Diani beach, Maasai Mara voted Africa’s best as tourist firms feted

What you need to know:

  • Kenya beats odds to shine at ceremony and beat rivals for top hospitality honours.
  • Industry overcomes the challenges posed by terrorist attacks to emerge top at ceremony.

The Kenyan tourism industry has received a major boost after key attractions and hotels scooped top awards during the World Travel Awards ceremony at the weekend.

The sterling performance is welcome news to the industry, which has been hit hard by the terrorist threat.

The news also comes just days after the British government lifted travel advisories against visiting parts of the Kenyan Coast, including Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi counties, which are popular tourist destinations.

The awards — and the lifting of the advisories — are likely to lead to a revival of the tourism sector, which has been on the decline in the past two years.

Speaking during the awards ceremony, Tourism Principal Secretary Ibrahim Mohamed said winning the prestigious awards would boost the Kenyan tourism sector.

“It is a great day for Kenya, as our tourist attraction sites, hotels, lodges and tour firms have scooped some prestigious awards on the African continent,” said Dr Mohamed. “It is confirmation that travel agents from around the world have confidence in Kenya’s tourist destination.”

Diani Beach in Kwale County was, for the second time in a row, voted Africa’s leading beach destination. The stunningly beautiful white sandy beach overcame fierce competition from Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh and South Africa’s Cape Town to win the top honours in Africa.

GOOD NEWS

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya was happy about the Diani beach victory.

“It is good news for the tourism sector in Kwale County. My county government will continue to conserve the beach to help woo back holidaymakers from around the world,” he said.

“I am also happy that the government banned sand harvesting off Diani to protect this captivating beach, which has put Kenya on the world map.”

Mombasa port was also voted Africa’s leading cruise port after warding off competition from Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Durban, all of them in South Africa.

The Maasai Mara National Reserve was ranked Africa’s leading national park, beating South Africa’s Kruger National Park, Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Central Kalahari Game Reserve of Botswana.

The national carrier, Kenya Airways, was ranked Africa’s leading airline in the Business Class category, beating South African Airways, EgyptAir and Ethiopian Airlines.

The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) was voted Africa’s leading tourist board for the fourth year running.

Twiga Tours won both Africa’s leading luxury safari company and Africa’s responsible tourism company awards.

Diani Reef Beach Resort and Spa was voted Africa’s leading spa resort, while Finch Hattons emerged as Africa’s leading safari lodge.

Game Watchers Safaris and Porini Camps won Africa’s leading tented safari camp award while Sanctuary Olonana was declared Africa’s leading Eco-Lodge.

The Nairobi Serena Hotel was ranked Africa’s green hotel after beating Hilton Hurghada Plaza of Egypt and Phantom Forest Eco-reserve of South Africa.

WOO BACK HOLIDAYMAKERS

The winners received their awards at Kempinski Seychelles Resort in Seychelles on Saturday during the 22nd Annual World Travel Awards Africa and Indian Ocean gala.

The World Travel Awards are also known as “the Oscars of the travel industry”. The event was attended by travel and tourism players from across the world.

The PS noted that the awards would boost tourism recovery marketing campaigns in international tourist source markets. They are also likely to help woo back holidaymakers from Europe and the US.

KTB Managing Director Muriithi Ndegwa was happy after the board scooped Africa’s leading tourist board award for the fourth year in a row.

“The success is as a result of dedicated KTB staff, the Ministry of Tourism and generous support from the private sector,” he said.

The voting of the Mara as Africa’s leading national park and Diani beach as Africa’s leading beach destination was an international endorsement that Kenya is best in both beach and safari, he said.

“We will leverage on the global accolades to market our destination in both traditional and emerging tourist source markets to win back the confidence of international holidaymakers,” said the official.

Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Coast branch Vice-Chairman Silas Kiti said Mombasa port’s victory was a testimony that it had what it takes to turn around the cruise tourism sector.

He called on the Kenya Ports Authority to work with KTB in marketing the port to attract many more cruise ships.

“It is a big achievement for Mombasa port to scoop the prestigious award, which will help attract more cruise tourists to the country,” said Mr Kiti.

Kwale Tourism executive Adan Sheikh attributed the Diani beach win to efforts by the county government, tourism industry and the local community to conserve the iconic beach.

“Hoteliers and locals have been conserving Diani beach to maintain its pristine nature. We ensure that the beach is not polluted,” he said.

“Tourists who pour in to Diani beach are never disturbed by anybody. They are left to soak up the sun or enjoy leisure walks on the powder-soft beach.”