MALE – Adaaran Prestige Resorts celebrated winning the international travel industry’s Oscar as the “Indian Ocean’s Leading Water Villa Group” at a special ceremony held at the Adaaran Prestige Vadoo resort on 21 November 2009.

The event was attended by the Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Dr Ahmed Ali Sawad and by representatives of the Maldives tourist industry, as well as by local and international tour operators and travel agents.

CEO of Adaaran Resorts, Mr Chethiya Perera handing over the award for Indian Ocean’s Leading Water Villa Group to Chairman of Aitken Spence PLC Mr D H S Jayawardena.

The award was presented to Adaaran Prestige Resorts at the World Travel Awards ceremony held in London on 7 November, 2009 during the 2009 World Travel Market. As well as being acclaimed as “The Indian Ocean’s Leading Water Villa Group” the Adaaran Prestige Water Villas at Meedhupparu won an award (for the second consecutive year) as “The Maldives Leading Water Villas.” Congratulating Adaaran on winning the awards, Dr Ahmed Ali Sawad commented on the benefits to the Maldives of the investment by Aitken Spence in tourism in the country. “The Maldivian brand is unique,” he said. “I extend my heartiest congratulations to Adaaran for helping to equip Maldivians with the skills to make it a world class product.”

The Chairman of Aitken Spence PLC, the Sri Lankan business group behind Adaaran Resorts, Mr. D H S Jayawardena, calling the occasion ‘a glorious event’ said: “Maldivians are very enthusiastic and proud and with hard work and discipline we can go from strength to strength to make Maldives among the best tourist destinations in the world.” Chethiya Perera, the CEO of Adaaran Resorts, stated that he believed the winning of the two awards was because of the encouragement given by the management of the company and the commitment and dedication of the staff.

“We at Adaaran are thankful to the Government of Maldives for its untiring efforts in marketing Maldives as a prime destination, and for the encouragement and support given to us by our partner tour operators and travel agents. We are proud of this regional accolade won by a Sri Lankan owned company with a Maldivian brand. Our new aim is to win an award in the global arena – as we now qualify to compete for it.”

Adaaran Resorts operates over 600 rooms in the Maldives in four islands including three properties with water villas: Adaaran Prestige Water Villas, Meedhupparu; Adaaran Prestige Ocean Villas, Hudhuranfushi; and Adaaran Prestige Vadoo. Other Adaaran properties are Adaaran Ayurveda Village; Adaaran Select Meedhupparu; Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi and Adaaran Club Rannalhi.

Media Release – 24 November 2009

Recently voted best hotel in South America by the WTA (World Travel Awards), the Copacabana Palace (RJ) has opened bookings for the period from New Year’s Eve and put on sale, from 23 th november, calls for three options for their parties new year.

There are two packages for lodging and three parties: a dance halls Golden Room and Noble and dinners in restaurants and Cipriani Arbor.

Among the packages, the minimum is five or six nights of stay, with the right to breakfast in the restaurant Arbor, by the pool.

Copacabana Palace – Avenida Atlantica 1702. Reservations: (21) 2548-7070.

Photo: Divulgation

By Carla Layane

Prisutdelingen World Travel Awards er unnagjort, og fire norske hoteller vant priser i sine respektive nasjonale klasser.

Clarion Hotel Royal Scandinavia, som er under oppussing for å bli enda større og få plass til 850 rom, vant i klassen i beste forretningshotell.

Hotel Continental vant klassen årest beste hotell, mens Radisson Blu Resort på Beitostølen sikret seg prisen for beste hotell på en skidestinasjon.

Prisen for beste spahotell gikk til Quality Spa & Resort Holmsbu.

I tillegg kan Choice notere seg for en seier i klassen beste boutiquehotell. Det var Nordic Light Hotel i Stockholm som fikk prisen, et hotell som Choice Hotels Scandinavia kjøpte i sommer.

Les hele oversikten over de andre vinnerne, både på europeisk nivå, men også nasjonalt nivå.

