provide them with the exciting new revolutionary projects.

“Let’s celebrate all together the spirit and excellence of the hotel industry!”

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS EUROPE CEREMONY 2016

www.worldtravelawards.com

17 September 2016 • SandalS ochi beach reSort, ocho rioS, Jamaica Jamaica is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea, consisting of the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles. The island, 10,990 square kilometres in area, lies about 145 kilometres south of Cuba, and 191 kilometres west of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Jamaica is the fourth-largest island country in the Caribbean, by area. Independence from the United Kingdom was achieved on 6 August 1962.

With 2.8 million people, Jamaica is the third most populous Anglophone country in the Americas (aer the United States and Canada), and the fourth most populous country in the Caribbean. Kingston is the country's capital and largest city, with a population of 937,700.

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Jamaicans are of predominately African descent, with significant European, Chinese, Indian, and mixed-race minorities. Due to a high rate of emigration since the 1960s, Jamaica has a large diaspora around the world, particularly in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Jamaica is a Commonwealth realm, with Queen Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state. Her appointed representative in the country is the Governor-General of Jamaica, currently Sir Patrick Allen. The head of government and Prime Minister of Jamaica is Andrew Holness. Jamaica is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with legislative power vested in the bicameral Parliament of Jamaica.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS CARIBBEAN & NORTH AMERICA CEREMONY 2016

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29 SEPTEMBER 2016 • THE ST. REGIS DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).It is located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf and is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, one of the seven emirates that make up the country. The city of Dubai is located on the emirate's northern coastline and heads up the Dubai-SharjahAjman metropolitan area. Dubai is to host World Expo 2020.

Dubai has emerged as a global city and business hub of the Middle East. It is also a major transport hub for passengers and cargo. Today, less than 5% of the emirate's revenue comes from oil. The emirate's Western-style model of business drives its economy

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with the main revenues now coming from tourism, aviation, real estate, and financial services.

Dubai has recently aracted world aention through many innovative large construction projects and sports events. The city has become iconic for its skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, in particular the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.

As of 2012, Dubai is the 22nd most expensive city in the world and the most expensive city in the Middle East.

Dubai was rated as one of the best places to live in the Middle East by American global consulting firm Mercer.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS MIDDLE EAST CEREMONY 2016

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15 october 2016 • intercontinental danang Sun peninSula reSort, danang, Vietnam Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. With an estimated 90.5 million inhabitants as of 2014, it is the world's 14th-mostpopulous country, and the eighth-most-populous Asian country. Vietnam is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and Malaysia across the South China Sea to the southeast Its capital city has been Hanoi since the reunification of North and South Vietnam in 1975.

Vietnam was then unified under a communist government aer the Vietnam War but remained politically isolated. In 1986, the government initiated a

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series of economic and political reforms which began Vietnam's path towards integration into the world economy.

By 2000, it had established diplomatic relations with all nations. Since 2000, Vietnam's economic growth rate has been among the highest in the world, and, in 2011, it had the highest Global Growth Generators Index among 11 major economies.

Its successful economic reforms resulted in its joining the World Trade Organization in 2007. It is also an historical member of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS ASIA & AUSTRALASIA CEREMONY 2016

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2 december 2016 • olhuVeli beach & Spa reSort, South malé atoll, maldiVeS Maldives is an island country in the Indian Ocean. It lies southwest of India and Sri Lanka. The chain of twenty six atolls stretches from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the north to the Addu Atoll in the south. The centrally located capital Malé is traditionally called the "King's Island".

The Maldivian economy is dominated by tourism and fishing. The World Bank classifies the country as having an upper middle income economy.

Encompassing a territory spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometres (35,000 sq mi), Maldives is one of the world's most geographically dispersed countries. It is

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the smallest Asian country in both land area and in population.

With an average ground-level elevation of 1.5 metres above sea level, it is the planet's lowest country. It is also the country with the lowest natural highest point in the world, at 2.4 metres. The government has pledged to make Maldives a carbon-neutral country by 2019 amid concerns about rising sea-levels.

A founding member of SAARC, the Maldives is also a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the OIC and the NAM.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS GRAND FINAL 2016

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5 September 2016 • Forte Village reSort, Sardinia, italy Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (aer Sicily and before Cyprus) and an autonomous region of Italy, which goes by the official name of Regione Autonoma della Sardegna / Regione Autònoma de Sardigna (Autonomous Region of Sardinia).

The nearest land masses are (clockwise from north) the island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Tunisia, the Balearic Islands, and Provence. The Tyrrhenian Sea portion of the Mediterranean Sea is directly to the east

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of Sardinia between the Sardinian east coast and the west coast of the Italian mainland peninsula. The Strait of Bonifacio is directly north of Sardinia and separates Sardinia from the French island of Corsica.

The region has its capital in its largest city, Cagliari, and is divided into eight provinces. Its indigenous language and the other minority languages (Sassarese, Corsican Gallurese, Catalan Algherese and Ligurian Tabarchino) spoken by the Sardinians enjoy "equal dignity" with Italian each in the concerned territory by a regional law.

WORLD SPA AWARDS SARDINIA 2016

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18-20 noVember 2016 • a-roSa Kitzbühel, auStria Kitzbühel is a small medieval town situated along the river Kitzbuhler Ache in Tyrol, Austria and the administrative centre of the Kitzbühel district (Bezirk).

It has a population of 8,134 (as of 1 January 2013). The town is situated in the Kitzbühel Alps about 100 kilometres east of the state capital of Innsbruck. It is a ski resort of international renown.

Kitzbühel, situated on the Kitzbüheler Ache river, is a large valley town with most of its centre car-free, and with a large selection of up-market shops and cafes.

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Kitzbühel is one of Austria's best-known and fanciest winter sports resorts, situated between the mountains Hahnenkamm (1712 m) and Kitzbühler Horn ( 1996 m). The Hahnenkamm is home of the annual World Cup ski races, including the circuit's most important event, the downhill race on the famous Streif slope. This downhill is counted as one of the toughest downhill competitions in the World Cup, and is infamous for having a lot of crashes.

Each summer Kitzbühel also hosts an ATP tennis tournament on clay, the Austrian Open.

WORLD SKI AWARDS KITZBÜHEL 2016

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11-13 noVember 2016 • conrad algarVe, portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula, in Southwestern Europe. It is the westernmost country of mainland Europe, being bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and by Spain to the north and east. The Portugal–Spain border is 1,214 km long and considered the longest uninterrupted border within the European Union. The republic also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, both autonomous regions with their own regional governments.

Aer the 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy, the democratic but unstable Portuguese First Republic was established, later being superseded by the "Estado Novo" right-wing authoritarian regime. Democracy was

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restored aer the Portuguese Colonial War and the Carnation Revolution in 1974.

