Kenya Tourism Board chairman Kitili Mbathi (left), cabinet secretary East African affairs, commerce and tourism Phylis Kandie and KTB managing director Muriithi Ndegwa (right) are joined by WTA president Graham Cooke

Kenya has dominated at the 20th World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony hosted by Kenya Tourism Board at Safari Park Hotel & Casino, with the destination picking up more than ten awards.

Kenya Tourism Board led the pack by retaining the title of Africa’s Leading Tourist board after its first win in 2012. 

Kenya Airways won the Africa’s Leading Airline – Business Class trophy with Maasai Mara National Reserve named Africa’s Leading National Park Brand.

The host venue Safari park Hotels & Casino won the coveted title of Africa’s Leading Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions Hotel.

Speaking during the event the Kenyan cabinet secretary for East African affairs, commerce and tourism, Phyllis Kandie, urged tourism stakeholders across the continent to work together in growing the tourism sector in Africa.

“Africa is our next frontier and this is the time for us as a continent to leverage on each other’s strength, synergize on our varied expertise so as to grow our tourism sector to greater heights,” she said.

Kandie added that besides the traditional tourist source markets such as the US, UK, Germany, France and Italy, Kenya has now identified Africa as the next frontier with the potential of helping boost tourism arrivals and the government has in response mounted marketing campaigns within the continent.

Maasai Mara National Reserve celebrate their WTA win at Magical Kenya earlier

Others winners in their respective categories were Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, which took the title of Africa’s Leading Eco-Hotel, Il Ngwesi lodge, which was recognised as Africa’s Leading Eco-Lodge and Aberdare Country Club, which was voted Africa’s Leading Green Hotel.

Meanwhile the title of Africa’s Leading New Hotel went to Villa Rosa Kempinski, Nairobi, while the Africa’s Leading Resort went to Alfajiri Villas.

Kenya Tourism Board managing director, Muriithi Ndegwa welcomed the award for the Africa’s Leading Tourist Board and attributed the success to the effort to being the absolute best in all aspects of marketing the country’s offerings.

“We are honoured to win the title of the Africa’s Leading Tourism Board for the second time which supports our extensive recovery and stabilisation from the recent unfortunate incidents in our country. 

“Our marketing initiatives have brought the success and we are keen to further improve our international profile as well as reach out to new markets,” he added.

The World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to recognise and reward outstanding achievements within the global travel industry and the awards are endorsed by celebrities, travel trade and press from around the world.