Award-winning tourism players at the World Travel Awards in Bahrain

Award-winning tourism players at the World Travel Awards in Bahrain

09-12-25

On 6 December 2025, the World Travel Awards (WTA) held its Grand Final at Exhibition World Bahrain, bringing together the most outstanding leaders of the international tourism sector. Throughout a dazzling gala, the industry honoured the organisations that have made a difference in quality, innovation and service, thus consolidating their position as global benchmarks.

Among the winners, the island destination Maldives was crowned “World’s Leading Destination”, while Athens was named “World’s Leading City Break Destination”. In the adventure tourism category, the award went to Chile, and Tanzania was chosen as “World’s Leading Safari Destination”. Jamaica, for its part, received the title of “World’s Leading Cruise Destination”.

The hotel sector also played a prominent role: The St. Regis The Palm received the award for best hotel service, while Katara Hospitality was recognised as “World’s Leading Hospitality Development Company”. In the luxury private islands category, Jumeirah Thanda Island prevailed as “World’s Leading Exclusive Private Island”.

As for new openings, the Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek was named “World’s Leading New Hotel” and The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort received the award for “World’s Leading New Resort”.

The airline industry —key to international connectivity— was also widely recognised. Qatar Airways won the awards for “World’s Leading Airline” and “World’s Leading Airline – Business Class”, while Etihad Airways triumphed in categories such as “Economy Class”, “Customer Experience” and “Airline Lounge – Business Class”. Emirates was honoured as “World’s Leading Airline – First Class” and “World’s Leading Airline Brand”, in addition to receiving recognition for its “First Class Lounge”.

The Star Alliance group was also recognised as “World’s Leading Airline Alliance”. In the low-cost segment, AirAsia took home “World’s Leading Low-Cost Airline” and “World’s Leading Low-Cost Airline Cabin Crew”. TAP Air Portugal, for its part, was distinguished as “World’s Leading Airline to Africa” and “World’s Leading Airline to South America”.

The WTA 2025 Grand Final was also the culmination of the WTA Grand Tour 2025, a global series of regional ceremonies that this year took place in countries such as Tanzania, Mexico, Saint Lucia, Hong Kong, Italy and the United Arab Emirates, before concluding in Bahrain.

For the founder of the awards, Graham Cooke, this edition “has brought together the luminaries of world tourism, with examples that raise the global standard.”

The choice of the Kingdom of Bahrain as the host of the gala reinforces its ambition to become a hub for international tourism. The archipelago, with its millennia-old history and strategic location, is increasingly consolidating itself as an ideal destination for major MICE events.

Since its creation in 1993, the World Travel Awards has become the most prestigious seal of tourism excellence, recognising the very best of the sector in every corner of the planet. Its winners set the pace of the industry and establish the standards to which all aspire.

In 2025, the ceremony in Bahrain not only rewarded excellence, but also highlighted the great diversity of international tourism: paradisiacal destinations, vibrant cities, innovative hotels, cutting-edge airlines and unique cultural and natural resorts, all united under a global standard of quality. The result is an X-ray of world tourism that combines tradition, modernity and a clear vision of the future.

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