St Petersburg revealed as host for World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony 2017.
World Travel Awards celebrates its 23rd anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade. Each year World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective successes within each key geographical region.
Saint Petersburg has been recognised as Europe’s Leading Destination for the second year in succession at this year’s World Travel Awards, with Saint Petersburg Committee for Tourism Development Chairman, Andrey Mushkarev, collecting the trophy at a glittering ceremony in Italy.
Also receiving top titles during the Europe Gala Ceremony 2016 at Forte Village Resort in Sardinia were Europcar, taking the trophy for Europe’s Leading Car Rental Company, and the Madeira Islands, which took the title of Europe’s Leading Island Destination.
French tourism capital Lyon was also celebrating after being recognised as Europe’s Leading City Break Destination while Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, was presented with the trophy for Europe’s Leading Luxury City Resort.
In the aviation sector, Lufthansa defended its title of Europe’s Leading Airline.
Running in parallel was the World Spa Awards Gala Ceremony 2016, which was visiting Europe for the first time after debuting in Vietnam last year.
Saint Petersburg Committee for Tourism Development will welcome World Travel Awards to Russia for the first time in 2017, with the Europe Gala Ceremony 2017 set to take place in the capital of culture.
Having itself been recognised as Europe’s Leading Destination in 2016 by voters from the World Travel Awards, the city will take hosting responsibilities next year.
World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke said: “It will be an honour for World Travel Awards to visit for Russia for the first time in 2017.
“Saint Petersburg is one of the most famous cities in the world and this is a fantastic opportunity for the city to take its rightful place as a top rank tourism destination.”
A global cultural centre, Saint Petersburg is more than just home to the Hermitage Museum and the Kirov Ballet.
With an exceptionally rich history, centuries-old traditions and a bright future, this fascinating destination is built on more than 45 islands and has been modeled in the French style by some of the world’s great architects.
Other winners include:
Europe’s Leading Family Resort – Pine Cliffs Resort, a Luxury Collection Resort, Portugal
Europe’s Leading Luxury All Suite Resort – Columbia Beach Resort Pissouri, Cyprus;
Europe’s Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort – Concorde De Luxe Resort, Turkey;
Europe’s Leading Luxury Beach Resort – Forte Village Resort, Italy;
Europe’s Leading Luxury Business Hotel – Jumeirah Carlton Tower, England;
Europe’s Leading Luxury Car Rental Company – Sixt Luxury Cars;
Europe’s Leading Luxury City Resort – Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Italy;
Europe’s Leading Luxury Family Resort – Forte Village Resort, Italy;
Europe’s Leading Luxury Hotel – The Peninsula Paris, France;
Europe’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa – Villa Aurora @ Forte Village Resort, Italy;
Europe’s Leading Luxury Island Resort – JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa, Italy;
Europe’s Leading Luxury Resort – Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa, Turkey;
Europe’s Leading Luxury Resort & Spa – Conrad Algarve, Portugal;
Europe’s Leading Luxury Train – Venice Simplon Orient-Express;
Europe’s Leading Luxury Wedding Resort – Grand Resort Lagonissi, Greece.
Croatia’s Leading Luxury Private Villa – Villa Sheherezade, Dubrovnik.
Europe’s Leading Airline – Lufthansa;
Europe’s Leading Airline – Business Class – Swiss International Air Lines;
Europe’s Leading Airline – Economy Class – Lufthansa;
Europe’s Leading Airline – First Class – British Airways First;
Europe’s Leading Airline to Africa – TAP Portugal;
Europe’s Leading Airline to Asia – British Airways;
Europe’s Leading Airline to North America – Virgin Atlantic Airways;
Europe’s Leading Airline to South America – TAP Portugal;
Europe’s Leading Airport – Zurich Airport, Switzerland;
Europe’s Leading Airport Hotel – Hilton London Heathrow Airport, England;
Europe’s Leading Airport Lounge – Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse @ London Heathrow Airport;
Europe’s Leading All Suite Hotel – Hotel Les Ottomans, Turkey;
Europe’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort – Pestana Porto Santo All Inclusive & Spa Beach Resort, Portugal;
Europe’s Leading Beach Destination – The Algarve, Portugal.