Portugal is a developed country with a high-income advanced economy and high living standards. It is the 5th most peaceful country in the world, maintaining a unitary semi-presidential republican form of government. It has the 18th highest Social Progress in the world, puing it ahead of other Western European countries like France, Spain and Italy. It is a member of numerous international organizations, including the United Nations, the European Union, the eurozone, OECD, NATO and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries.

WORLD GOLF AWARDS PORTUGAL 2016

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WORLD TRAVE

2017 | 20 |

EL AWARDS

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Zimbabwe, oďŹƒcially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked sovereign state located in southern Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers. It borders South Africa to the south, Botswana to the west, Zambia to the northwest, and Mozambique to the east and northeast. The capital and largest city is Harare. A country of roughly 13 million people, Zimbabwe has 16 oďŹƒcial languages, with English, Shona, and Ndebele the most commonly used.

Since the 11th century, present-day Zimbabwe has been the site of several organised states and kingdoms as well as a major route for migration and trade. The British South Africa Company of Cecil Rhodes ďŹ rst demarcated the present territory during the 1890s; it

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became the self-governing British colony of Southern Rhodesia in 1923.

In 1965, the conservative white minority government unilaterally declared independence as Rhodesia.

The state endured international isolation and a 15-year guerrilla war with black nationalist forces; this culminated in a peace agreement that established universal enfranchisement and de jure sovereignty in April 1980.

Robert Mugabe became Prime Minister of Zimbabwe in 1980, when his ZANU-PF party won the elections following the end of white minority rule; he has been the president of Zimbabwe since 1987.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS AFRICA & INDIAN OCEAN CEREMONY 2017

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the oberoi, gurgaon Towering corporate headquarters dot the city of Gurgaon, evidence of its growing importance. Amid the competing structures is a place that provides welcome respite with an island of height, light and space – The Oberoi Gurgaon.

The hotel is within easy reach of the New Delhi city centre, major sightseeing destinations and most of the entertainment, shopping and recreation hubs in Gurgaon city. It features the most spacious accommodation in any business hotel, with the 202 guest rooms and suites planned with a host of innovative features. The rooms feature landscape windows that bathe every room with

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abundant daylight, offering a view of the serene reflection pools and landscaped gardens. A 24-hour personal butler service and select suites with private heated swimming pools are only some of the features unmatched amongst luxury hotels in Delhi.

The hotel is also well designed to be the only choice for conferences and meetings in Delhi and Gurgaon with extensive conference and banqueting facilities that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests in a range of indoor and outdoor seings.

The Oberoi, Gurgaon was recognised as the World’s Leading Luxury Hotel by the World Travel Awards in 2013.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS INDIA CEREMONY 2017

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Many theories have been proposed as to the origin of the word "Dubai". One theory suggests the word was used to describe the souq, which was similar to the souq in Ba.[19] Another theory states that the name came from a word meaning "money", as people from Dubai were commonly believed to be rich due to the thriving trading center of the location. An Arabic proverb says "Daba Dubai" meaning "They came with a lot of money."

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According to Fedel Handhal, a scholar on the UAE's history and culture, the word Dubai may have come from the word daba (a past tense derivative of yadub, which means "to creep"), referring to the slow ow of Dubai Creek inland. The poet and scholar Ahmad Mohammad Obaid traces it to the same word, but to its alternative meaning of "baby locust" due to the abundant nature of locusts in the area before seî…&#x;lement.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS MIDDLE EAST CEREMONY 2017

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4 JUNE 2017 • GRAND KEMPINSKI HOTEL, SHANGHAI

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Shanghai serves as the most influential economic, financial, cultural, science and technology centre in East China.

Additionally, it is a popular destination for visitors to experience the pulse of China.

cultural city by 2020. Its size, relative wealth and position as a major port have long made it one of the most cosmopolitan of Chinese cities. Once known as the ‘Paris of the East’.

The city’s modern, multicultural flair, endows it with a unique glamour. New skyscrapers along with old Shikumen create the skyline of the city. Western customs and Chinese traditions intertwine to form Shanghai’s culture, making visitors’ stay in the city truly memorable.

As China moves inexorably towards becoming the planet’s largest economy, Shanghai is seeking to re-establish itself as a world city. The city has become arguably the most vibrant and cosmopolitan place in China during the country’s modernisation phase.

Shanghai is the largest city in the world’s fastest- rising power. It has a hugely ambitious, planning-led approach to culture, building major new infrastructure for both culture and creative industries with the aim of becoming a major

Shanghai is a popular tourist destination renowned for its historical landmarks such as The Bund, City God Temple, Yu Garden, the extensive Lujiazui skyline and major museums including the Shanghai Museum and the China Art Museum.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS ASIA 2017

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Saint Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia, politically incorporated as a federal subject (a federal city). Situated on the Neva River, at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea, it was named Saint Petersburg in 1703. In 1914, the name was changed from Saint Petersburg to Petrograd, in 1924 to Leningrad, and in 1991 back to Saint Petersburg. Tsar Peter the Great founded Saint Petersburg on May 27 1703.

Between 1713–1728 and 1732–1918, Saint Petersburg was the imperial capital of Russia. In 1918, the central government bodies moved to Moscow. It is Russia's second-largest city aer Moscow, with five million inhabitants in 2012, and an important Russian port on the Baltic Sea.

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Saint Petersburg is the most Westernized city of Russia, as well as its cultural capital. It is the northernmost city in the world with a population of over one million. The Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Saint Petersburg is home to The Hermitage, one of the largest art museums in the world.

A large number of foreign consulates, international corporations, banks, and businesses have offices in Saint Petersburg.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS EUROPE CEREMONY 2017

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With a mainland area of 2,780,400 km2, Argentina is the eighth-largest country in the world.

The country has its roots in Spanish colonization of the region during the 16th century. Argentina rose as the successor state of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, a Spanish overseas viceroyalty founded in 1776. The declaration and fight for independence (1810–1818) was followed by an extended civil war that lasted until 1861, culminating in the country's reorganization as a federation of provinces with Buenos Aires as its capital city. The country thereaer enjoyed relative peace and stability, with massive waves of European immigration radically reshaping its cultural and demographic

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outlook. The almost-unparalleled increase in prosperity led to Argentina becoming the seventh wealthiest developed nation in the world by the early 20th century.

Argentina has the second largest economy in South America and is also a founding member of the United Nations, World Bank, World Trade Organization, Mercosur, Union of South American Nations, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the Organization of Ibero-American States. It is the country with the highest Human Development Index in Latin America. Because of its stability, market size and growing high-tech sector, Argentina is classified as a high-income economy.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS LATIN AMERICA CEREMONY 2017

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The Turks and Caicos Islands, or TCI for short, are a British Overseas Territory consisting of the larger Caicos Islands and smaller Turks Islands, two groups of tropical islands in the Lucayan Archipelago of the Caribbean Sea and northern Caribbean region.

