CEO Serena Hotels Aziz Boolani said hotels without it’s employees are nothing. It is because of the hard work of our associates who ensure they exceed our guest’s expectations that we have been able to win these awards. Therefore, I dedicate this award to all the associates at Serena Hotels.
Singapore Airlines was named ‘Asia’s Leading Airline’. AirAsia collected ‘Asia’s Leading Low-Cost Airline’ and Singapore Changi Airport was named ‘Asia’s Leading Airport’.
Serena Hotels wins four awards at the star-studded World Travel Awards (WTA) Asia & Oceania gala ceremony 2019 in Vietnam. The elite of the travel industry assembled at the pristine island of PhuQuoc to find out who amongst them had been crowned best of the best.
Islamabad Serena Hotel took home the title of ‘Pakistan’s Leading Hotel’ and ‘Pakistan’s Leading Presidential Suite’ whereas Kabul Serena Hotel won ‘Afghanistan’s Leading Hotel’ and Dushanbe Serena Hotel won ’Tajikistan’s Leading Hotel’ award.
On the occasion, CEO Serena Hotels, Aziz Boolani said: “Hotels without it’s employees are nothing. It is because of the hard work of our associates who ensure they exceed our guest’s expectations that we have been able to win these awards. Therefore, I dedicate this award to all the associates at Serena Hotels.”
Since 1993, the World Travel Awards recognizes brands from the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries in an annual series of gala ceremonies held per continent.
Hundreds of the travel industry VIPs from Asia and Oceania attended the evening at Vinpearl Convention Center Phu Quoc, the state-of-the-art meeting and event facility and the latest addition to the five-star Vinpearl Phu Quoc integrated complex.
Winners at the red carpet ceremony included Philippines Department of Tourism, which was named ‘Asia’s Leading Tourist Board’ following a year of impressive visitor arrival growth. The stunning natural beauty and intriguing culture of Vietnam was acknowledged with the title of ‘Asia’s Leading Destination’, whilst New Zealand fended off stiff competition to emerge as ‘Oceania’s Leading Destination’.
Graham Cooke, Founder, WTA, said: “It has been an honour to host WTA at the Vinpearl Convention Center Phu Quoc. This fabulous addition to the Vinpearl Phu Quoc integrated complex has proven a gracious host of what has been a spectacular evening of travel triumph, and a highlight of our 26th Grand Tour. We have had the privilege of recognising many of the leading hotels, airlines and hospitality providers from across Asia and Oceania and my congratulations to each of them.”
Dang Thanh Thuy, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Vingroup, said: “Vinpearl is proud to have hosted the WTA Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony 2019 at our Vinpearl Convention Center on Phu Quoc Island. On this special occasion, we have been honoured to present a charming image of modern Vietnam to international visitors, as well as the world’s leading tourism and hospitality brands. This significant event has offered Vinpearl a golden opportunity to showcase its world-class all-inclusive resort complex at Phu Quoc, Asia’s most promising island destination, as well as to promote Vietnamese tourism to the global travel industry.”
In the aviation sector, Singapore Airlines was named ‘Asia’s Leading Airline’ whilst an unprecedented fleet upgrade helped Vietnam Airlines lift the title of ‘Asia’s Leading Airline – Economy Class’. AirAsia collected ‘Asia’s Leading Low-Cost Airline’ and Singapore Changi Airport was named ‘Asia’s Leading Airport’. Oceania winners included Air New Zealand (‘Oceania’s Leading Airline’) and Brisbane Airport (‘Oceania’s Leading Airport’).
The enchanting mix of French Indochine haute couture in a breathtaking mountain setting led Hotel de la Coupole MGallery by Sofitel to be voted ‘Asia’s Leading New Hotel’. Other newcomer winners included Anantara Quy Nhon Villas (‘Asia’s Leading New Resort’) and Van Don International Airport (‘Asia’s Leading New Airport’).
Vinpearl’s contribution to Vietnam’s travel and tourism economy was acknowledged with victories for Vinpearl Resort & Spa Phu Quoc (‘Asia’s Leading Family & Beach Resort’) and Vinpearl Discovery 2 Phu Quoc (‘Asia’s Leading New Villa Resort’).
Hospitality winners included The Grand Ho Tram Strip (‘Asia’s Leading Resort’); The Ascott Limited (‘Asia’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand’); InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort (‘Asia’s Leading Green Resort’); Conrad Hotels & Resorts (‘Asia’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel Brand’) and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts (‘Oceania’s Leading Hotel Brand’); and InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto (‘Oceania’s Leading Hotel’).
Travel provider winners included Vietravel (‘Asia’s Leading Tour Operator’), Abercrombie & Kent (‘Oceania’s Leading Tour Operator’) and RezLive.com (‘Asia’s Leading B2B Travel Provider’).