Kenya – with its tantalizing cocktail of epic savannah landscapes, immense herds of wildlife, and palm-fringed beaches – has been voted ‘Africa’s Leading Destination’ by the World Travel Awards.
The news was unveiled during the inaugural Africa Winners Day, with World Travel Awards – the global initiative to recognize and reward excellence in travel and tourism – honoring the best from across the continent.
Kenya’s thriving capital, Nairobi, was also named ‘Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination’, and Kenyatta International Convention Centre collecting ‘Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre’).
Cape Town was declared ‘Africa’s Leading Festival & Event Destination, and its majestic Table Mountain picked ‘Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction’.
The fascinating South African city of Durban was voted ‘Africa’s Leading City Destination’.
In the hospitality sector, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club’s unique comforts in the shadow of the mighty Mount Kenya helped it to the title of ‘Africa’s Leading Hotel’, while Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa, South Africa picked up ‘Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel’. Aberdare Country Club, Kenya was voted ‘Africa’s Leading Green Hotel’.
In the aviation sector, Ethiopian Airlines lifted ‘Africa’s Leading Airline’, while ‘Africa’s Leading Airport’ went to Cape Town International Airport.
Kenya Airways picked up both ‘Africa’s Leading Airline – Business Class’ and ‘Africa’s Leading Airline – Economy Class’.
The results follow a year-long search for the world’s top travel, tourism, and hospitality brands.
Votes were cast by travel industry professionals and the public, with the nominee gaining the most votes in a category named as the winner.
Graham Cooke, founder, World Travel Awards, said: “Our winners represent the very best of Africa’s travel and tourism sector and my congratulations to each of them.
“They have all demonstrated remarkable resilience in a year of unprecedented challenges.”
He added: “The World Travel Awards 2020 program received a record number of votes cast by the public. “This shows that the appetite for travel and tourism has never been stronger and bodes well for the industry’s future as the global recovery begins.”
Other winners include Serengeti National Park (‘Africa’s Leading National Park’); Thanda Island, Tanzania (‘Africa’s Leading Luxury Island’); Shambala Private Game Reserve, South Africa (‘Africa’s Leading Private Game Reserve’); and The Oberoi, Marrakech (‘Morocco’s Leading Hotel Suite’).