From the World’s Best Airline to the Best Beach Destination, the World Travel Awards recognise excellence in travel and tourism, and provide a top tip sheet for those planning their next great escape. Newly announced, the 2021 winners will make you even more eager to make up for lost travel time.
The big winners this year include the Maldives, which secured ‘World’s Leading Destination’ for the second time, and Portugal, with Madeira voted ‘World’s Leading Island Destination’ and 200kms pristine coastline helped the Algarve to be declared the ‘World’s Leading Beach Destination’.
João Fernandes, President of Algarve Tourism said: “We never take these awards for granted and it means a lot to us to win this award again, when there is so much competition from around the world.”
The ancient citadel of Machu Picchu was named ‘World’s Leading Tourist Attraction’, with Peru also collecting ‘World’s Leading Cultural Destination’.
Jamaica scored a trio of destination awards (‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’, ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Wedding Destination’).
The ancient citadel of Machu Picchu was named World’s Leading Tourist Attraction, with Peru also collecting World’s Leading Cultural Destination…
Dubai, currently in the spotlight as host of Expo 2020, secured a host of prestigious awards. It was voted ‘World’s Leading Business Travel Destination’ with Dubai World Trade Centre taking ‘World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre’.
Dubai’s Burj al Arab was named ‘World’s Leading Luxury All Suite Hotel’ and Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach voted ‘World’s Leading Luxury Resort’.
The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm pocketed ‘World’s Leading New Hotel’, with Raffles The Palm Dubai picking up ‘World’s Leading New Resort’.
The honour of ‘World’s Leading Hotel’ went to The Armani Hotel Dubai, with Sardinia’s Forte Village Resort named ‘World’s Leading Resort’.
Mina Rashid was acknowledged as ‘World’s Leading Cruise Port’, and The Palm Jumeirah Nakheel has won ‘World’s Leading Tourism Development Project’.
Russia’s imperial splendour was also recognised with both Moscow and Saint Petersburg winning top honours. Moscow was voted ‘World’s Leading City Break Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Heritage City Destination’, and Saint Petersburg claimed ‘World’s Leading City Destination’, ‘World’s Leading Cultural City Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Marketing Campaign’.
The ‘World’s Leading Dive Resort’ was revealed to be Amanpulo, Philippines while the Aman Resorts stablemate Amandari, Indonesia picked up ‘World’s Leading Boutique All Suite Hotel’.
Brand winners include InterContinental Hotels & Resorts (‘World’s Leading Hotel Brand’), Sandals (‘World’s Leading All-Inclusive Company’), Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts (‘World’s Leading Resort Brand’), and The Ascott Limited Hospitality (‘World’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand’).
Armenia was named ‘World’s Leading Heritage Destination’. While the Greek Ministry of Tourism/GNTO was voted ‘World’s Leading Tourist Board’.
World’s best airlines 2021
In the aviation sector, Emirates lifted ‘World’s Leading Airline’ and ‘World’s Leading Airline – First Class’, while ‘World’s Leading Airport’ went to Dubai International Airport.
Etihad Airways was voted ‘World’s Leading Airline – Business Class’, with Singapore Airlines named ‘World’s Leading Airline – Economy Class’.
Aeroflot – Russian Airlines was voted ‘World’s Leading Airline Brand’, and Star Alliance took ‘World’s Leading Airline Alliance’.
Fast-growing aviation company Jetex took ‘World’s Leading FBO Brand’ and ‘World’s Leading Private Jet Travel Experience’, with Jetex Paris named ‘World’s Leading FBO Terminal’.
Other winners include Madrid (‘World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination’); Royal Caribbean International (‘World’s Leading Cruise Brand’); Atlantis, The Palm (‘World’s Leading Landmark Resort’); Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai (‘World’s Leading Water Park’); Royal Penthouse at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai (‘World’s Leading Hotel Penthouse’).
Votes were cast by travel industry professionals and the public, with the nominee gaining the most votes in a category named as the winner.
Numarine has released fresh details of its new 40MXP, a 40-metre superyacht designed to bring a little Mediterranean luxury to the long-range explorer category. Multiple builds are underway, with two deliveries scheduled for 2026. The name says a lot: MXP stands for Mediterranean Explorer, signalling a shift toward open-air living and sociable deck spaces, while…
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced a new partnership with Knightsbridge Circle, the invitation-only concierge service known for unlocking rarefied experiences for a global, high-net-worth clientele. The collaboration will give guests staying in the line’s most exclusive suites complimentary access to a Personal Manager from Knightsbridge Circle, smoothing out the parts of a journey that…
When you fly British Airways next year, you’ll be able to stream, scroll, and stay connected at 38,000 feet, as the flag carrier rolls out high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi across its entire fleet. The airline says all travellers, regardless of cabin class, will enjoy complimentary, gate-to-gate connectivity capable of supporting video streaming, video calls, and remote…
The Luxe Review 
From the World’s Best Airline to the Best Beach Destination, the World Travel Awards recognise excellence in travel and tourism, and provide a top tip sheet for those planning their next great escape. Newly announced, the 2021 winners will make you even more eager to make up for lost travel time.
