South Africa was the Southern African destination that walked away with most awards in the ‘Africa’s Leading’ travel, tourism and hospitality brands categories at the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2023.
The gala reception was held at Dubai’s new landmark resort, Atlantis Royal, with tourism royalty travelling from across Africa and the Indian Ocean to find out which organisations had won the coveted titles.
“It has been a privilege to welcome our winners from across Africa and the Indian Ocean for our 30th anniversary celebrations in Dubai. The incredible evening will live long in everyone’s memory. Our winners represent stellar examples of tourism excellence, and I congratulate each and every one for helping to raise the collective benchmark to even greater heights,” said Graham Cooke, WTA Founder.
South African travel, tourism and hospitality destinations, companies and brands won 21 awards, and a Mozambiquan resort won one. Together, the two countries made up almost 32% of the continent’s award winners.
The award categories and winners:
Africa’s Leading Airport 2023 – Cape Town International Airport, SA.
Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel 2023 – Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, SA.
Africa’s Leading City Destination 2023 – Cape Town, SA.
Africa’s Leading Cruise Port 2023 – Port of Cape Town, SA.
Africa’s Leading Design Hotel 2023 – Labotessa Luxury Boutique Hotel, SA.
Africa’s Leading Festival and Event Destination 2023 – Durban, SA.
Africa’s Leading Green Hotel 2023 – Cheetah Plains, SA.
Africa’s Leading Hotel Suite 2023 – Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite at Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, SA.
Africa’s Leading Luxury Hotel 2023 – The Silo Hotel, SA.
Africa’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa 2023 – Villa Two at Ellerman House, SA.
Africa’s Leading Luxury Lodge 2023 – Silvan Safari, SA.
Africa’s Leading Luxury Resort 2023 – One&Only Cape Town, SA.
Africa’s Leading Destination Management Company 2023 – Ker & Downey Africa, SA.
Africa’s Leading Luxury Train 2023 – The Blue Train, SA.
Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2023 – Durban ICC, SA.
Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination 2023 – Durban, SA.
Africa’s Leading Private Game Reserve 2023 – &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, SA.
Africa’s Leading Safari Lodge 2023 – Makumu Private Game Lodge, SA.
Africa’s Leading Safari Company 2023 – Go2Africa, Cape Town, SA.
Africa’s Leading Sports Resort 2023 – Pezula Nature Hotel & Spa, SA.
Africa’s Leading Travel Management Company 2023 – Rennies BCD Travel, SA.
Africa’s Most Romantic Resort 2023 – Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort, Mozambique.