The travel sector in India has something to cheer about. The country is playing host to the 2012 edition of the World Travel Awards. Think of these as the Grammys of the international travel industry. In fact, it is often referred to as “the Oscars of the travel industry”. These are the biggest travel awards in the world and the highest honor that can be conferred to travel and tourism companies. Being able to host the mega-event is certainly a big feather in the cap for India’s travel and tourism industry.
12 December 2012 is the date of the big event. And it is likely that all luxury travel professionals will be keenly waiting for the red carpet to go up on this Delhi event. In the past, India has hosted the Asia ceremony of World Travel Awards twice. However, never before has the country been able to organize the world ceremony. Needless to say, granting a gala event is of utmost importance.
The World Travel Awards will be held on the five-star premises of The Oberoi, Gurgaon. It is an appropriate location given that the luxury hotel earned the tag of “World’s Leading Luxury Hotel, 2011” when the World Travel Awards were held in Doha. The Oberoi Group’s vice-president Kapil Chopra is well aware of the honor that has been conferred on the luxury hotel group. Chopra said, “We are excited to welcome the crème de la crème of the travel industry and give them a memorable experience.”
The Oberoi, for all its luxury credentials, will have its work cut out as it readies to accommodate big names from the world of travel and tourism. Over 300 representatives of hotels and travel companies will descend on the luxury hotel on 12.12.12 to participate in the World Travel Awards 2012. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception at 7.00 pm, followed by the gala dinner and show at 8.00 pm and carriages at 11.00 pm. Guests will have to follow “black tie and national dress” code. Interested parties will have to book their tickets quickly, given that there is huge demand for passes.
The awards will invite entries for various categories across Africa, Asia, Australasia, Caribbean, Europe, Indian Ocean, Middle East, and North, South & Central America. However, instead of a small jury, the entrants will have to vie for the votes of 213,000 travel agents and tourism professionals from 164 countries around the world. Initially, the regional winners will be declared. These winners will then proceed to the Grand Final. It is this Grand Final Gala Ceremony that will be held in India.
Why did the World Travel Awards decided to hold the Gala Final in India this time? Graham E. Cooke, president and founder of the World Travel Awards chose Delhi as the venue because of “the Indian capital’s continuing evolution as a world-class business and leisure destination.” As Oberoi’s Chopra put it, “The spotlight of the world’s travel industry will shine on India this December.” Until then, the potential winners of this year’s World Travel Awards had better start sending in their entries.
