Dance, Dialogue & Destination Glory, Inside The 2025 WTA Gala In Dar es Salaam

Where Legends Meet, Highlights From The 2025 African & Indian Ocean World Travel Awards

On the radiant evening of June 28, 2025, Dar es Salaam emerged as the epicenter of prestige and celebration by hosting the distinguished World Travel Awards (WTA) African and Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony. The exquisite Johari Rotana Restaurant, impeccably decorated to honor the occasion, set the stage for a night dedicated to recognizing exceptional achievements in travel, tourism, and hospitality. Guests from across Africa and the Indian Ocean islands gathered under Tanzania’s clear skies, their excitement palpable as the evening began with a vibrant cocktail reception. Industry leaders and innovators connected, exchanging ideas and forging new partnerships to shape the future of global tourism.

As the evening progressed to 8:00 PM, the atmosphere took on an air of elegance and anticipation. Attendees were guided into the grand dining hall to enjoy a sumptuous gala dinner before the much-awaited awards presentation. Graham Cooke, the visionary Founder of the World Travel Awards, delivered an inspiring opening speech that praised the sector’s resilience, creativity, and adaptability in the face of recent challenges. With over 60 awards to be handed out, the ceremony honored outstanding accomplishments spanning numerous categories, highlighting the passion and ingenuity driving the travel industry across the continent and its neighboring islands.

A highlight of the night was the presence of Her Excellency Dr. Pindi Chana, Tanzania’s Minister of Human Resource and Tourism, who graced the ceremony as Guest of Honour. Her powerful keynote address emphasized Tanzania’s strategic focus on infrastructure development, regional cooperation, and expanding international tourism collaborations. Her message resonated deeply, reinforcing the country’s commitment to positioning itself as a premier travel destination and economic hub within Africa and the Indian Ocean region.

Supporting her remarks, Mr. Ephraim Mafuru, Head of the Tanzania Tourism Board, shared insights on the critical role of collaboration between government agencies and the private sector. He stressed that such synergy is essential for unlocking the tourism sector’s full potential and propelling the industry to new levels of success. Together, their contributions painted an optimistic picture of Tanzania’s future as a thriving center for travel and cultural exchange.

One of the evening’s most celebrated moments was the recognition of Go Places Africa DMC, which earned the prestigious title of Kenya’s Leading Destination Management Company for 2025. The accolade sparked enthusiastic applause, celebrating not only the company’s excellence but also the growing prominence of East African expertise in delivering world-class travel experiences. This achievement stood as a beacon of pride for Kenya and the broader region, showcasing the dynamic spirit and hospitality that continue to elevate East Africa’s tourism profile on the global stage.

Kenya celebrated numerous wins:

Kenya’s Leading Airport Hotel: Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport
Kenya’s Leading Beach Resort: Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa
Kenya’s Leading Boutique Hotel: The Social House
Kenya’s Leading Business Hotel: PrideInn Azure Hotel Nairobi, Westlands
Kenya’s Leading Car Rental Company: Avis
Kenya’s Leading Chauffeur Company: Lesus Executive Concierge
Kenya’s Leading Conference Hotel: Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi Upper Hill
Kenya’s Leading Destination Management Company: Go Places Africa DMC
Kenya’s Leading Domestic Safari Carrier: AirKenya
Kenya’s Leading Family Resort: Mnarani Beach Club
Kenya’s Leading Hotel: Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi Upper Hill
Kenya’s Leading Hotel Residences: JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi
Kenya’s Leading Hotel Suite: Presidential Suite @ Villa Rosa Kempinski Nairobi
Kenya’s Leading Luxury Hotel: JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi
Kenya’s Leading Luxury Private Villa: Sirai Beach
Kenya’s Leading Online Travel Agency: Viutravel
Kenya’s Leading Resort: Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort
Kenya’s Leading Safari Camp Brand: Governors’ Camp Collection
Kenya’s Leading Safari Company: Twiga Tours
Kenya’s Leading Safari Lodge: Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Kenya’s Leading Tented Safari Camp: Sarova Mara Game Camp
Kenya’s Leading Tour Operator: Pollman’s Tours & Safaris
Kenya’s Leading Travel Agency: Bonfire Adventures
Kenya’s Leading Travel Management Company: ATS Travel

