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World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2018

World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2018

The elite of the hospitality industry assembled at the Durban International Convention Centre for the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2018 to find out who among them would be crowned best of the best. Here Breaking Travel News chats with the winners as they walk away with the prestigious trophies.

Videos

Somas Appavou, chief executive, Air Mauritius

Somas Appavou, chief executive, Air Mauritius

17 October 2018

With the carrier honoured with the title of Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline at the World Travel Awards, Somas Appavou, chief executive of Air Mauritius, tells Breaking Travel News how the prestigious trophy will benefit the airline.

Zandile Gumede, mayor, Durban

Zandile Gumede, mayor, Durban

17 October 2018

Durban mayor, Zandile Gumede, tells Breaking Travel News how important tourism is as a driver of social change in the city as World Travel Awards hosts its annual Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony.

Philippe Baretaud and Adrian Gardiner, Mantis Collection

Philippe Baretaud and Adrian Gardiner, Mantis Collection

17 October 2018

Mantis Collection chairman Adrian Gardiner speaks to Breaking Travel News as the company is recognised with the title of Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel Brand at the World Travel Awards. With Accor having recently taken a 50 per cent stake in the company, newly installed chief executive, Philippe Baretaud, also tells us how the integration of the two organisations is progressing.

George Cohen, managing director, Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa

George Cohen, managing director, Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa

17 October 2018

As his team celebrates at the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2018, George Cohen, managing director of the Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa, tells Breaking Travel News how defending the title of Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel will help develop the property.

Rian Bornman, managing director, FlightSite

Rian Bornman, managing director, FlightSite

17 October 2018

Celebrating having won the title of South Africa’s Leading Online Travel Agency at the World Travel Awards, Rian Bornman, managing director at FlightSite, tells Breaking Travel News how it feels to have taken the title.

Anil Chandirani, chairman, Satguru Travel & Tourism

Anil Chandirani, chairman, Satguru Travel & Tourism

17 October 2018

With Satguru Travel & Tourism claiming a clutch of titles at the World Travel Awards, including Africa’s Leading Business Travel Agency, chairman Anil Chandirani here tells Breaking Travel News how the titles will allow the company to develop its offering across the continent.

Pierre Delvaux and Antigone Meda, Thanda Island

Pierre Delvaux and Antigone Meda, Thanda Island

17 October 2018

Pierre Delvaux, chief executive, and Antigone Meda, island manager, at Thanda Island tell Breaking Travel News how it feels to have been honoured with the title of Africa’s Leading Luxury Island during the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2018.

Wayne Coetzer, general manager, Oyster Box Hotel

Wayne Coetzer, general manager, Oyster Box Hotel

17 October 2018

Breaking Travel News catches up with Wayne Coetzer, general manager at the Oyster Box Hotel, as the property is honoured with the title of South Africa’s Leading Hotel at the World Travel Awards.

Markus Fritz, general manager, Hilton Durban

Markus Fritz, general manager, Hilton Durban

17 October 2018

Markus Fritz, general manager at Hilton Durban, tells Breaking Travel News how it feels to have taken the title of South Africa’s Leading Business Hotel at the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony.

Karol Joszkowski, general manager, The Royal Villas, Eswatini

Karol Joszkowski, general manager, The Royal Villas, Eswatini

17 October 2018

Taking the title of Eswatini’s Leading Hotel at the World Travel Awards, Karol Joszkowski, general manager of The Royal Villas, Eswatini, here tells Breaking Travel News how it feels to have been recognised with the prestigious honour.

Vincent Monyake, executive manager, the Blue Train

Vincent Monyake, executive manager, the Blue Train

17 October 2018

After successfully defending the title of Africa’s Leading Luxury Train at the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, Vincent Monyake, executive manager of the Blue Train, tells Breaking Travel News how it feels to have won.

Denis Dernault and Nagen Naidu, Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali

Denis Dernault and Nagen Naidu, Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali

17 October 2018

Denis Dernault, general manager, and Nagen Naidu, director, at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre in Kigali, speak to Breaking Travel News as the former World Travel Awards host is honoured with the title of Africa’s Leading Conference Hotel at the Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2018.

Riaz Noorani, managing director, Glory Car Hire

Riaz Noorani, managing director, Glory Car Hire

17 October 2018

Honoured with the title of Kenya’s Leading Car Rental Company at the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, Riaz Noorani, managing director of Glory Car Hire, tells Breaking Travel News how it feels to have claimed the prestigious title.

Stephane Duchenne, general manager, Constance Ephelia

Stephane Duchenne, general manager, Constance Ephelia

17 October 2018

Honoured with the title of Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Resort at the World Travel Awards, Stephane Duchenne, general manager of Constance Ephelia, tells Breaking Travel News how it will develop the Seychelles-based resort.

Stephane Duchenne, general manager, Constance Ephelia

Stephane Duchenne, general manager, Constance Ephelia

17 October 2018

Honoured with the title of Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Resort at the World Travel Awards, Stephane Duchenne, general manager of Constance Ephelia, tells Breaking Travel News how it will develop the Seychelles-based resort.

Helena Maxwell, area manager, southern and central Africa, Kenya Airways

Helena Maxwell, area manager, southern and central Africa, Kenya Airways

17 October 2018

As the airline claims the titles of Africa’s Leading Airline - Business Class and Africa’s Leading Airline - Economy Class at the World Travel Awards, Helena Maxwell, area manager for southern and central Africa at Kenya Airways, tells Breaking Travel News how it feels to have won.

Amrita Craig, marketer, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority

Amrita Craig, marketer, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority

17 October 2018

Taking home the title of Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist Board, Amrita Craig, marketer with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, speaks to Breaking Travel News during the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony in Durban.

Shawn Ritchie, general manager, Essque Zalu Zanzibar

Shawn Ritchie, general manager, Essque Zalu Zanzibar

17 October 2018

Walking away with the title of Tanzania’s Leading Boutique Hotel at the World Travel Awards, Shawn Ritchie, general manager at Essque Zalu Zanzibar, tells Breaking Travel News how the trophy will help develop the property’s reputation across Africa.

Abhishek Negi, general manager, Polana Serena Hotel

Abhishek Negi, general manager, Polana Serena Hotel

17 October 2018

With the Presidential Suite at Polana Serena Hotel taking the title of Mozambique’s Leading Hotel Suite at the World Travel Awards, Abhishek Negi, general manager of the hotel, tells Breaking Travel News how it feels to have claimed the prestigious honour.

Cindy Valentine, director of sales, Hilton

Cindy Valentine, director of sales, Hilton

17 October 2018

Picking up the trophy for Ethiopia’s Leading Hotel on behalf of Hilton Addis Ababa, Cindy Valentine, director of sales for Hilton in South Africa and Namibia, tells Breaking Travel News how it feels to have won the prestigious trophy.

Jon Du Bufanos, director, Gomoti Plains

Jon Du Bufanos, director, Gomoti Plains

17 October 2018

Jon Du Bufanos, director of Gomoti Plains, tells Breaking Travel News how it feels to have taken the title of Botswana’s Leading Tented Safari Camp at the World Travel Awards.

Julia Ashby, director of sales and marketing, Planhotel Hospitality Group

Julia Ashby, director of sales and marketing, Planhotel Hospitality Group

17 October 2018

As Diamonds Mequfi Beach Resort takes the titles of Mozambique’s Leading Resort and Mozambique’s Leading Beach Resort at the World Travel Awards, Julia Ashby, director of sales and marketing with owners Planhotel Hospitality Group, tells Breaking Travel News how it feels to have won.

Rekia Musa and Henrietta Omogba, The Wheatbaker, Lagos

Rekia Musa and Henrietta Omogba, The Wheatbaker, Lagos

17 October 2018

Rekia Musa, front office manager, and Henrietta Omogbai, reservation manager, at the Wheatbaker in Lagos, Nigeria, speak to Breaking Travel News as the property is honoured with the title of Nigeria’s Leading Boutique Hotel at the World Travel Awards.

Jayne Barlow, hotel manager, The Manor House at Fancourt

Jayne Barlow, hotel manager, The Manor House at Fancourt

17 October 2018

Picking up the trophy for South Africa’s Leading Country House Hotel, Jayne Barlow, hotel manager at The Manor House at Fancourt, tells Breaking Travel News how it feels to have been honoured by voters at the World Travel Awards.

Lydia Nandudu, managing director, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

Lydia Nandudu, managing director, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

17 October 2018

Honoured with the trophy for Uganda’s Leading Safari Lodge at the World Travel Awards, Breaking Travel News here chats with Lydia Nandudu, managing director of Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, about the title and what it means to the property.

Isobelle Reinertz, sales and marketing manager, Travel Dreams

Isobelle Reinertz, sales and marketing manager, Travel Dreams

17 October 2018

Isobelle Reinertz, sales and marketing manager with Travel Dreams, tells Breaking Travel News how it feels to take the trophy for Africa’s Leading Online Travel Agency at the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2018.

