The announcement that Cape Town is once again the recipient of a global travel award has stirred up interest in the city as a world-class destination. The Condé Nast Readers’ Travel Awards 2016 chose the city as Best Overseas City for Restaurants and Bars, and placed Cape Town favourably as a runner up in the category of Favourite Overseas City. In addition, Cape Town guesthouse Ellerman House featured in the Top 10 Overseas Hotels, South Africa in the 100 places to visit and South Africa was placed 4th in Best Country.
‘We are thrilled to be on the receiving end of such prestigious accolades in the Condé Nast Readers’ Travel Awards. While these acknowledge Cape Town’s status as a global icon in travel, they also compel us as tourism professionals to ensure that at all times visitors with high expectations are further surprised by the wealth we have on offer in terms of attractions and experiences. It must be noted that tourism in the city is a major driver of the economy to the Western Cape, providing job opportunities to thousands of residents, and the attention earned by such awards aids in the growth of this sector.’ – Enver Duminy, CEO, Cape Town Tourism
Cape Town has experienced steady growth in tourism over the past 12 months, and seems set for a bumper season to rival the unprecedented figures of high season 2015/2016.
‘I am deeply honoured and extremely proud that Cape Town has bagged another accolade. Those of us who live in Cape Town tend to take the natural beauty of our city for granted. Such accolades make us appreciate the beauty of our surroundings. The city is increasingly becoming known as a place to live, work, play and eat and the string of accolades is testament to this. The tourism sector is one of the fastest growing economic sectors globally. So let us all do our bit to stimulate growth in the local tourism industry and create sustainable job opportunities. Thank you to all who voted for Cape Town once again.’ – the City’s newly elected Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events and Economic Development, Councillor Eddie Andrews
Other accolades from 2016:
- The 2015-16 Telegraph Travel Awards chose Cape Town as Best City (for the fourth year running).
- In Condé Nast’s Reader’s Choice Awards, Cape Town took the honour as the number one food city in the world for 2016.
- Cape Town has been named as Luxury City Destination of the Year for the second consecutive year in the Luxury Travel Guide Africa & Middle East Awards 2016.
- Listed in the top 5 global travel destinations as “surprisingly gay-friendly” in the New York Times/SCRUFF survey on gay travel, 2016.