Kenya has scooped the World´s leading safari destination in 2022, placing it on the global map as the best tourist destination.
This was during the World Travel Awards (WTA) Grand Final Gala ceremony in Muscat, Oman on Saturday.
A Kenyan travel agency, Twiga tours, also emerged top as the World´s leading safari company.
Twiga tours CEO Minaz Minji termed the award as the biggest achievement for the company and the entire team that made it happen.
“Winning this award on a global level is a statement to what our company stands for – quality and unique experience,” Minji said in a statement.
He gave credit to their amazing guests and partners across the globe for their confidence in the company.
“It has been a hard journey since our company’s inception 42 years ago. But sheer hard work, dedication and passion to create and provide the highest level of personal service has seen this growth of the company,” he said.
Twiga tours faced stiff competition for the award from Africa uncovered and Go2Africa both from South Africa which made the top 3.
The awards are a big boost to Kenya and the entire travel and hospitality industries that have been struggling to get back to normalcy after disruptions caused by the Covid 19 pandemic.
WTA founder Graham Cooke said the winners were voted by their global audience as the leaders of tourism excellence.
“I would like to personally thank all of the winners tonight. I know that your commitment to becoming the very best will in turn serve to drive up standards across the industry and will raise the collective benchmark,” Cooke said.
Kenya also did well in other categories in comparison to regional countries.
II Ngwesi Eco lodge and Sanctuary Olonana were third and ninth in World’s leading Eco-lodge and leading in Africa while Angama Mara was ranked second in World’s leading safari lodge just behind Singita Sasakwa Lodge in Tanzania which took the top position.
Nairobi City is ranked seventeenth in the World’s leading city destination as Fairmont The Norfolk is fourth in the World’s leading city hotel.
Sirai House Kenya took the second position in the World’s leading luxury private villa category behind Villa Izulu at Thanda Safari from South Africa. Further, Billionaire Resort and Retreat Kenya are second among World’s leading Boutique resorts.
Maldives took the ultimate honour of being the World’s leading destination whereas Kenya claimed the twelfth position.
In addition, the Maldives Marketing and Public relations Corporation took the title of Worlds leading tourism board at the same time Kenya Tourism Board was ranked tenth ahead of South Africa (18) and Tanzania (19).
The evening marked the climax of the WTA 29th anniversary Grand Tour – an annual search for the finest travel and tourism organizations in the world.
