#Africa has few winners at global edition of #WorldTravelAwards

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS GLOBAL EDITION SEES FEW WINNERS FROM AFRICA

(Posted 03rd December 2018)

World Travel Awards

Mauritius and Kenya were among the few global winners of this year’s World Travel Awards.
Mauritius was named as the most romantic destination in the world for 2018 while Kenya was named as the world’s best safari destination for 2018.
Zambia’s ‘Zambezi Queen‘ took top honours as the world’s leading boutique cruise while the Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa was claiming the honour as the world’s leading boutique hotel.
Cape Town, aka The Mother City, did Africa proud when it claimed the top honours as leading festival and event destination, also of course being Africa’s number one MICE destination for the past several years.
Silvan Safari from South Africa was named as the world’s leading luxury lodge while Villa iZulu took the award for leading luxury private villa.
Maradiva Villas, Resort and Spa from Mauritius was named as the world’s leading luxury villa beach resort.
The world’s leading safari lodge award went to the Four Season’s Safari Lodge, Serengeti / Tanzania while Shambala from South Africa was named as the world’s leading private game reserve.
The world’s leading safari resort award went to South Africa’s Legend Golf and Safari Resort.
Leading villa collection went to Mantis, an African hospitality company.

No African airline company or major continental hotel management company featured among the winners, a challenge to do better in coming years.
Besides Mauritius, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Kenya were no other African countries making it to the top of their class in what is generally referred to as the Oscars of the travel and hospitality industry.

The event in Lisbon, Portugal marked the 25th anniversary of the World Travel Awards and saw Graham Cooke, Founder, WTA, commenting: “What an incredible evening it has been here in the magnificent city of Lisbon. We have had the privilege of recognising the world’s leading hotels, destinations, airlines and travel providers and my congratulations to each of them.”

Full list of winners:

