Claire Akamanzi(r) the Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Development Board receives the award
First time nominee, Rwanda has won the World Travel Awards (WTA) as Africa’s Leading Destination during a gala ceremony in Kigali last night.
“This Award is extremely important for us in Rwanda because it builds confidence to investors, to Hotel operators, to travel industry champions that Rwanda is a leading destination for tourism and investment tourism,” Clare Akamanzi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) said at the event.
“Rwanda has been investing a lot in Tourism; this Convention Center, Akagera National Park, Gorillas and so many others”
For Akamanzi, the award summarizes everything that Rwanda has been doing to make the country a leading destination for tourism. “And this confirms it,” Akamanzi said.
Several local companies also won prizes in other categories including; Marriott Hotel as Rwanda’s Leading Business Hotel; Primate Safaris Rwanda as Rwanda’s Leading Tour Operator; Nyungwe Forest Lodge; Kigali Serena Hotel as Rwanda’s Leading Hotel Suite.
Radisson Blu Hotel and Kigali Convention Center was awarded as Africa’s Leading Conference Hotel and Rwanda’s Leading Conference Hotel while Satguru Travels Kigali is Rwanda’s Leading Travel Agency.
Radisson Blu Hotel and Kigali Convention Center was also Africa’s Leading New Hotel.
In other countries, The Polana Serena Hotel Presidential Suite and The Polana Serena Hotel were awarded as Mozambique’s Leading Hotel & Suite; Villa Monticello as Ghana’s Leading Hotel (Ghana’s Leading Suite, Ghana’s Leading Boutique Hotel); First Car Tanzania as Tanzania’s leading Car Rental Company;
The Royal Villas Swaziland as Swaziland’s Leading Hotel; Presidential Suite and Tribe Hotel (Kenya); Club Travel as South Africa’s Leading Travel Agency; Satguru Travel as Nigeria’s Leading Travel Agency.
“It is an honor for World Travel Awards to be here in Rwanda, for the very first time. This is a fantastic opportunity for Rwanda to claim its rightful place as Africa’s rising star,” said WTA President and Founder Graham E. Cooke.
Kigali city aerial view
World Travel Awards started in 1993 as part of recognizing and celebrating tourism and air operators’ excellence across the globe.
Meanwhile, Rwanda is hosting Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) and Aviation Development Africa between October 10th and 12th.
The forum brings together airports authorities, airlines, governments, industry suppliers and tourism authorities to determine the future of air connectivity and infrastructure development of Africa.
The World Travel Awards is organized at continental level, then global level.
The Grand Final Gala Ceremony will take place on Phu Quoc, the Vietnam’s Island on 10th December, 2017.
It will bring together winners from across all the continents.
Additional Reporting: Marie Clemence Cyiza Uwimanimpaye
