Tanzania, Kenya, and South Africa emerged as standout winners at the 2025 World Travel Awards (WTA) Africa edition, held in Dar es Salaam, reaffirming their dominance in the continent’s luxury tourism and hospitality sectors.
The prestigious event, which celebrates excellence across the global travel and tourism industry, saw the three nations sweep multiple categories ranging from luxury safari experiences and beach resorts to eco-lodges and destination management.
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Tanzania claimed several high-profile accolades, including Africa’s Leading National Park for Serengeti and Africa’s Leading Beach Destination for Zanzibar. The host country also received recognition for its growing portfolio of sustainable lodges and investment in heritage tourism.
Kenya was named Africa’s Leading Safari Destination for the sixth consecutive year, with top awards going to luxury camps in the Maasai Mara and conservation-driven tour operators. Nairobi’s emergence as a regional travel hub was also highlighted.
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Meanwhile, South Africa continued to assert itself as a premier luxury destination, winning in categories such as Africa’s Leading City Destination (Cape Town) and Africa’s Leading Business Hotel. The country’s win reflects its robust blend of wine tourism, wildlife experiences, and high-end urban hospitality.
Tourism leaders praised the event for spotlighting Africa’s resilience and innovation post-pandemic. The 2025 awards also marked a shift toward recognising sustainability, digital transformation, and community-driven tourism models.
With record growth in intra-African travel and international arrivals returning to pre-pandemic levels, the accolades are expected to fuel further investment and visibility for the region’s luxury tourism market.