World Travel Awards Global Edition 2018

Hotel Personality of the Year 2018 Ralph Radtke, General Manager, Ç?ra?an Palace Kempinski Istanbul
World’s Leading Adventure Tour Operator 2018 Chukka Caribbean Adventures
World’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2018 Chile
World’s Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction 2018 Passadiços do Paiva (Arouca UNESCO Global Geopark), Portugal
World’s Leading Air Travel Service Provider 2018 Swissport
World’s Leading Airline 2018 Hainan Airlines
World’s Leading Airline – Business Class 2018 Aeroflot – Russian Airlines
World’s Leading Airline – Economy Class 2018 Oman Air
World’s Leading Airline – First Class 2018 Etihad Airways
World’s Leading Airline – Premium Economy Class 2018 Vietnam Airlines
World’s Leading Airline Alliance 2018 Oneworld
World’s Leading Airline Brand 2018 Aeroflot – Russian Airlines
World’s Leading Airline Inflight Entertainment 2018 Etihad Airways
World’s Leading Airline Rewards Programme 2018 Oman Air – Sindbad
World’s Leading Airline to Africa 2018 TAP Air Portugal
World’s Leading Airline to Asia 2018 Hainan Airlines
World’s Leading Airline to Europe 2018 Lufthansa
World’s Leading Airline to North America 2018 Delta Air Lines
World’s Leading Airline to South America 2018 TAP Air Portugal
World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean 2018 SriLankan Airlines
World’s Leading Airline to the Middle East 2018 Emirates
World’s Leading Airport 2018 Singapore Changi Airport
World’s Leading Airport Duty Free Operator 2018 King Power Duty Free
World’s Leading Airport Hotel 2018 Hilton London Heathrow Airport, England
World’s Leading Airport Lounge – Business Class 2018 GVK Lounge International by TFS Performa @ Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, India
World’s Leading Airport Lounge – First Class 2018 Etihad Airways First Class Lounge & Spa @ Abu Dhabi International Airport
World’s Leading Airport Resort 2018 Hulhule Island Hotel, Maldives
World’s Leading All Suite Hotel 2018 Tower Club at Lebua, Thailand
World’s Leading All-Inclusive Company 2018 Sandals Resorts International
World’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort Brand 2018 Beaches Resorts
World’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2018 Sandals Grenada
World’s Leading Apartment Hotel 2018 JA Oasis Beach Tower, Dubai, UAE
World’s Leading Beach & Casino Resort 2018 Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, Morocco
World’s Leading Beach Destination 2018 Jamaica
World’s Leading Beach Resort 2018 Andilana Beach Resort, Madagascar
World’s Leading Boutique All Suite Hotel 2018 Hotel Les Ottomans, Turkey
World’s Leading Boutique Cruise 2018 Zambezi Queen
World’s Leading Boutique Hotel 2018 Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, South Africa
World’s Leading Boutique Hotel Brand 2018 Small Luxury Hotels of the World
World’s Leading Boutique Hotel Operator 2018 Amazing Evolution Management
World’s Leading Boutique Resort 2018 Charming Luxury Lodge & Private Spa, Argentina
World’s Leading Boutique Villa Resort 2018 Eagles Nest, New Zealand
World’s Leading Budget Hotel Brand 2018 Citymax Hotels
World’s Leading Business & Conference Hotel 2018 Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, UAE
World’s Leading Business Car Rental Company 2018 Sixt
World’s Leading Business Hotel 2018 Grosvenor House Dubai, United Arab Emirates
World’s Leading Business Hotel Brand 2018 Rotana Hotels
World’s Leading Business Travel Agency 2018 Carlson Wagonlit Travel
World’s Leading Business Travel Destination 2018 Hong Kong
World’s Leading Cabin Crew 2018 Hainan Airlines
World’s Leading Car Rental Company 2018 Avis
World’s Leading Car Rental Rewards Programme 2018 Avis Preferred
World’s Leading Caribbean Attraction Company 2018 Island Routes Caribbean Adventures
World’s Leading Casino Resort 2018 Galaxy Macau
World’s Leading Champagne Cellar Tour 2018 G. H. Mumm
World’s Leading Charter Airline 2018 Thomas Cook Airlines
World’s Leading City Break Destination 2018 Lisbon, Portugal
World’s Leading City Destination 2018 Lisbon, Portugal
World’s Leading City Hotel 2018 Corinthia Hotel Lisbon, Portugal
World’s Leading City Tourist Board 2018 Public and Municipal Company of Tourism, Civic Promotion and International Relations of Guayaquil
World’s Leading Classic Hotel 2018 Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel, Portugal
World’s Leading Conference Hotel 2018 Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, UAE
World’s Leading Conservation Company 2018 Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua, Portugal