They are known primarily for tourism and as an oshore ďŹ nancial centre. The resident population is about 49,000, of whom 23,769 live on Providenciales in the Caicos Islands.

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The Turks and Caicos Islands lie southeast of Mayaguana in the Bahamas island chain and north of the island of Hispaniola and the other Antilles archipelago islands. Cockburn Town, the capital since 1766, is situated on Grand Turk Island about 1,042 kilometres east-southeast of Miami, United States. The islands have a total land area of 430 square kilometres.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS CARIBBEAN & NORTH AMERICA CEREMONY 2017

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Venice is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto region. It is sited on a group of 117 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by bridges. These are located in the marshy Venetian Lagoon which stretches along the shoreline, between the mouths of the Po and the Piave Rivers. Parts of Venice are renowned for the beauty of their seings, their architecture, and artwork. The lagoon and a part of the city are listed as a World Heritage Site.

The name is derived from the ancient Veneti people who inhabited the region by the 10th century BC. The city was historically the capital of the Republic of Venice.

Venice has been known as the "La Dominante", "Serenissima", "Queen of the Adriatic", "City of Water", "City of Masks", "City of Bridges", "The Floating City", and "City of Canals".

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The Republic of Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and a staging area for the Crusades and the Bale of Lepanto, as well as a very important center of commerce (especially silk, grain, and spice) and art in the 13th century up to the end of the 17th century. This made Venice a wealthy city throughout most of its history. It is also known for its several important artistic movements, especially the Renaissance period. Aer the Napoleonic Wars and the Congress of Vienna, the Republic was annexed by the Austrian Empire, until it became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1866, following a referendum held as a result of the Third Italian War of Independence. Venice has played an important role in the history of symphonic and operatic music, and it is the birthplace of Antonio Vivaldi.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS GRAND FINAL 2017

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Thailand is a country at the centre of the Indochinese peninsula in Mainland Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Myanmar and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the west by the Andaman Sea and the southern extremity of Myanmar. Its maritime boundaries include Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand to the southeast, and Indonesia and India on the Andaman Sea to the southwest.

Thailand is governed by the National Council for Peace and Order that took power in the May 2014 coup d'ĂŠtat.

Its monarchy is headed by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who has reigned since 1946 as Rama IX. He is currently the world's longest-serving head of state and the country's longest-reigning monarch.

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Thailand is the world's 51st-largest country. It is the 20th-most-populous country in the world, with around 66 million people. The capital and largest city is Bangkok, which is Thailand's political, commercial, industrial, and cultural hub. The country's oďŹƒcial language is Thai and the primary religion is Theravada Buddhism, which is practised by around 95% of the population.

Thailand experienced rapid economic growth between 1985 and 1996, becoming a newly industrialised country and a major exporter. Manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism are leading sectors of the economy.

WORLD SPA AWARDS THAILAND 2017

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Together with the pistes and ski lis in neighbouring Kirchberg in Tirol, Jochberg and by the Thurn Pass Kitzbühel is one of the largest ski regions in Austria.

With around 10,000 hotel and guest house beds, Kitzbühel and its neighbours have an unusually high density of guest accommodation.

Holidaymakers in Kitzbühel have 56 cableway and li facilities and 168 kilometres of slopes available to them, as well as 40 kilometres of groomed crosscountry skiing tracks. Of note is the relatively new 3S Cable Car, the cable car with the highest above-ground span in the world.

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In summer there are 120 km of mountain bike paths and 500 km of hiking trails.

Other aractions include six tennis courts and four golf courses, the Kitzbühel swimming pool, Austria's only curling hall and the bathing lake of Schwarzsee.

Kitzbühel also caters for the high end of the tourist market, as many celebrities and the jet set come here for the international races on the Hahnenkamm.

Together with eleven other towns Kitzbühel is a member of the community Best of the Alps.

WORLD SKI AWARDS KITZBÜHEL 2017

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Abu Dhabi is the capital and the second most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (the most populous being Dubai), and also capital of Abu Dhabi emirate, the largest of the UAE's seven member emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island juî…&#x;ing into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast. The city proper had a population of 1.5 million in 2014.

Abu Dhabi houses federal government oďŹƒces, is the seat of the United Arab Emirates Government, home to the Abu Dhabi Emiri Family and the President of the UAE, who is from this family. Abu Dhabi's rapid development and urbanisation, coupled with the relatively high average income of its population, has transformed the city into a large and advanced metropolis.

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Today the city is the country's center of political and industrial activities, and a major cultural and commercial centre, due to its position as the capital.

Abu Dhabi accounts for about two-thirds of the roughly $400-billion United Arab Emirates economy.

Abu Dhabi is the fourth most expensive city for expatriate employees in the region, and in 2014 was the 68th most expensive big city in the world.

WORLD GOLF AWARDS ABU DHABI 2017

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Dubai is situated on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates and is roughly at sea level (16 m or 52  above). The emirate of Dubai shares borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast, and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast. Haa, a minor exclave of the emirate, is surrounded on three sides by Oman and by the emirates of Ajman (in the west) and Ras Al Khaimah (in the north).

The Persian Gulf borders the western coast of the emirate. Dubai is positioned at 25.2697°N 55.3095°E and covers an area of 1,588 sq mi (4,110 km2), which represents a significant expansion beyond its initial 1,500 sq mi (3,900 km2) designation due to land reclamation from the sea.

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Dubai lies directly within the Arabian Desert. However, the topography of Dubai is significantly different from that of the southern portion of the UAE in that much of Dubai's landscape is highlighted by sandy desert paerns, while gravel deserts dominate much of the southern region of the country. The sand consists mostly of crushed shell and coral and is fine, clean and white. East of the city, the salt-crusted coastal plains, known as sabkha, give way to a north-south running line of dunes. Farther east, the dunes grow larger and are tinged red with iron oxide.

WORLD CRUISE AWARDS DUBAI 2017

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WORLD TRAVE

2018 | 46 |

EL AWARDS

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Durban, meaning bay or lagoon, is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. Aer Johannesburg, the Durban Metropolitan Area ranks second among the most populous urban areas in South Africa, almost equal to Cape Town. It is also the second most important manufacturing hub in South Africa aer Johannesburg.

biggest cities on the Indian Ocean coast of the African continent. The metropolitan land area of 2,292 square kilometres is comparatively larger than other South African cities, resulting in a somewhat lower population density of 1,513/km2. It has the highest number of dollar millionaires added per year of any South African city with the number rising 200% between 2000 and 2014.

Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism because of the city's warm subtropical climate and extensive beaches. The municipality, which includes neighbouring towns, has a population of almost 3.5 million, making the combined municipality one of the

In May 2015, Durban was officially recognized as one of the New7Wonders Cities together with Vigan, Doha, La Paz, Havana, Beirut, and Kuala Lumpur.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS AFRICA & INDIAN OCEAN CEREMONY 2018

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Dubai is situated on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates and is roughly at sea level (16 m or 52  above). The emirate of Dubai shares borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast, and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast. Haa, a minor exclave of the emirate, is surrounded on three sides by Oman and by the emirates of Ajman (in the west) and Ras Al Khaimah (in the north).

The Persian Gulf borders the western coast of the emirate. Dubai is positioned at 25.2697°N 55.3095°E and covers an area of 1,588 sq mi (4,110 km2), which represents a significant expansion beyond its initial 1,500 sq mi (3,900 km2) designation due to land reclamation from the sea.

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Dubai lies directly within the Arabian Desert. However, the topography of Dubai is significantly different from that of the southern portion of the UAE in that much of Dubai's landscape is highlighted by sandy desert paerns, while gravel deserts dominate much of the southern region of the country. The sand consists mostly of crushed shell and coral and is fine, clean and white. East of the city, the salt-crusted coastal plains, known as sabkha, give way to a north-south running line of dunes. Farther east, the dunes grow larger and are tinged red with iron oxide.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS MIDDLE EAST CEREMONY 2018

www.worldtravelawards.com | 51 |

Lisbon is the capital and the largest city of Portugal. It is continental Europe's westernmost capital city and the only one along the Atlantic coast.

Lisbon is recognised as a global city because of its importance in finance, commerce, media, entertainment, arts, international trade, education and tourism. It is one of the major economic centres on the continent, with a growing financial sector and one of the largest container ports on Europe's Atlantic coast. The city is the 7th-most-visited city in Southern Europe, aer Istanbul, Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, Athens and Milan.

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Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world, and the oldest in Western Europe, predating other modern European capitals such as London, Paris and Rome by centuries.

Lisbon enjoys a wonderful Mediterranean climate. It has the warmest winters of any metropolis in Europe, with average temperatures 15 °C during the day and 8 °C at night from December to February. The typical summer season lasts about six months, from May to October, although also in April temperatures sometimes reach around 25 °C.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS EUROPE CEREMONY 2018

www.worldtravelawards.com | 53 |

From beaches to volcanoes, Ecuador is a country of spectacular variety and beautiful scenery, meaning the tourism opportunities are some of the best in the world.

From the ruins le behind by the Amerindian cultures, to one of the greatest rainforests in the world – the Amazon, there is much to enjoy!

Popular tourism activities include horse riding, kayaking, sea-kayaking, swimming, surfing, skiing, jet skiing, para-gliding, sky diving, white water raing, trekking, hiking, volleyball, scuba diving, snorkeling, mountain climbing and mountain biking.

The Galapagos Islands are also a massive tourist araction, with scuba diving spots and nature walks.

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Another reason why Ecuador's tourism is booming is because of the strong prevalence of Incan ruins in the area. Also popular is the Otavalo market, with an abundance of top quality hand-craed goods.

Sheer relaxation can be found at Baños from where visitors can also gain access to the towering Andean mountains. Or you can enjoy excitement at the sea side at Salinas. Perhaps exploring the Amazon basin is more your taste? There are plenty of Jungle tours available.

Ecuador really has so much to do and see that you should never get bored. No wonder Ecuador’s Tourism sites see so much activity!

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS LATIN AMERICA CEREMONY 2018

www.worldtravelawards.com | 55 |

Antigua, also known as Waladli or Wadadli by the native population, is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region of the West Indies and the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda, which became an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations in 1981.

Antigua means "ancient" in Spanish aer an icon in Seville Cathedral, "Santa Maria de la Antigua"—St. Mary of the Old Cathedral. The name Waladli comes from the indigenous inhabitants and means approximately "our own". The economy of the island is mainly reliant on tourism, with the agricultural sector serving the domestic market.

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The capital city, St. John’s, which is situated in the northwest and has a deep harbour which is able to accommodate large cruise ships. Other leading population selements are All Saints and Liberta.

English Harbour on the south-eastern coast is famed for its protected shelter during violent storms. It is the site of a restored British colonial naval station called "Nelson's Dockyard" aer Captain Horatio Nelson.

Today English Harbour and the neighbouring village of Falmouth are internationally famous as a yachting and sailing destination and provisioning centre. During Antigua Sailing Week, at the end of April and beginning of May, the annual world-class regaa brings many sailing vessels and sailors to the island to play sports.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS CARIBBEAN & NORTH AMERICA CEREMONY 2018

www.worldtravelawards.com | 57 |

Delhi, oďŹƒcially the National Capital Territory of Delhi, is the capital territory of the Republic of India. Delhi is historically and culturally connected to both the Upper Doab of the Yamuna-Ganges river system and the Punjab region. It is bordered by Haryana on three sides and by Uî…&#x;ar Pradesh to the east. It is the second most populous city in India and has a population of about 16.3 million, making it the third largest urban area in the world. Such is the nature of urban expansion in Delhi that its growth has expanded beyond the NCT to incorporate towns in neighbouring states and at its largest extent can count a population of about 25 million residents.

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Delhi is the largest commercial centre in northern India and, aî…šer Mumbai, Delhi has the second-highest number of billionaires and millionaires among all cities in India.

Through most of its history, Delhi has served as a capital of various kingdoms and empires. It has been captured, ransacked and rebuilt several times, particularly during the medieval period, and modern Delhi Smart Cities is a cluster of a number of cities spread across the metropolitan region.

INDIA WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS DELHI 2018

www.worldtravelawards.in | 59 |

atlantis destination resort, Sanya, china Kerzner International has confirmed the discovery of artifacts from the lost civilisation of Atlantis in Sanya Hainan, China. The site which encompasses over 62 hectares will be home to the new five-star Atlantis Destination Resort.

Holidaymakers will uncover a mysterious and captivating world as they explore the myth and wonder of Atlantis. Guests will come face-to-face with exotic marine life, be exhilarated by the Aquaventure waterslides and indulge in masterful culinary delights.

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The resorts’ new design combines regional architectural hues and the aquatic theme that is synonymous with the two existing Atlantis Destination Resorts in The Bahamas and Dubai.

Fans of The Palm and Paradise Island will be familiar with the Atlantis experience, which includes superb accommodation, restaurants by world-renowned chefs, a vibrant range of bars and lounges, indulgent spas and luxury boutiques, the Aquaventure Waterpark, lagoons and marine exhibits and endless stretches of beach.

