A string of accolades for South African tourism brands and a Best Beach Destination place for Cape Town was awarded at the annual World Travel Awards. Cape Town competed against Bazaruto in Mozambique, Diani Beach, Kenya, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, Zanzibar Island, Tanzania and previous winner, Sharm El Sheikh, in Egypt for the top beach attraction.

Says Grant Pascoe, Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events and Marketing: “Cape Town’s beaches are a huge tourism asset, particularly because they are so diverse. We have family beaches, tidal pools, clear water, challenging surf, endless beaches, tranquil coves – and more. Our beaches are a place for relaxation, exercise, discovery, and inspiration and so appeal to a wide range of travelers and can offer so much in a single visit.”

CEO of Cape Town Tourism, Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold, said that a sustained, combined effort between the city of Cape Town, the private sector, and the public themselves had resulted in Cape Town’s proud record of world-class beaches that were clean, safe, and carefully managed to protect their role in the biodiversity.

South Africa enjoyed a significant share of the accolades at the 19th World Travel Awards. Notable winners included SAA for Best Airline, 1Time for Africa’s Leading Low Cost Airline, Ellerman House&Villa (“Africa’s Leading Luxury Villa”), Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas&Spa (“Africa’s Leading Luxury Hotel”), The Blue Train (“Africa’s Leading Luxury Train”), Fairmont Zimbali (“Africa’s Leading Tourism Development Project”), and Shamwari Game Reserve (“Africa’s Leading Safari Lodge”)