The Wall Street Journal calls them “the travel industry’s equivalent of the Oscars.” The World Travel Awards was established in 1993 and has since developed into the most prestigious and comprehensive awards ceremony in hospitality. So we’re pretty happy to be among the nominees.

Yes, the newest property in the Karma Collection, Karma Kandara, has been nominated in two key categories – Asia’s Leading New Hotel and Indonesia’s Leading New Hotel. The awards ceremony will take place in Mexico on September 21.

For more information on Karma Kandara: http://www.karmakandara.com

After a three year partnership with the Turks and Caicos Islands and Beaches Resort and Spa, the World Travel Awards, one of tourisms most prestigious award ceremonies has found a new home. Nikira John Reports.

Beaches Resort and Spa here in the The Turks and Caicos Islands played host to the 15th annual World Travel Awards which featured a number of high profile celebrities. The awards highlighted not only international premier resorts, restaurants and locations but those in our local tourism industry as well. Alison Capron has the details.

The World Travel award winners have just been revealed and it means great news for Select Resorts clients.

Quinta Do Lago Resort

Confirming what we already know from our many satisfied clients Quinta do Lago Resort has been awarded Portugal’s Leading Golf Resort for 2008.  The resort boasts four magnificent courses which are a focal point though there is a wide range of other sporting and leisure activities such as tennis, sunbathing, swimming, windsurfing on the lake, sailing, fishing, horse riding and beach combing. 

There are also a further 12 courses within easy distance and a host of other exciting activities in the area, making Quinta do Lago the perfect holiday spot for all the family.

Praia D'el Rey Resort

Further great news was the recognition of Praia d’el Rey as Portugal’s Best Resort.  The resort consists of 600 acres (200 hectares) with a landscape as richly varied as the surrounding countryside.  The resort has a beautiful sandy beach of 2.5km, popular with surfers and sun seekers. Summer activities include football, volleyball and other supervised beach activities. Praia d’el Rey is the ideal place for those who wish to socialise, play golf, tennis, walk, windsurf or just relax – the list is endless!

If you are interested in visiting either of these fantastic resorts please visit our website or call +44 1202 786490

The full list of winners is available at http://www.worldtravelawards.com/winners2008-8

Avis Named North America’s Leading Car Hire by International Travel Community at 15th Annual World Travel Awards

Avis Rent A Car was recognized by more than 160,000 travel professionals as “North America’s Leading Car Hire” at the regional World Travel Awards for the Americas, held recently in Orlando, Fla. The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the world’s travel and tourism industry.

“We appreciate the recognition of the international travel community as North America’s Leading Car Hire,” said Tom Gartland, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Avis Budget Group, parent company of Avis. “This honor is a tribute to the thousands of employees who try harder every day for our customers,” he said. “The award also recognizes our commitment to travel professionals and their educational development. Our industry-leading Club Red travel partner rewards program and our Avis Agent training program gives travel agents all the tools and resources they need to be successful.”

“Thousands of votes are cast by experienced travel professionals around the world,” said Graham Cooke, president and founder of the World Travel Awards. “The World Travel Awards are regarded as the highest achievement in the travel industry and to be recognized by these individuals demonstrates Avis’ excellence and achievements.”

In addition to providing travel professionals with educational opportunities to help them better service their clients, Avis offers an extensive suite of products and services to help customers save time and maximize their productivity.

Avis recently launched its newest version of where2(R) GPS navigation system. The new, slimmer unit based on Garmin’s nuevi 780 model, features a larger, high-brightness display screen, turn-by-turn directions spoken in more than 40 languages, Bluetooth capability and added services such as traffic alerts, weather reports, stock and news updates, Amber Alerts and movie listings provided by MSN Direct. Customers can also take advantage of other services offered by Avis including e-Toll electronic toll collection and Avis Chauffeur Drive, which gives customers the ability to hire a professional driver to ease their trip.

QUAKES TRAVEL IMPACTS: Delays but no damage to airports and rails OCRegister CA 2 hours ago UPDATED: Officials say Tuesdays earthquake will have no impact Wednesday on airports and rail lines By GARY A WARNER and REBECCA FREEMAN