Qatar Wins Leading Business Destination in the Middle East

Dubai, May 01 (QNA) - The State of Qatar was named the Middle East's Leading Business Destination at a gala ceremony hosted by the World Travel Awards (WTA) at Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa in Dubai last night. The award was received by Head of the Tourism Department at Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) Abdullah Malallah al-Bader in the glittering gala attended by more than 500 of the most important decision-makers in the region's travel and tourism sector, as well as a host of international media. Meanwhile, Qatar's cultural village "Katara" won the leading cultural destination in the Middle East, Qatar National Convention Center won the best in organizing exhibitions and conferences in the Middle East, and the W Doha Hotel won the leading hotel in the business tourism and stay in the same area. At the level of Qatar, Oryx Rotana Hotel won the leading hotel in business tourism, Katara Hall won the best center for conferences, La Cigale Hotel won the best hotel in Qatar, Wyndham Regency Hotel won the best hotel in the country for holding conferences and meetings, St. Regis Hotel won the best new hotel in Qatar, while the Intercontinental Hotel and Sharq won the best resort in the country. Commenting on the award, Director of the Tourism Department at QTA Abdullah al-Bader highlighted the significant of Qatar's win as the leading business destination in the region, noting that it is an incentive to continue achievement of more successes in terms of business tourism in particular, and the tourism industry in general. In remarks to Qatar New Agency (QNA), al-Bader said that the win reflects the huge efforts exerted to reach such encouraging results, especially that Qatar enjoys strong infrastructure and is witnessing a comprehensive renaissance at all levels, including the tourism sector in its different forms. The WTA awards program, hailed as the "Oscars of the travel industry" by the global media, highlights and rewards those travel brands that have made the greatest contribution to the industry over the past year. The evening coincides with Arabian Hotel Investment Conference and Arabian Travel Market, which are both taking place in Dubai. Other regional heats in WTA's Grand Tour 2012 will be taking place in the Algarve (Portugal), Nairobi (Kenya), Singapore and Turks and Caicos. The winners of these regional heats will progress to the Grand Final, which will take place at The Oberoi, Gurgaon, New Delhi, India on 12 December 2012. (QNA)