Dubai 'Middle East's best holiday destination'

Britons planning luxury holidays in Dubai this year can discover some of the experiences that led to the emirate being voted the Middle East's leading destination at this year's World Travel Awards.

As well as picking up the top destination accolade, Dubai was named the leading cruise port in the region.

Aquaventure at Atlantis The Palm picked up the award for the best tourist attraction in the Middle East, while the Burj Al Arab was voted the leading hotel.

Holidaymakers catching flights to Dubai can travel with Emirates, which emerged as the leading economy class airline, although Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways won the award for best carrier overall.

The Middle East ceremony of the 2011 World Travel Awards took place at the Armani Hotel Dubai last night (May 2nd) and the Europe leg of the programme will be held in Antalya, Turkey on September 2nd.

Graham E Cooke, founder and president of the awards, said: "The Middle East was the perfect region to mark the start of the World Travel Awards 2011 Grand Tour, setting the bar for the rest of the world to raise the standards of excellence in travel and tourism."