World Travel Awards winners celebrate at Kempinski Seychelles Resort

Winners at the World Travel Awards (WTA) Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2015 have been unveiled at the Kempsinki Seychelles Resort Baie Lazare.

Air Seychelles was among the biggest winners on the night, taking the titles of Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline, Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline – Business Class and Indian Ocean’s Leading Cabin Crew.

Photo Caption: Manoj Papa, CEO, Air Seychelles and Joel Morgan, Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs and Transport accept the award for Indian Ocean's Leading Airline from host Miss Seychelles 2012 Sherlyn Furneau.

In front of an audience of more than 150 industry leaders from 20 countries, Maldives was recognised as Indian Ocean's Leading Beach Destination, while host Seychelles took the title of Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination.

In Africa, Kenya took the coveted trophy for Africa's Leading Tourist Board.

World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke said: “Tonight has been a fantastic showcase of hospitality brands from across Africa and the Indian Ocean. We have recognised some industry leading brands and it is a pleasure to honour our winners here at Kempinski Seychelles Resort.”

He added: “This evening’s winners will now move forward to the Grand Final in Morocco later in the year, and I look forward to welcoming them there.”

Also taking home prizes were Hilton Hurghada Plaza, taking the title of Africa’s Leading All Inclusive Resort, while La Cigale Hôtel Tabarka in Tunisia walked away with the trophy for Africa’s Leading New Hotel.

Transcorp Hilton Abuja was also among the big winners, taking a total of five awards. The luxury property took the trophies for Nigeria’s Leading Hotel and Africa’s Leading Business Hotel among a clutch of prizes.

The event was hosted by the glamorous former Miss Seychelles, Sherlyn Furneau, and leading presenter Galen Bresson, while guests were entertained by The Breeze Band and the National Cultural Dance Troup of Seychelles.

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the WTA brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year WTA covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective successes within each key geographical region.

Seychelles Minister of Tourism & Culture Alain St Ange added: “Tonight we welcomed the best of the best to our shores.

“My many travels in Africa and throughout the Indian Ocean have, time and again, revealed to me that our tourism products possess great diversity, authenticity and vibrancy and are able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best on the planet.

“We have today among us the crème-de-la-crème of African and Indian Ocean tourism. This is such a great opportunity, not only to celebrate, honour and reward the success stories of today, but also to network and explore new synergies and strategies for tomorrow.

“We know we are today visible as a country as never before.”

For a full list of winners head over to the official World Travel Awards website:

• Africa Winners
• Indian Ocean Winners

Notes to Editors

About World Travel Awards

World Travel Awards celebrates its 22nd anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade.

The brand aims to celebrate those organisations that are pushing the boundaries of industry excellence.

WTA’s global media partner network includes International New York Times, TV5Monde, CNBC Arabiya, Outlook Traveller, Travel & Leisure, Khaleej Times, Trade Arabia, TTN, Best in Travel, Trav Talk India, Publituris, ASTA Network, Breaking Travel News, Travel Daily News International and Focus on Travel News.

This global media partner network has a monthly readership of 1.7 million and a TV audience reach of 90 million.

To download WTA logos visit: www.worldtravelawards.com/event/africa-and-indian-ocean-2015/media