On 5 May 2009 the official presentation of this year’s World Travel Awards took place in Dubai. In addition to eight further awards for the most popular holiday destination of Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island was likewise recognised as the "Middle East’s Leading Tourism Development Project 2009". Overall a total of 15 finalists from the region were nominated in this category.

What the Oscars are for the film industry is what the World Travel Award means to the travel industry.  It is the most coveted award internationally in the tourism sector. At the same time, it is considered to be the most important recognition in the field of travel, of hotels and of accommodation. About 170,000 people from the tourism industry worldwide voted in this year’s World Travel Awards.

"Saadiyat Island will play an important role in the regional tourism sector of the future,“ commented Graham Cooke, the founder of the World Travel Awards. According to the industry insider who has many years‘ experience, this award likewise symbolises the high value placed on Abu Dhabi’s vision of an  “Island of Happiness“ by the travel, tourism and hotel industry.