Cape Town has been announced as Africa’s leading destination by the prestigious World Travel Awards in Durban last night (May 11, 2009) for the second year running. Executive Director of Economic, Social Development and Tourism in the City of Cape Town, Mansoor Mohamed accepted the award along with Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold, CEO of Cape Town Tourism, on behalf of Cape Town and all its partners.

“This award reaffirms the Cape Town’s global positioning as a leading tourism destination,” said Mansoor Mohamed. “This award is very important for Cape Town because it helps to strengthen Cape Town’s tourism competitiveness. It will also enhance the City’s important strategy to position Cape Town as a global events city. The award will also help to make Cape Town a destination of choice for 2010 FIFA Soccer World CupTM. Cape Town has built and maintained excellent tourism infrastructure. The City is constantly enhancing Cape Town’s tourism assets, and we are building skills and improving opportunities in our tourism sector. All of these efforts support the City’s key strategy of infrastructure led economic growth.”

The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate the enormous achievements in all sectors of the global travel industry. Travel professionals and their clients regard the awards as the best endorsement that any travel product could receive. Globally, it is considered the Oscars of the travel industry. The spectacular awards ceremony was held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban.

Councillor Ian Neilson, Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee member for Finance, Economic, Social Development and Tourism said: “This award further consolidates the position of Cape Town as a world-class tourist destination. Credit must go to our local hospitality industry for working so hard to provide an excellent tourist offering in terms of product and service”.

“To win this important award in the run up to 2010 is further proof that Cape Town is ready, willing and able to produce a World Cup experience second to none for all who visit our beautiful City.” emphasised Neilson with full support from all the relevant partners.

Cape Town Tourism was a finalist in two categories, Best Tourism Organisation in Africa and Best Marketing Campaign in Africa for its “Live Cape Town, Love Cape Town Campaign”. The Mount Nelson Hotel won Africa’s Leading Hotel.

Mariëtte du Toit Helmbold, CEO of Cape Town Tourism, stated: “We are very proud to accept this award on behalf of the tourism industry and people of Cape Town. It is testament to their dedication to growing this city as one of the world’s favourite and most remarkable destinations. Cape Town is indeed Africa’s greatest city and ready to welcome the world!”

Source: News24.com - www.news24.com

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