eThekwini Municipality tourism industry is nominated for 8 World Travel Awards

Article: The Mercury - Yogashen Pillay

eThekweni Municipality has welcomed the World Travel Awards nominating the City’s business travel and tourism industry for eight awards for their 31st edition.

The eThekwini Municipality’s business travel and tourism industry has been nominated for eight awards by the World Travel Awards. | SUPPLIED

The City described this as a vote of confidence and a nod of approval of eThekwini’s offerings. The awards are to be held later this year.

eThekwini said it had received four direct nominations this year. “This includes Africa’s Leading Festival and Event Destination 2024, which Durban has scooped for three consecutive years, Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination 2024, Africa’s Leading City Destination 2024 as well as Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conferences Destination 2024.”

The City added that other nominations included Africa’s Leading Airport 2024 (King Shaka International Airport), Africa’s Leading Cruise Port 2024 (Port of Durban), Africa’s Leading Luxury Hotel 2024 (The Oyster Box), while the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre was nominated as Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre 2024.

eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba said it was a boost for the City to receive several nominations for such a prestigious awards ceremony.

“Receiving accolades for being Africa’s Leading Festival and Event Destination for three consecutive years, beating other big cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg, attracts business.

“Festivals and big events have an enormous impact on boosting local tourism and the economy.”

Xaba said these nominations were testament to Durban Tourism’s efforts to market the City to the rest of the world by highlighting the high standards that the City and its establishments strove to achieve.

“Our teams recently participated in Australia and New Zealand key trade engagements from July 22 to August 1 to further position Durban as a destination of choice,” Xaba said.

He called on residents to rally behind the City by casting their votes in order to bring these awards home.

“Voting for the different categories is open to the public on the World Travel Awards website and will close on September 8, 2024.

“The public is encouraged to show solidarity with the tourism industry and put their weight behind those nominated by casting their vote,” the mayor said.

The City added that the winners would be announced at the World Travel Awards Grand Final 2024 set to take place on the Atlantic islands of Madeira on November 24.