London was last night unveiled as the World’s Leading Destination at the 12th annual World Travel Awards.

Announced at a gala dinner held the night before World Travel Market opened at London’s ExCeL Centre this morning, the awards were attended by tourism ministers, government officials and travel company executives from all over the world.

The English capital beat off competition from the likes of Sydney, Cape Town, Dubai, Las Vegas, Paris, Rome, New York and Barcelona to take the title.

London’s Mayor, Ken Livingstone, said: “I am pleased that the capital can claim yet another feather in its cap this year, on top of our Olympic success in July.

“This award recognises how far we’ve come in promoting the city. The tourism industry makes an enormous contribution to the prosperity of London.”

Tourism body VisitBritain was also recognised at the awards, winning both World’s Leading Tourism and Convention Bureau and World’s Leading Tourism Authority Internet Site. The organisation’s chair, Lord Marshall, was also recognised as Destination and Convention Bureau Travel Personality of the Year. Details: www.visitlondon.com