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.
If you’ve ever raised an eyebrow at a champagne bill and thought, “Well that escalated quickly,” you’re not alone. A new Champagne Index from global chauffeur service Blacklane has crunched the numbers on what a single glass of bubbly actually costs around the world – and the results are fizzing with surprises. Researched by drinks…
Sumo fans visiting Tokyo have a new attraction to add to their itinerary. Opening January 7 is a 150-seat show restaurant that brings together Japan’s national sport, sumo, and traditional kaiseki cuisine. The Sumo Live restaurant, located in Ginza, features a full-size sumo-ring stage, where wrestlers will perform demonstration bouts for diners. The opening follows…
One of the world’s leading bespoke shipyards is setting up shop in the heart of London. Sanlorenzo Yachts UK will open a flagship showroom at 61 Park Lane, Mayfair, in March 2026. Designed as a working studio rather than a traditional retail space, the showroom will allow prospective Sanlorenzo owners and charter clients to begin…
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.
Here’s where you can find the most affordable glass of champagne in the world
If you’ve ever raised an eyebrow at a champagne bill and thought, “Well that escalated quickly,” you’re not alone. A new Champagne Index from global chauffeur service Blacklane has crunched the numbers on what a single glass of bubbly actually costs around the world – and the results are fizzing with surprises. Researched by drinks…
Live Sumo meets classic Japanese cuisine at new Tokyo show restaurant
Sumo fans visiting Tokyo have a new attraction to add to their itinerary. Opening January 7 is a 150-seat show restaurant that brings together Japan’s national sport, sumo, and traditional kaiseki cuisine. The Sumo Live restaurant, located in Ginza, features a full-size sumo-ring stage, where wrestlers will perform demonstration bouts for diners. The opening follows…
Mayfair marina: Sanlorenzo Yachts to open London flagship showroom on Park Lane
One of the world’s leading bespoke shipyards is setting up shop in the heart of London. Sanlorenzo Yachts UK will open a flagship showroom at 61 Park Lane, Mayfair, in March 2026. Designed as a working studio rather than a traditional retail space, the showroom will allow prospective Sanlorenzo owners and charter clients to begin…
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