Ibrahim Hassan Al-As |
World Travel Awards (WTA).has named Ibrahim Hassan
Al-Asmakh, President of Regency Group Holdings, as “Travel Personality of the
Year”.
Mr. Al-Asmakh was honoured for his exceptional contribution
to the travel and tourism industry, and his role of transforming Qatar
into a world-class tourism destination.
Mr. Al-Asmakh was born
and raised in Doha, was one of the first entrepreneurs to spot his country’s
tourism potential long before it won hosting rights to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
In 1987, he set up Regency Travel & Tours, which has played a pivotal role
in boosting inbound tourism to Qatar.
Katara Cultural Village |
Meanwhile, the Qatari businessman’s name has been behind
many of the ground-breaking development projects in Doha,
including the Katara
Cultural Village
and the Planet Hollywood Hotel. His Regency Group currently employs more than
2,600 people from 34 different nations.
Mr. Al-Asmakh also served as the first Vice Chairman of the
Qatar Tourism Authority, and his initiatives included relaxing visa regulations
and encouraging the world’s leading hotel chains to tap into Doha’s burgeoning popularity.
Graham E. Cooke, President and Founder, World Travel Awards
said, “On behalf of World Travel Awards, I am delighted to honor a true
industry leader, renowned for his services to travel and tourism, and for
transforming Doha into the world-class destination for leisure, culture, and
sport.”
Planet Hollywood Hotel |
The announcement was made at WTA’s Grand Final Gala
Ceremony, held in Doha, Qatar on January 11, 2012.
The WTA Grand Final 2011 marked the culmination of a
year-long search for the very best travel and tourism brands in the world, and
featured the winners from WTA’s five 2011 regional heats competing head to
head.
Qatar Airways |
Other Qatari winners at the awards included Doha (“World’s Leading Business Travel
Destination”), Qatar Airways (“World’s Leading Airline Business Class”),
Regency Travel & Tours (“World’s Leading Travel Agency”), and Aspire Zone
(“World’s Leading Sports Tourism Development Project”).
International winners on the night included American
Express, Starwood Hotels, Lufthansa, Abercrombie & Kent, Royal Caribbean
Cruise Line, Europcar, and Incredible India.
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