Dubai rules World Travel Awards Middle East

ETX Daily Up

30 September 2016 at 6:12 am

Etihad is rubbing shoulders with the fashion crowd

Etihad Airways' private apartment suite "The Residence"

Dubai has been named the leading destination in the Middle East at the World Travel Awards Middle East ceremony, while Etihad Airways was given the title of leading airline for the region for a record 10th year in a row.

Industry leaders gathered at the St. Regis Dubai this week to honor the best in Middle Eastern travel.

Winners of the regional events which also include Europe, North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and Australasia, will go on to the grand finale December 2.

There were few surprises at this year's gala ceremony. Since 1996, Dubai has taken the title of leading destination in the Middle East every year with the exception of 2010, when it was momentarily overtaken by Abu Dhabi.

Likewise, the results of the awards suggest that Abu Dhabi's flagship carrier Etihad Airways is the standard-bearer when it comes to air travel, having dominated the category for the last 10 years.

In years past, other favorites included Qatar Airways and Emirates.

In the category of leading hotel, that title went to the Jumeirah Al Qasr at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, a luxurious property designed in the style of a Sheikh's summer residence with touches of royal architecture and tributes to old Arabian design.

If you're eyeing a trip to the Middle East, take cues from the winners of the World Travel Awards Middle East which were voted upon by leaders in the industry. Here are a few of the winners:

Leading airport: Dubai International Airport
Leading beach destination: Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Leading beach resort: Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai
Leading boutique hotel: Al Mashreq Boutique Hotel, Saudi Arabia
Leading budget hotel brand: Citymax Hotels
Leading low-cost airline: flynas
Leading luxury hotel: Rosewood Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Leading romantic resort: One&Only The Palm, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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