Dnata Travel Services wins global acclaim with leading industry award

Dnata’s emergence as a pre-eminent international travel services provider was recognized on the global stage last night, when it was named ‘World’s Leading Travel Management Company’ at the 2009 World Travel Awards.

The prestigious accolade is another boost for Dnata Travel Services, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The award comes after the division was named ‘Middle East’s Leading Travel Management Company’ for the third consecutive year at the regional World Travel Awards in May.

More than 180,000 industry professionals cast their votes in this year’s global World Travel Awards – the highest in its 16-year history.

Dnata Travel Services has an extensive network of almost 200 well-located outlets, all staffed by expert travel consultants. Over the past five years, the company has also grown a wide-reaching international presence, including a complete footprint across the GCC.

Iain Andrew, Divisional Senior Vice President of Dnata Travel Services said: “This award is a great honour for Dnata, representing a powerful vote of confidence from the travel industry and our customers.  I’m very proud that our commitment to the highest standards of service delivery, both in Dubai and throughout our international network, has been recognised by our customers and peers.

“We could not have achieved our international success without the collaboration and support of the Hogg Robinson Group (HRG). Since the beginning of our partnership in 2006, Dnata and HRG have continually raised the bar for service excellence in the region.”

Abdulla Tawakul, Senior Vice President Regional and Corporate Travel said: “Our success in delivering the exacting standards demanded by leading corporate clients is evidenced by the impressive number of accounts we have won from the region’s blue chip industries.”

He added: “Dnata and HRG have together grown a global presence that now spans from Morocco to Sri Lanka and from Afghanistan to Tunisia. Wherever our customers visit us in the world, they can expect expert travel advice and assistance, aided by the industry’s most advanced technology.”

David Radcliffe, CEO of HRG commented: “As our highly valued partner, HRG is delighted that Dnata Travel Services has been recognised with this important award.

“Dnata’s regional expertise, combined with our shared commitment to excellence through our people, technology and breadth of service, have enabled us to set new benchmarks for the region’s travel industry.”

He added: “As the partnership between Dnata and HRG continues to go from strength to strength, I am confident that many more successes will follow.”

Graham Cooke, President and Founder of the World Travel Awards commented: “Having won their regional finals and then been voted as the world’s best by tens of thousands of travel professionals worldwide, this title reflects Dnata Travel Services’ outstanding achievements over the past 12 months, most notably excellence in customer service and proven client satisfaction.”

About Dnata Travel Services (DTS)
Dnata Travel Services’ divisions address every aspect of the travel industry, including corporate travel management, government travel services, luxury holidays, airline and hotel representation, event marketing and management, group and incentive packages and marine services, in addition to general retail travel services.
DTS has around 200 well located outlets across the UAE and GCC. Appointed as Regional Managing Partner for HRG in the Middle East, West Asia and North Africa region in 2006, Dnata has also developed an international network covering 20 countries. In 2008, Dnata cemented its close relationship with the Hogg Robinson Group when it purchased a 23 per cent stake in the business. In 2008, Dnata acquired a 49 per cent stake in customer contact centre specialists Mindpearl, giving its call centre operations true ‘follow the sun’ capabilities.

Dnata Travel Services has won the following awards in 2009:

• Middle East’s Leading Travel Management Company – World Travel Awards Middle East 2009
• UAE’s Leading Destination Management Company (Gulf Ventures) – World Travel Awards Middle East 2009
• Best Large Call Centre 2009 and Call Centre Manager of the Year 2009 – Middle East Call Centre Awards 2009

About Hogg Robinson Group plc (HRG)
HRG, the award-winning international corporate travel services company, was established in 1845 and operates from headquarters in Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK. Its interests include owned or controlled corporate travel services operations in 25 key driver/growth markets throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, which are supported by a network of contracted partners. The HRG network extends to nearly 120 countries, which includes 18 countries in the MEWA region: Abu Dhabi, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Dubai, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen.