World Travel Awards: Kenya shines while Rwanda sets the benchmark in Conference Excellence

Africa’s travel and tourism innovators gathered at Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, Diani Beach, Kenya for the World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony 2024, celebrating the organizations that are advancing excellence and innovation in the industry.

The VIP reception highlighted several big winners, including Tanzania, which achieved dual honors as ‘Africa’s Leading Destination’ and ‘Africa’s Leading Tourist Board’. The iconic Serengeti National Park received the title of ‘Africa’s Leading National Park’, while Mount Kilimanjaro was named ‘Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction’.

In the newcomer categories, Angama Amboseli, a luxury tented lodge in Kimana Sanctuary, Kenya’s first community-owned conservancy, was awarded ‘Africa’s Leading New Hotel’. The St. Regis La Bahia Blanca Resort in Tamuda Bay, Morocco, was recognized as ‘Africa’s Leading New Resort’.

Diani Beach earned the distinction of ‘Africa’s Leading Beach Destination’, and Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, was honored as ‘Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination’. The prestigious Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club was recognized as ‘Africa’s Leading Hotel’, while Somerset Westview in Nairobi earned the title of ‘Africa’s Leading Serviced Apartments’.

Durban enhanced its reputation as a business center by being named ‘Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination’, while the Port of Cape Town secured the title of ‘Africa’s Leading Cruise Port’.

Graham Cooke, Founder of the World Travel Awards, expressed his privilege in welcoming the winners from across Africa to the event in Diani Beach. He noted, “The incredible evening will live long in everyone’s memory. Our winners are stellar examples of tourism excellence, and I congratulate each one for helping elevate Africa’s thriving tourism economy.”

Andrew Cook, General Manager of Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, emphasized that hosting the World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony 2024 was significant not only for the resort but also for Kenya’s hospitality sector. He stated, “This global event underscores Kenya’s commitment to hospitality excellence and solidifies Diani as a premier luxury travel destination.” He added, “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners for their outstanding achievements. Hosting this prestigious ceremony is a testament to the high standards of the African tourism industry, and we look forward to continuing to offer world-class experiences to our guests.”

In the aviation sector, Kenya Airways was recognized as ‘Africa’s Leading Airline’ and ‘Africa’s Leading Airline – Business Class’. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi was voted ‘Africa’s Leading Airport’.

Additionally, Satguru Travel received multiple accolades, including ‘Africa’s Leading Leisure Travel Agency’.

On an African level, Rwanda won a single title: Africa’s Leading Conference Hotel 2024, awarded to Radisson Blu & Convention Center, Kigali.

Local (Rwanda) winners:

• Rwanda’s Leading Boutique Hotel 2024: The Bishop’s House Rwanda
• Rwanda’s Leading Business Hotel 2024: Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center, Kigali
• Rwanda’s Leading Car Rental Company 2024: Self Drive Rwanda
• Rwanda’s Leading City Hotel 2024: Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center, Kigali
• Rwanda’s Leading Conference Hotel 2024: Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center, Kigali
• Rwanda’s Leading Destination Management Company 2024: Primate Safaris
• Rwanda’s Leading Hotel 2024: Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center, Kigali
• Rwanda’s Leading Hotel Suite 2024: Presidential Suite at Kigali Marriott Hotel
• Rwanda’s Leading Safari Lodge 2024: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest
• Rwanda’s Leading Tour Operator 2024: Primate Safaris
• Rwanda’s Leading Travel Agency 2024: Satguru Travel Rwanda.

Here’s a complete list of winners.

Src: www.worldtravelawards.com

About World Travel Awards
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.