Africa’s travel and tourism innovators celebrate at VIP reception in Diani Beach Kenya

Tourism royalty from across Africa convened at Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, Diani Beach, Kenya for the World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony 2024 to recognise the travel organisations pushing the boundaries of excellence and innovation.

Big winners at the VIP reception included Tanzania, which claimed double honours for ‘Africa’s Leading Destination’ and ‘Africa’s Leading Tourist Board’. Its iconic Serengeti National Park was named ‘Africa’s Leading National Park’, with Mount Kilimanjaro taking the title of ‘Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction’.

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

Diani Beach was recognised as ‘Africa’s Leading Beach Destination’ and Kenyan capital Nairobi was awarded ‘Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination’. The prestigious Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club claimed ‘Africa’s Leading Hotel’, and Somerset Westview in Nairobi was recognized as ‘Africa’s Leading Serviced Apartments’.

Durban continued to forge its reputation as a business hub by being honoured as ‘Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination’. The Port of Cape Town was awarded ‘Africa’s Leading Cruise Port’.

Graham Cooke, Founder of WTA, said: “It has been a privilege to welcome our winners from every corner of Africa to celebrate with us in Kenya’s beautiful Diani Beach. The incredible evening will live long in everyone’s memory. Our winners represent stellar examples of tourism excellence, and I congratulate each and every one for helping raise the collective benchmark of Africa’s thriving tourism economy to even greater heights.”

Andrew Cook, General Manager, Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, reiterated that hosting the World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony 2024 was a landmark moment not just for the resort, but for Kenya’s hospitality industry.

He said: “This global event not only underscores Kenya’s dedication to excellence in hospitality but also cements Diani as a premier destination for luxury travel, attracting both local and international tourists.”

He added: “At Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners tonight for their outstanding achievements. Hosting this prestigious ceremony at our resort is a testament to the remarkable standards of the African tourism industry, and we are honoured to have played a role in celebrating those who have reached the pinnacle of success. We look forward to continuing to provide world-class experiences to all our guests"

In the aviation sector, winners included Kenya Airways securing ‘Africa’s Leading Airline’ and ‘Africa’s Leading Airline - Business Class’. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi was voted ‘Africa’s Leading Airport’.

Satguru Travel collected a host of awards including ‘Africa’s Leading Leisure Travel Agency’.

Find more information and a full list of winners on the official WTA website.

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 worldtravelawards.com.