SOUTH Africa swept the board in the African section at the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony in Johannesburg while Mauritius, the Seychelles and the Maldives took honours for the Indian Ocean.
There were awards too for travel companies, organisations and destinations in Botswana, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Tunisia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The biggest applause of the night though was saved for Dr Aupindi Tobie Aupindi, managing director of the fast-expanding Namibia Wildlife Resorts, named Africa’s Tourism Personality of the Year.
South African Airways was voted Africa’s Leading Airline and 1Time Airline, the budget carrier from Johannesburg, operating low-cost flights within South Africa and Zanzibar, took the titles of both Africa’s Leading Low-Cost Airline and Africa’s Leading Online Tour Operator.
The Hilton Durban took Africa’s Leading Business Hotel, the elegant five-star decadence of The Palazzo Montecasino in Johannesburg won the title Africa’s Leading Casino Resort and Cape Town walked off with Africa’s Leading Destination.
Kenya’s luxury getaway resort of Diani Reef Beach & Spa in Mombasa was Africa’s Leading Beach Resort and Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh beat the competition as Africa’s Leading Beach Destination.
Air Mauritius took the Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline and Mauritius’ Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport won the title of Leading Airport.
Mauritius also won the coveted Indian Ocean Leading Destination while the legendary Hotel Trou Aux Biches was voted winner of the new category of Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination.
The Seychelles’ Fregate Island Private took the Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort award and Lémuria Resort of Praslin, the region’s Leading Golf Resort.The conservation-oriented and ethically driven North Island was presented with the Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Resort and Port Victoria was the Leading Cruise Port.
To see a full list of the winners visit www.worldtravelawards.com