Mauritius, Seychelles, and the Maldives won majority of the awards for the Indian Ocean in this year’s prestigious World Travel Awards.

The World Travel Awards Africa and Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony in Johannesburg on Wednesday, July 7, was attended by 1,200 of the region’s most senior industry leaders.

Representatives for the islands walked away in triumph with so many of the accolades as CEOs, directors of leading travel companies, government ministers, heads of tourism departments and destinations, industry association leaders, and celebrities looked on.

Air Mauritius was awarded the Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline and Mauritius’s Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport won the title of Leading Airport.

The Indian Ocean Leading Destination award also went to Mauritius along with the new category of Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination won by legendary Hotel Trou Aux Biches.

The awards, established 17 years ago, are committed to raising the standards of customer service and overall business performance throughout the international industry.

Winners of the regional ceremony will now go on to compete in World Travel Awards 2010 final in London, immediately before World Travel Market on Sunday, November 7.

Wednesday, July 07, 2010 Sydney Airport has welcomed the commencement today of an Air Mauritius service between Sydney and Mauritius.

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport has car rental desks serviced by ABC car rentals, ADA co Ltd, Avis, Budget, Europcar, First Car rental and SIXT.