George Adamides, senior director, EMEA, Rovia

George Adamides, senior director, EMEA, Rovia

17 October 2018

Picking up the trophy for Africa’s Leading Curated Group Travel Company at the World Travel Awards, George Adamides, senior director for EMEA at Rovia, tells Breaking Travel News how it will allow the company to develop across the continent.

Sujal Raja-Haria, commercial director, Fly540

Sujal Raja-Haria, commercial director, Fly540

17 October 2018

With Fly540 being recognised as Kenya’s Leading Domestic Safari Carrier by voters at the World Travel Awards, commercial director Sujal Raja-Haria here tells Breaking Travel News how it will help the company develop across the destination.

Ajay Badiani, reservations manager, Auric Air

Ajay Badiani, reservations manager, Auric Air

17 October 2018

Ajay Badiani, reservations manager with Auric Air, tells Breaking Travel News how it feels for the airline to have taken the title of Tanzania’s Leading Domestic Safari Carrier at the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony in South Africa.

Chris Munyao, general manager, Primate Safaris

Chris Munyao, general manager, Primate Safaris

17 October 2018

As Primate Safaris is honoured with the title of Rwanda’s Leading Tour Operator at the World Travel Awards, general manager Chris Munyao tells Breaking Travel News what the trophy means to him.

Nilesh Thakkar, chief commercial officer, Satguru Travel & Tourism

Nilesh Thakkar, chief commercial officer, Satguru Travel & Tourism

17 October 2018

As Satguru Travel & Tourism takes home trophies for Nigeria’s Leading Travel Agency, Rwanda’s Leading Travel Agency and Tanzania’s Leading Travel Agency, chief commercial officer Nilesh Thakkar here tells Breaking Travel News what the titles mean to him and the company.

Adel Taha, general manager, Kimidar Tours

Adel Taha, general manager, Kimidar Tours

17 October 2018

Talking to Breaking Travel News during the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2018, Adel Taha, general manager of Kimidar Tours, tells us how it feels to have been recognised as Egypt’s Leading Travel Agency.

Diamond Carvalho, general manager, Kearsleys

Diamond Carvalho, general manager, Kearsleys

17 October 2018

Diamond Carvalho, general manager at Kearsleys, tells Breaking Travel News how it feels to have taken the title of Tanzania’s Leading Inbound Tour Operator at the Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2018.

Murray Gardiner, owner, Giltedge Africa

Murray Gardiner, owner, Giltedge Africa

17 October 2018

Murray Gardiner, owner and director of Giltedge Africa, speaks to Breaking Travel News as the company is recognised as South Africa’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator by voters at the World Travel Awards.

Ahmed Visham, managing director, Hey Hey Maldives

Ahmed Visham, managing director, Hey Hey Maldives

17 October 2018

Scooping the title of Maldives’ Leading Travel Agency at the World Travel Awards, Ahmed Visham, managing director of Hey Hey Maldives, here tells Breaking Travel News how it feels to have taken the prestigious honour.

Paul Bruce-Brand, general manager, Ellerman House

Paul Bruce-Brand, general manager, Ellerman House

17 October 2018

With Villa Two at Ellerman House being voted Africa’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa at the World Travel Awards,  Paul Bruce-Brand, general manager of the property, tells Breaking Travel News what it means to him.

Kioko Musyoki, general manager, Leopard Beach Resort & Spa

Kioko Musyoki, general manager, Leopard Beach Resort & Spa

17 October 2018

Kioko Musyoki, general manager of Leopard Beach Resort & Spa in Kenya, speaks to Breaking Travel News as the location is recognised with the titles of Africa’s Leading Family Resort and Kenya’s Leading Beach Resort at the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony.

Rethabile Molisana, sales executive, Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa

Rethabile Molisana, sales executive, Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa

17 October 2018

With Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa successfully defending its title of Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel at the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, sales executive Rethabile Molisana here tells Breaking Travel News how it feels to have won.

Ryan Rapaport and Irene Boshoff, Rhino Africa

Ryan Rapaport and Irene Boshoff, Rhino Africa

17 October 2018

Ryan Rapaport, creative director, and Irene Boshoff, project manager, for Rhino Africa talk to Breaking Travel News as they pick up the trophy for Africa’s Leading Design Hotel on behalf of MannaBay at the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony.

Moustafa Khataw, managing director, First Car Rental Tanzania

Moustafa Khataw, managing director, First Car Rental Tanzania

17 October 2018

Moustafa Khataw, managing director of First Car Rental Tanzania, tells Breaking Travel News how it feels to have claimed the title of Tanzania’s Leading Car Rental Company at the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony.