DUBAI: Emirates Airline has been named Best Arab Airline 2012 at the Sabq Tourism Awards.

The awards were organised by Sabq, the first online newspaper in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The accolade comes after more than 260,000 votes were submitted to Sabq in the first survey of its kind in Saudi.

"It is an honour to receive this new award, which highlights the support we enjoy from customers, friends and commercial partners in Saudi," said Adil Al Ghaith, Emirates' Vice President, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia '&' Bahrain, who was present to receive the award. "It is also a strong endorsement of the quality of the products and services we provide to our valued clients in this market." The Sabq Tourism Awards aim to recognize market leaders in the hospitality and tourism industry across the region.

Saturday's award ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh was held under the patronage and attendance of Saudi Minister for Education and Information, Dr Adbul Aziz Khoja.

The event was also attended by other senior government officials, representatives from the travel industry, the wider business community and media.

WAM/MMYS