World’s Leading Corporate Hotel Brand 2018 Millennium & Copthorne
World’s Leading Corporate Resort 2018 Beach Rotana, Abu Dhabi
World’s Leading Cruise Brand 2018 Royal Caribbean International
World’s Leading Cruise Destination 2018 Jamaica
World’s Leading Cruise Line 2018 Norwegian Cruise Line
World’s Leading Cruise Port 2018 Mina Rashid, Dubai
World’s Leading Cruise Travel Agent 2018 CruiseDirect.com
World’s Leading Culinary Destination 2018 Peru
World’s Leading Cultural Airline 2018 Vietnam Airlines
World’s Leading Cultural City Destination 2018 Saint Petersburg, Russia
World’s Leading Cultural Destination 2018 Peru
World’s Leading Curated Group Travel Company 2018 Rovia
World’s Leading Desert Resort 2018 Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
World’s Leading Design Hotel 2018 The Vine Hotel, Portugal
World’s Leading Destination 2018 Portugal
World’s Leading Destination Management Company 2018 Mideast Travel Worldwide
World’s Leading Distillery Tour 2018 Jameson Distillery Bow St.
World’s Leading Dive Destination 2018 Maldives
World’s Leading Dive Resort 2018 Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort, China
World’s Leading Eco-Lodge 2018 Aristi Mountain Resort & Villas, Greece
World’s Leading Entertainment Resort Brand 2018 MGM Resorts International
World’s Leading Excellence Inflight Service 2018 Hainan Airlines
World’s Leading Exclusive Private Island 2018 Thanda Island, Tanzania
World’s Leading Exclusive Retreat 2018 Lake Kora, New York, USA
World’s Leading Executive Club Lounge 2018 Club InterContinental @ InterContinental Sydney, Australia
World’s Leading Experiential Luxury Property 2018 Annandale, New Zealand
World’s Leading Extreme Adventure 2018 Bear Grylls Survival Academy
World’s Leading Family Resort 2018 RIMBA Jimbaran Bali by AYANA, Indonesia
World’s Leading Ferry Operator 2018 DFDS
World’s Leading Festival & Event Destination 2018 Cape Town, South Africa
World’s Leading Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant 2018 Vila Joya Hotel Restaurant @ Vila Joya, Portugal
World’s Leading Fully Integrated Resort 2018 Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa, Turkey
World’s Leading Glamping Operator 2018 Camp Kerala
World’s Leading Golf & Villa Resort 2018 Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, Spain
World’s Leading Green City Hotel 2018 PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore
World’s Leading Green Cruise Line 2018 Star Clippers
World’s Leading Green Destination 2018 Ecuador
World’s Leading Green Hotel 2018 Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel, Ecuador
World’s Leading Green Resort 2018 InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Vietnam
World’s Leading Green Tour Operator 2018 Explorandes
World’s Leading Green Transport Solution Company 2018 Europcar
World’s Leading Group Tour Operator 2018 Vietravel
World’s Leading Heritage Hotel 2018 Ç?ra?an Palace Kempinski Istanbul, Turkey
World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination 2018 Saint Lucia
World’s Leading Honeymoon Resort 2018 Jumeirah Vittaveli, Maldives
World’s Leading Hospitality Development Company 2018 Katara Hospitality
World’s Leading Hotel 2018 Armani Hotel Dubai, United Arab Emirates
World’s Leading Hotel Alliance 2018 Leading Hotels of the World
World’s Leading Hotel Beach Villas 2018 Beachfront Villas @ One&Only The Palm, Dubai
World’s Leading Hotel Brand 2018 InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
World’s Leading Hotel Dining & Entertainment Experience 2018 Al Habtoor City, United Arab Emirates
World’s Leading Hotel Loyalty Programme 2018 Hilton Honors
World’s Leading Hotel Management Company 2018 HotelBrain
World’s Leading Hotel Penthouse 2018 Penthouses @ Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE
World’s Leading Hotel Residences 2018 Grosvenor House Suites by Jumeirah Living, England
World’s Leading Hotel Rooftop Restaurant & Bar 2018 City Space @ Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy Moscow, Russia
World’s Leading Hotel Service Award 2018 Fairmont Dubai, United Arab Emirates
World’s Leading Hotel Suite 2018 Katara Royal Suite @ Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Milan, Italy
World’s Leading Ice Hotel 2018 Arctic SnowHotel, Finland
World’s Leading In-house Hotel Magazine 2018 Maradiva Magazine
World’s Leading Inflight Duty Free Concessionaire 2018 Inflight Sales Group
World’s Leading Inflight Magazine 2018 Up Magazine (TAP Air Portugal)
World’s Leading Integrated Tourism Group 2018 TUI Group
World’s Leading Island Destination 2018 Madeira Islands