CHINA WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS SANYA 2018

www.worldtravelawards.cn | 61 |

Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy located in Southeast Asia. It consists of thirteen states and three federal territories and has a total landmass of 330,803 square kilometres (127,720 sq mi) separated by the South China Sea into two similarly sized regions, Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (Malaysian Borneo). Peninsular Malaysia shares a land and maritime border with Thailand and maritime borders with Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia. East Malaysia shares land and maritime borders with Brunei and Indonesia and a maritime border with the Philippines and Vietnam. The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government. With a population of over 30 million, Malaysia is the 44th most populous country.

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Since its independence, Malaysia has had one of the best economic records in Asia, with its GDP growing at an average of 6.5% per annum for almost 50 years. The economy has traditionally been fuelled by its natural resources, but is expanding in the sectors of science, tourism, commerce and medical tourism. Today, Malaysia has a newly industrialised market economy, ranked third largest in Southeast Asia and 29th largest in the world. It is a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the East Asia Summit and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and a member of Asia-PaciďŹ c Economic Cooperation, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS ASIA & AUSTRALASIA CEREMONY 2018

www.worldtravelawards.com | 63 |

Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city known primarily for gambling, shopping, fine dining and nightlife and is the leading financial, commercial, and cultural centre for Southern Nevada.

The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous for its mega casino–hotels and associated entertainment. A growing retirement and family city, Las Vegas is the 29th-most populous city in the United States. The city is one of the top three leading destinations in the United States for conventions, business, and meetings. In addition, the city's metropolitan area has more AAA Five Diamond

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hotels than any other city in the world, and is a global leader in the hospitality industry. Today, Las Vegas is one of the top tourist destinations in the world.

Established in 1905, Las Vegas was incorporated as a city in 1911. At the close of the 20th century, Las Vegas was the most populous American city founded in that century (a similar distinction earned by Chicago in the 19th century). Its numerous forms of entertainment has made Las Vegas a popular seing for films, television programs, and music videos.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS GRAND FINAL 2018

www.worldtravelawards.com | 65 |

Abu Dhabi is the capital and the second most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (the most populous being Dubai), and also capital of Abu Dhabi emirate, the largest of the UAE's seven member emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island juî…&#x;ing into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast. The city proper had a population of 1.5 million in 2014.

Abu Dhabi houses federal government oďŹƒces, is the seat of the United Arab Emirates Government, home to the Abu Dhabi Emiri Family and the President of the UAE, who is from this family. Abu Dhabi's rapid development and urbanisation, coupled with the relatively high average income of its population, has transformed the city into a large and advanced metropolis.

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Today the city is the country's center of political and industrial activities, and a major cultural and commercial centre, due to its position as the capital.

Abu Dhabi accounts for about two-thirds of the roughly $400-billion United Arab Emirates economy.

Abu Dhabi is the fourth most expensive city for expatriate employees in the region, and in 2014 was the 68th most expensive big city in the world.

WORLD SPA AWARDS ABU DHABI 2018

www.worldspaawards.com | 67 |

Together with the pistes and ski lis in neighbouring Kirchberg in Tirol, Jochberg and by the Thurn Pass Kitzbühel is one of the largest ski regions in Austria.

With around 10,000 hotel and guest house beds, Kitzbühel and its neighbours have an unusually high density of guest accommodation.

Holidaymakers in Kitzbühel have 56 cableway and li facilities and 168 kilometres of slopes available to them, as well as 40 kilometres of groomed crosscountry skiing tracks. Of note is the relatively new 3S Cable Car, the cable car with the highest above-ground span in the world.

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In summer there are 120 km of mountain bike paths and 500 km of hiking trails.

Other aractions include six tennis courts and four golf courses, the Kitzbühel swimming pool, Austria's only curling hall and the bathing lake of Schwarzsee.

Kitzbühel also caters for the high end of the tourist market, as many celebrities and the jet set come here for the international races on the Hahnenkamm.

Together with eleven other towns Kitzbühel is a member of the community Best of the Alps.

WORLD SKI AWARDS KITZBÜHEL 2018

www.worldskiawards.com | 69 |

Abu Dhabi is the capital and the second most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (the most populous being Dubai), and also capital of Abu Dhabi emirate, the largest of the UAE's seven member emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island juî…&#x;ing into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast. The city proper had a population of 1.5 million in 2014.

Abu Dhabi houses federal government oďŹƒces, is the seat of the United Arab Emirates Government, home to the Abu Dhabi Emiri Family and the President of the UAE, who is from this family. Abu Dhabi's rapid development and urbanisation, coupled with the relatively high average income of its population, has transformed the city into a large and advanced metropolis.

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Today the city is the country's center of political and industrial activities, and a major cultural and commercial centre, due to its position as the capital.

Abu Dhabi accounts for about two-thirds of the roughly $400-billion United Arab Emirates economy.

Abu Dhabi is the fourth most expensive city for expatriate employees in the region, and in 2014 was the 68th most expensive big city in the world.

WORLD GOLF AWARDS ABU DHABI 2018

www.worldgolfawards.com | 71 |

Moscow is the capital and most populous city of the Russian Federation, with 12.2 million residents within the city limits and 16.8 million within the urban area.

Moscow is a major political, economic, cultural, and scientiďŹ c centre of Russia and Eastern Europe, as well as the largest city on the European continent. Moscow has been ranked as the ninth most expensive city in the world by Mercer and has one of the world's largest urban economies and is also one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world. It is home to the Ostankino Tower, the tallest free standing structure in Europe; the Federation Tower, the tallest skyscraper in Europe; and the Moscow International Business Center.

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The city is well known for its architecture, particularly its historic buildings such as Saint Basil's Cathedral with its brightly coloured domes. With over 40 per cent of its territory covered by greenery, it is one of the greenest capitals and major cities in Europe and the world.

Moscow is considered the centre of Russian culture, having served as the home of Russian artists, scientists and sports ďŹ gures and because of the presence of museums, academic and political institutions and theaters. It is the seat of power of the Government of Russia, being the site of the Moscow Kremlin, a medieval city-fortress that is today the residence of the President of Russia. The Moscow Kremlin and Red Square are also one of several World Heritage Sites in the city.

WORLD M.I.C.E. AWARDS MOSCOW 2018

www.worldmiceawards.com LUXURY REDEFINED

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Dubai is situated on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates and is roughly at sea level (16 m or 52  above). The emirate of Dubai shares borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast, and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast. Haa, a minor exclave of the emirate, is surrounded on three sides by Oman and by the emirates of Ajman (in the west) and Ras Al Khaimah (in the north).

