South Africa's tourism and business travel sectors have earned major recognition on the continent at the 2026 World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony in Zanzibar.
Key victories for Cape Town, the Durban ICC, and leading private game reserves highlighted the country's dominance in African hospitality before regional winners move on to the world stage.
Held on Friday, August 28, at Diamonds Bijoux Resort in Bwejuu, Zanzibar, the ceremony recognised destinations, hotels, tourism businesses and venues across the continent. South African winners stood out across both leisure and business tourism, with Cape Town and Durban among the biggest winners.
The regional awards now set the stage for the World Travel Awards Grand Final later this year, where the leading regional winners will compete for global titles.
Cape Town takes two major titles
Cape Town emerged as one of South Africa’s biggest winners, taking the titles of Africa’s Leading City Destination and Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination.
The double win highlights the city’s appeal to both holidaymakers and business travellers.
For leisure visitors, Cape Town offers a combination of beaches, mountains, gardens, food and cultural attractions. Table Mountain overlooks the city while Boulders Beach is home to its well-known African penguin colony. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden offers visitors an opportunity to explore the region’s fynbos landscape.
The city also has a strong food and wine offering, with restaurants and estates across Cape Town and the Cape Winelands contributing to its tourism appeal.
Its history adds another dimension, from the Cape Malay heritage of the Bo Kaap to Robben Island and its role in South Africa’s political history.
Cape Town’s meetings and conference title reflects another side of the city. Its hotels, event venues and transport links enable it to host large business gatherings while giving delegates access to leisure activities during their stay.
Durban ICC wins for the 21st time
Durban also secured a major continental title, with the Durban International Convention Centre named Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre for 2026.
The award marks the 21st time the Durban ICC has won the category since it was introduced in 2000.
For Lindiwe Rakharebe, chief executive officer of the Durban ICC, the recognition belongs to the staff behind the venue.
“It’s such an amazing honour and so humbling for us to win this award again for the 21st time,” Rakharebe said.
She credited the team’s approach to customer service for helping the venue maintain its position.
“I would say I give it to my staff, making sure that we treat all our clients with kindness and professionalism and doing things right the first time. More importantly, exceed their expectations, not just meet the client’s expectations but exceed them.”
The venue has hosted major conferences, exhibitions and political gatherings, including the SADC Summit and BRICS-related events. It is also the home of Africa’s Travel Indaba and has secured the bid to host the 2028 World Trade Centers Association Global Business Forum.
For Rakharebe, the award is about more than the convention centre itself.
“We’ve got to keep on striving to do better for us to be able to drive, because it’s not just for Durban ICC, it’s for the economic impact of Durban, for our country and for the province.”
More South African winners
South Africa’s success extended beyond its major cities. Rennies BCD Travel was named Africa’s Leading Travel Management Company, recognising its position in the business travel sector and its use of digital tools alongside decades of industry experience.
The country also collected several national hospitality and tourism honours.
One&Only Cape Town was named Leading Resort, while Kruger Shalati The Train on the Bridge won Leading Safari Lodge. Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve was recognised as Leading Private Game Reserve.
Other South African winners included Boschendal Estate for tourism winemaking, Lawhill Luxury Apartments for serviced apartments and Dwyka Tented Lodge at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve for tented safari camping.
lutho.pasiya@nationalmg.co.za