Tanzania is known for its national parks with its tantalising cocktail of epic savannah landscapes, immense herds of wildlife, beaches and of course Africa’s highest peak, Kilimanjaro.

On Monday, November 9, World Travel Awards a global initiative to recognize and reward excellence in travel and tourism unveiled its Africa 2020 winners to coincide with its inaugural Africa Winners Day.

According to the results Tanzania won in five different categories that included, Leading National Park, Leading Cruise Port, Leading Safari Lodge , All inclusive Resort and Leading Private Island Resort.

The results follow a year-long search for the world’s top travel, tourism and hospitality brands.

Votes were cast by travel industry professionals and the public, with the nominee gaining the most votes in a category named as the winner.

Graham Cooke who is the founder of World Travel Awards said the winners represent the very best of travel and tourism sector. “They have all demonstrated remarkable resilience in a year of unprecedented challenges,” he said.

He added: “The World Travel Awards 2020 programme received a record number of votes cast by the public. This shows that the appetite for travel and tourism has never been stronger and bodes well for the industry’s future as the global recovery begins.”

 Seregenti famed for the Wilder beast migration and a vast plain that accommodates millions of wild life including the Big 5 was named Africa’s Leading National Park.

Four Seasons Safari Lodge -Serengeti was on the other hand named the Leading Luxury Safari Lodge in Africa.

Dar es Salaam Port also came into the picture after it was named the leading cruise port in Africa.

Meanwhile Zanzibar’s Chapwani Island which was named Africa’s leading Private Island after it topped the votes in that category.

Africa’s All Inclusive Resort category was won by Zanzibar’s Hotel La Gemma dell’EST.

The awards also saw Kenya voted ‘Africa’s Leading Destination’, whilst its thriving capital Nairobi was named ‘Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination’; and Kenyatta International Convention Centre collecting ‘Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre’.

Cape Town was declared ‘Africa’s Leading Festival and Event Destination’ and its majestic Table Mountain picked ‘Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction’. The fascinating South African city of Durban was voted ‘Africa’s Leading City Destination’.

In the aviation sector, Ethiopian Airlines lifted ‘Africa’s Leading Airline’, whilst ‘Africa’s Leading Airport’ went to Cape Town International Airport. Kenya Airways picked up both ‘Africa’s Leading Airline - Business Class’ and ‘Africa’s Leading Airline - Economy Class’.

www.thecitizen.co.tz