From The Straits Times    |

The World Travel Awards, also known as the ‘Oscars of the travel industry’, were given away on Wednesday at a ceremony in New Delhi.

This year, four Singapore travel and hospitality companies took top honours again at the annual award ceremony; all four are multi-time winners at the World Travel Awards.

Changi Airport was named as “World’s Leading Airport” for the third year running while Singapore Airlines won the “World’s Leading Airline Business Class” accolade and “World’s Leading Airline to Asia”. Pan Pacific Singapore was awarded the title of the “World’s Leading Business Hotel” and the “World’s Leading Casino Resort” title went to Marina Bay Sands.

Other notable Singapore winners include Banyan Tree (Asia’s Leading Resort Brand), PSA Singapore (Asia’s Leading Cruise Port) and Resorts World Sentosa (Asia’s Leading Themed Resort).

Here’s a look at the world’s leading destinations and travel organisations that were celebrated at the World Travel Awards:

World Travel Awards 2012
Jamaica was chosen at the World Travel Awards as most romantic destination.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Where to go for an island romance
Jamaica
won the “World’s Most Romantic Destination,” while the Maldives received the “World’s Leading Island Destination” and Mauritius the “World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination.”

Top destination for eco-tourists and foodies
It seems like the place to visit for either an ecotourism or food experience is Peru as the country received awards for “World’s Leading Culinary Destination” and the “World’s Leading Green Destination” for Machu Picchu, an Inca citadel located 2,430 meters above sea level.

Etihad Airways wins “World’s Leading Airline” again
Among the winners in the airline categories, Etihad Airways was voted as the “World’s Leading Airline” for the fourth consecutive year. The Abu-Dhabi based carrier also received the “World’s Leading Airline First Class” award. 2012 has been a particularly good year for the carrier. At the Skytrax World Airline Awards in July 2012, the company received the “best first-class” title for the third consecutive year, as well as “best first-class seats” and “best first-class catering.”

World Travel Awards 2012

Lufthansa was named the “World’s Leading Airline Economy Class” and European low-cost airline easyJet received the honors for “World’s Leading Low-Cost Airline.”

The world’s best rail service
High-speed rail network, Eurostar, linking the UK with continental Europe won the “World’s Leading Rail Service” award.

Top hotels in the world celebrated
The “World’s Leading Hotel” was given to Dubai’s Burj al Arab, the “World’s Leading Resort” award went to to Italy’s Forte Village Resort and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts picked up “World’s Leading Hotel Brand.”

The complete list of winners is available at www.worldtravelawards.com/winners2012-1.