Abu Dhabi scooped a host of top accolades at the World Travel Awards held as part of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) show in Dubai this week, underlining the high regard in which its blossoming tourism industry is held.
Travel agencies, the tourism authority, airlines, hotels and attractions were among the 17 businesses that won a total of 25 awards.
Yas Waterworld was named the Middle East's Leading Tourism Attraction, the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre was named the Middle East's Leading Convention Centre and the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) won in the categories of the Middle East's Leading Tourist Board and the Middle East's Leading Meetings and Conference Destination.
"This shows Abu Dhabi has some of the best attractions in the world," said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, the director of promotion and overseas offices at TCA Abu Dhabi.
Speaking on Monday, Mr Al Nuaimi said that the first day of the ATM had been "very busy".
"We have 86 participants [representing Abu Dhabi] compared to 64 last year with 52 booths. Each participant has about 20 meetings per day over four days so that's 1,700-something meetings. Hopefully by the end of the four days we will have agreements [with tour operators] in place."
Yas Island and the Sheikh Mansoor Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival had a presence at the ATM this year.
Other travel market awards went to the five-star Qasr Al Sarab for Leading Desert Resort and the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital won in the Middle East's Responsible Tourism Attraction category.
Tourism Development & Investment Company's Saadiyat Island and Saadiyat Beach were named the Middle East's Leading Tourism Development Projects. Jumeirah at Etihad Towers took multiple honours, including the Middle East's Leading Hotel.
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Three stars