Kenya shines at World Tourism fete

Magical Kenya best summed up the twenty fifth Africa edition off the World Travel Awards ceremony held in Durban, South Africa.

The country’s tourism offerings were feted as the best in the continent in the awards that have been nicknamed the Oscars of the Tours and Travel industry.

Maasai Mara, home to the eighth wonder of the world, the wildebeest migration topped the charts as Africa’s leading national Park.

Diani Beach located in Kwale County was ranked Africa’s leading beach destination, this along with Diani Reef Beach Resort and Spa named the continents leading beach resort cementing its grip on the spot it has had for the last five years.

According to Diani Reef Beach Resort and Spa Managing director Bobby Kamani, the award is an affirmation of recent upgrades on the facility.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy based in Laikipia County scooped the leading conservation company award in the continent, while Kenya Airways was named Africa’s leading airline business class and Africa’s leading airline economy class.

Kenya Tourism Board Chief Executive officer Betty Radier says the listing is a plus for Kenya and confirms visitors’ confidence on the country’s destinations.

Other Kenyan winners at the fete included Villa Rosa Kempinski named Africa’s leading luxury hotel, Fairmount Mount Kenya Safari Club which was named leading hotel in the continent while Bonfire Adventures was ranked leading travel agency for the third year in a row.

Only last week, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said the country expected its earning from the sector to increase by Ksh.120 billion posted last year.

This boosted by increased visitors’ numbers registered so far since the beginning of the year.