W@ssup

Kenya was a big winner at the World Travel Awards (WTA) Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2022 held at the Kenyatta International Convention on Saturday, October 15. The red-carpet annual gala event saw over 400 leaders in the travel industry drawn from 25 African and Indian Ocean countries congregate for an evening of colour, glamour and pomp.

In her welcome address, the KICC Chief Executive Officer, Ms Nana Gecaga, warmly welcomed the WTA. After the devastation of the pandemic, she noted, Kenya had posted an impressive 91.3 per cent rebound, receiving a total of 924,303 arrivals through the different ports of entry compared to 483,246 arrivals in 2021. While this is 31.3per cent short of pre-pandemic numbers, with 2019 marked by 1,345,859 arrivals, all indications point to a resilient industry.

“We, as a country, are delighted to host this auspicious event. Kenyans are thrilled to showcase our world-renowned culture and hospitality during the gala ceremony as well as ensure our guests have an unforgettable magical experience,” she asserted, while commending concerted government efforts to vaccinate citizens along with other protocols to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.

Kenya had a night to remember with 25 nominees who were gunning for gongs in various regional categories emerging as winners, and a triumphant outing for Destination Kenya which bagged the coveted title of ‘African Leading Tourism Destination 2022.

Nairobi, the host city of this year’s gala, the only city in the world with a national park right on its doorstep and a vibrant heartbeat of East Africa, was fittingly crowned Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination 2022. In addition to the honour of hosting the prestigious event, KICC, the city’s most famous landmark, bagged Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2022. The 27-storey icon, strategically located at the heart of the central business district, has defied age and remained the largest conference facility in East and Central Africa for five decades now.

Kenya’s second-largest city did not miss out on accolades with The Port of Mombasa bagging Africa’s Leading Cruise Port 2022. Kenya’s national carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) scored a hat-trick as Africa’s Leading Airline 2022, Africa’s Leading Airline-Business Class 2022, Africa’s Leading Airline Brand 2022. Msafiri, KQ’s inflight magazine was labelled Africa’s Leading In-Flight Magazine 2022 and Jambojet, KQ’s subsidiary, was named Africa’s Leading Low-Cost Airline 2022.

Other notable Kenya winners included Manda Bay (Africa’s Leading Private Island Resort), The Residences at Leopard Beach Resort and Spa (Africa’s Leading Hotel Residences 2022), Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Africa’s Leading Conservation Company 2022) and Sirai House (Africa’s Leading Luxury Private Villa 2022).

Within the borders, the winners included Kinondo Kwetu (Kenya's Leading Resort 2022), Porini Mara Camp (Kenya's Leading Tented Safari Camp 2022), and The Social House (Kenya's Leading Boutique Hotel 2022) among others.

Speaking at the gala, the founder of WTA, Graham Cooke, expressed his gratitude at being back in Nairobi for the Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, after KICC also hosted the 2020 edition.

The WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Every year, they cover the globe with gala ceremonies staged to reward and celebrate individual and collective success within each critical geographical region.

 

Founder of WTA, Graham Cooke, on his part, noted that they were honoured to come back to Nairobi

“What a breath-taking event and what a truly memorable experience was had by our blue-chip audience. WTA had the privilege of recognising the region’s leading lights as the industry marked its triumphant return in style. As stellar examples of tourism excellence, our winners have helped to once again raise the bar. Nairobi is a pulsating city, rich in heritage but with a dynamic, forward-thinking business focus,” he said, insisting that as the industry bounces back better and stronger, Kenya should take its place at the high table of world-class tourism destinations.

WTA gala ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.

The next red-carpet events on the WTA Grand Tour 2022 will take place in Amman, Jordan (Middle East) followed by Muscat, Oman (Grand Final).

Full list of Kenyan winners: Africa

1)      Leading Airline Brand: Kenya Airways

2)      Leading Airline: Kenya Airways

3)      Leading Airline-Business Class: Kenya Airways

4)      Leading Airport Hotel: Four Points by Sheraton, Nairobi

5)      Leading All-Inclusive Resort: Diamonds Dream of Africa

6)      Leading Beach Resort: Swahili Beach Resort

7)      Leading Boutique Resort: Billionaire Resort & Retreat

8)      Leading Business Travel Destination: Nairobi

9)      Leading City Hotel: Fairmont, The Norfolk

10)  Leading Conservation Company: Ol Pejeta Conservancy

11)  Leading Cruise Port: Port of Mombasa

12)  Leading Destination: Kenya

13)  Leading Family Resort: Baobab Resort & Spa

14)  Leading Green Hotel: Aberdare Country Club

15)  Leading Hotel Residences: The Residences at Leopard Beach Resort and Spa

16)  Leading Hotel: Fairmont, Mount Kenya Safari Club

17)  Leading In-Flight Magazine: Msafiri (Kenya Airways)

18)  Leading Low-Cost Airline: Jambojet

19)  Leading Luxury Private Villa: Sirai House

20)  Leading Luxury Tented Safari Camp: Olare Mara Kempinski

21)  Leading Meetings & Conference Centre: Kenyatta International Convention Centre

22)  Leading Private Island Resort: Manda Bay

23)  Leading Serviced Apartments: Somerset Westview

24)  Leading Sports Resort: Ocean Sports Resort

25)  Leading tented Safari Camp: Finch Hattons

 

Kenya Winners:

1)      Kenya's Leading Airport Hotel: Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport

2)      Kenya's Leading Beach Resort: Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa

3)      Kenya's Leading Boutique Hotel: The Social House

4)      Kenya's Leading Business Hotel: Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi

5)      Kenya's Leading Car Rental Company: Avis

6)      Kenya's Leading Conference Hotel: PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort and Spa

7)      Kenya's Leading Destination Management Company: Pollman's Tours & Safaris

8)      Kenya's Leading Domestic Safari Carrier: Fly540

9)      Kenya's Leading Family Resort: PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort and Spa

10)  Kenya's Leading Hotel Residence: Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence, Nairobi Arboretum

11)  Kenya's Leading Hotel Suite: Presidential Suit, Villa Rosa Kempinski Nairobi

12)  Kenya's Leading Hotel: Sarova Stanley

13)  Kenya's Leading Luxury Hotel: Villa Rosa Kempinski Nairobi

14)  Kenya's Leading Luxury Private Villa: Sirai House

15)  Kenya's Leading Online Travel Agency: Travel Shore Africa

16)  Kenya's Leading Resort: Kinondo Kwetu

17)  Kenya's Leading Safari Camp Brand: Heritage Hotels

18)  Kenya's Leading Safari Company: Twiga Tours

19)  Kenya's Leading Safari Lodge: Sirikoi

20)  Kenya's Leading Tented Safari Camp: Porini Mara Camp

21)  Kenya's Leading Tour Operator: Gosheni Safaris

22)  Kenya's Leading Travel Agency: Bonfire Adventures

23)  Kenya's Leading Travel Management Company: SpotOn Vacations