Cape Town - Western Cape tourism has scored big at the Lilizela Tourism Awards, winning several categories.
The Lilizela Tourism Awards is the premier awards programme for tourism businesses in South Africa and experienced nearly 10 times as many votes compared to last year, up from 784 to 7 480 now.
Western Cape winners included the V&A Waterfront in the Best Single Resource Management (Energy) category, Southern Sun Newlands in the Best Single Resource Management (Waste) category, and the Best Overall Environment Management System spot went to Hotel Verde, Spier Wine Farm and African Game Lodge.
Aquila Game Lodge won in the Economic Impact category and Cape Point for its “scenic beauty” in the Visitor Experience of the Year category.
Speaking at the Lilizela Tourism Awards ceremony in Joburg, Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom said South Africa’s reputation as a world-class tourism destination continued to grow.
“South Africa’s tourism industry has proven itself as an excellent vehicle for growing the economy and creating jobs.
“All the finalists and award winners have done a fantastic job in advancing this important sector through their commitment to excellence in the products they have developed and the services they offer.”
The Minister’s Award, honouring an individual or business for noteworthy local and global contribution to tourism economically and socially, was handed to Mavuso Msimang.
Msimang is the chief executive officer of the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation and sits on several boards for corporate and non-governmental organisations. He was extensively involved in the transformation and restructuring of SA Tourism, South African National Parks, the State Information Technology Agency, and the Department of Home Affairs.
“All the finalists and winners are already working with us to achieve our vision of becoming one of the top 20 destinations globally by 2020, but I believe Mavuso Msimang is a worthy recipient,” said Hanekom.
Cape Argus