The Persian Gulf borders the western coast of the emirate. Dubai is positioned at 25.2697°N 55.3095°E and covers an area of 1,588 sq mi (4,110 km2), which represents a significant expansion beyond its initial 1,500 sq mi (3,900 km2) designation due to land reclamation from the sea.

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Dubai lies directly within the Arabian Desert. However, the topography of Dubai is significantly different from that of the southern portion of the UAE in that much of Dubai's landscape is highlighted by sandy desert paerns, while gravel deserts dominate much of the southern region of the country. The sand consists mostly of crushed shell and coral and is fine, clean and white. East of the city, the salt-crusted coastal plains, known as sabkha, give way to a north-south running line of dunes. Farther east, the dunes grow larger and are tinged red with iron oxide.

WORLD CRUISE AWARDS DUBAI 2018

www.worldcruiseawards.com | 75 |

WORLD TRAVE

2019 | 76 |

EL AWARDS

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Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 2,000 km off the southeast coast of Africa.

The island was uninhabited until the Dutch Republic established a colony in 1638, with the Dutch naming the island aer Prince Maurice van Nassau. The Dutch colony was abandoned in 1710, and, five years later, the island became a French colony and was named Isle de France. Due to its strategic position, Mauritius was known as the "star and key" of the Indian Ocean.

The country became an independent state on 12 March 1968, following the adoption of a new constitution. In 1992, Mauritius became a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations.

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The island is widely known as the only known home of the dodo, which, along with several other avian species, was made extinct by human activities relatively shortly aer the island's selement.

The island is surrounded by more than 150 km of white sandy beaches and the lagoons are protected from the open sea by the world's third largest coral reef, which surrounds the island. Just off the Mauritian coast lie some 49 uninhabited islands and islets, some of them are used as natural reserves for the protection of endangered species, as the country is home to some of the world's rarest plants and animals.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS AFRICA & INDIAN OCEAN CEREMONY 2019

www.worldtravelawards.com | 79 |

Dubai is situated on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates and is roughly at sea level (16 m or 52  above). The emirate of Dubai shares borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast, and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast. Haa, a minor exclave of the emirate, is surrounded on three sides by Oman and by the emirates of Ajman (in the west) and Ras Al Khaimah (in the north).

The Persian Gulf borders the western coast of the emirate. Dubai is positioned at 25.2697°N 55.3095°E and covers an area of 1,588 sq mi (4,110 km2), which represents a significant expansion beyond its initial 1,500 sq mi (3,900 km2) designation due to land reclamation from the sea.

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Dubai lies directly within the Arabian Desert. However, the topography of Dubai is significantly different from that of the southern portion of the UAE in that much of Dubai's landscape is highlighted by sandy desert paerns, while gravel deserts dominate much of the southern region of the country. The sand consists mostly of crushed shell and coral and is fine, clean and white. East of the city, the salt-crusted coastal plains, known as sabkha, give way to a north-south running line of dunes. Farther east, the dunes grow larger and are tinged red with iron oxide.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS MIDDLE EAST CEREMONY 2019

www.worldtravelawards.com | 81 |

Antalya, with it’s hot-summer Mediterranean climate, is the eighth most populous city in Turkey and the capital of its eponymous province. Located on Anatolia’s flourishing southwest coast, bordered by the Taurus Mountains, Antalya is the largest Turkish city on the Mediterranean coast with over one million people in its metropolitan area.

Antalya is Turkey's biggest international sea resort, located on the Turkish Riviera. Large-scale development and governmental funding has promoted tourism, with a record 12.5 million tourists passing through the city in 2014. Of growing importance on the World stage, Antalya was the host city for the 2015 G-20 summit, and is currently hosting EXPO 2016.

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The city’s wealth of Hellenistic and medieval Oomanperiod architectural heritage includes stunning examples of mosques, madrasahs, masjids, caravanserais and Turkish baths. With its hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants, and shopping, even the more modern areas have been restored to retain much of the city’s historical character. The beautiful historical harbour, is most popular, with its traditional narrow streets extending from the harbour and branching off into the old city. Cumhuriyet Square, the main square of the city, is also a spot very popular for tourists and locals.

With its fine beaches, historic sites, and regular festivals and events throughout the year, Antalya is an ideal place for the discerning visitor who wants a lile more from their travels.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS EUROPE CEREMONY 2019

www.worldtravelawards.com | 85 |

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Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. As the world's fih-largest country by both area and population, it is the largest country to have Portuguese as an official language–and the only one in the Americas.

Brazil's economy is the world's ninth-largest by nominal GDP and seventh-largest by GDP (PPP) as of 2015. A member of the BRICS group, Brazil until 2010 had one of the world's fastest growing major economies, with its economic reforms giving the country new international recognition and influence.

Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Brazil has a coastline of 7,491 km. It borders all other South American countries except Ecuador and Chile and covers 47.3% of the continent's land area. Its Amazon River basin includes a vast tropical forest, home to diverse wildlife, a variety of ecological systems, and extensive natural resources spanning numerous protected habitats.

Brazil is a founding member of the United Nations, the G20, BRICS, Unasul, Mercosul, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States, CPLP, and the Latin Union. Brazil is a regional power in Latin America and a middle power in international affairs, with some analysts identifying it as an emerging global power.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS LATIN AMERICA CEREMONY 2019

www.worldtravelawards.com | 85 |

Saint Lucia is a sovereign island country in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the boundary with the Atlantic Ocean.

Named aer Saint Lucy of Syracuse, it is the only country in the world named aer a woman.

On 22 February 1979, Saint Lucia became an independent state of the Commonwealth of Nations associated with the United Kingdom, and the island nation celebrates its independence every year with a public holiday.

Tourism is central to Saint Lucia's economy, with the country popular due to its tropical weather, stunning scenery and its numerous beaches and resorts. Other tourist aractions include a drive-in volcano, the

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Botanical Gardens, the Majestic twin Peaks "The Pitons", a world heritage site, the rain forests, and Pigeon Island National Park. The biggest festival of the year, Saint Lucia Jazz Festival, is another huge araction. Held in early May at multiple venues throughout the island, it draws visitors and musicians from around the world.

Saint Lucia boasts the highest ratio of Nobel laureates produced with respect to the total population of any sovereign country in the world. Two winners have come from Saint Lucia: Sir Arthur Lewis won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1979, and the poet Derek Walco received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS CARIBBEAN & NORTH AMERICA CEREMONY 2019

www.worldtravelawards.com | 87 |

Delhi, oďŹƒcially the National Capital Territory of Delhi, is the capital territory of the Republic of India. Delhi is historically and culturally connected to both the Upper Doab of the Yamuna-Ganges river system and the Punjab region. It is bordered by Haryana on three sides and by Uî…&#x;ar Pradesh to the east. It is the second most populous city in India and has a population of about 16.3 million, making it the third largest urban area in the world. Such is the nature of urban expansion in Delhi that its growth has expanded beyond the NCT to incorporate towns in neighbouring states and at its largest extent can count a population of about 25 million residents.

