Monday November 9, 2009
Malaysia a big Asian region winner at World Travel Awards
By CHOI TUCK WO
LONDON: Malaysia swept seven Asian awards at the prestigious World Travel Awards 2009’s regional finals here on Saturday.
Dubbed the “Oscars” of the global tourism industry, the awards are recognised as the highest accolade within the travel industry.
Malaysia Airlines bagged Asia’s Leading Airline award, while Resorts World Genting scooped Asia’s Leading Family Resort and Asia’s Leading Casino Resort titles.
Tourism Malaysia’s “Malaysia: Truly Asia” tagline was also voted Asia’s leading marketing campaign at the star-studded function in Grosvenor House, a JW Marriot Hotel, in London’s Mayfair.
All smiles: MAS regional manager for United Kingdom and Ireland Syed Abdillah Syed Aziz (second from left) and Dr Munir (third from left) posing with their awards after the ceremony in London on Saturday. With them are (from left) Lilis Surianty, Huong, Yvonne Kow and Miss China Yu Sheng. Hilton Kuala Lumpur took home two titles — for Asia’s Leading City Hotel and Asia’s Leading Design Hotel — while Asia’s Leading Airport Hotel award went to Pan-Pacific Kuala Lumpur International Airport Hotel.
MAS chairman Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid and Genting Malaysia Berhad president and chief operating officer Datuk Lee Choong Yan received their awards from Miss Vietnam/ Miss World 2009 contestant Huong Giang.
Dr Majid said the recognition bore testament that the global industry and travellers recognised the national carrier’s brand of service delivery.
“Our focus has always been on serving customers, with a commitment towards continuous service, improvement and delivery,” he said.
Lee said the awards would further encourage them to consistently provide memorable guest experience through innovative products and services.
“I am also confident these awards will help Malaysia enhance its reputation in the tourism industry and attract more visitors to our resort and the country,” he added.
Regional awards were also presented to winners in the Australasia and Indian Ocean as well as the Caribbean and South America regions.
In the category of individual countries, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur was voted Malaysia’s Leading Hotel; Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia’s Leading Business Hotel); Sheraton Langkawi Resort (Malaysia’s Leading Resort) and Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa in Penang (Malaysia’s Leading Spa Resort).
The event was attended by more than 1,000 senior management and decision-makers from the global travel and tourism industry.
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