In the picture Minister of Tourism, Hon Anil Kumarsingh Gayan – Picture by MTPA.
Saturday, 1 June 2019, Mauritius: For its XVI edition, the World Travel Awards (WTA) Africa & Indian Ocean Gala took place for the very first time in the idyllic island-state of Mauritius, namely at the Sugar Beach (a Sun Resort), which borders the vast sands of Flic-en-Flac Beach and town.
The first gala held in Mauritius by the WTA was held under the protection of the country’s Deputy Prime Minister The Hon Ivan Collendavelloo, Minister of Energy and Public Utilities.
WTA Founder and President Graham Cooke stated during his allocution: “Our inaugural ceremony in Mauritius has proved an incredible success. We have had the privilege of recognising the leading destinations, hotels, resorts, airlines and travel providers from across Africa and the Indian Ocean and my congratulations to each of our winners.”
A further keynote speaker was the country’s Minister of Tourism, The Hon Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, who highlighted the relevance of Mauritius as a prime destination, and the efforts undertaken by the country to maintain tourism economically and environmentally sustainable. He was seconded in remarking Mauritius’s exceptional natural beauty and accessibility by MauritiusTourism Promotion Authority’s Director Arvind Bundhun.
Awardees at the red carpet reception included Kenya Tourism Board’s CEO, Dr. Betty Radier; Kenya having being voted ‘Africa’s Leading Destination’.
In the aviation sector, Ethiopian Airlines was voted ‘Africa’s Leading Airline’, whilst ‘Africa’s Leading Airport’ went to Cape Town International Airport. In the Indian Ocean, Air Mauritius claimed the titles of ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline’ and ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline – Business Class’.
South Africa’s Table Mountain was named ‘Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction’. Kenya enjoyed a strong showing, with Kenya Tourist Board named ‘Africa’s Leading Tourist Board’, capital Nairobi winning the new category ‘Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination’, and Kenyatta ICC gaining ‘Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre’.
In the Indian Ocean category, the Maldives cemented its reputation as the definitive romantic nation by being named ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination’, whereas the Seychelles picked up ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination’. Minister for Tourism Civil Aviation Ports and Marine of Seychelles, Mr Didier Dogley and Mrs Anne Lafortune, Principal Secretary for Tourism as well as Mrs Sherin Francis, Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Chief Executive, represented the country at the awards ceremony.
This gala marked the third leg of the WTA Grand Tour 2019, a true quest for the finest travel and tourism organisations worldwide. Other 2019 regional ceremonies include Montego Bay, Jamaica; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Madeira, Portugal; La Paz, Bolivia; Phú Quốc, Vietnam, with the winners progressing to the Grand Finale to be held in November at Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
For further information: Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority: http://www.tourismauthority.mu/en/
World Travel Awards: www.worldtravelawards.com
