LONDON, England – The iconic Gulf Hotel Bahrain has won a prestigious World Travel Market 2014 World Travel Leaders Award in recognition of its consistently excellent service over the last 45 years.
The coveted accolade was presented today by Travel Tourism News Middle East Publishing Director, Ms Kim Thomson to Gulf Hotels Group Chairman Farouk Almoayyed and Chief Executive Officer and Board Member Aqeel Raees at the WTM World Travel Leaders Award ceremony.
The Awards give WTM’s Official Media Partners – which represent key travel industry media around the world – an excellent platform to congratulate and recognise those companies and individuals that have made the greatest contributions to travel and tourism in their region or sector.
Three nominations from each of WTM’s media partners were judged in September by a panel of three, consisting of an independent body, a representative of WTM and the relevant media partner.
The Gulf Hotel Bahrain opened in 1969 as Bahrain’s first five-star hotel with 130 bedrooms and a couple of food and beverage outlets.
The hotel has moved with the times and has changed beyond all recognition. Today, the property consists of 359 bedrooms, 97 luxury apartments, nine award-winning, fine dining restaurants and 29 conference and meeting venues, including the 2,200 seat Gulf Convention Centre.
The continued evolution of the hotel has enabled it to maintain its leading position in the five-star market and despite intensive competition from numerous chain hotels, the Gulf Hotel continues to remain popular and competitive.
Over its 45 years in operation, the hotel has greeted an estimated 16 million guests and has been at the forefront of promoting the employment of Bahraini nationals in the hotel industry. It was the first five-star property to appoint a Bahraini general manager back in 1980.
Reed Travel Exhibitions, Senior Director, World Travel Market, Simon Press said: “The Gulf Hotel and Gulf Convention Centre established itself as Bahrain’s original five-star hotel when it opened its doors in October 1969. Today, the hotel has secured its presence as the Kingdom’s first and most luxurious property, providing exceptional service and outstanding quality standards for over 40 years.”
Every year, World Travel Leaders Awards are presented at WTM. The full list of 2014 winners is:
Brazil: Eduardo Nascimento, President of Nascimento Turismo Operadora
China: James Liang, Chairman and CEO of Ctrip.com
India: Jehangir Katgara, Chairman Managing Director of TBI Trail Blazer Tours India Private Limited
Italy: Venetian Villas
Portugal: André Jordan, Founder of the André Jordan Group
Russia: Association of Tour Operators
Spain: Turespaña
Travolution/technology: David Speakman, Chairman, Travel Counsellors
UK: EasyJet
Middle East: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
USA: Roger Dow, CEO, US Travel
Canada: Air Canada