Africa-wide winners included:

Africa’s Leading Adventure Tour Operator: Zara Tanzania Adventures
Africa’s Leading Airline: Kenya Airways
Africa’s Leading Airline – Business Class: Kenya Airways
Africa’s Leading Airline – Economy Class: EgyptAir
Africa’s Leading Airline Brand: Kenya Airways
Africa’s Leading Airport: Julius Nyerere International Airport, Tanzania
Africa’s Leading Airport Hotel: Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport, Kenya
Africa’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort: Diamonds Malindi, Kenya
Africa’s Leading Balloon Ride Operator: Miracle Experience – Balloon Safaris Tanzania
Africa’s Leading Beach Destination: Zanzibar, Tanzania
Africa’s Leading Beach Resort: Swahili Beach, Kenya
Africa’s Leading Big 5 National Park: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel: Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, South Africa
Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel Brand: Mantis Collection
Africa’s Leading Boutique Resort: One&Only Nyungwe House, Rwanda
Africa’s Leading Business Car Rental Company: Avis
Africa’s Leading Business Hotel: Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Nigeria
Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination: Nairobi, Kenya
Africa’s Leading Car Rental Company: Avis
Africa’s Leading Casino Resort: Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, Morocco
Africa’s Leading City Destination: Cape Town, South Africa
Africa’s Leading City Hotel: Sarova Stanley, Kenya
Africa’s Leading Conference Hotel: Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali, Rwanda
Africa’s Leading Conservation Company: Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Africa’s Leading Cruise Line: Oceania Cruises
Africa’s Leading Cruise Port: Port of Cape Town, South Africa
Africa’s Leading Cultural National Park: Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Africa’s Leading Design Hotel: Tribe Hotel, Kenya
Africa’s Leading Destination: Tanzania
Africa’s Leading Destination Management Company: Ker & Downey® Africa
Africa’s Leading Distillery Tour: Inverroche Distillery, South Africa
Africa’s Leading Elephant Paradise National Park: Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
Africa’s Leading Family Resort: Baobab Beach Resort & Spa, Kenya
Africa’s Leading Festival & Event Destination: Zanzibar, Tanzania
Africa’s Leading Green Hotel: Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport, South Africa
Africa’s Leading Honeymoon Destination: Kitulo National Park, Tanzania
Africa’s Leading Hotel: Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, Kenya
Africa’s Leading Hotel Brand: Radisson Blu
Africa’s Leading Hotel Residences: The Residences at Leopard Beach Resort & Spa, Kenya
Africa’s Leading Hotel Suite: Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite @ Saxon Hotel
Africa’s Leading Inflight Magazine: Msafiri (Kenya Airways)
Africa’s Leading Leisure Travel Agency: Satguru Travel
Africa’s Leading Low-Cost Airline: Jambojet
Africa’s Leading Luxury Hotel: Royal Mansour Marrakech, Morocco
Africa’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa: Grand Riad @ Royal Mansour Marrakech
Africa’s Leading Luxury Island: Jumeirah Thanda Island, Tanzania
Africa’s Leading Luxury Lodge: Silvan Safari, South Africa
Africa’s Leading Luxury Private Villa: Sirai House, Kenya
Africa’s Leading Luxury Resort: One&Only Cape Town, South Africa
Africa’s Leading Luxury Safari Company: &Beyond
Africa’s Leading Luxury Safari Lodge: Chem Chem Lodge, Tanzania
Africa’s Leading Luxury Safari Villa: Private Villas @ Cheetah Plains, South Africa
Africa’s Leading Luxury Tented Safari Camp: Siringit Serengeti Camp, Tanzania
Africa’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator: Go2Africa
Africa’s Leading Luxury Train: The Blue Train
Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre: Durban ICC, South Africa
Africa’s Leading Meetings Destination: Durban, South Africa
Africa’s Leading Mountain National Park: Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania
Africa’s Leading National Park: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Africa’s Leading New Hotel: Singita Milele, Tanzania
Africa’s Leading Online Travel Agency: TravelYalla
Africa’s Leading Private Game Reserve: &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve
Africa’s Leading Private Island Resort: Chale Island, Kenya
Africa’s Leading Private Jet Charter: ExecuJet
Africa’s Leading Resort: Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, Kenya
Africa’s Leading River Cruise Company: Zambezi Queen Collection
Africa’s Leading Safari Company: Safari.com
Africa’s Leading Safari Lodge: Greystoke Mahale, Tanzania
Africa’s Leading Scenic National Park: Nyerere National Park, Tanzania
Africa’s Leading Serviced Apartments: Somerset Westview Nairobi, Kenya
Africa’s Leading Sports Resort: Ocean Sports Resort, Watamu, Kenya
Africa’s Leading Tented Safari Camp: JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, Kenya
Africa’s Leading Tour Operator: Pollman’s Tours & Safaris
Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction: Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
Africa’s Leading Tourist Board: Tanzania Tourist Board
Africa’s Leading Travel Agency: Blueberry Travel
Africa’s Leading Travel Management Company: Travel with Flair
Africa’s Leading Water Park: Valley of Waves, South Africa
Africa’s Most Romantic Resort: Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort, Mozambique
Africa’s Responsible Tourism Award: Twiga Tours

