India to Host World Travel Awards Grand Final

London (United Kingdom) – 5 April 2012 – World Travel Awards (WTA), the “Oscars of the travel industry,” has announced it will host its Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2012 at The Oberoi, Gurgaon, New Delhi capital region, India, on December 12, 2012.

The event will mark the first time that WTA’s Grand Final will be hosted in Asia. The WTA organizers chose Delhi as host due to the Indian capital’s continuing evolution as a world-class business and leisure destination. In particular, Delhi’s luxury hospitality sector is enjoying a golden age, spearheaded by the likes of The Oberoi, Gurgaon.

This was reflected at WTA’s Grand Final 2011 in Qatar, when The Oberoi, Gurgaon, emerged victorious in the hotly-contested “World’s Leading Luxury Hotel” category. Meanwhile, India saw off competition from London, New York, Cape Town, Rio de Janeiro, and Sydney to win the award for “World’s Leading Destination.”

Graham E Cooke, President and Founder, WTA, said: “The selection of our hosts is fundamental to the success of our awards program, and Delhi possesses all the ingredients to rise to the challenge of hosting our Grand Final. The ceremony also aims to highlight the growing contribution of travel and tourism to the Indian economy. The number of international tourists has doubled in less than a decade, and by 2015 the industry is expected to create an additional 25 million jobs in India.”

He added: “The Oberoi, Gurgaon, exemplifies India’s emergence as a new tourism superpower. Since opening last year, this exquisite property has set a new precedent for luxury, not just in India but globally, and it serves as an excellent hub both for business and for leisure.”

Set over nine lush acres of landscaped gardens, The Oberoi, Gurgaon, offers an urban sanctuary presiding over a quiet resort setting, personalized service, and the best of modern amenities, all in the heart of the business and commercial district of Delhi.

The hotel is a 15-minute drive from Delhi International Airport, and also within easy reach from the New Delhi city center; major sightseeing destinations; and the entertainment, shopping, and recreation hubs in Gurgaon city.

Kapil Chopra, Executive Vice President, The Oberoi Group, said: “We are indeed privileged to host the Grand Final Gala Ceremony in December 2012. WTA celebrates the best in the hospitality and tourism industries. Having just bagged the honour of ‘World’s Leading Luxury Hotel’ in 2011, we are very excited to welcome the crème de la crème of the travel industry to The Oberoi, Gurgaon, and look forward to offering them a memorable experience. The event is also an excellent opportunity for Indian tourism industry. The spotlight of the world’s travel industry will definitely be shining on India this December.”

The glittering WTA Grand Final 2012 will attract the most important decision-makers in global travel and tourism as they compete for the most revered accolade in the industry.

The night will mark the culmination of a year-long search for the very best travel and tourism brands in the world, and will feature the regional winners from WTA’s Grand Tour 2012 competing head to head. Regional heats in 2012 will be taking place in Dubai (UAE), Turks & Caicos, Nairobi (Kenya), Algarve (Portugal), and Singapore.

Media Contact:
Anton Santos
T: +44 (0)20 7925 0000
E: anton@worldtravelawards.com
W: www.worldtravelawards.com