World Travel Awards Africa Ceremony on 12 May takes place for the first time alongside Indaba – Africa’s largest travel trade show - and in partnership with the International Convention Centre (ICC), Durban. There are 75 categories and more than 500 nominations across every sector.

The winners will spotlight the very best overall African travel companies, operators, hotels, resorts and destinations as well as honour the leading products in Botswana, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

“This is an opportunity for Africa to demonstrate supreme excellence at the highest level”, said Manon Han, Executive Vice President of World Travel Awards.

“The standard of nominations is extremely high this year, despite many challenges. World Travel Awards Africa Ceremony is proof that the industry is striving for improvement but crucially in every aspect of the customer experience.

“These awards are the most prestigious and highly coveted in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industry in Africa”, she added. “They are awarded to businesses that have demonstrated their willingness to pursue best practice in every aspect of their operation, increasing their efficiency as well as their profits.

“Judging by the kind of nominations that we have received this year for consideration and the voting process, the awards show just how enterprising business practice has become in Africa and how, often against all odds, they are achieving outstanding success.”

The World Travel Awards Africa Ceremony has been welcome by Mr Jabu Mabuza, Chairman of South African Tourism.

He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us.

“We are looking forward to welcoming the World Travel Awards and I cannot wait to participate. This is a great recognition for our efforts in tourism.”

The Africa event is part of a World Travel Awards Grand Tour with regional awards staged throughout the world, ending with a Winners Dinner in London on 9 November and a Grand Final at Turks & Caicos in the Caribbean on 12 December 2008.