World Travel Awards – Cape Town Shines

The city of Cape Town and the Bulungula Lodge on the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast were among the favourites of British travellers in 2009.

The Guardian, Observer and guardian.co.uk announced the winners of their annual Travel Awards this week.

Their readers voted Cape Town their second favourite overseas city, five places up from last year.

The CEO of Cape Town Tourism, Mariette Du Toit-Helmbold, said they were thrilled at the news and see it as a sign that Cape Town is now widely recognised and celebrated as one of the world’s favourite city destinations.

“In the run-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup and with the eyes of the world upon us, we are working hard to maximise the exposure for Cape Town in our key source markets and amongst new markets,” said Du Toit-Helmbold.

She added, “We hope to establish a lasting legacy for our City, capturing the hearts and imagination of potential visitors through PR and media platforms. The World Cup is our opportunity to build brand Cape Town and establish the Mother City as Africa’s greatest City and one of the top ten cities in the world to visit, live, work and study.”

In the Guardian’s category for judged awards, South Africa’s Bulungula Lodge on the Wild Coast came second in the Ethical Travel Awards.

The Lodge runs on solar power and was one of the first lodges in the world to be Fair Trade accredited.

According to the Guardian, many travel companies not only survived, but thrived this year despite huge challenges due to the recession. Surveys show that holidays are still regarded as a top priority for many in the United Kingdom.

19 248 readers of the British newspapers voted in their annual Travel Awards, up from 17 000 votes last year.

In 2008 Cape Town was voted ‘Best World City’ by readers of the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph in their Telegraph Travel Awards.

source: The Guardian