The World Travel Awards (WTA) has ranked Kenya as Africa’s leading tourist destination in 2020.
The results of the annual vote were announced on Monday during the 27th WTA finals held in United Kingdom, an event that also coincided with the Africa Winners Day.
Kenya’s top rank was based on its wide array of immense herds of wildlife, palm-fringed beaches and epic savannah landscapes.
Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Shimba Hills National Reserve, Samburu National Reserve, Tsavo national Park and Sweet Waters Game Reserve were named among the country’s top safari destinations.
The capital Nairobi was ranked Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination while Kenyatta International Convention Centre won Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre award.
Nairobi beat its closest competitor, Cape Town in South Africa, which was named Africa’s Leading Festival and Event Destination. Its majestic Table Mountain was named Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction.
The votes for the awards were cast by travel industry professionals and the public on categories that included travel, tourism and hospitality.
South African city of Durban was voted Africa’s Leading City Destination.
In the hospitality sector, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club’s unique comforts in the shadow of Mount Kenya helped it to clinch the Africa’s Leading Hotel title, while Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa in South Africa was named Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel.
Kenya’s Aberdare Country Club was voted Africa’s Leading Green Hotel. Other winners include Serengeti National Park (Africa’s Leading National Park), Thanda Island, Tanzania (Africa’s Leading Luxury Island), Shambala Private Game Reserve, South Africa (Africa’s Leading Private Game Reserve) and The Oberoi, Marrakech (Morocco’s Leading Hotel Suite).
WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.
Kenya’s Twiga Tours scooped three awards, including the coveted World Responsible Tourism Award Africa’s.
The safari company was also the best in its category as Kenya’s Leading Inbound Tour Operator and Kenya’s Leading Safari Company 2020.
