In a rapidly expanding travel market, it is becoming increasingly difficult to divide the competition - here, only the exceptional are noted.

After much deliberation, the votes have been counted and our Awards Panel have made their decisions. The winners of our First Annual Travel Awards are announced below.

The competition has been incredibly strong, and the decision making process has been a tough one. Our experienced panel have combined their extensive knowledge of the market and listened to our readers in order to make the final decisions.

We feel these awards have been given out to only the very best of service providers in the industry. Companies that are well-known have been credited for constantly pushing forwards, never resting on their laurels, and acting as beacons for all newcomers. And others not so well known, for forging a path passed their competition and onto the forefront of the travel market.

Furthermore, our panel has ensured that they have not only awarded businesses that have proved themselves in 2008, but who are also set to dominate the market in the next 12 months as well.

So as you read on to find out who the lucky ones are, keep in mind our selection criteria: All awards are not created equally, Business Destinations has striven to honour only the very best, the true ‘industry leaders'.

Best Business Hotel Chain – Central Europe
Hilton Hotels
One of the largest hotel chains on the planet, Hilton Hotels is a company that has achieved monumental success. For constantly expanding their horizons and offering genuine luxury. Hilton Hotels is our Business Hotel Chain of choice in Central Europe.

Best Business Hotel Chain – Western Europe
Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts
Highly regarded by business travellers and holiday makers alike, thanks to a combination of Swiss heritage, uncompromising hospitality, gastronomic competence and extensive experience.

Best Business Hotel Chain – Eastern Europe
Accor Hotels Group
With an intimidating list of brands, Accor is a truly multinational company, operating in over 100 countries. Accor has been honoured with this award for complete domination of the Eastern European market.

Best Large Business Hotel – Central Europe
InterContinental Vienna
The ideal place to start exploring Vienna, with nearby Stadtpark and the eclectic Naschmarkt. This hotel is blessed with a location to die for.

Best Large Business Hotel – Western Europe
Metropole Hotel- Brussels
Built in 1895, the hotel has stood the test of time, and is the only remaining hotel of the 19th Century in Brussels. Testament to its awe-inspiring design and excellence of service.

Best Large Business Hotel – Eastern Europe
Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel
This luxurious Spa and Conference Hotel was opened in 2007 and its location in the centre of Tallinn makes it an excellent place for combining a business trip with a holiday.

Best Large Business Hotel – Northern Europe
Grand Hotel- Oslo
The Grand Hotel first opened in 1874, and has been talk of the town ever since. Truly a symbol for first-class service.

Best Large Business Hotel – Southern Europe
Port Royal- Turkey
The country's largest holiday and entertainment complex, and home to over 1,000 rooms, this hotel really stands out from the crowd.

Best Small Business Hotel – Central Europe
Hotel President- Czech Republic
A five-star hotel offering first-class hospitality and services, this hotel has 130 originally-designed guest rooms, including the impressive Presidential Suite. The hotel is the ideal choice for the most discerning of travellers.

Best Small Business Hotel – Western Europe
The Hempel- London
West London's stunning five star luxury boutique hotel, created by renowned British designer Anouska Hempel, offering complete service...not forgetting the private Zen garden square.

Best Small Business Hotel – Eastern Europe
Hotel Bergs- Riga
Opened in July of 2003, Hotel Bergs in the heart of Riga offers its guests 38 individually designed apartments, deluxe rooms and several elegant conference and meeting rooms.

Best Small Business Hotel – Northern Europe
101 Hotel- Iceland
This boutique hotel is situated in the heart of Reykjavik. A luxury design hotel, it is the creation of owner and designer Ingibjörg S. Pálmadóttir, a graduate from Parsons School of Design in New York.

Best Small Business Hotel – Southern Europe
Hotel Lisboa Plaza- Lisbon
An elegant, family-owned hotel. The Hotel Lisboa Plaza is conveniently situated in the historic city centre, only 7km from the airport and 20m from the beautiful boulevard of Avenida Liberdade.

Best Hotel Chain – North America
Taj Hotels
This massive multinational company is committed to replicating its domestic success in Asia onto international shores, with plans to build an international network of luxury hotels, which will provide an exemplary product-service combination and, in the process, create a global brand.

Best Hotel Chain – Africa
Golden Tulip
With over 45 years of experience in the hospitality industry, and a network of hotels that is growing by the day, we feel Golden Tulip embody all the necessary attributes to take the award for Best Hotel Chain in Africa.

