Sun Group lands major haul of honors at World Travel Awards 2019

Sun Group representative receiving an award at the WTA

This major haul made Sun Group one of the big winners at the global finale of the WTA, often described as "the Oscars of the world travel industry" and capped off a stellar award-winning year – last month, the developer also lifted no less than 17 awards at the World Travel Awards (WTA) Asia-Oceania held on October 12, 2019 on Phu Quoc Island.

At a lavish gala ceremony in Oman, the representatives of the group were presented with awards for two entertainment and resort complexes (Sun World Ba Na Hills and Sun World Fansipan Legend), and one transport infrastructure project (Van Don International Airport), as well as six luxury hotels and resorts.

Hotel de la Coupole MGallery

Located in the former hill station of Sapa in northern Vietnam, Hotel de la Coupole MGallery, created by architect Bill Bensley, was named World’s Leading Design Hotel 2019. Described as a “whimsical new luxury hotel that put the spotlight on Vietnam's mountainous north" by CNN, this evocative five-star accommodation was named World’s Leading Iconic Hotel at the WTA.

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort

In Central Vietnam, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort – a perennial favourite at the WTA – was named World’s Leading Resort Architecture Design 2019 and its premier restaurant, La Maison 1888, was chosen as the World’s Leading Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant 2019. Also named the World’s Leading Luxury Beach Resort 2019, the resort beat off some seriously impressive competition from luxury resorts such as Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui in Thailand, Sani Resort in Greece, InterContinental Bali Resort in Indonesia, Forte Village Resort in Italy, and many others.

Premier Village Danang Resort

Meanwhile, another Sun Group development, Premier Village Danang Resort, located on My Khe Beach, a stunning location in Central Vietnam, was named World's Leading Family Villa Resort 2019 at the awards ceremony.

Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills

The developer was further delighted as Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills was honoured as the World's Leading Themed Resort 2019. Taking inspiration from the classic architectural traditions of France, the hotel offers 470 rooms with seven buildings named after seven famous French cities (from Paris and Lyon to Strasbourg and Marseille). Every room is imbued with elegant interiors and views of a replica French Village.

JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay

Offering world-class services in a truly heavenly setting, JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay was named the World's Leading Resort & Spa 2019 and the World's Leading Luxury Wedding Resort 2019 at the WTA 2019. The sumptuous accommodation is another masterpiece of resort design dreamed up by Bill Bensley.

Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort

Also developed by Sun Group on Phu Quoc Island, Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort was named the World's Leading Beach Villa Resort 2019”. Nestled on a lush peninsula with beach and ocean views to all sides, the property's incredible location offers guests a truly unique experience as they can watch both the serene sunrise and a stunning sunset from the exact same spot.

Along with all of the awards for its hotels and resorts, two major tourism and entertainment complexes developed by Sun Group in Sapa and Danang – namely, Sun World Fansipan Legend and Sun World Ba Na Hills – have also been honoured as the World's Leading Cultural Tourist Attraction 2019 and the World’s Leading Cable Car Ride 2019, respectively, by the WTA.

Last but not least, Sun Group’s Van Don International Airport – the first-ever privately developed airport in Vietnam – overcame rivals from the US, UK, Spain, India, and Singapore to land the highly prestigious prize of the World’s Leading New Airport 2019.

Commenting on Sun Group landing a series of prestigious international awards at the WTA 2019, Dang Minh Truong, chairman of Sun Group, said, “It’s an honour and privilege for Sun Group to receive these awards. Investing in entertainment and resort complexes is extremely costly, but we aspire to raise the profile of Vietnam on the world’s tourism map. Winning these prestigious awards certainly recognises the outstanding quality of Sun Group’s projects and strategic vision, which is in line with the orientations of Resolution No.08 of the Politburo on developing tourism to spearhead the country’s economic sector. These awards are also a source of pride for the whole Vietnamese tourism industry as the country continues on its journey towards becoming one of the most attractive destinations in the region and the world.”

World Travel Awards chairman, Graham Cooke, said: “The level of professionalism and the level of luxury hospitality that Sun Group has brought to their hospitality assets are world-class and world-beating. I have been very impressed with the quality and the uniqueness of their products.”

This is not the first time Sun Group’s projects have been honoured by the WTA. Since InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort was named the World’s Leading Luxury Resort 2014, Sun Group has gone on to develop numerous award-winning resorts and attractions, enhancing Vietnam’s reputation as one of the most attractive destinations for tourism in the region and putting it on the world’s tourism map.

According to the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s latest quarterly tourism monitor, Vietnam was listed among the top 10 destinations welcoming the largest number of arrivals in the Asia-Pacific region, and ranked fourth in Southeast Asia in the number of international arrivals in the first half of 2019. These accomplishments underline the vital contribution of private corporations, such as Sun Group, to Vietnam’s tourism development through the creation of uniquely designed, luxurious, and world-class tourism products.