Mauritius is making final preparations as it steps up to host the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony.

Leading travel industry figureheads from across Africa and the Indian Ocean will arrive to attend the event on June 1st.

It will mark the inaugural ceremony in the paradise destination.

The red-carpet evening is taking place at the opulent Sugar Beach – A Sun Resort, which enjoys an unrivalled location bordering the vast sands of Flic-en-Flac, one of the most picturesque beaches in Mauritius.

Graham Cooke, founder, World Travel Awards, said: “It is an absolute pleasure to bring World Travel Awards to Mauritius for the first time in our 26-year history and I am excited to be welcoming the most senior decision-makers from Africa and the Indian Ocean to this delightful country.

“Mauritius embodies experiential travel at its finest – a sparkling crystal in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, offering a charming contrast of colours, cultures, adventures and tastes.”

A number of global media networks will be broadcasting the ceremony live.

The event, which starts at 20:00 (MRU) will also be streamed live on the World Travel Awards website.

Arvind Bundhun, director, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, said: “Mauritius is indeed very proud and honoured to host the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2019.

“As a major tourism player in the region and beyond, we are convinced that our very popular and attractive destination is a most fitting venue for this prestigious event in the tourism world.

“We are thrilled to host this prestigious regional event, allowing us to showcase our multifaceted island in all its glamour.”

World Travel Awards

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year, World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.

World Travel Awards 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 visit the official website.