Atlantis sets the scene for World Travel Awards

"We are seeking inspirational winners who command total respect in everything they do, from customer experience to exceeding business performance", said Graham E Cooke, president and founder of World Travel Awards.

"Nothing could therefore be more appropriate this year than taking the awards to the latest Dubai development, the truly inspiring Atlantis, the Palm."

More than 500 Middle East travel and tourism companies and organisations from across the region, representing every industry sector, have been nominated with 26 overall Middle East categories.

There are categories too for Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, Yemen, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah and Sharjah.

Emirates, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, MEA, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian Airline and Saudi Arabian Airlines are all up for the coveted title of Middle East Leading Airline.

As expected, the award for Middle East's Leading Beach Resort is also hotly contended. Nominations include Al Hamra Fort Hotel and Beach Resort, UAE; Beach Rotana Hotel and Towers and the Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna, both in Abu Dhabi; Intercontinental Al Bustan Palace, Oman; Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa, The Jumeirah Beach Hotel and One and Only Royal Mirage, all in Dubai; Jordan Valley Marriott Resort and Spa; Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort , Fujairah; Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort, Oman; and the Sheraton Coral Beach Hotel and Resort, Lebanon.

Eleven development projects are in line for Middle East's Leading Tourism Development Project: Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, Dubai Towers - Sama Dubai, Dubai Waterfront - Nakheel, Dubailand - Dubai Land, Nujoom Islands Project, Sharjah - Al Hanoo Holding
Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), Salam - Bahrain Beach Resort and Spa - Sama Dubai, The Palm Jumeirah - Nakheel, The Pearl - Qatar - United Development Company, The Wave Muscat - MAFI and Yas Island - Aldar.

Cooke continued,

"The eyes of the world are undoubtedly on the Middle East because the current expert forecast is that the industry will grow at a significantly faster rate than other competing global destinations."

"This means that the winners of the World Travel Awards Middle East Ceremony have the opportunity to lead the way, pushing the boundaries in every aspect of business activity, creativity and customer satisfaction, competing at the very highest level and showing the world how it is done."

Winners are decided by votes received from agents and travel professionals in the Middle East and throughout the world.

World Travel Awards, established 15 years ago and described by the Wall Street Journal as the 'Oscars' of the global industry, encourages greater quality, value and, above all, exceptional customer experience spanning every sector and region worldwide.

Last year the ceremony took place in Abu Dhabi.
The event is part of World Travel Awards Grand Tour, culminating with the final in December, which this year is being held in Turks and Caicos.

All nominations for the World Travel Awards Middle East Ceremony 2008 can be found by logging on to world travel awards website.