(Posted 05rd November 2025)
Celebrating Excellence, Inspiring Tomorrow
The curtain has closed on the 2025 edition of the Africa Tourism Awards (The Balearica Awards), held at the prestigious Hilton London Canary Wharf on Sunday, 2nd November 2025. The glittering gala brought together leading tourism professionals, government officials, travel brands, airlines, media, and influencers from across Africa and the diaspora to celebrate excellence and innovation in the African tourism industry.
Africa Tourism Awards showcased the very best of the continent’s tourism offerings, from destinations and sustainability, to media, hospitality, and leadership. The evening featured the presentation of 35 awards across 29 categories, recognising brands and individuals whose work continues to elevate the image of Africa as a world-class tourism destination.
The winners received the gorgeous Balearica statuette, designed after the African crowned crane, one of the most beautiful and iconic birds in Africa.
Below is the full list of winners and honourees at the Africa Tourism Awards 2025:
MEDIA & TECH
Best Travel Blog – The Incidental Tourist
Best Tourism Photography – Dércio Rodrigues
Best Tourism Video (Sponsored by Brichone Experiences) – Cape Verde – From the Heart
Best Travel Writer (Sponsored by Brichone Experiences) – Sue Watt
Best Tourism Magazine – Travel Africa
DESTINATION AWARDS
Best Tourism Board – Kenya Tourism Board
Best Country Destination (Sponsored by WATO) – Mauritius
Best City Destination – Cape Town
Best Beach Destination – Zanzibar
Best Safari Destination (Sponsored by Safari Guild) – Maasai Mara National Park
Best Adventure Tourism Destination – Swakopmund (Namibia)
Best Cultural Destination – Morocco
Best International Airport – Cape Town International
Best Tourism Promotion Initiative – Ghana – December in GH
Destination of the Year – African Diaspora – Barbados
Best Tourism Association (Sponsored by Apstar Tours) – National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA)
Best Tourism Non-Profit – West Africa Tourism Organisation (WATO)
Responsible Tourism Initiative – Planeterra
INDUSTRY ICONS
Industry Icon – Hamilton Jair Fernandes (President, Cabo Verde Tourism Institute)
Industry Icon – Allicia Santos (Director General, INFOTUR – Angola)
Industry Icon – Carol Hay (McKenzie Gayle Limited)
Industry Icon – Ola Wright (CEO, West Africa Tourism Organisation)
Industry Icon – Julie Dabaly Scott (Managing Director, Bunson Travel)
INDIVIDUAL HONOURS
Hotel Personality of the Year – David Eduaful (Managing Director, Labadi Beach Hotel)
Restaurant Personality of the Year – Hilda Baci (Chef, Restaurateur & 2-time Guinness World Record Holder)
Young Tourism Personality of the Year – Jessi Madalena (Brand Ambassador, Visit Angola)
Young Tourism Personality of the Year – Kagiso Ngwenya (President, South African Youth Tourism Network)
Women in Tourism Leadership Award – Catarina Oliveira (President, Association of Travel Agencies & Tour Operators in Angola)
Women in Tourism Leadership Award – Lavonne Wittmann (Lavonne Wittmann Consulting)
Best Tourism Public Sector Official – Abubacarr S. Camara (Director General, Gambia Tourism Board)
Most Supportive Brand – Global Tourism Resilience & Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC)
SPECIAL HONOURS
Special Recognition – Tourism Innovation – Adebayo Adedeji (Group CEO, WAKANOW)
Special Recognition – Tourism Infrastructure – Rwanda Development Board
Special Recognition – Tourism Investment – Ibrahim Ayoub (Group CEO, International Tourism Investment Corporation)
Lifetime Achievement Award – Prof. Wolfgang Thome (Founder, ATC News)
Speaking at the ceremony, Efetobo Awhana, Executive Producer of the Africa Tourism Awards, noted:
“Africa deserves to control its tourism narrative. The Africa Tourism Awards is not just an event, it’s a movement to celebrate African excellence, honour those shaping the continent’s tourism future, and inspire tomorrow’s leaders and innovators.”
The night concluded with an Afro-Caribbean buffet, live music, and a celebration of unity across borders, a true reflection of Africa’s diversity and shared ambition to redefine global tourism.
About the Africa Tourism Awards (The Balearica Awards)
The Africa Tourism Awards is the continent’s leading platform honouring excellence, leadership, and innovation in tourism. With the tagline “Celebrating Excellence, Inspiring Tomorrow,” the Awards aim to promote travel to Africa, amplify African tourism stories and inspire sustainable growth across destinations.
The Awards are organised annually by Africa Tourism Awards, under licence from The Balearica Awards, with the 2025 edition hosted at the Hilton London Canary Wharf.
Africa Tourism Awards (The Balearica Awards)
Email: hello@africatourismawards.com
Website: www.africatourismawards.com
Social Media: @AfricaTourismAwards #AfricaTourismAwards #BalearicaAwards
