Antalya Jewel of Turkey

Mardan Palace Won “Europe’s Leading Luxury Hotel”

Turkey is one of the tourism success stories of the millennium. In the first four months of this year alone, tourist numbers rose 21 percent from the comparable period of 2010. Fuelling the growth is the country’s tourism jewel of Antalya, and its incredible beaches, hotels, history and climate.

The region is also forging a reputation as a hub for meetings, with its congress centre able to accommodate more than 50,000 delegates. The latest high-power event to be hosted in Antalya is the 2014 ICCA Congress, with the announcement made at IMEX-Frankfurt in 26th of May 2011.
The announcement follows news that Antalya is to host the World Travel Awards 2011 Europe Ceremony for the second in succession. On 2 September, Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa will step up to host the prestigious event, dubbed by the media as “The Oscars of the Travel Industry”. The luxury resort is located next to the beautiful beach of Iskele Mevkii.
The event follows the success of last year’s World Travel Awards, which was hosted at the nearby Rixos Premium Belek.
The industry’s top brass – including CEOs and directors of leading travel companies, government ministers and tourist board chiefs – all gathered to battle it out at the most important evening of the year in European travel and tourism.
It proved a great year for Turkish travel and tourism companies. Turkish Airlines picked up the award for “Europe’s Leading Airline Business Class” following 12 months in which it posted record profits, grew market share and continued its global expansion.
Two of Turkey’s brightest hospitality stars, both in Antalya, picked up top awards – Mardan Palace won “Europe’s Leading Luxury Hotel” and Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa collected “Europe’s Leading Luxury Resort”.  And there was even more good news for the Turkey, which also walked away with “Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Hotel” for Rixos Sungate, “Europe’s Leading Tourist Board” for the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office and “Europe’s Leading Destination” for Istanbul.