In the first edition of the ‘Distintivo W’ Travel Awards, organised by the local radio program ‘Expedición W,’ the Culture Minister for Mexico City, Elena Cepeda de León, was handed the prize for the ‘Best Cultural Heritage Destination of Mexico.’
During the award-presentation ceremony, on receiving the prize, Elena Cepeda highlighted the fact that the Mexican capital is home to no less than four World Heritage Sites: the Historic Centre, University City, Xochimilco and the house of the famous Mexican architect: Luis Barragán, as well as many of the best museums in the country.
Also on the stage at the Hotel W, Mexico City, to receive the prize for ‘Best City Tourism Promotion’ was Alejandro Rojas Díaz-Durán, the local Tourism Minister, who was handed the prize in representation of the whole team who worked arduously on the promotion program for the Mexican capital.
Other award winners included three top-prize categories for the Riviera Maya: Best Tourism Promotion for a Beach Destination, Best Visitor and Convention Office and Best Mexican Beach Destination – Playa del Carmen, an excellent result for, wthout doubt, the most famous beach destination in the country.
Meanwhile, the State of Oaxaca received the prize for Best State Tourism Ministry, along with the honor of Best Sustainable Tourism Destination in Mexico, for the beach resort with the most bays: Huatulco.
Other categories included ‘Best Travel Agency Service’ for American Express Mexico; ‘Best Hotel Service’ which went to the Ventanas al Paraíso Hotel in Los Cabos; ‘Best Airline Service’ awarded to the low-cost carrier Interjet, and ‘Best Coach Services’ which was picked up by the Enlaces Terrestres Nacionales (ETN) coach company.
The list continues with the ‘Best Foreign Tourism Office in Mexico’ which was awarded to the Canadian representation in Mexico; ‘Best Tourism Company to Work For: Experiencias Xcaret; ‘Best Town Destination in Mexico,’ a personal favourite: San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas and, last but not least, the ‘Best Route or Tourism Product’ went to the world-famous railway which runs through Mexico’s Copper Canyon: El Chepe.
In all, fifteen prizes were handed out during the ceremony. In addition, 5 Honorific Mentions were awarded, here are the categories and the lucky recipients: Tourism Promotion in Public Relations – Gaudelli MCW; Best Thematic Concept – Parque Xcaret; Most-Loved Foreign Destination – Las Vegas; Best Travelers Gadget – the iPod and Best Concept for SPA/Healthiness, which was received by the Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort, on the Riviera Nayarit.
The statues of “Icarus” which were handed over to the winners were designed by the well-known Mexican sculptor Delia González and the jury with the unenviable task of sorting through all the possible prize winners was made up of the following journalists:
Alejandro Jiménez, Editor of Opinión for El Universal
Alfredo Villagrán, Editor of the magazine Buen Viaje
Alicia Boy, Director of Boydeviaje.com
Abraham Monterrosas, Editor of Viajes y Estilo de Vida for Terra.com.mx
Beatriz Santos, Editor of the magazine México Desconocido
Brenda Nuñez of Turistampa
Debora Alba, Online Editora for Grupo BT
Enrique Escalona, Editor of Lagiraffe.com
Eugenia Correa, Editorial Director of Grupo BT
Gretel Zanella, Editor of the Destinations section of El Universal
Gustavo Armenta, Editor of Armenta Turismo y Tornavuelta
Humberto Urban, Director of Rinconesdemitierra.com.mx
Luz Elena Cruz, Editor of 8 Columnas in Guadalajara
Mariana Mendoza, Editor of the Foward magazine
Max Schiaffino, Editor of Sazonarte PCTV
Patricia Eversbuch, of Grupo Imagen
Pepe Treviño, Editorial Director for Tripié
