HONG KONG, Feb. 27(Xinhuanet)-- Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center(HKCEC) has been voted as the"Asia's Leading Conference Center" for the third consecutive year at the 11th World Travel Awards.

The World Travel Awards are described as the"Oscars" of the world tourism and travel industry. Winning one of their travel categories is a significant achievement as nominees are determinedby votes received from over 150,000 front-line agents and 80,000 travel agencies worldwide, with the final awards based on assessment according to the most stringent international standards.

The awards ceremony was held recently in Barbados.

Cliff Wallace, managing director of HKCEC's management company,has said he was extremely delighted that HKCEC is again being named"Asia's Leading Conference Center". The center's management and staff will continue their efforts to enhance Hong Kong's position as a significant convention hub that is unmatched in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to him, HKCEC is welcoming two significant international conferences in 2005. The first one is the Lions Clubs International Convention(June 27- July 1) which is set tobe Hong Kong's biggest single convention to date, with around 22,000 Lions Club members and their families gathering from more than100 countries.

Another one is the sixth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization(WTO)(Dec. 13-18). Being the WTO's highest-level decision-making body, this high caliber conference will attract some 10,000 delegates including many top world leaders andgovernment ministers.

These two prestigious events will mark a milestone in strengthening HKCEC's already established position as a world-class venue hosting the greatest events of the world, said Wallace.

The award-winning HKCEC opened in 1988 and was expanded in 1997.In the financial year 2003/04(July 1- June 30), a total of 1,890events were held including 125 exhibitions, 57 international conferences, 148 entertainment events, 431 banquets, and 1,129 other events.