Kenyan companies dominated this year’s Africa World Travel Awards held on Wednesday, raising the profile of the country as the region’s tourist hot spot.
Serena Hotel Group, Kenya Tourism Board, Kenya Airways and Maasai Mara were some of the companies that were feted in the glamorous evening event held in Nairobi.
The awards dubbed ‘The Oscars of the travel industry’ attracted 100 players in the hospitality industry and emerged at a time when Kenya’s tourism sector is battling challenges including security in the wake of the Westgate terror attack.
The sector is also reeling from introduction of a value added or sales tax last month that sent retail price of various items higher and players warn it could affect their prospects.
“This is a great recognition. We are celebrating excellence in the travel sector and telling the world to come and see what Kenya and Africa as a whole have to offer,” said East Africa, Commerce and Tourism secretary Phyllis Kandie.
Leading airline
KTB was crowned Africa’s leading tourist board for the second year running. The board, which is charged with marketing the country, overthrew South Africa Tourism, which had dominated the award for four years, last year.
Kenya Airways, which has been expanding in Africa, was crowned the continent’s leading airline ahead of rivals Ethiopian Airways, South African Airways, Royal Air Moroc and Egypt Air.
Serena was declared Africa’s leading hotel brand, a title that has remained elusive for the hotel chain despite being nominated in the category over the past five years.
The group has 24 properties in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and Mozambique.
Maasai Mara was named the leading national reserve while South Africa’s Thanda Private Game Reserve was crowned the region’s leading luxury lodge and game reserve. Thanda, in Kwa Zulu Natal province, has held the title for five years and has in the past four years taken the world title.
Mozambique’s Medjumbe Island Resort was named Africa’s leading private island resort with its pristine white beach.
