Abu Dhabi: The UAE won 43 of the 65 awards presented at the first edition of the World Travel Awards (WTA) in the Middle East and Africa, which took place in Abu Dhabi.

Dubai was ranked the leading business destination in the Middle East in recognition of its business-friendly environment and international standards of regulations.

Abu Dhabi's tourism promotion plans were also recognised, winning it the award for the leading new destination.

"This is the first time ever that WTA has taken place in a Middle Eastern country, and the selection of Abu Dhabi as the leading new destination does reflect the increasing importance of this new and growing tourist destination," Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, told Gulf News.

The WTA, which was launched in 1993, relies on the votes of travel agencies, tour and transport companies, and tourism organisations.

Hundreds of thousands of votes cast for the Middle East and Africa awards by travel professionals from 167,000 institutions in more than 163 countries were recorded for the first edition.

Graham Cooke, WTA's president, said the awards cover all sectors of the global travel industry and the Middle East and Africa awards winners have a major impact on regional and global tourism

The regional winners are automatically nominated for the global awards. The global winners will be announced at the global WTA ceremony in Providenciales Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean late this year.

The winners

Leading Airline: Etihad Airways
Leading Airport: Dubai
Leading Beach Resort: One & Only Royal Mirage
Leading Business Class Airline: Qatar Airways
Leading Business Destination: Dubai
Leading Business Hotel: Jumeirah Emirates Towers
Leading Business Travel Agency: Kanoo
Leading Car Hire: Europcar
Leading Conference Centre: Dubai World Trade Centre
Leading Conference Hotel: Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
Leading First Class Airline: Etihad Airways
Leading Golf Resort: Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa
Leading Hotel: Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Leading Hotel Brand: Rotana Hotels
Leading Hotel Investment Co: Kingdom Hotel Investments
Leading New Destination: Abu Dhabi
Leading Resort: Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
Leading Spa Resort: Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai
Leading Suite: Palace Suite, Emirates Palace
Leading Tour Operator: Emirates Holidays
Leading Tourism Project: Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Leading Tourism Property Co: Nakheel
Leading Tourist Office: Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority
Leading Travel Agency: Regency Travel & Tours, Qatar
Leading Travel Agency Association: Dubai Travel and Tour Agencies
Leading Travel Management Co: Dnata, Dubai