East Africa: Kenya and Zanzibar Come Top in Global Tourism Awards

By Mathias Ringa

That East Africa is a great tourist destination has never been in doubt, and the recent World Travel Awards ceremony at the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in Morocco on December 12 proved just that.

Kenya was chosen over South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Uganda as the world's leading safari destination by over 300 industry leaders from around the globe, while Tanzania's island of Zanzibar was voted the world's leading dive destination.

It was however the awarding of the Maasai Mara National Reserve as Africa's leading national park by the WTA that clinched the overall 2015 tourism award for Kenya. The country had previously won the award in 2013.

The awards are known as "the Oscars of the travel and tourism industry."

World Travel Awards president Graham Cooke said: "It was an honour to recognise the achievements of the global hospitality sector here at the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in Morocco. Each of our grand final nominees has been recognised as a regional leader during our Grand Tour 2015, and this evening, we were able to salute the best of the best, the elite of international tourism.

"My heartfelt congratulations go to each and every one of our recipients. It is your hard work, dedication, initiative and investment that makes the tourism sector the success it is today," Mr Cooke said.

Winners of the WTA are decided by an independent vote from travel agents and tourism experts from over 200 countries around the world.

The WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry and is a brand recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Tourism in East Africa in general has been on the rise in the past few years with the exception of Kenya, with Uganda and Rwanda offering gorilla tracking, white water rafting and culture and museums as unique products. Tanzania, on the other hand gained, in its beach and safari package tours following insecurity in Kenya that affected the latter's beach tourism.

In the past one year however, Kenya's tourism has shown signs of recovery with improved general security and a revival of cruise ship tourism.

It is for this reason that East African governments were well represented in Morocco since the WTA gala ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities within the travel and tourism industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.

Kenya Tourism Board's managing director, Muriithi Ndegwa was delighted with the country winning the global award.

The KTB boss said the country deserved to be recognised as the world's best safari destination award since it offers an authentic safari experience.

"Our country scooped the global award due to the diverse flora and fauna found in our national parks and game reserves," he said. "All parks and game reserves across the country have their own uniqueness in terms of the wildlife found there, giving international wildlife lovers different experiences," he explained.

Mr Ndegwa said KTB will capitalise on the coveted awards to market the destination across the world to woo more international tourists. The Kenya Tourism Board scooped Africa's leading tourist board award while Rhino Africa Safaris was voted Africa's leading safari company.

Mauritius won the world's leading honeymoon destination award.

Kenya's Diani Beach on the South Coast was voted Africa's leading beach destination while the port of Mombasa won Africa's leading cruise port.