Abu Dhabi - 18 October 2016

The distinguished panel of judges who will name the finalists of the 2nd edition of World Halal Tourism Awards is officially announced today.

The members of the panel come from top halal tourism industry players with invaluable contribution and halal industry expertise.

The panelist will include: Elnur Seyidil (Chairman of the Board, HalalBooking.com), Riyanto Sofyan (Chairman, Sofyan Hospitality), Kamraan Siddiqui (CEO, Holiday Bosnia), Martin Persson (COO, Jannah Hotels), Faeez Fadlillah (CEO, Tripfez), Aldin Dugonjic (Director, Center for Halal Quality Certification), Nabeel Shariff (Director, Serendipity), Ray Fattahi (Founder and CEO, Islamic Travel) and Yazan Al Khadir (Tourism Attache, Jordan Tourism Board).

The World Halal Tourism Awards 2016 extended its deadline of nomination until 21st October due to overwhelming requests received from partners, industry colleagues and travel & tourism professionals. The extension of deadline for nomination will give companies, government bodies and other travel and tourism related companies ample time to cast their nomination.

The nomination started on 11th September 2016 across 16 award categories, including Best Halal Tour Operator, Best Family Friendly Hotel and World's Best Non OIC Emerging Halal Destination, to name a few.

The World Halal Tourism Awards is the first award giving body to solely represent the Halal and family-friendly travel and tourism industry. Andy Buchanan, Executive Organising Committee Director - International Travel Week Abu Dhabi, says, “We are more than honored to announce the complete list of notable top executives and industry players from the halal hospitality and tourism industry who will recognize this year’s finalists of the most coveted awards during WHTA.”

The winners and runners-up of the 2016 World Halal Tourism Awards will be announced at a glittering ceremony on 7th December 2016.

The World Halal Tourism Awards 2016 categories are:

1. World's Best Airline for Halal Travellers

2. World's Best Airport for Halal Travellers

3. World's Best Family Friendly Hotel

4. World's Most Luxurious Family Friendly Hotel

5. World's Best Halal Apartment Hotel

6. World's Best Halal Beach Resort

7. World's Best Halal Tour Operator

8. World's Best Halal Travel Website

9. World's Best Halal Cruise Company

10. World's Best Halal Honeymoon Destination

11. World's Best Hajj & Umrah Operator

12. World's Best Hajj & Umrah Hotel

13. World's Best Halal Destination

14. World's Best Halal Culinary Destination

15. World's Best Halal Cultural Destination

16. World's Best Non OIC Emerging Halal Destination

With the adjustments on dates, the shortlist of nominees will be announced on 23rd October after which the public voting will open on 24th October and will close on 25th November 2016.

-Ends-

About International Travel Week Abu Dhabi 2017 
ITW Abu Dhabi is the world’s largest hosted buyer programme – providing a unique and powerful backdrop against which the tourism industry’s key players will seek to shape future business and maximise new revenue streams within the fastest growing travel sector that is halal, medical and shopping tourism.

Taking place from November 25 to 28, 2017, at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, ITW Abu Dhabi will aim to deliver a comprehensive programme which will combine targeted meetings with first-class networking opportunities, inspiring knowledge-bound seminars and innovative experiences, culminating in a glittering gala awards evening to celebrate outstanding achievements across the international halal tourism landscape.

www.itwabudhabi.com

For more information please contact:

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© Press Release 2016