Travel & Tour World: South Africa Sets the Stage for Glory at the 2025 World Travel Awards

South Africa shines at the 2025 World Travel Awards with multiple nominations, celebrating its world-class destinations, iconic attractions, and leading airlines.

South Africa has solidified its position as a premier tourist destination in Africa, receiving numerous nominations for the 2025 World Travel Awards.

The prestigious World Travel Awards recognize excellence in the global travel and tourism industry, and this year, South Africa’s diverse offerings have been highlighted across various categories, from scenic landscapes and cultural heritage to unique attractions.

Key categories include Africa’s Leading Beach Destination, Africa’s Leading Big 5 National Park, Africa’s Leading City Destination, Africa’s Leading Family Resort, Africa’s Leading Airline Brand, and Africa’s Leading Airport.

South African airports are in the running for top honors, with Cape Town International Airport and O.R. Tambo International Airport competing for the title of Africa’s Leading Airport. These iconic airports will face competition from Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere International Airport.

South African Airways has earned four nominations, vying for titles such as Africa’s Leading Airline, Africa’s Leading Airline Brand, and Africa’s Leading Airline in both Business and Economy Class categories.

The country’s natural and historic attractions are well-represented in the nominations for Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction, with landmarks like Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway, Robben Island, Table Mountain, and the vibrant V&A Waterfront making the list.

In the category of Africa’s Leading Water Park, nominees include the Valley of Waves, uShaka Wet ‘n Wild, and Wild Waves Water Park.

Kruger National Park is also a contender for Africa’s Leading Big 5 National Park, competing with renowned parks such as Akagera National Park in Rwanda, Chobe National Park in Botswana, Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe, Nyerere National Park in Tanzania, and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

Additional South African nominees include the country itself for Africa’s Leading Destination, Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg for Africa’s Leading Festival and Event Destination, and top resorts like Peermont D’oreale Grande at Emperors Palace, Sun City Resort, The Palazzo, and Wild Coast Sun for Africa’s Leading Casino Resort.

The 2025 World Travel Awards will host its first-ever ceremony in Bahrain, culminating in a gala event at Exhibition World Bahrain on December 9. However, the excitement for Africa will kick off with the Africa & Indian Ocean Gala in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on June 28.

Voting for the Africa region will close on May 4. For more information, visit the World Travel Awards website.