Best Hotel Chain – Asia
Shangri La
These five-star luxury hotels are located in premier city addresses across Asia and the Middle East. Perfect for the discerning business and leisure travellers from around the world. Stay with Shangri La to enjoy the legendary Asian hospitality and warm service.

Best in Business Tourism – Central Europe
CzechTourism
The Czech Tourism Authority was founded in 1993 and supports the incoming and domestic tourist industry and further focuses on promoting the particular branches of the travel industry, such as spas, congress and incentive and golf tourism.

Best in Business Tourism – Western Europe
Visit Belgium
The Belgian Tourist Authority has achieved a great deal in the business travel market. With an air of sophistication, Belgium is seen as a great place to do business, and for this reason, we have awarded Visit Belgium as our Best Business Tourist Organisation in Western Europe.

Best in Business Tourism – Eastern Europe
Visit Estonia
The Estonian Tourist Board is responsible for achieving the goal of implementing business and regional development policies in order to increase the competitiveness of the Estonian business environment.

Best in Business Tourism – Northern Europe
Visit Denmark
Despite being compact, Denmark can nonetheless boast an impressive number of meeting places, attractions and facilities. The business tourism in place in Denmark offers everything for the meeting planner.

Best in Business Tourism – Southern Europe
Visit Spain
With the recent opening of new conference centres, Spain is now positioned at the forefront of the business tourism industry. These facilities stand out for their modern and unique style, both inside and out.

Best Travel Management Company
HRS
The Hotel Reservation Services started at a one-man-band back in 1972. Now, operating as a global electronic hotel reservation system for business and private travellers, the company has access to a database of more than 225,000 hotels in all price categories in Europe and the rest of the world.

Best Inward Investment Team – Europe
Invest in Macedonia
The Republic of Macedonia is rapidly advancing on the path towards strengthening its society and its open market economy. Invest in Macedonia is at the forefront of this development and deservedly wins our Inward Investment Team Award.

Best Original MICE Venue – Europe
Hard Rock Cafe
The first Hard Rock Cafe opened its doors to the public on June 14, 1971, in London, England. HRC was an instant classic, attracting droves of customers with its first-rate sensibilities. Today, the Cafes act as the ideal choice for MICE events too.

Best Convention Centre – Europe
Amsterdam Rai
One of the largest exhibition and conference centres in Europe, hosting most of the international trade fairs, exhibitions, and congresses held in Amsterdam. The RAI complex is the main exhibition and congress centre in the Netherlands. Total exhibition area covers 87,000m2 with 11 multifunctional halls available for exhibitions, trade fairs, cultural or sport events.

Best Business Airline – Central Europe
Austrian Airlines
The top priority for the Austrian Airlines Group is to fulfil passenger requirements to the very highest standards. This is why the Austrian Airlines Group is constantly working to improve services further still. The company is valued around the world for its high levels of quality and friendliness. This is as true of Business Class as it is of Economy Class.

Best Business Airline – Western Europe
VLM
This innovative business airline focuses on flying to regional airports, located close to city centres. This ethos, coupled with VLM Airlines' strong belief in customer service, shows why they make our Best Business Airline in Western Europe.

Best Business Airline – Eastern Europe
Croatia Airlines
The success and profit of Croatia Airlines directly depends on the trust and satisfaction of the customers. It has always been the company's policy to understand the needs and exceed the expectations of their clients.

Best Fixed Based Operator – Europe
KLM Jet Center
The FBO for Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam Airport, KLM Jet Center was founded as KLM General Aviation in 1985. Since then, the company has build up great experience in servicing corporate and private aviation putting passengers and crew first. The services range from aviation fuel and catering to flight planning and logistic assistance.

Best Long Haul Airline
Virgin Atlantic
Safety, security and consistent delivery of the basics are the foundation of everything Virgin Atlantic do. And it shows in their business expansion. The success of their much publicised three year strategy requires the company to build on these foundations by focusing on the business and leisure markets and driving efficiency and effectiveness.

Best Business Yacht Charter Company – Europe
NCP
Nautical Center Prgin is the Mediterranean's nautical mecca. Located in the naturally protected Šibenik bay, NCP has the perfect location to conduct business. And with a Refit, Marina and Charter service up and running, NCP have the Business Yacht industry covered.