Rwanda has been awarded as Africa’s leading tourism destination in the World Tourism Awards for Africa held Tuesday night in the country’s capital Kigali.
The auspicious event held at the remarkable five-star Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre which is Rwanda’s latest landmark was hosted by media personalities; George Ndirangu and Makeda Mahadeo.
Little wonder that Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre was presented with three accolades; Africa’s Leading Conference Hotel, Rwanda’s Leading Conference Hotel and Africa’s Leading New Hotel.
South Africa too scooped numerous awards. Its Durban city was also named Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conferences Destination following a facelift the city underwent ahead of the 2010 World Cup, with a sleek new stadium and a revamped waterfront.
Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa won the award for Africa’s Leading Hotel Suite and South Africa’s Leading Hotel Suite.
World Travel Awards Founder and President, Graham E Cooke, said: “It has been an honour to visit Rwanda for the very first time. We have recognised the leading lights of African tourism tonight and I wish to offer my heartfelt congratulations to all of our winners”.
According to Cooke, Rwanda has proved a wonderful host for the Africa Gala Ceremony, cementing the country’s reputation as Africa’s rising star.
The ceremony attended by acclaimed players in the tourism industry in Africa and world over saw guests treated to entertainment by Inganzo Ngari, Rwanda’s celebrated traditional dance group, and the Neptunez band.
Winners from the event will proceed to compete in the World Travel Awards Grand Final, to be held in Vietnam on December 10.
Uganda had winners at the national including Kampala Serena Hotel as Leading Hotel, Roadtrip Uganda as Leading Car Rental Company, Presidential Suite at Lake Victoria Serena as the Leading Hotel Suite while the Leading Safari Lodge was won by Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge. Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp won Uganda’s Leading Tented Safari Camp.
Kenya Airways won Africa’s Leading Airline and Africa’s Leading Airline – Business Class, while Cape Town International Airport was named Africa’s Leading International Airport.
Full list for Continent Winners
Leading Airline – Kenya Airways
Leading Airline (Business Class) – Kenya Airways
Leading Airline (Economy Class) – Ethiopian Airlines
Leading Airline Brand – Ethiopian Airlines
Leading Airport – Cape Town International Airport, South Africa
Leading All-Inclusive Resort – Diamonds La Gemma dell’Est, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Leading Beach Destination – Diani Beach, Kenya
Leading Beach Resort – Diamonds La Gemma dell’Est, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Leading Boutique Hotel – Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, South Africa
Leading Boutique Hotel Brand Mantis Collection
Leading Business Car Rental Company Avis
Leading Business Hotel Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Nigeria
Leading Business Travel Agency Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Leading Car Rental Company Europcar
Leading Casino Resort The Palazzo Montecasino, South Africa
Leading City Destination – Cape Town, South Africa
Leading City Hotel – Pepperclub Hotel & Spa, South Africa
Leading Conference Hotel – Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali, Rwanda
Leading Conservation Company – &Beyond
Leading Cruise Line – Royal Caribbean International
Leading Cruise Port – Port of Mombasa, Kenya
Leading Design Hotel – MannaBay, South Africa
Leading Destination – Rwanda
Leading Destination Management Company – Destination Kenya
Leading Family Resort – Leopard Beach Resort & Spa, Kenya
Leading Game Reserve Brand – Singita Game Reserves
Leading Green Hotel – Nkwichi Lodge, Mozambique
Leading Hotel – Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, Kenya
Leading Hotel Brand – Sarova Hotels, Resorts and Game Lodges
Leading Hotel Residences – Cape Grace, South Africa
Leading Hotel Suite – Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite @ Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, South Africa
Leading Inflight Magazine – Sawubona (South African Airways)
Leading Low-Cost Airline – fastjet
Leading Luxury Hotel Villa – Villa Two @ Ellerman House, South Africa
Leading Luxury Island – Thanda Island, Tanzania
Leading Luxury Lodge – Sirikoi, Kenya
Leading Luxury Private Villa – Villa iZulu @ Thanda Safari, South Africa
Leading Luxury Resort – Fairmont Zimbali Resort, South Africa
Leading Luxury Tour Operator – Abercrombie & Kent
Leading Luxury Train – The Blue Train
Leading Meetings & Conference Centre – Durban International Convention Centre, South Africa
Leading Meetings & Conference Destination – Durban, South Africa
Leading MICE Hotel – Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, Morocco
Leading National Park – Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Leading New Hotel – Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali, Rwanda
Leading Online Travel Agency – Flightsite.co.za
Leading Private Game Reserve – Shambala Private Reserve, South Africa
Leading Private Island Resort – &Beyond Mnemba Island Lodge, Zanzibar
Leading Resort – Sun City Resort, South Africa
Leading River Cruise Company – Discover Egypt, Nile Cruises
Leading Safari Company – Rhino Africa
Leading Safari Lodge – Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania
Leading Serviced Apartments – Lawhill Luxury Apartments, South Africa
Leading Sports Resort – Legend Golf & Safari Resort, South Africa
Leading Tented Safari Camp – Finch Hattons, Kenya
Leading Tourist Attraction – Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Leading Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda
Leading Tourist Board – Kenya Tourism Board
Leading Travel Agency – Bonfire Adventures
Leading Travel Club – DreamTrips
Leading Travel Management Company – FCM Travel Solutions
Most Romantic Resort – Anantara Medjumbe Island Resort, Mozambique
Responsible Tourism Award – Nkwichi Lodge