World’s Leading Island Resort 2018 Pullman Timi Ama Sardegna, Italy
World’s Leading Island Villas 2018 The Villas at AYANA Resort, Bali, Indonesia
World’s Leading Landmark Hotel 2018 The Dorchester, England
World’s Leading Landmark Resort 2018 Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, UAE
World’s Leading Large Ship Cruise Line 2018 Norwegian Cruise Line
World’s Leading Leisure Resort 2018 Mriya Resort & Spa
World’s Leading Lifestyle Destination 2018 Miami Beach
World’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel 2018 Hotel Indigo Lower East Side New York
World’s Leading Lifestyle Resort 2018 Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel
World’s Leading Low-Cost Airline 2018 AirAsia
World’s Leading Low-Cost Airline Cabin Crew 2018 AirAsia
World’s Leading Luxury All Suite Hotel 2018 Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, United Arab Emirates
World’s Leading Luxury Beach Resort 2018 Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, UAE
World’s Leading Luxury Business Hotel 2018 InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong
World’s Leading Luxury Car Rental Company 2018 Sixt Luxury Cars
World’s Leading Luxury Chauffeur Service 2018 Sixt Limousine Service
World’s Leading Luxury City Hotel 2018 Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy Moscow
World’s Leading Luxury City Resort 2018 Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Italy
World’s Leading Luxury Dry Hotel 2018 Al Madina Shaza, Saudi Arabia
World’s Leading Luxury Family Resort 2018 Forte Village Resort, Italy
World’s Leading Luxury Family Resort & Villas 2018 Mriya Resort & Spa
World’s Leading Luxury Flight Services Provider 2018 NetJets
World’s Leading Luxury Halal Hotel & Resort Brand 2018 Jannah Hotels & Resorts
World’s Leading Luxury Hotel 2018 The Peninsula Paris, France
World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Apartments 2018 Sofitel Dubai The Palm Luxury Apartments
World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Brand 2018 Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Penthouse 2018 Superior 4 Bedroom Penthouse @ Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah, United Arab Emirates
World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa 2018 Fleming Villa @ GoldenEye, Jamaica
World’s Leading Luxury Island Resort 2018 The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
World’s Leading Luxury Island Resort & Villas 2018 JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, Vietnam
World’s Leading Luxury Island Villas 2018 Taveuni Palms Resort, Fiji
World’s Leading Luxury Leisure Resort 2018 Conrad Algarve, Portugal
World’s Leading Luxury Lodge 2018 Silvan Safari, South Africa
World’s Leading Luxury MICE Resort 2018 InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Vietnam
World’s Leading Luxury Private Island Resort 2018 Cheval Blanc Randheli, Maldives
World’s Leading Luxury Private Villa 2018 Villa iZulu @ Thanda Safari, South Africa
World’s Leading Luxury Resort 2018 Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, UAE
World’s Leading Luxury Resort & Villas 2018 Mriya Resort & Spa
World’s Leading Luxury Safari Company 2018 Abercrombie & Kent
World’s Leading Luxury Sailing Cruise Company 2018 Star Clippers
World’s Leading Luxury Sports & Villa Resort 2018 Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic
World’s Leading Luxury Suites Hotel 2018 Al Faisaliah Suites, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
World’s Leading Luxury Themed Resort 2018 JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, Vietnam
World’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator 2018 Nirvana Travel & Tourism
World’s Leading Luxury Train 2018 Maharajas’ Express
World’s Leading Luxury Villa Beach Resort 2018 Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa, Mauritius
World’s Leading Luxury Villa Resort 2018 Zaya Nurai Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
World’s Leading Luxury Wedding Resort 2018 InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Vietnam
World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2018 Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre
World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination 2018 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Hotel 2018 One World Hotel, Malaysia
World’s Leading MICE Destination 2018 Dubai
World’s Leading MICE Hotel 2018 Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
World’s Leading MICE Resort 2018 Atlantis Sanya, China
World’s Leading Most Efficient Low-Cost Airline 2018 West Air