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Delhi is the largest commercial centre in northern India and, aî…šer Mumbai, Delhi has the second-highest number of billionaires and millionaires among all cities in India.

Through most of its history, Delhi has served as a capital of various kingdoms and empires. It has been captured, ransacked and rebuilt several times, particularly during the medieval period, and modern Delhi Smart Cities is a cluster of a number of cities spread across the metropolitan region.

INDIA WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS DELHI 2019

www.worldtravelawards.in | 89 |

Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China and is the nation's political, cultural, and educational centre.

The city's history dates back three millennia. As the last of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, Beijing has been the political centre of the country for much of the past eight centuries. The city is renowned for its opulent palaces, temples, parks, gardens, tombs, walls and gates, and its art treasures and universities have made it a centre of culture and art in China.

Beijing has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Ming Tombs, Zhoukoudian, Great Wall, and the Grand Canal.

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Beijing hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics and was chosen to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, which will make it the ďŹ rst city to ever host both events.

At the historical heart of Beijing lies the Forbidden City, the enormous palace compound that was the home of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties; the Forbidden City hosts the Palace Museum, which contains imperial collections of Chinese art. Surrounding the Forbidden City are several former imperial gardens, parks and scenic areas. These places, particularly Beihai Park, are described as masterpieces of Chinese gardening art, and are popular tourist destinations with tremendous historical importance.

CHINA WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS BEIJING 2019

www.worldtravelawards.cn | 91 |

Hong Kong is an autonomous territory on the southern coast of China at the Pearl River Estuary of the South China Sea. With 7.2 million residents of various nationalities, Hong Kong is the world's fourth most densely populated sovereign state or territory.

Aî…šer 1842, Hong Kong became a British colony with the perpetual cession of Hong Kong Island. In the early 1980s, negotiations between the United Kingdom and China resulted in the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, which paved way for the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong in 1997, when it became a Special Administrative Region with a high degree of autonomy.

Hong Kong is one of the world's most signiďŹ cant ďŹ nancial centres, having the highest Financial Development Index

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score and ranked as the world's most competitive economy in the World Competitiveness Yearbook. It is also the world's most visited city. Its service sector dominated economy is characterised by free trade and low taxation, and has consistently been listed as the freest market economy in the world.

Hong Kong is known for its skyline and deep natural harbour. The territory has the second largest number of high-rises than any other urban agglomeration in the world. Its highly developed public transportation network covers 90% of the population, the widest in the world.

Hong Kong people enjoy one of the world's highest quality of life, with the longest life expectancy, and the highest national IQ estimate.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS ASIA & AUSTRALASIA CEREMONY 2019

www.worldtravelawards.com | 93 |

Abu Dhabi is the capital and the second most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (the most populous being Dubai), and also capital of Abu Dhabi emirate, the largest of the UAE's seven member emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island juî…&#x;ing into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast. The city proper had a population of 1.5 million in 2014.

Abu Dhabi houses federal government oďŹƒces, is the seat of the United Arab Emirates Government, home to the Abu Dhabi Emiri Family and the President of the UAE, who is from this family. Abu Dhabi's rapid development and urbanisation, coupled with the relatively high average income of its population, has transformed the city into a large and advanced metropolis.

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Today the city is the country's center of political and industrial activities, and a major cultural and commercial centre, due to its position as the capital.

Abu Dhabi accounts for about two-thirds of the roughly $400-billion United Arab Emirates economy.

Abu Dhabi is the fourth most expensive city for expatriate employees in the region, and in 2014 was the 68th most expensive big city in the world.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS GRAND FINAL 2019

www.worldtravelawards.com | 95 |

Doha is the capital, and most populous, city of the State of Qatar, located on the coast of the Persian Gulf in the east of the country.

It is Qatar's fastest growing city, with over 50% of the nation's population living in Doha or its surrounding suburbs, and it is also the economic centre of the country.

Doha was founded in the 1820s as an offshoot of Al Bidda. It was officially declared as the country's capital in 1971, when Qatar gained independence. As the commercial capital of Qatar and one of the emergent financial centres in the Middle East, Doha is considered a world city by the Globalization and World Cities

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Research Network. Doha accommodates Education City, an area devoted to research and education.

In May 2015, Doha was officially recognized as one of the New7Wonders Cities together with Vigan, La Paz, Durban, Havana, Beirut, and Kuala Lumpur.

The city was host to the first ministerial-level meeting of the Doha Development Round of World Trade Organization negotiations. It was also selected as host city of a number of sporting events, including the 2006 Asian Games, the 2011 Pan Arab Games and most of the games at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. Additionally, it is set to host a large number of the venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

WORLD SPA AWARDS DOHA 2019

www.worldspaawards.com | 97 |

Together with the pistes and ski lis in neighbouring Kirchberg in Tirol, Jochberg and by the Thurn Pass Kitzbühel is one of the largest ski regions in Austria.

With around 10,000 hotel and guest house beds, Kitzbühel and its neighbours have an unusually high density of guest accommodation.

Holidaymakers in Kitzbühel have 56 cableway and li facilities and 168 kilometres of slopes available to them, as well as 40 kilometres of groomed crosscountry skiing tracks. Of note is the relatively new 3S Cable Car, the cable car with the highest above-ground span in the world.

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In summer there are 120 km of mountain bike paths and 500 km of hiking trails.

Other aractions include six tennis courts and four golf courses, the Kitzbühel swimming pool, Austria's only curling hall and the bathing lake of Schwarzsee.

Kitzbühel also caters for the high end of the tourist market, as many celebrities and the jet set come here for the international races on the Hahnenkamm.

Together with eleven other towns Kitzbühel is a member of the community Best of the Alps.

WORLD SKI AWARDS KITZBÜHEL 2019

www.worldskiawards.com | 99 |

Abu Dhabi is the capital and the second most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (the most populous being Dubai), and also capital of Abu Dhabi emirate, the largest of the UAE's seven member emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island juî…&#x;ing into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast. The city proper had a population of 1.5 million in 2014.

Abu Dhabi houses federal government oďŹƒces, is the seat of the United Arab Emirates Government, home to the Abu Dhabi Emiri Family and the President of the UAE, who is from this family. Abu Dhabi's rapid development and urbanisation, coupled with the relatively high average income of its population, has transformed the city into a large and advanced metropolis.

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Today the city is the country's center of political and industrial activities, and a major cultural and commercial centre, due to its position as the capital.

