22nd World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean gala ceremony |22 June 2015

Seychelles scoops multiple awards

Seychelles scooped multiple awards at the prestigious 22nd World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean gala ceremony 2015, with Air Seychelles being one the biggest winners on the night, taking the titles of Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline, Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline – Business Class and Indian Ocean’s Leading Cabin Crew.

The winners were unveiled at the Kempinski Seychelles Resort, Baie Lazare, on Saturday night in the presence of Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St Ange, Foreign Affairs and Transport Minister Joël Morgan, World Travel Awards (WTA) president Graham Cooke among an audience of more than 150 industry leaders from 20 countries.

The WTA serves to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry. The winners are voted by travel agents worldwide.
Apart from retaining the Indian Ocean’s leading airline – business class and Indian Ocean’s leading cabin crew titles won for the first time last year, Air Seychelles wrestled the Indian Ocean’s leading airline crown from last year’s winner Air Mauritius.

In front of an audience of more than 150 industry leaders from 20 countries, Maldives was recognised as Indian Ocean's leading beach destination, while Mauritius was rewarded as the Indian Ocean’s leading honeymoon destination.

Host country Seychelles also won the titles of Indian Ocean’s leading destination and Indian Ocean’s leading cruise destination. Port Victoria was chosen as the Indian Ocean's leading cruise port, while the Seychelles Tourism Board won the award for Indian Ocean’s leading tourist board.

Four Seasons Resort captured the prize for Indian Ocean’s leading hotel residences, Kempinski Seychelles Resort is the Indian Ocean's leading MICE Hotel, AVANI Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa is the Indian Ocean's leading new resort, Fregate Island Private is the Indian Ocean's leading private island resort, Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa is the Indian Ocean's leading spa resort, and Raffles Praslin is the Indian Ocean's leading villa resort.

Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa is Seychelles' leading boutique hotel, Kempinski Seychelles Resort is Seychelles' leading conference hotel, Sainte Anne Resort & Spa is Seychelles' leading family resort, Banyan Tree is Seychelles' leading green resort, Constance Lémuria is Seychelles' leading hotel, Royal Suite at Four Seasons Resort is Seychelles' leading hotel suite, Signature Villa at Enchanted Island Resort is Seychelles' leading luxury hotel villa owners, Four Seasons Resort is Seychelles' leading resort and Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa is Seychelles' leading spa resort.

In Africa, Kenya took the coveted trophy for Africa's leading tourist board. Also taking home prizes were Hilton Hurghada Plaza, taking the title of Africa’s leading All-inclusive resort, while La Cigale Hôtel Tabarka in Tunisia walked away with the trophy for Africa’s leading new hotel.

Transcorp Hilton Abuja was also among the big winners, taking a total of five awards. The luxury property took the trophies for Nigeria’s leading hotel and Africa’s leading business hotel among a clutch of prizes.

The event was hosted by the glamorous former Miss Seychelles, Sherlyn Furneau, and leading presenter Galen Bresson, while guests were entertained by the Breeze band and the national cultural dance troupe of Seychelles.

Speaking at the start of the ceremony, WTA president Graham Cooke said: “Tonight has been a fantastic showcase of hospitality brands from across Africa and the Indian Ocean. We have recognised some industry leading brands and it is a pleasure to honour our winners here at Kempinski Seychelles Resort.”
He added that the winners will now move forward to the grand final in Morocco later in the year.

Tourism and Culture Minister St Ange welcomed the best of the best to our shores and said: “My many travels in Africa and throughout the Indian Ocean have, time and again, revealed to me that our tourism products possess great diversity, authenticity and vibrancy and are able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best on the planet. We have today among us the crème-de-la-crème of African and Indian Ocean tourism. This is such a great opportunity, not only to celebrate, honour and reward the success stories of today, but also to network and explore new synergies and strategies for tomorrow. We know we are today visible as a country as never before.”