Siyavuya Mzantsi
CAPE TOWN has been rated Africa’s leading travel destination and best cruise port in this year’s World Travel Awards.
Table Mountain was the continent’s top tourist attraction.
The awards, announced in Quito, Ecuador, this week, are made each year to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.
The Mother City was followed by Durban, El Gouna on the Red Sea coast in Egypt, and Johannesburg in the list of leading destinations in Africa.
The city came second to Durban as Africa’s best destination for conferences.
“We are grateful to all of the tourism operators who have been recognised for their hard work, impeccable standards and commitment to their customers,” said Cape Town Tourism chief executive officer Enver Duminy.
SAA was Africa’s leading airline and OR Tambo International the best airport. Cape Town International Airport came second, beating Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Cape Chamber of Commerce President Janine Myburgh said: “The chamber is delighted by this award and believes it is well deserved.”
The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa was voted the country’s leading spa resort. The Cape Royale Luxury Hotel and Spa was top in the hotel residences category, while Gilt Edge Travel, in Cape Town, was rated the country’s leading luxury tour operator.
World Travel Awards president Graham Cooke said: “With tourism growing in importance all the time in Africa and the Indian Ocean, it is an honour to bestow our prizes on some exceptional organisations.”