World’s Leading New Airport 2018 Muscat International Airport, Oman
World’s Leading New Family Resort 2018 InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort, Vietnam
World’s Leading New Hotel 2018 Bürgenstock Hotel, Switzerland
World’s Leading New Luxury Resort 2018 InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort, Vietnam
World’s Leading New MICE Resort 2018 InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort, Vietnam
World’s Leading New Resort 2018 AYANA Komodo Resort, Waecicu Beach, Indonesia
World’s Leading New Resort & Villas 2018 Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, UAE
World’s Leading Online Travel Agency 2018 Booking.com
World’s Leading Palace Hotel 2018 San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice, Italy
World’s Leading Polar Expedition Operator 2018 Quark Expeditions
World’s Leading Private Game Reserve 2018 Shambala Private Game Reserve, South Africa
World’s Leading Private Island Resort 2018 Laucala Island, Fiji
World’s Leading Private Jet Charter 2018 Royal Jet
World’s Leading Resort 2018 Forte Village Resort, Italy
World’s Leading Resort Architecture Design 2018 InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Vietnam
World’s Leading Resort Brand 2018 Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
World’s Leading Resort Design 2018 The Oberoi Beach Resort, Al Zorah, United Arab Emirates
World’s Leading Resort Residences 2018 The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, UAE
World’s Leading Resort Swimming Pool 2018 Shell Pool @ JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, Vietnam
World’s Leading Retreat 2018 Gaia Retreat & Spa, Australia
World’s Leading River Cruise Company 2018 American Cruise Lines
World’s Leading Safari Destination 2018 Kenya
World’s Leading Safari Lodge 2018 Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania
World’s Leading Safari Resort 2018 Legend Golf & Safari Resort, South Africa
World’s Leading Seaplane Operator 2018 Trans Maldivian Airways
World’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand 2018 Frasers Hospitality
World’s Leading Serviced Apartments 2018 Fraser Suites Le Claridge Champs-Elysées, France
World’s Leading Shopping Mall 2018 The Dubai Mall, UAE
World’s Leading Shopping Mall Hotel 2018 Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Dubai, UAE
World’s Leading Small Ships Cruise Line 2018 American Cruise Lines
World’s Leading Specialist Cruise Line 2018 Windstar Cruises
World’s Leading Sports Academy 2018 Forte Village Resort, Italy
World’s Leading Sports Resort 2018 The Meydan Hotel, Dubai
World’s Leading Sports Tourism Destination 2018 Abu Dhabi, UAE
World’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination 2018 Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
World’s Leading Theme Park Resort 2018 Disneyland Paris, France
World’s Leading Themed Hotel 2018 ICEHOTEL, Sweden
World’s Leading Themed Hotel Bar 2018 Department of Chemistry Bar @ JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, Vietnam
World’s Leading Tour Operator 2018 Nirvana Travel & Tourism
World’s Leading Tourism Development Project 2018 Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
World’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2018 Machu Picchu, Peru
World’s Leading Tourist Board 2018 Turismo de Portugal
World’s Leading Travel Agency 2018 Regency Travel & Tours, Qatar
World’s Leading Travel Club 2018 DreamTrips by Rovia
World’s Leading Travel Club Membership 2018 DreamTrips
World’s Leading Travel Management Company 2018 FCM Travel Solutions
World’s Leading Underwater Hotel Restaurant 2018 Sea @ Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
World’s Leading Villa Collection 2018 Mantis Owners Collection
World’s Leading Villa Resort 2018 Round Hill Hotel & Villas, Jamaica
World’s Leading Water Park 2018 Yas Waterworld, Abu Dhabi
World’s Leading Water Villa Resort 2018 Sun Aqua Vilu Reef, Maldives
World’s Leading Wedding Destination 2018 The Bahamas
World’s Leading Wedding Venue 2018 Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort, China
World’s Leading Wellness Hotel 2018 Grandhotel Lienz, Austria
Lifetime Achievement Award 2018 Choe Peng Sum, Chief Executive Officer, Frasers Hospitality Group
World’s Most Romantic Destination 2018 Mauritius
World’s Most Romantic Resort 2018 Baros Maldives
Outstanding Contribution to the Hospitality Industry 2018 Jan Chovanec, General Manager, Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy Moscow
World’s Responsible Tourism Award 2018 Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
World’s Ultimate Service Award in Hospitality 2018