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South Africa cleaned up at the 2010 World Travel Awards for Africa earlier this month, winning 36 awards out of the total 49 categories. Despite the pyramids, Egypt, its nearest rival, managed to win only four.

For the sixth time in seven years the city of Cape Town was named Africa's leading destination, at an awards ceremony held in Sandton, Johannesburg. South African Airways was named Africa's leading airline, South African Tourism the continent's leading tourism board, and Durban harbour the leading port.

Of the 49 categories, six were awarded to multinational entities with a strong presence in South Africa. Kenya, Morocco and Namibia garnered one award each.

Cape Town, South Africa's most-visited destination, regularly receives international accolades for its attractions. This year it joined Paris, London, New York and Venice as one of Forbes magazine's 10 most beautiful cities in the world.

In 2009 the city was named best destination in the Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, the world's second-best city by Travel+Leisure magazine, the world's best entertainment and lifestyle destination in the Luxury Travel Awards, and best tourism investor city in the AI Tourism Investor Awards. Cape Town was also named one of the "places of a lifetime" by National Geographic in 2008.

The World Travel Awards also nominated Cape Town as the leading destination in the world in 2002, 2005 and 2006.

"These awards are an incredible endorsement," said Cape Town Tourism CEO Mariette du-Toit Helmbold. "Being recognised by the industry makes all the hard work we put into hosting the Fifa World Cup in Cape Town so worthwhile.

"We do believe that Cape Town is one of the greatest cities to live, visit, study and invest in. It�s a place of a lifetime, and it just keeps on getting better."

The World Travel Awards, first held in 1994, is a tourism industry initiative, with travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organisations across the globe voting for the winners.

The full list of the 2010 World Travel Awards for Africa winners:

* Africa's Leading Airline: South African Airways
* Africa's Leading Airport: OR Tambo International Airport, South Africa
* Africa's Leading Apartment Hotel: The Regent, South Africa
* Africa's Leading Boutique Hotel: Saxon Boutique Hotel & Spa, South Africa
* Africa's Leading Boutique Hotel Brand: Mantis Group
* Africa's Leading Business Car Rental Company: Avis
* Africa's Leading Business Hotel: Hilton Durban
* Africa's Leading Business Travel Agency: Travel with Flair
* Africa's Leading Casino Resort: The Palazzo Montecasino, South Africa
* Africa's Leading Conservation Company: Shamwari Game Reserve, South Africa
* Africa's Leading Convention Hotel: Sandton Sun, South Africa
* Africa's Leading Destination: Cape Town
* Africa's Leading Family Resort: Sun City Resort, South Africa
* Africa's Leading Green Hotel: The Phantom Forest Eco-reserve, South Africa
* Africa's Leading Hotel: Saxon Boutique Hotel & Spa, South Africa
* Africa's Leading Innovative Hospitality Company: Signature Life Hotels
* Africa's Leading Low-Cost Airline: 1time
* Africa's Leading Luxury Hotel: Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa
* Africa's Leading Luxury Lodge: Shambala Private Reserve, South Africa
* Africa's Leading Luxury Train: The Blue Train
* Africa's Leading Luxury Villa: Thanda Private Game Reserve, South Africa
* Africa's Leading Meetings & Conference Centre: International Convention Centre Durban, South Africa
* Africa's Leading Meetings & Conference Hotel: The Westin Grand Cape Town Arabella Quays, South Africa
* Africa's Leading Online Tour Operator: 1time
* Africa's Leading Port: Durban (Port)
* Africa's Leading Resort: Sun City Resort, South Africa
* Africa's Leading Safari Lodge: Shamwari Game Reserve, South Africa
* Africa's Leading Spa Resort: Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa, South Africa
* Africa's Leading Sports Resort: Legend Golf & Safari Resort - South Africa
* Africa's Leading Suite: Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite, Saxon Boutique Hotel & Spa, South Africa
* Africa's Leading Tourism Development Project: Fairmont Zimbali
* Africa's Leading Tourist Board: South Africa Tourism
* Africa's Leading Town House Hotel: Shamwari Town House, South Africa
* Africa's Leading Travel Agency: Club Travel, South Africa
* Africa's Leading Travel Exhibition: INDABA
* Africa's Leading Travel Management Company: Travel with Flair South Africa
* Africa's Tourism Personality Of The Year: Dr Aupindi Tobie Aupindi - MD Namibia Wildlife Resorts
* Africa's Leading Golf Resort: The Palmeraie Golf Palace, Morocco
* Africa's Leading Beach Resort: Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa
* Africa's Leading Beach Destination: Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
* Africa's Leading Beach Hotel: Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna Hurghada, Egypt
* Africa's Leading River Cruise Company: Sonesta Nile Cruises
* Africa's Leading Villa: Queen Cleopatra Villa, Savoy Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
* Africa's Leading Car Hire: Europcar
* Africa's Leading Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
* Africa's Leading Game Reserve Brand: Mantis Group
* Africa's Leading Hotel Group: Starwood Hotels & Resorts
* Africa's Leading Responsible Tourism Company: &Beyond
* Africa's Responsible Tourism Award: &Beyond