Ecudaorian capital Quito has led winners at the World Travel Awards Latin America Gala Ceremony 2015, being recognised as Latin America’s Leading Destination for the second successive year. The awards are often referred to as the Tourism Oscars, with other regional awards throughout the year.

On a night of night of high drama in host city Bogotá, Chile claimed the title of South America’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination, while Argentina picked up the trophy for South America’s Leading Heritage Destination.

In a special presentation, TurisRio President Paulo Senise was awarded the title of Latin America Travel Personality of the Year 2015.

First-time winner Belize was also celebrating, with the resort of Placencia taking the title of Mexico & Central America’s Leading Beach Destination and Ambergris Caye walking away with the trophy for Mexico & Central America’s Leading Destination.

In the airline categories, Colombian flag-carrier Avianca was voted South America’s Leading Airline, while Copa Airlines was recognised as Mexico & Central America’s Leading Airline.

American giant Delta Air Lines was also successful on the night, taking the trophies for United States’ Leading Airline to Central America; United States’ Leading Airline to South America; and United States’ Leading Airline to Mexico.

World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke said: “What a wonderful evening we have shared with the leaders of Latin American tourism this evening. It is been a privilege to recognise the very best among them and I offer my heartfelt congratulations to all our winners.

“We could not have hosted this Gala Ceremony without the ceaseless support of Bogotá Tourismo and it has been an honour for World Travel Awards to visit Colombia for the first time.”

Colombian hospitality was recognised on the night, with Medellín taking the prestigious title of South America’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination, while Bogotá itself took the titles of South America’s Leading Business Travel Destination and South America’s Leading City Break Destination.

San Andrés, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, was also voted South America’s Leading Beach Destination.

Hundreds of industry leaders from across the region were in attendance for the red carpet ceremony, with the presentations taking place in Teatro Colón in the historic centre of Bogotá.

The ceremony was followed by a sumptuous banquet of traditional cuisine with a modern twist in Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé.

Finally, Peru was awarded the trophies for South America’s Leading Culinary Destination and South America’s Leading Cultural Destination.

World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries, and international print and broadcast media.

A full list of winners from the World Travel Awards Latin American Gala Ceremony can be seen here.