The Mercury, Network: The Mercury

SA once again dominates Africa travel

SUREN NAIDOO

SOUTH Africa’s tourism and hospitality industry has again ruled the influential World Travel Awards Africa Ceremony.
It secured a staggering 32 of the 40 Africa-specific categories at the glamorous awards event at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre last week.

The event, which took place at Indaba 2009 - Africa’s largest tourism trade show. Attracted - about 400 tourism industry heavyweights across the continent and has been touted as the Oscars of the global travel industry by the Wall Street Journal.

The country’s national tourism destination marketing agency, South African Tourism, scooped a hat-trick of awards.
Indaba was named Africa’s top travel exhibition for the second consecutive time, while the tourism body also won awards as Africa’s leading tourism board and Africa’s top marketing campaign.

Cape Town retained the title of Africa’s leading destination, but also won the inaugural title of Africa’s leading port. Durban’s ICC retained the coveted title of Africa’s leading conference centre, which won for the ninth time.

Lindiwe Mahlangu former boss of Durban Africa (now Durban Tourism) and now the boss of the Johannesburg Tourism Company, scooped a special award for being Africa’s personality of the year. Mahlangu was lauded for playing a pivotal role in changing the perceptions of Johannesburg.
She was also behind bringing the Miss World Pageant to South Africa last year and this year.

Among the other top winners were: Zimbali Lodge & Country Club. Africa’s leading sports resort; South African Airways – Africa’s leading airline; OR Tambo
International Airport – Africa’s leading airport; the Palace of the Lost City. Africa’s leading casino resort; The Mount Nelson Hotel. Africa’s leading hotel; and Thanda Private Games Reserve. Africa’s leading luxury lodge.
More than 200 organisations were nominated in 75 categories for the Africa region and specific country awards, including airlines, airports, hotels, car hire, destinations, resorts, spas and travel agencies.

Pop group Boney M was the entertainment highlight of the ceremony, which is part of a “grand tour” culminating with the World Travel Awards world finals in Jamaica in December.

Reacting to the news, SA Tourism marketing boss Roshene Singh said the fact that the country had secured the majority of nominations and awards at the World Travel Awards was testament to South Africa’s growing influence and stature as a holiday spot internationally.
“Winners at the ceremony are very special brands, dedicated to being the absolute best in all aspects of customer experience. It was a wonderful evening for African tourism and hopefully an inspiration for all nominated.

“We hope that the winners have set a supreme standard of professionalism in Africa, with excellent examples of creativity and business acumen that can stimulate others to raise their performance not only in Africa but worldwide”, said Graham Cooke, the World Travel Awards founder.

The event takes place in Durban again during Indaba 2010.

Wednesday, 20 May 2009, p. 3