Indian Ocean winners included:

Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline: Air Seychelles
Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline – Business Class: Air Mauritius
Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline – Economy Class: Air Seychelles
Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline Brand: beOnd
Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline Lounge: Air Mauritius The Amédée Maingard Lounge
Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport: Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, Mauritius
Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport Hotel: Equator Village, Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport Lounge: JetPrime, Mauritius
Indian Ocean’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort: Kandima Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination: Mauritius
Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Resort: Andilana Beach Resort, Madagascar
Indian Ocean’s Leading Boutique Hotel: Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel, Mauritius
Indian Ocean’s Leading Boutique Hotel Brand: COMO Hotels and Resorts
Indian Ocean’s Leading Boutique Resort: COMO Cocoa Island, Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Cabin Crew: Air Seychelles
Indian Ocean’s Leading Car Rental Company: Avis
Indian Ocean’s Leading Conference Hotel: Eden Bleu Hotel, Seychelles
Indian Ocean’s Leading Cruise Destination: Seychelles
Indian Ocean’s Leading Cruise Line: Silversea
Indian Ocean’s Leading Cruise Port: Port Victoria, Seychelles
Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination: Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination Management Company: Mautourco
Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination: Seychelles
Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Resort: Bandos Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort: Kurumba Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Destination: Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Resort: Constance Ephelia, Seychelles
Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination: Seychelles
Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort: North Island, Seychelles
Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel Brand: One&Only Resorts
Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel Suite: The Vakkaru Over Water Residence
Indian Ocean’s Leading Leisure Hotel: Anantara Veli Maldives Resort
Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa: Velaa Private Residence
Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Island Resort: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Resort: The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator: Get Into Maldives Travels
Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Villa Resort: Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa
Indian Ocean’s Leading Nature Destination: Reunion Island
Indian Ocean’s Leading New Resort: JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll
Indian Ocean’s Leading Private Island Resort: Velaa Private Island
Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort: Vakkaru Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Seaplane Operator: Trans Maldivian Airways
Indian Ocean’s Leading Tour Operator: Mautourco
Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist Board: Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority
Indian Ocean’s Leading Travel Agency: Simply Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Villa Resort: JOALI Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Water Villa Resort: Baros Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Wedding Destination: Mauritius
Indian Ocean’s Most Romantic Resort: Coco Bodu Hithi, Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Responsible Tourism Award: Six Senses Laamu, Maldives

Adding a vibrant cultural dimension to the gala were breathtaking performances by traditional Tanzanian dancers. Their energetic and colorful displays brought the nation’s rich heritage to life, captivating both local and international guests alike. Far beyond mere entertainment, these performances offered an authentic glimpse into Tanzania’s cultural soul, leaving a lasting impression of the region’s artistic vitality.

The event’s live broadcast by Go Places Media extended the evening’s magic to viewers worldwide, while the generous support from sponsors such as Tanzania Unforgettable, the Ministry of Tourism Tanzania, Breaking Travel News, and the World Travel Awards ensured a flawless and memorable celebration. As the night drew to a close, it was clear that Africa and the Indian Ocean are not merely travel destinations—they are thriving stories of resilience, innovation, and discovery.

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