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It was ‘Win Win Win’ all the way for South Africa on Monday evening’s (12 May) first World Travel Awards Africa Ceremony, held in partnership with the International Convention Centre, Durban. The country was in sparkling form, winning a range of the coveted top awards for the whole of Africa.
Reigning King of the Zulu nation, His Majesty King Zwelithini Goodwill kaBhekuzulu opened the first World Travel Awards Africa Ceremony, watched by some 400 VIPs and leading figures. This included The Mayor of Durban, Cllr. Obed Mlaba, James Wilson, CEO of Dubai World Africa and Miller Motola, CEO of ICC Durban, who both made some of the presentations to top award winners.
Todd Neuman, Vice President of South African Airways, was presented with Africa’s Leading Airline award; Heinz Grub, Chief Operating Officer and Area Manager, Arabella Starwood Hotels & Resorts, received the Africa Leading Family Resort award on behalf of Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa; Cllr. Grant Haskin, Cape Town’s Deputy Mayor, received Africa’s Leading Destination and Wally Gaynor, Managing Director of Club Travel, scooped the Africa’s Leading Travel Agency Award.
Other South African overall continent winners included: Tambo International Airport, Africa’s Leading Airport; International Convention Centre, Durban, Africa’s Leading Conference Centre; Shamwari Game Reserve, Africa’s Leading Safari; Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, Africa’s Leading Safari Lodge; Mount Nelson Hotel & Spa, Africa’s Leading Hotel; Sun City Resort scooped Africa’s Leading Resort award; Sun International also picked up the award for Africa’s Leading Hotel Brand.
Country-specific awards for South Africa were presented to: Saxon Boutique Hotel & Spa, South Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel; The Westin Grand Cape Town Arabella Quays, South Africa’s Leading Business Hotel; Fancourt Hotel & Country Club, South Africa’s Leading Golf Resort; Cape Grace Hotel, South Africa’s Leading Hotel; Sun City Resort, South Africa’s Leading Resort; Thanda Private Game Reserve, South Africa’s Leading Safari Lodge.
“It was a wonderful evening for African tourism and hopefully an inspiration for all those nominated but who were unlucky enough not to win,” said Graham Cooke, President and Founder, World Travel Awards. “We hope that the winners have set a supreme standard of professionalism in Africa with excellent examples of creativity and business acumen that can stimulate others to also raise their performance and their profile, not only within the African industry but worldwide.”
The winners were chosen by votes from executives working within travel and tourism.
Miller Matola, CEO of ICC Durban commented: “The ICC Durban feels honoured to be hosting such a prestigious awards ceremony and equally honoured that the first leg of the Grand Tour is happening in the sunny city of Durban. Coupled with the excitement of Indaba, there is a contagious spirit that has enveloped most delegates.
“This is undoubtedly the most talked about event within the Indaba calendar and the ICC Durban feels privileged to be associated with the illustrious World Travel Awards.”
Speaking after the ceremony, he added, “This is indeed an eventful day. The ICC Durban has regained the celebrated title of Africa’s Leading Convention Centre. “It is an accolade we will carry proudly when hosting the many major international and local events at this centre.”
Durban Wins WTA for 2009
Durban’s International Conference Centre is to host the World Travel Awards Africa Ceremony in 2009. The deal was signed just hours before the event by Miller Matola, CEO of ICC Durban and Graham Cooke, President and Founder, World Travel Awards.
“The ICC is a state-of-the-art world class conference centre”, said Mr Cooke, “and perfect for such a prestigious ceremony for African travel and tourism. We have been delighted with not only the facilities, but also the wonderful support from the ICC staff.”
The Africa event forms 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. The next regional event is the World Travel Awards Australasia Ceremony in Sydney on 10 June and the World Travel Awards Asia and Indian Ocean Ceremony on 19 June in Shanghai.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
