The World Travel Awards: Celebrating Excellence in the Travel Industry

The World Travel Awards is a prestigious global initiative that recognizes and celebrates excellence in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry. Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards aims to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate the achievements of the industry’s best and brightest

The World Travel Awards is divided into seven regions: Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, Indian Ocean, Latin America, and Middle East. Each region has its own gala ceremony where the winners are announced and honoured. The regional winners then compete for the global awards, which are revealed at the grand final event

The winners of the World Travel Awards are determined by a year-long online voting process, which involves millions of travel professionals and consumers from around the world. The voting criteria include customer satisfaction, quality of service, innovation, creativity, and social responsibility

The World Travel Awards 2021 announced its global winners on November 30, 2021, after a challenging year for the travel industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The winners represent the resilience, excellence, and innovation of the industry in the face of adversity

Among the hundreds of global winners, there are some that stand out for their exceptional performance, reputation, and impact. Here are 10 of the best winners of the World Travel Awards 2021 across all categories:

World’s Leading Destination: Portugal

Portugal is the winner of the World’s Leading Destination award for the fifth consecutive year. Portugal is a country that offers a rich and diverse travel experience, with stunning landscapes, historic cities, cultural heritage, gastronomy, wine, and beaches. Portugal also has a friendly and hospitable people, a mild climate, and a high level of safety.

World’s Leading Airline: Emirates

Emirates is the winner of the World’s Leading Airline award for the eighth time. Emirates is one of the world’s largest and most successful airlines, with a fleet of over 260 aircraft flying to more than 150 destinations in 85 countries. Emirates is known for its high-quality service, comfort, entertainment, and innovation. Emirates also has a leading role in supporting the recovery of the aviation industry and promoting sustainable travel practices.

World’s Leading Hotel: Armani Hotel Dubai

Armani Hotel Dubai is the winner of the World’s Leading Hotel award for the fourth time. Armani Hotel Dubai is a luxury hotel that reflects the style and vision of fashion designer Giorgio Armani. The hotel is located in Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, and offers 160 rooms and suites with panoramic views of Dubai. The hotel also features a spa, a gym, a pool, a nightclub, and several restaurants and lounges.

World’s Leading Tourist Attraction: Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is the winner of the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction award for the third time. Machu Picchu is an ancient Inca citadel located in the Andes Mountains of Peru. It is one of the most iconic and mysterious archaeological sites in the world, with its impressive architecture, engineering, and astronomy. Machu Picchu is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

World’s Leading Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is the winner of the World’s Leading Cruise Line award for the ninth time. Norwegian Cruise Line is a pioneer and innovator in the cruise industry, offering guests freedom and flexibility to design their own vacation. Norwegian Cruise Line has a fleet of 17 ships sailing to more than 300 destinations around the world. Norwegian Cruise Line also has a commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

World’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination: Chile

Chile is the winner of the World’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination award for the sixth time. Chile is a country that offers endless opportunities for adventure seekers, with its diverse geography, climate, and natural wonders. Chile has deserts, mountains, glaciers, volcanoes, lakes, rivers, islands, forests, and beaches. Chile also has a rich culture, history, and cuisine.

World’s Leading Safari Destination: Kenya

Kenya is the winner of the World’s Leading Safari Destination award for the sixth time. Kenya is a country that boasts some of the most spectacular wildlife and natural scenery in Africa. Kenya has more than 50 national parks and reserves where visitors can see lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, and more. Kenya also has the Great Migration, one of the most awe-inspiring natural phenomena in the world.

World’s Leading Island Destination: Maldives

Maldives is the winner of the World’s Leading Island Destination award for the 14th time. Maldives is a country that consists of more than 1,000 islands in the Indian Ocean. Maldives is a paradise for beach lovers, with its white sand, turquoise water, coral reefs, and marine life. Maldives also offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury resorts to local guesthouses. Maldives is also a popular destination for honeymooners, divers, surfers, and wellness enthusiasts.

World’s Leading Culinary Destination: Peru

Peru is the winner of the World’s Leading Culinary Destination award for the 10th time. Peru is a country that has a rich and diverse gastronomy, influenced by its geography, history, and culture. Peru has a variety of ingredients, flavors, and dishes, from the coast, the mountains, and the jungle. Peru also has some of the world’s best restaurants, chefs, and awards. Peru is a destination that delights the palate of every visitor.

World’s Leading Green Destination: Costa Rica

Costa Rica is the winner of the World’s Leading Green Destination award for the second time. Costa Rica is a country that is a global leader in sustainability, conservation, and ecotourism. Costa Rica has more than 25% of its territory protected as national parks and reserves, where visitors can see a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. Costa Rica also has a carbon-neutral goal by 2050 and a commitment to renewable energy sources.

These are 10 of the best winners of the World Travel Awards 2021, which demonstrate the excellence and diversity of the travel industry. These winners are not only places to visit, but also places to learn from, admire, and respect. If you are a travel lover, you should definitely consider these winners for your next trip