Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island has been voted as the ’Middle East’s Leading Tourism Development Project’ by the 2009 World Travel Awards, one of the tourism industry’s most reputable accolades.

The award was presented to Ahmed Hussein, Chief Operating Officer of Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) and Deputy Director General of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), during the annual World Travel Awards (WTA) gala dinner held in Dubai last evening.

Saadiyat Island was chosen as the region’s leading tourism project ahead of 15 finalists from the region.

The event, which has been hailed as the ’Oscars of the Travel Industry’ by the Wall Street Journal, celebrated the travel and tourism industry’s best practices by recognising achievements from over 100 travel and tourism brands from across the Middle East.

’Receiving such a prestigious award is a testament of the important role TDIC, and its flagship project Saadiyat Island, play in supporting Abu Dhabi to achieve its long-term goal of becoming a leading global destination,’ commented Hussein. ’Moreover, I have no doubt that Saadiyat Island’s strategic partnerships with world-leading brands will make this an iconic destination that will be recognised throughout the world for many years to come.’ Saadiyat will eventually be home to an estimated 160,000 residents with a full complement of leisure and tourism facilities, as well as civic and cultural amenities. Saadiyat Island’s prime location, together with its transportation infrastructure, guarantees fast links to Abu Dhabi city and the airport through the 10-lane Saadiyat Bridge which will be competed by end of 2009 and the Saadiyat link.

Founder of the World Travel Awards, Graham Cooke said, ’Large tourism development projects of today will be the anchor destinations of tomorrow. Saadiyat Island is one of those developments that will play an important part in the region’s tourism sector. It is also worth mentioning that while most ambitious tourism developments have stalled, Saadiyat Island is progressing with full steam. This award symbolises that the world’s travel, tourism and hospitality industry recognises and celebrates Abu Dhabi’s vision in creating Saadiyat Island.’ When Saadiyat Island is fully developed by 2020, it will host premium brands in hospitality, education and leisure, combined with the world’s largest concentration of cultural institutions, all within easy reach of each other.

There are plans for luxury hotels, over three million square metres of office space, marinas with berths for 1,000 boats, two championship golf courses, civic and leisure facilities, sea-view apartments and elite villas.

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