World Travel Awards Europe 2007
9th October 2007
The Gosforth Marriott, Newcastle upon Tyne
North East England found itself at the centre of the world’s stage this autumn after being chosen to host the first ever World travel Awards Europe.
The prestigious awards ceremony was broadcast into more than 250 million homes in over 160 countries via BBC World, and was also seen in 1.3 million hotel rooms and on 36 airlines and 46 cruise ships.
The world’s media and 500 travel professionals descended on the region, helping to raise the profile of North East England as a fantastic travel destination.
North East England was chosen as the venue for the European-leg of the celebrations after One NorthEast’s Regional Image campaign won the award for the “World’s Leading Regional Marketing Campaign” for the last two years in a row.
It is the first year the World Travel Awards have held regional award ceremonies with the finals being held in Turks and Caicos, Carribean in December. North East England will be joining some of the biggest names in travel who have hosted the finals in previous years including Hollywood, Las Vegas, the Bahamas, St Lucia and Barbados.
Trophies were awarded in almost 1,000 categories making the World Travel Awards the most comprehensive awards celebration and the winners represent the crème de la crème of the global travel industry. At last year’s finals, also in Turks and Caicos, 25 countries were represented from the Maldives to New Zealand.
As well as the awards ceremony on October 9th there was also a CEO Forum on October 8th attracting 200 of the world’s top travel executives such as Salvator Catania, CEO of Europcar as well as discerning figures from the region including Paul Callaghan, chairman of Leighton group and John Hays, Managing Director of Hays Travel. Guest speakers included chairman of VisitBritain Christopher Rodrigues.
Stacy Hall, Director of Communications and Tourism said: “Being named as hosts of the first-ever World Travel Awards Europe has opened up a number of exciting opportunities to promote the region on a global scale.
“The World Travel Awards provide the region with a valuable opportunity to demonstrate in exuberant style why it has become a serious contender in the tourism industry and is fast gaining a reputation as a must-see destination.
Regional tours were provided for media as well as the delegates to give them a taste of what is on offer in the region and encourage them to return as leisure visitors.
The region was again recognised nationally and internationally, with Seaham Hall being named ‘England’s leading Spa Resort’, and DFDS winning the title of ‘Europe’s Leading North Sea Ferry Operator’.
For more information about the World Travel Awards visit the website www.worldtravelawards.com/event17