WTA HIGHLIGHTS ROLE OF TRAVEL & TOURISM IN ALLEVIATING EUROPE’S DEBT CRISIS

World Travel Awards has emphasised the vital role of travel and tourism in re-establishing macro-economic stability across Europe.

The leading awards programme, hailed as the 'Oscars of the travel industry' by The Wall Street Journal, cited the example of Greece and how its tourism economy is enjoying double-digit growth despite the on-going debt crisis. It noted that tourism in Greece makes up 18 percent of the economy, accounting for one in five jobs.

The announcement comes ahead of the forthcoming World Travel Awards 2011 Europe Ceremony, which will see the leading travel and tourism brands from across the Continent compete for the most influential accolade in travel.

The glittering ceremony returns to Turkey's tourism jewel of Antalya for the second year running, and takes place at the luxury Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa on 2 September 2011.

After months of intense voting, Europe's travel leaders will find out who will win the prestigious World Travel Awards. Nominees include some of the most respected names in travel including British Airways, Ritz Carlton, Conrad Hotels, Orient Express, Europcar and Lufthansa.

Graham E. Cooke, President and Founder, World Travel Awards, underlined why travel and tourism is playing an even greater role as renewed debt fears sweep across Europe.

He said: "During times of economic uncertainty world-class brands come into their own, continuing to grow market share and raising their standards to new heights. World Travel Awards winners see struggle not as sign of weakness, but as an opportunity for growth and renewal, and a chance to put their business model through the ultimate test."

"Turkey has proven one of the tourism miracles of the global downturn, and hosting our Europe Ceremony will provide an excellent opportunity for the top decision-makers in European travel to experience its world-class facilities first hand."

More than 2,000 companies across Europe, spanning more than 250 categories, including airlines, cruise companies, destinations, hotels and resorts will battle it out for the coveted trophies.

Hosting a World Travel Awards event delivers a number of benefits for the host, including a year-long campaign of promotion to both the trade and public. Meanwhile organisations that make it on to the winners’ podium receive extensive commercial benefits and global coverage.

With the cream of European travel set to attend, the ceremony also offers excellent opportunities for high-level networking.

The Europe Ceremony marks the second heat of World Travel Awards 2011 Grand Tour, and follows the opening leg in the Middle East, hosted at Armani Hotel Dubai in May. Other regional legs will follow in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt; Bangkok, Thailand and Montego Bay, Jamaica. These winners will progress to the grand final in Doha, Qatar.

The event partners include Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Jamaica Tourist Board, Mauritius Tourist Board, Conrad Hotels, World.mobi, Armani Hotel Dubai, Emaar Hospitality Group, Dusit Thani Bangkok, Sandals Resorts, Sports Authority of Thailand, Savoy Sharm el Sheikh and WeClickMedia. The media partners include ABTA Magazine, eTurboNews, Focus on Travel News, TravelDailyNews, Agenzia di Viaggi, Breaking Travel News and National Geographic Traveller.

Tickets for World Travel Awards 2011 Europe Ceremony can be booked via www.worldtravelawards.com/europe2011booking

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Notes to Editors

About World Travel Awards
The World Travel Awards was launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognise excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry.

Now celebrating its 18th anniversary, the awards is regarded as the very highest achievement that a travel product could ever hope to receive.

Votes are cast by 213,000 travel professionals which include travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organizations in over 160 countries across the globe.

Votes are cast globally by industry professionals in over 1,000 different categories.

Attended by senior executives from major travel companies, operators and destinations, WTA events are universally respected as providing established, top level networking opportunities, regionally and globally.

Main sponsors include Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Jamaica Tourist Board, Mauritius Tourist Board, Conrad Hotels, World.mobi, Armani Hotel Dubai, Emaar Hospitality Group, Dusit Thani Bangkok, Sandals Resorts, Sports Authority of Thailand, Savoy Sharm el Sheikh and WeClickMedia.

The World Travel Award's official list of worldwide media partners includes: ABTA Magazine, Breaking Travel News, CNBC Arabiya, eTurboNews, Khaleej Times, Trav Talk, Trade Arabia, TTN, Travel Daily News International, Focus on Travel News, New Focus Travel Magazine, Tourism Review, JAX FAX, Passport Magazine, Travel & Leisure China and National Geographic Traveller.

About Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort Spa
Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort SPA opened on 7 May 2008 in the prestigious tourist region of Antalya in Belek.

Hotel Cornelia Diamond, with its original architecture by Tuncar Çavdara and interior design by Ayhan Geveli, reflects the transition from the past to the future in "Retro" styling, entertaining areas, original pools, villas, connected to the swimming pool.

One of the most distinctive features of the hotel Cornelia Diamond is its SPA centre. It is built over a 5.000 sq.m. area, and provides over 100 different types of massages from the Far East using natural methods, exclusive water procedures and saunas – all this is Cornelia Diamond Crassula SPA proving the true sense of the word "best".

The philosophy is service based on Turkish hospitality. Traditional themes and specialities, which are complimented by the architecture, modern structure and high technology, are on offer to the guests of Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & SPA in order to guarantee the happiest moments and make unique memories. Great importance is placed upon quality and safety.

Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa has Gold Certificate of Travelife Sustainability system, Blue Flag for cleanliness of beach area. The hotel is a member of International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), and the SPA centre is a member of European SPA association (ESPA). Gof Course of 27 holes was designed by world golf champion – Nick Faldo, in a golf club there is a professional golf academy of David Leadbetter – world’s famous golf coach.

For further press information contact Anton Santos:
T: +44 (0)20 7925 0000
E: anton@worldtravelawards.com
W: www.worldtravelawards.com

World Travel Awards
Momentum House
Lower Road
London
SE1 8SJ

This release was published on openPR.