EarthCheck

Egypt’s Hospitality Triumphs in Travel Tribute

Congratulations to EarthCheck Member Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna Hurghada, Egypt, who took out the title of Africa's Leading Beach Hotel and Egypt's Leading Honeymoon Resort in the recent World Travel Awards.

The resilience of Egypt's travel and tourism industry has been acknowledged at a VIP gala ceremony hosted by World Travel Awards at the SOHO Square, Sharm el Sheikh; the Red Sea's premier dining, shopping and entertainment complex.

A number of Egyptian tourist attractions, hotels and organisations emerged victorious at the WTA 2011 Africa & Indian Ocean Ceremony.

Winners included the Pyramids of Giza, which beat off stiff competition from Victoria Falls, Serengeti National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro to win "Africa's Leading Attraction". Meanwhile Egypt Air saw off the likes of South African Airways, Air Namibia, Kenya Airways and Royal Air Maroc to collect "Africa's Leading Business Class Airline".

Congratulations also went out to EarthCheck Member Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna Hurghada, Egypt, who took out the titles of Africa's Leading Beach Hotel and Egypt's Leading Honeymoon Resort.

The industry's elite - including government ministers, tourist board chiefs and CEOs of blue-chip travel companies - travelled from across Africa and the Indian Ocean to attend the glittering gala ceremony, which was headlined by Lebanese music sensation Carole Samaha.

The raft of media in attendance included National Geographic Traveller, Discovery Channel, Newsweek, Weltexpress and Times of India.

Graham E. Cooke, President & Founder, World Travel Awards, highlighted travel and tourism's crucial role in Egypt's new era of democracy and opportunity.

He said: "Egypt is proving a textbook example of world-class destinations demonstrating an incredible ability to bounce back. Its phenomenal array of attractions - from the Pyramids of Giza and the temples of Luxor to the diving and beaches of Sharm El Sheikh - will ensure that tourism remains integral to the evolution of the new Egypt.

"Hosting our Africa & Indian Ocean Ceremony in Sharm el Sheikh is a celebration of how travel and tourism is serving as a force for good and a catalyst for change," he added.

The WTA ceremony comes ahead of Egypt hosting the United Nations World Tourism Organization's World Tourism Day, which will be celebrated in the city of Aswan on 27th September.

The Africa & Indian Ocean Ceremony marks the third heat of the WTA 2011 Grand Tour. Regional legs will follow in Bangkok, Thailand (28th September) and Montego Bay, Jamaica (19th October).

For the full list of Africa and Indian Ocean winners visit: Africa: www.worldtravelawards.com/winners2011-3