WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS DEBUT IN INDIA AN üNPREcEDENTED TRlüMPN

Publication Name: Travel World News
DMA: New York, NY
Publication Date: 12/1/2007

V jj WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS DEBUT IN INDIA AN UNPRECEDENTED TRIUMPH

Glamour, joy and excitement characterized the regional World Travel Awards (WTA) Ceremony at The Leela Palace Kempinski in Bangalore, India, where the winners of the Asia, Australasia & Indian Ocean Awards were announced. As many as 50 of trophies were given out to the elite of the regional travel trade. Cathay_Pacific Airways was named "Asia's Leading Airline" and TheJ.e.ela Gpa was named "Asia's Leading _ Resort."

Fittingly, India was presented with "Asia's Leading Destination"; Oberoi Hotels & Resorts was named "Asia's Leading LuXury Hotel Brand"; and Huvafen Fushi took top honors as "Indian Ocean's Leading Spa.- The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board, Avis, Air New Zealand and Changl Airport Singapore were also crowned the best of their kind in the region.

Over 200 travel professionals, VIPs and media from 16 countries across the region enjoyed an event full of surprises and Indian flavors. Distinguished guests among the audience included Captain C.P Krishnan Nair, Chairman of The Leela Palaces Hotels Resorts; Hon. Dr. Mahamood Shougee, Maldivian Minister of Tourism & Civil Aviation; Mr. Viiav Rekhi, President of United Spirits and member of the Board of Directors, Kingfisher Airlines; as well as Vikram Oberoi, Joint Managing Director of The Oberoi Group. The media attendance was at an all-time high with over 30 media institutions taking part in the event.

"We are blown away by the outcome of our regional Asia, Australasia & Indian Ocean Ceremony. For us this event was undoubtedly one of the most victorious and rewarding to date," said Graham Cooke, Founder & President of the World Travel Awards.

"India, as one of the Asia-Pacific powerhouses in the global tourism arena, proved to be the perfect host for the fourth leg of our 2007 Grand Tour. The ceremony put the finishing touches to our already very auspicious world tour. Now, with only a month left to the grand final in the Turks & Caicos, the excitement is growing steadily, and we are now facing the big challenge of creating a perfect finish." The winners of the Asia, Australasia & Indian Ocean Awards will automatically be put forward as nominees in their respective global categories. The world winners will be announced at the grand final, the Annual World Travel Awards Gala Ceremony in the Turks & Caicos in the Caribbean on December 12 this year. The World Travel Awards,