Twelve of Carlson Rezidor’s European hotels were honored as being among the best in the world and earned coveted 2014 World Travel Awards at a gala ceremony in Athens this week. Noted as one of the most prestigious achievements, World Travel Awards, now in its 21st year, sets the standard for all sectors of the travel and tourism industry. Hailed as “the Oscars of the travel industry,” World Travel Awards is acknowledged as the ultimate travel accolade. The awards celebrate organizations that push the boundaries of excellence in the industry. Winners are selected by travel professionals and high-end tourism consumers.
“We are very proud to win 12 awards this year, and proud of the outstanding level of service that our hotels provide in order to win these awards,” said Wolfgang M. Neumann, president and chief executive officer of The Rezidor Hotel Group. “It is a testament to our commitment in providing unique hospitality, with a Z-factor, to our guests.”
The big Carlson Rezidor winner of the evening was the Radisson Royal Hotel, Moscow, Russia, which was recognized as the best in three categories:
- Europe's Leading Luxury Business Hotel
- Europe's Leading MICE Hotel
- Russia's Leading Hotel Residences
Carlson Rezidor’s newest flagship hotel in Europe, Radisson Blu Paradise Resort & Spa, Sochi, Russia, was awarded as Europe's Leading New Resort. In neighboring Georgia, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Batumi was named Georgia's Leading Hotel.
In Belgium, the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Brussels received Belgium's Leading Hotel and Belgium's Leading Hotel Suite awards. Radisson Blu Saga Hotel, Reykjavik won Iceland's Leading Business Hotel and Iceland's Leading Resort. The nearby Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel, Reykjavik was honored as Iceland's Leading Hotel. Rounding off the series of awards in Europe, the Radisson Blu Resort, Trysil earned its place as Norway's Leading Resort.
The European awards were the second of the regional awards, following on the heels of the Middle Eastern awards gala held in Dubai earlier this year. The Radisson Blu Tala Bay Resort, Aqaba claimed victory as Jordan’s Leading Beach Resort at that awards ceremony.
Next on the agenda is the South & Central America Gala Ceremony in Quito, Ecuador, on Aug. 9. World Travel Awards will make regional award stops in Abuja, Nigeria, and the Caribbean island of Anguilla before the 2014 Grand Final World Travel Awards in Marrakech, Morocco, in November.
A full list of winners can be viewed at www.worldtravelawards.com/winners.