DURBAN - ONLINE nominations for the Durban Tourism Awards are now open.
According to Durban Tourism, the awards, which are set to take place in May 2022, were aimed at giving recognition to excellence and innovation in the tourism industry.
Entries selecting nominees close on February 10; however, public voting for the Service Excellence award category will open on February 16, 2022, and close on February 21, 2022.
“The platform would create a way to celebrate the local tourism industry while also encouraging excellence and world-class service from the tourism sector players,” said eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela.
He said the awards would be exclusive to Durban tourism products.
Mayisela said tourism stakeholders, the event committee, officials along with key industry leaders and judges would be present at the event.
One of the judges, Paul Paine of the Community Tourism Organisation Association: 1000 Hills Tourism, said the quality factor should stand out.
“First and foremost is quality. I will be looking for something that will blow visitors away. That wow factor and of course a string of other important things too, like excellence,” said Paine.
Procedures for nominees wishing to participate in the prestigious awards ceremony were presented at the briefing.
The award categories comprise, among others, the Upcoming Film-Makers Award, Service Excellence Award, Sustainable Development Award and the Entrepreneurship Award. The Special Achievement Award, which is the mayor’s choice, would have three categories.
Mayisela said all categories will consist of public votes to assist judges to choose the best products based on the entry forms of participants and reviews from the public’s voting responses.
He said the top seven in each category and focus area based on the entries and public voting will be chosen by the judges.
“Physical inspections for each category will be conducted by the judges, Durban Tourism Product Quality inspectors and auditors. The judges will then make a final decision based on all the processes in choosing the final winner and four runner-ups in each category and focus area,” he said.
For nominations visit www.durbantourismawards.com from December 20.
Daily News