Cape Town and the Western Cape have racked up an enviable array of nominations in the 14th World Travel Awards, described as the Oscars of the travel industry, arranged annually by travel agents. Cape Town is the only African city to be nominated in the…
Cape Town and the Western Cape have racked up an enviable array of nominations in the 14th World Travel Awards, described as the Oscars of the travel industry, arranged annually by travel agents. Cape Town is the only African city to be nominated in the category Africa`s Leading Destination. The other nominations in the category are the Kruger National Park, Egypt`s Sharm-El-Sheikh dive resort, the antiquities at Luxor, the Serengeti and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and the Victoria Falls.
The Fancourt Hotel & Country Club in George, Pezula Hotel & Spa in Knysna and Steenberg Hotel on the Cape Peninsula are the only SA establishments among the 10 nominations for the category Africa’s Leading Golf Resort.
Calvyn Gilfellan, Acting CEO for Cape Town Routes Unlimited, says the strong showing of hotels, spas, golf and conference resorts is hugely encouraging.
While we gauge our success from growth in visitor numbers, feedback from visitors and other tangible data, polls like these are very useful too. The opinions of travel agents are important because they play a pivotal role in prospective visitors` decisions. We’re constantly mindful of the 2010 Soccer World Cup and the unsurpassed opportunity it will provide to position this city and province as the world’s preferred tourist destination.
“That’s why the perceptions of the destination among partners in business, like travel agents are vital. The nominations for Western Cape attractions are also very encouraging. It’s gratifying to note how the efforts of our partners – everyone from hoteliers to airport operators – are bearing fruit,” added Gilfellan.
The winners of the awards will be announced at the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi on 30 May 2007.
Also among the nominations are:
- Cape Town International Airport, one of two SA airports among five nominated for the category Africa’s Leading Airport. The other is OR Tambo Airport.
- Five Western Cape hotels among eight SA hotels in the 22 nominations for the category Africa’s Leading Hotel.
- Arabella Sheraton Grand Hotel and the Table Bay Hotel among the seven SA conference hotels in the 13 nominations for Africa’s Leading Conference Hotel.
- Bartholomeus Klip in the Swartland and the Phantom Forest Eco-Reserve near Knysna among the four SA establishments in the six nominations for the category Africa’s Leading Ecotourism Destination.
- The Cape Grace, the Mount Nelson Hotel, the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa and the Table Bay Hotel among the seven SA hotels in the category Africa’s Leading Hotel.
- Five spa resorts – Knysna’s Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa, Sante Winelands Hotel & Winelands Centre in the Winelands, The Hydro at Stellenbosch, the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa and the Western Cape Hotel & Spa in near Kleinmond – among the seven SA resorts in the 16 nominations for the category Africa’s Leading Spa Resort.
- Walker Bay’s Birkenhead House, Camps Bay’s Beachside Villa and The Place on the Bay being the three SA establishments among the five nominations for Africa’s Leading Villa.
- Birkenhead House, The Constantia and The Long Beach among the six SA hotels in 10 nominations for the category Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel.
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