Dubai: If you’re looking for the best theme park, or any tourist attraction, hotel or airline, for that matter, there’s no need to go farther than the UAE.
Companies in the UAE have swept nearly every category in the latest awards that seeks to honour and reward excellence in the tourism industry, taking home at least 62 trophies out of nearly 100 in the 24th edition of the World Travel Awards Middle East.
The awards recognises and celebrates excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry, including hotels, tourism landmarks and airlines. Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards circles the globe every year with a series of regional gala ceremonies. The awards ceremony for the Middle East was held on Sunday night in Dubai.
Ferrari World, a mega amusement park offering thrilling rides and world-class rollercoasters on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, took home the crown as the leading theme park in the Middle East region.
For the leading tourist attraction category, the award went to Burj Khalifa. The tallest tower was also nominated for the world’s leading tourist attraction, along with the Great Wall of China and Machu Picchu in Peru.
In the aviation industry, Emirates was voted the region’s leading airline and airline brand for 2017, while Dubai International Airport also took home the trophy in the leading airport category.
The home-grown airline’s business class lounge at Terminal 3 also earned the most votes for the region’s leading airport lounge. Etihad Airways took home the crown for the Middle East’s leading airline for first class and inflight entertainment.
Another world-renowned landmark, the Burj Al Arab hotel, was declared the Middle East’s leading all suite hotel.
Overall, Jumeirah led the winners in the red-carpet event, taking the title of Middle East’s leading luxury hotel brand.