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Mena Travel Awards all set for dazzling return to Dubai

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Dr Saker... Back on demand

THE Mena Travel Awards will take place once again on May 2, 2012 at the Al Meyden Hotel in Dubai. The awards, hosted by CHA under the coordination of president Dr. Sam Saker honours Top Performers of the travel industry. Launched in 2003, the Mena Award has evolved into a prestigious and quality event during which all segments of the travel industry serving the Mena Region are voted for and recognized by the consumer. The event, shelved in 2010 and 2011 due to the regional unrest and the global economic situation returns this year with much anticipation. According to Dr Saker, president of CHA (Consultants of Hospitality Administrators) the organiser of the awards, this is largely due to the continuation of growth and development in the region and based on the strong demand by industry players.

This Gala Event honours and recognises the top talent of each specific region. Over 12 countries & 450 entrants have already extended their support to the event. This year the Mena Travel Awards covers 15 categories that help distinguish key players from each segment of the travel industry, including the number of ties.

There will be over 45 winners in the specifically devised awards system. Hence, we will reveal the three outright winners and ties of Platinum, Gold, and Silver awards for each of the 18 selected industry categories.

On May 2, once again the winners of Mena Travel Awards will be announced during a lavish Oscar style Gala event with over 800 top professionals expected to attend and share experiences and celebrate success stories. The Early Bird distinctive black tie Gala will start with the 7:30pm reception, followed by Dinner and Awards Ceremony at 9pm.

Created to celebrate the skill, creativity, ingenuity and success of the Middle East and North Africa’s growing travel industry. “It is very important to recognise real talent and superior service in our industry to stimulate even higher standards and to applaud the effort made by so many,” says Dr Saker. “That is why we have very carefully designed the Mena Travel Awards to follow very specific procedures to ensure they are first class and have real merit.”

As usual, key to the judging criteria is the (150 / minimum) electronic voting card that each entrant’s category submitted. These will be completed equally by the entrant’s selected end users, guests, customers and trade professionals, who are requested to state their preference along preset criteria and categories which score accordingly in a 45 days voting period, until March 30, 2012.

Successful entrants in each of the categories will be acknowledged as finalists and therefore considered the best in their category and industry segment. Adjudicators will reveal the top three outright winners, Platinum, Gold and Silver, for each of the 18 categories, at the special gala dinner. All entrants are carefully judged by their end users, and then the over all voting outcome was audited / diagnosed by PriceWaterhouse Coopers to ensure integrity.

“What makes these awards so important is that they cover all key travel and hospitality industry sectors” explains Dr Saker. “This also acknowledges the tremendous breadth the whole industry offers today and its continued aims for excellence.”

Candidates for the 15 Award categories cover five and four-star hotels, airlines, spas (separately located or within hotels), golf courses, car rental, conference & convention centres, fine dining and tourism projects. The entrants must have been operating for 12 months prior to the entry deadline. Hence hotel soft openings between January-July 2012 and tourism projects operating since June 2011 were eligible.

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