The announcement was made at a press conference held on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market,  jointly hosted by World Travel Awards (WTA) President Graham Cooke, Moroccan Minister of Tourism, Lahcen Haddad, and Chairman of Innovate Marketing Solutions, Mohammed Arkobi. Speaking at the event, the WTA president said: “This is a momentous day for World Travel Awards and for the Moroccan tourism industry. “Morocco is the ideal destination for World Travel Awards; growing rapidly to become the leading tourism destination in the region.” “There is so much to offer, from the beaches of Agadir, to the splendor of the Atlas Mountains and the cosmopolitan chic of downtown Rabat.” The first event will take place in the beautiful city of Marrakech later this year. “Securing hosting rights for the World Travel Awards Grand Final is just the latest coup for Morocco, which has been able to use its reputation as one of the most politically stable destinations in the region to significantly increase its tourism revenue in recent years,” said Cooke. “One of North Africa’s top tourist destinations, its dusty deserts, snow-capped Atlas Mountains, medieval medinas, and pristine beaches continue to delight and amaze visitors, said the Moroccan minister. “Hosting the World Travel Awards Grand Final will be a defining event in enhancing the awareness of the Kingdom of Morocco among the most powerful leaders of the travel and hospitality industry.” “We are true believers that Morocco will be among top 20 tourist destinations in the world shortly”, said the chairman of Innovate Marketing Solutions who added “We believe in Moroccan hospitality and Moroccan ability.” The World Travel Awards Grand Final will follow a series of regional Gala Ceremonies, with events this year scheduled for Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Athens (Greece), Quito (Ecuador), Abuja (Nigeria), New Delhi (India), and the island of Anguilla in the Caribbean. World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the WTA brand is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire. Celebrating its 21st anniversary in 2014, World Travel Awards, or WTA, – also called the “Oscars of the travel industry” – has grown into the most prestigious travel industry awards program in the world. Launched in 1993, the awards, features the winners from six regional ceremonies progressing to the grand final at the end of the year.