NEW YORK, April 12 — Eyeing a trip to Africa or the Indian Ocean? The travel industry has named the top airlines, hotels and destinations in the regions at an awards ceremony in Zanzibar over the weekend that could serve as a guide for prospective travellers.
In 23rd edition of the World Travel Awards for Africa and the Indian Ocean, Kenya dominated the evening, taking a slew of awards including coveted titles such as Africa’s leading destination for Mombasa, the country’s second-largest city after Nairobi.
Connected to the mainland by bridges and ferries, the island-city has survived Portuguese, Arab and British rule throughout the centuries, a history that has etched itself into the ruins of Fort Jesus built by the Portuguese, Arab architecture and high gun turrets.
Mombasa is also popular for its beaches and year-round tropical climate.
The award for Africa’s leading hotel also went to Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, a luxury property adjacent to Mount Kenya National Park at the foothill of the extinct volcano. The hotel has hosted illustrious guests including Winston Churchill and Bing Crosby.
Meanwhile, the Maldives also reaped a number of awards for the Indian Ocean, including the region’s leading beach destination, leading destination and leading hotel for the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, famous for its underwater restaurant.
Environmentalists, scientists and politicians alike have been warning for years that the utopian destination is poised to become extinct with rising sea levels from the effects of climate change.
Here are some of the major winners:
Africa
Africa’s leading destination: Mombasa, Kenya
Leading hotel: Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, Kenya
Leading hotel brands: Serena Hotels
Leading national park: Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Leading tourist attraction: Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Leading airline: Kenya Airways
Leading resort: Sun City Resort, South Africa
Leading safari company: Rhino Africa
Leading safari lodge: Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania
Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean’s leading airline: Air Seychelles
Leading destination: Maldives
Leading hotel: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Leading resort: One&Only Le Saint Géran, Mauritius — AFP-Relaxnews
