Abu Dhabi's standing as an emerging leisure and business tourism destination was given a boost at this week's Middle East World Travel Awards when five of the sector's stakeholders scooped a total of seven awards at the 22nd annual awards ceremony.

Awarded for excellence and for continually raising the standards of their product and service offerings, a plethora of Abu Dhabi's hotels, attractions, destinations and transportation companies were nominated, with the winners thrust into the spotlight as the destination was recognised for its expanding range of quality experiences following an online poll, which gathered votes from both industry professionals and the general public.

Saadiyat Island's pristine, nine-kilometre beachfront was awarded 'Middle East's Leading Beach Destination. Set on the island's serene natural shores, the 400-metre blue-flagged Saadiyat Public Beach – developed by Tourism Development & Investment CCompany (TDIC) and operated by BAKE – has become a popular spot for visitors and residents to enjoy Abu Dhabi's clean, warm turquoise waters. Saadiyat Beach also boasts the luxury Saadiyat Beach Club, the five-star The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort and Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, and beachfront holes of the Championship-ready Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, which add an additional dimension to the emirate's leading beach destination.

Two of the emirate's leading five-star resort hotels bagged awards, with the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort & Spa by Anantara taking the award for the Leading Desert Spa Resort while the UAE capital's iconic Emirates Palace hotel once again took home the Middle East's Leading Hotel Suite accolade for its luxurious Palace Suite.

Abu Dhabi took the Middle East's Leading Meetings and Conference Destination honour for the third consecutive year, an achievement that reflects the emirate's growing MICE appeal and diversity of experience for visiting delegates according to Mubarak Al Shamisi, Director of the Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, a division of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).

Abu Dhabi's success in the 22nd World Travel Award is testament to the travel industry's efforts to constantly improve their quality of products, experiences, facilities and level of service as the emirates tourism proposition has grown. Our award-winners will now represent Abu Dhabi in the global awards, competing against some of the world's best brands and most popular visitor destinations,â€‌ he said.

We know that business and leisure visitors now have considerably more choice from more destinations across the region, and are confident that the diversity of product represented by all nominated stakeholders will ensure Abu Dhabi continues to compete with the best in the world, added Al Shamisi.

Meanwhile, Etihad Airways – the national airline of the United Arab Emirates – fended off strong regional competition and added to its already bburgeoning trophy cabinet with awards for Middle East's Leading Airline, Middle East's Leading Cabin Crew and Middle East's Leading Airline Best First Class – following the introduction of the airline's Thee Residence by Etihad, billed as the world's most luxurious living space in the air.

The regional winners will compete against other regional award-winners in their category at a lavish World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony to be held in Marrakech, Morocco later in the year. 

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