Abu Dhabi accounts for about two-thirds of the roughly $400-billion United Arab Emirates economy.

Abu Dhabi is the fourth most expensive city for expatriate employees in the region, and in 2014 was the 68th most expensive big city in the world.

WORLD GOLF AWARDS ABU DHABI 2019

www.worldgolfawards.com | 101 |

Sānyà is the southernmost city on Hainan Island, and one of the four prefecture-level cities of Hainan Province, in Southeast China.

days that almost all signs are in Cyrillic as well as Chinese. Middle-class Chinese families are increasingly drawn to the golden shores of Sānyà as well.

The city is renowned for its tropical climate and has emerged as a popular tourist destination. Numerous international hotel chains are now established in the area. In 2009 the luxury Mandarin Oriental hotel group opened in the Dadong Hai area of Sānyà, their first property in mainland China.

While the full 40km or so of coastline dedicated to tourism is usually referred to as Sānyà, the region is actually made up of three distinct zones. Sānyà Bay is home to the bustling city centre and a long stretch of beach and hotels aimed at locals and mainland holidaymakers. Busy, cheerfully tacky Dàdōnghǎi Bay, about 3km southeast, beyond the Lùhuítóu Peninsula, is where most Western travellers stay. A further 15km east, at exclusive Yàlóng Bay, the beach is first-rate, as is the line of plush international resorts.

China’s premier beach community claims to be the ‘Hawaii of China,’ but ‘Moscow on the South China Sea’ is more like it. The modern, hyper-developed resort city has such a steady influx of Russian vacationers these

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WORLD M.I.C.E. AWARDS SANYA 2019

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Dubai is situated on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates and is roughly at sea level (16 m or 52  above). The emirate of Dubai shares borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast, and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast. Haa, a minor exclave of the emirate, is surrounded on three sides by Oman and by the emirates of Ajman (in the west) and Ras Al Khaimah (in the north).

The Persian Gulf borders the western coast of the emirate. Dubai is positioned at 25.2697°N 55.3095°E and covers an area of 1,588 sq mi (4,110 km2), which represents a significant expansion beyond its initial 1,500 sq mi (3,900 km2) designation due to land reclamation from the sea.

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Dubai lies directly within the Arabian Desert. However, the topography of Dubai is significantly different from that of the southern portion of the UAE in that much of Dubai's landscape is highlighted by sandy desert paerns, while gravel deserts dominate much of the southern region of the country. The sand consists mostly of crushed shell and coral and is fine, clean and white. East of the city, the salt-crusted coastal plains, known as sabkha, give way to a north-south running line of dunes. Farther east, the dunes grow larger and are tinged red with iron oxide.

WORLD CRUISE AWARDS DUBAI 2019

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WORLD TRAVE

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EL AWARDS

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WORLD TRAVE EXPO 2020 DUBAI in 2020 World travel awards will be hosting all regional events within the dubai epo 2020.

Dubai is one of the world’s most exhilarating destinations, the gliering Emirate of Dubai offers swathes of golden beaches, world-class shopping, dining and nightlife, electrifying events and sporting championships, and is one big adventure playground for all the family.

Extraordinary images of Dubai’s skyline have been seen around the world, but this is a city that must be experienced to be believed. Where else can you spend

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the morning on the beach, the aernoon snow skiing and the evening camel riding in the desert? And with many more hotels and aractions in the pipeline, no-one can ever truly say they’ve ticked off Dubai.

The pace of progress in this city has been phenomenal and it takes some believing to imagine that just 50 years ago Dubai was lile more than a fishing village beside the Dubai Creek. Dubai will be hosting the World Expo in 2020 and in the build up is pursuing its ambition to become The World’s Most Visited City – but not just a city to be seen but a city ‘to be experienced’.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS 2020

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dubai eXpo 2020 – an unForgettable eXperience Between October 2020 and April 2021, Dubai will host the next World Expo. Bringing together more than 180 nations and an international audience of 25 million visitors, it will be one of the greatest shows on Earth.

On a 438 hectare site, connected to three international airports and a dedicated transport network, Expo will provide visitors with the chance to see spectacular architecture, merge with global cultures, examine

thoughtful and thought provoking exhibitions, and taste food from every corner of the globe. Above all, visitors to the event will witness the very latest in thinking and technology all in one place and at one time. Expo will be an unforgeable, once in a lifetime experience.

Preparations are underway for an event that will enthral and amaze the many millions who visit, providing a sense of wonder at the ability of people, working together, to envisage and achieve a beer tomorrow.

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WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS 2020 an eXpo For eVeryone For all time The 2020 World Expo will not be confined to a physical site, or to a six month period of time. It begins now, wherever people are coming together to think about what could be. Expo will provide a platform to foster creativity, innovation and partnership globally. The aim to work with others to accelerate the development of cuing-edge solutions, and scale them up so that they have a reach and value that stretches far beyond the event itself.

eXpo FactS & FigureS Between its opening day on 20 October 2020, and its closing date on 10 April 2021, it is expected that the Expo will be visited 25 million times.

70% of all visitors are expected to come from outside the UAE - the largest proportion of international visitors in Expo history.

The aim is to create and deliver an inclusive and global Expo with over 200 participants that include nations, multilateral organisations, corporates and educational institutions.

Expo 2020 also has an ambitious volunteer programme, which aims to include more than 30,000 volunteers from a wide range of ages, nationalities, cultures and backgrounds.

The Expo site covers a total of 4.38 square kilometres, including a 200 hectare gated area. It is located within the Dubai South District, adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport.

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calendar oF eVentS at eXpo 2020 dubai 20 october 2020 dubai World eXpo opening ceremony 23 october 2020 Wta middle eaSt aWardS ceremony 24 october 2020 Wta europe aWardS ceremony 25 october 2020 Wta aFrica aWardS ceremony 26 october 2020 Wta indian ocean aWardS ceremony 27 october 2020 Wta india aWardS ceremony

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WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS 2020

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WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS 2020

calendar oF eVentS at eXpo 2020 dubai 28 october 2020 Wta china aWardS ceremony 29 october 2020 Wta aSia aWardS ceremony 30 october 2020 Wta auStralaSia aWardS ceremony 31 october 2020 Wta caribbean aWardS ceremony 1 november 2020 Wta america aWardS ceremony 2 november 2020 Wta latin america aWardS ceremony

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WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS 2020

calendar oF eVentS at eXpo 2020 dubai 4 november 2020 World Spa aWardS ceremony 6 november 2020 World m.i.c.e aWardS ceremony 10-12 november 2020 World golF aWardS ceremony 15 november 2020 World cruiSe aWardS ceremony 17-19 november 2020 World SKi aWardS ceremony 1 January 2021 Wta grand Final

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