Business Traveller (Middle East)
The winners of the hotly anticipated Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2020 revealed
The results of the hotly anticipated Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2020 are in
The winners of Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2020, one of the region’s most prestigious travel industry awards programmes, have finally been revealed. More than 250 industry professionals logged onto Zoom and Facebook Live on October 20 to find out who had been crowned the best of the best, with the awards ceremony staged online for the first time in the event’s 18-year history. Showcasing companies at the forefront of business travel and services, the popular awards programme, which was
launched in 2002, recognises top-level industry executives for their hard work and commitment and acknowledges organisations that are leaders in delivering products and services for the frequent travelling executive.
Results are based on reader votes only, with voting for this year’s awards conducted online between February and September, supported by vote processing partner Jacobsons Direct Marketing.
The 2020 programme acknowledged the achievements of industry-leading airports, hotels, airlines and other travel services across 36 categories, with trophies presented to winners after the online event took place.
Ian Fairservice, Managing Partner at Motivate Media Group, who delivered and presented many of trophies in person, said: “It’s been an incredibly challenging year for the travel and hospitality sector so it is more important than ever that we recognise companies that have gone above and beyond in business travel during this period.”
The industry had proven remarkably robust, embracing change and pursuing innovation, with the GCC a “trailblazer” in this respect, he said.
“Many of you have played a pivotal role in adapting to the ‘new normal’ in spectacular ways,” he said in reference to winning and shortlisted companies emphasising that “post- COVID, the region had proven a global tourism leader in terms of health and safety innovation and best practice”.
Fairservice stressed that despite current travel restrictionsn globally and the popularity of meeting technology, “people want to travel to conduct business face to face and form relationships in person”.
“This desire for human interaction and connection does not falter
Many of you have played a pivotal role in adapting to the ‘new normal’ in spectacular ways
and the Gulf, with its outstanding tourism and business infrastructure, aviation hub status, admired service culture, commitment to excellence and innovation and perhaps most important, its warm Arabian hospitality, famous the world over, is well placed to lead the recovery of the travel sector,” he said.
“The Business Traveller Middle East awards acknowledge these attributes. They honour the achievements of the people and businesses that continue to put the Gulf on the world tourism map.”
THE CREAM OF THE CROP
When it came to giving out the gongs, Emirates Airline was once again a major winner, scooping four awards in total including another consecutive win for Best Airline Worldwide.
The Dubai carrier was also awarded Airline with the Best Cabin Crew, Best First Class and Best Airport Lounge, while Qatar Airways picked up the Best Business Class award this year.
Singapore Airlines won Best Premium Economy Class and also Best Asian Airline Serving the Middle East and UAE flag carrier Etihad Airways picked up the prize for Best Economy Class and Best Frequent-Flyer Programme.
This year, German airline Lufthansa won the award for Best European Airline Serving the Middle East. Best Regional Airline went to Turkish Airlines, while flydubai won Best Low-Cost Airline.
Dubai International Airport was crowned Best Airport in the Middle East and Best Airport For Duty Free Shopping, while Singapore Changi Airport was once again voted Best Airport in the World.
Avis also retained its Best Car Rental Company in the region title with another win in this category for 2020.
The honour of Best Business Hotel Brand in the World went
The awards honour those who continue to put the Gulf on the world tourism map
to InterContinental, marking its third consecutive year at the top, while Rotana held on to the title of Best Business Hotel Brand In The Middle East. Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre took home the overall award for
Best Business Hotel in the Region, its second award of the proceedings having also collected Best Business Hotel in Dubai. The award for Best New Business Hotel in the Middle East this year was taken by Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences, which also picked up Best Business Hotel in Riyadh.
Best Budget Hotel Brand was awarded to Rove Hotels and The Ascott Limited remained undefeated in the category of Best Serviced Apartments Brand in the Middle East, having held the title since 2018. Meanwhile, the Best Hotel Loyalty Programme in the Middle East went again to Marriott Bonvoy.
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our readers and partners for supporting the Business Traveller Middle East Awards in what has been one of the most challenging years in modern history and to congratulate our winners, as well as those shortlisted, for their hard work and dedication to the travel and tourism sector.