The Rixos Premium Belek, Antalya on the Turkish Riviera has been chosen to host Europe’s most important travel and tourism awards.

World Travel Awards, described as the ‘Oscars’ of the travel industry, will hold the Europe Gala Ceremony on October 1.

Voting for the leading travel companies, operators and destinations ends on September 10.

“Austerity measures are beginning to bite which means that the World Travel Awards European Gala Ceremony is even more hotly contended than ever”, said Graham E Cooke, founder and president.

“There is a great deal at stake here for all the nominees and winning one of the awards will help give them a much needed competitive edge.”

World Travel Awards, now in its 17th year, is universally recognised as a major champion of excellent customer service, encouraging and inspiring products and services to improve business performance and innovation.

Categories include everything from airlines, hotels, and spas to cruise lines, car rental and golf resorts. There are European overall categories as well as categories for more than 50 countries.

Basak Erel, senior vice president brand management, Rixos Hotels, said that the occasion was not only critical to the development of the European industry but also momentous for Turkey which has been chosen to host the evening.

He also stated that the Rixos Premium Belek, awarded the title of ‘Turkey’s Leading Hotel’ in 2008 and both ‘Turkey’s Leading Hotel’ and ‘Turkey’s Leading Beach Resort’ in 2009, is proud to host such a magnificent event for the most prestigious awards in the tourism and travel industry.

One of the most competitive categories is always Europe’s Leading Airline and in contention this year are Air France, Alitalia, British Airways, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, SAS Scandinavia Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Portugal and Turkish Airlines.

Dr Temel Kotil, CEO of Turkish Airlines, sponsor of the event, said “Our goal is to make sure that passengers flying to Turkey will experience the high quality of service and the overall excellence of Turkish Airlines on our planes. We open the door for new privileges in the sky for the utmost comfort of our passengers.”

“As Turkish Airlines expands its market share in the world airline industry each year, it is also attracting potential passengers into the market with the unusual products and marketing strategies it has developed, offering them the possibility of safer, cheaper, more comfortable transportation,” he added.

Consumers use the list of winners as a reliable guide and means of reassurance when choosing their holiday, a statement said.

Companies and destinations that finish up on the winners podium, receive extensive commercial benefits and global profile.

Winners will be in the final of World Travel Awards in London on November 7, immediately prior to World Travel Market, which will run from November 8 to 11 in London. – TradeArabia News Service