World Travel Awards Winners Celebrated At KICC
The stars of travel, tourism and hospitality aligned at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi, Kenya to find out who amongst them had won the industry’s ultimate annual honours.
A capacity audience of 400 VIP guests, industry figureheads and media were in attendance for a sensational World Travel Awards (WTA) Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2022.
https://youtu.be/yxuEvdQXkqg
Big winners at the red-carpet reception included Maldives winning ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination’ and ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist Board’. Cape Town picked up the coveted honour of ‘Africa’s Leading City Destination’. Kenya topped off an evening that will live long in the memory by scooping the major title of ‘Africa’s Leading Destination’, capital Nairobi claimed the prize for ‘Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination’ and KICC for ‘Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre’. ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Wedding Destination’ went to Mauritius, while ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination’ was won by Seychelles. Thanda Island took the trophy for ‘Africa’s Leading Luxury Island’.
The event marked the return of business tourism with a bang, and gave cause for unbridled celebration for Kenya Airways with a hat-trick of top aviation honours. Kenya’s flagship carrier claimed success in categories for ‘Africa’s Leading Airline – Business Class’, ‘Africa’s Leading Airline Brand’ and the ultimate prize of ‘Africa’s Leading Airline’. Ethiopian Airlines took the title of ‘Africa’s Leading Airline – Economy Class’. Air Seychelles celebrated with the honour of ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline’ with ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline Brand’ won by Air Mauritius.
Travel industry VIPs from 25 nations attended World Travel Awards comeback event at KICC in heart of Kenya’s vibrant capital city, Nairobi.
Graham Cooke, Founder, WTA, said: “What a breath-taking event and what a truly memorable experience was had by our blue-chip audience. WTA had the privilege of recognising the region’s leading lights as the industry marked its triumphant return in style. As stellar examples of tourism excellence, our winners have helped to once again raise the bar”.
“Nairobi is a pulsating city, rich in heritage but with a dynamic, forward-thinking business focus. And at its epicentre is the majestic KICC. I would like to put on record my heartfelt thanks to Nana Gecaga – the KICC’s superstar CEO and her fabulous team, as well as extend my gratitude to our generous Event Partners and Supporting Partners. I’ve been travelling the globe for the last 29 years heading up our annual Grand Tour of gala ceremonies. Tonight was amongst the very best I’ve had the privilege of leading. As the industry bounces back better and stronger, Kenya should take its place at the high table of world-class tourism destinations”.
The refined elegance of Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club claimed the ultimate hospitality award for ‘Africa’s Leading Hotel’, with Radisson Blu taking top honour for ‘Africa’s Leading Hotel Brand’. Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, South Africa won the prize for ‘Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel’ with Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Nigeria taking the title ‘Africa’s Leading Business Hotel’
The hotly contested category for ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading New Resort’ went to Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island; the award for ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Resort’ went to Andilana Beach Resort; Madagascar, ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Island Resort’ was awarded to Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi; and ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort’ was won by Vakkaru Maldives.
Travel provider winners included Flight Centre, South Africa (‘Africa’s Leading Travel Agency’) and Thompson’s Africa (‘South Africa’s Leading Destination Management Company’). In the Indian Ocean region top honours went to Get Into Maldives Travel ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator’, Simply Maldives (‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Travel Agency’) with Mautourco taking the honours for both ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination Management Company’ and ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Tour Operator’.
https://youtu.be/8sKy5jiRhwo
Here’s a Sharing Moments of Kenyan Winners
[caption id="attachment_57317" align="aligncenter" width="997"]
L-R Kenya’s Leading Hotel Residences 2022 – Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence, Nairobi Arboretum, Kenya’s Leading Safari Lodge 2022 – Sirikoi, Kenya’s Leading Hotel 2022 – Sarova Stanley[/caption]
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L-R Kenya’s Leading Tour Operator 2022- Gosheni Safaris, Kenya’s Leading Destination Management Company 2022- Pollman’s Tours & Safaris, Kenya’s Leading Travel Management Company 2022- SpotOn Vacations[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_57327" align="aligncenter" width="976"]
L-R Kenya’s Leading Online Travel Agency 2022- Travel Shore Africa, Kenya’s Leading Boutique Hotel 2022- The Social House, Kenya’s Leading Safari Camp Brand 2022- Heritage Hotels[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_57337" align="aligncenter" width="978"]
L-R Africa’s Leading Airline -Kenya Airways, Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre – Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Africa’s Leading Destination – Kenya[/caption]
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L-R Kenya’s Leading Airport Hotel – Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport, Kenya’s Leading Family Resort, PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort and Spa[/caption]
The other companies that were awarded are as follows:
- Kenya’s Leading Beach Resort – Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa
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Kenya’s Leading Business Hotel – Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi
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Kenya’s Leading Car Rental Company – Avis
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Kenya’s Leading Domestic Safari Carrier – Fly540
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Kenya’s Leading Hotel Suite – Presidential Suite @ Villa Rosa Kempinski Nairobi
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Kenya’s Leading Luxury Hotel – Villa Rosa Kempinski Nairobi
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Kenya’s Leading Luxury Private Villa – Sirai House
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Kenya’s Leading Resort – Kinondo Kwetu
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Kenya’s Leading Tented Safari Camp – Porini Mara Camp
The next red carpet events on the WTA Grand Tour 2022 will take place in Amman, Jordan (Middle East) followed by Muscat, Oman (Grand Final).
Find more information and a full list of winners on the official WTA website.
About WTA
WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the WTA brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.
Each year, WTA covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.
WTA gala ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media. For more information about WTA visit www.worldtravelawards.com
The 29th World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Partners
Source: WTA
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