DIANI (KENYA), Oct 20 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — TANZANIA has once again cemented its place as a top tourism destination after bagging four prestigious awards at the 31st annual World Travel Awards (WTA).
The event, held on Friday in Kenya, brought together tourism royalty from across Africa to honour those pushing the boundaries of excellence and innovation in the travel industry.
Tanzania claimed double honours, being recognised as Africa’s Leading Destination 2024 while the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) was recognised as Africa’s Leading Tourist Board.
The country’s Serengeti National Park continued its dominance, securing the title of Africa’s Leading National Park for the sixth consecutive year, while Mount Kilimanjaro was named Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction.
The awards were announced during a VIP reception, which also saw big wins for Kenya and Morocco. Diani Beach was named Africa’s Leading Beach Destination and the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, was awarded Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination.
Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club claimed Africa’s Leading Hotel, while Somerset Westview in Nairobi was honoured as Africa’s Leading Serviced Apartments.
Durban furthered its status as a business hub by being named Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Destination and the Port of Cape Town took home the award for Africa’s Leading Cruise Port.
In the newcomer categories, Kenya’s Angama Amboseli, a luxury tented lodge in the Kimana Sanctuary, was named Africa’s Leading New Hotel, while Morocco’s St Regis La Bahia Blanca Resort, Tamuda Bay, was voted Africa’s Leading New Resort.
Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) spokesperson, Catherine Mbena, said these recognitions underscore Tanzania’s status as a premier destination for unforgettable safari experiences and highlights the critical importance of ongoing conservation efforts
“We are beyond proud to have claimed four major awards at the World Travel Awards, each representing the unrivalled beauty and spirit of our nation,” she said.
Mbena thanked everyone who voted and supports Tanzania. “Together, we celebrate a land of wonders, adventure and beauty,” she added.
The awards are a proof to Tanzania’s enduring appeal. The Serengeti National Park, which competed against top-tier locations such as Botswana’s Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, has now won Africa’s Leading National Park title six times consecutively.
Mount Kilimanjaro stood out among iconic attractions like Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza, South Africa’s Table Mountain and Tanzania’s own Ngorongoro Conservation Area, winning the title of Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction for the sixth time.
WTA was established in 1993 to recognise and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. It is considered the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the standard for the industry.
The WTA brand is globally recognised, with regional gala ceremonies held annually to celebrate individual and collective success in key geographical regions.
The Africa gala is part of the broader WTA Grand Tour 2024, with other regional events which took place in Berlin, Dubai, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Manila.
Regional winners will advance to the Grand Final in Madeira, Portugal, on 24 November 2024, where the global champions of the travel industry will be unveiled. — NNN-DAILYNEWS