The big winners this year include the Maldives, which secured ‘World’s Leading Destination’ for the second time, and Portugal, with Madeira voted ‘World’s Leading Island Destination’ and 200kms pristine coastline helped the Algarve to be declared the ‘World’s Leading Beach Destination’.
João Fernandes, President of Algarve Tourism said: “We never take these awards for granted and it means a lot to us to win this award again, when there is so much competition from around the world.”
The ancient citadel of Machu Picchu was named ‘World’s Leading Tourist Attraction’, with Peru also collecting ‘World’s Leading Cultural Destination’.
Jamaica scored a trio of destination awards (‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’, ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Wedding Destination’).
Dubai, currently in the spotlight as host of Expo 2020, secured a host of prestigious awards. It was voted ‘World’s Leading Business Travel Destination’ with Dubai World Trade Centre taking ‘World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre’.
Dubai’s Burj al Arab was named ‘World’s Leading Luxury All Suite Hotel’ and Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach voted ‘World’s Leading Luxury Resort’.
The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm pocketed ‘World’s Leading New Hotel’, with Raffles The Palm Dubai picking up ‘World’s Leading New Resort’.
The honour of ‘World’s Leading Hotel’ went to The Armani Hotel Dubai, with Sardinia’s Forte Village Resort named ‘World’s Leading Resort’.
Mina Rashid was acknowledged as ‘World’s Leading Cruise Port’, and The Palm Jumeirah Nakheel has won ‘World’s Leading Tourism Development Project’.
Russia’s imperial splendour was also recognised with both Moscow and Saint Petersburg winning top honours. Moscow was voted ‘World’s Leading City Break Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Heritage City Destination’, and Saint Petersburg claimed ‘World’s Leading City Destination’, ‘World’s Leading Cultural City Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Marketing Campaign’.
The ‘World’s Leading Dive Resort’ was revealed to be Amanpulo, Philippines while the Aman Resorts stablemate Amandari, Indonesia picked up ‘World’s Leading Boutique All Suite Hotel’.
Brand winners include InterContinental Hotels & Resorts (‘World’s Leading Hotel Brand’), Sandals (‘World’s Leading All-Inclusive Company’), Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts (‘World’s Leading Resort Brand’), and The Ascott Limited Hospitality (‘World’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand’).
Armenia was named ‘World’s Leading Heritage Destination’. While the Greek Ministry of Tourism/GNTO was voted ‘World’s Leading Tourist Board’.
World’s best airlines 2021
In the aviation sector, Emirates lifted ‘World’s Leading Airline’ and ‘World’s Leading Airline – First Class’, while ‘World’s Leading Airport’ went to Dubai International Airport.
Etihad Airways was voted ‘World’s Leading Airline – Business Class’, with Singapore Airlines named ‘World’s Leading Airline – Economy Class’.
Aeroflot – Russian Airlines was voted ‘World’s Leading Airline Brand’, and Star Alliance took ‘World’s Leading Airline Alliance’.
Fast-growing aviation company Jetex took ‘World’s Leading FBO Brand’ and ‘World’s Leading Private Jet Travel Experience’, with Jetex Paris named ‘World’s Leading FBO Terminal’.
Other winners include Madrid (‘World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination’); Royal Caribbean International (‘World’s Leading Cruise Brand’); Atlantis, The Palm (‘World’s Leading Landmark Resort’); Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai (‘World’s Leading Water Park’); Royal Penthouse at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai (‘World’s Leading Hotel Penthouse’).
Votes were cast by travel industry professionals and the public, with the nominee gaining the most votes in a category named as the winner.
First look: Numarine 40MXP superyacht gives Explorer series a Mediterranean makeover
Numarine has released fresh details of its new 40MXP, a 40-metre superyacht designed to bring a little Mediterranean luxury to the long-range explorer category. Multiple builds are underway, with two deliveries scheduled for 2026. The name says a lot: MXP stands for Mediterranean Explorer, signalling a shift toward open-air living and sociable deck spaces, while…
Elevated cruising on the menu as Regent Seven Seas partners with Knightsbridge Circle
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced a new partnership with Knightsbridge Circle, the invitation-only concierge service known for unlocking rarefied experiences for a global, high-net-worth clientele. The collaboration will give guests staying in the line’s most exclusive suites complimentary access to a Personal Manager from Knightsbridge Circle, smoothing out the parts of a journey that…
British Airways to introduce complimentary lightning-fast Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet from 2026
When you fly British Airways next year, you’ll be able to stream, scroll, and stay connected at 38,000 feet, as the flag carrier rolls out high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi across its entire fleet. The airline says all travellers, regardless of cabin class, will enjoy complimentary, gate-to-gate connectivity capable of supporting video streaming, video calls, and remote…
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