Tanzania, Kenya Sweep World Travel Awards 2025 for Africa

Tourism industry leaders from across the world gathered in the Kingdom of Bahrain on 6 December for the World Travel Awards (WTA) Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2025, a night dedicated to honouring the most innovative and outstanding performers in global travel and hospitality.

Before the global finale, the Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2025 took place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where regional excellence was celebrated and Africa’s dynamic tourism sector was placed firmly in the spotlight. The results reveal a continent increasingly recognised for its world-class destinations, luxury hospitality, conservation-driven experiences, and aviation achievements.

Africa’s Big Winners at the 2025 Awards

The 2025 awards cycle highlighted the diversity, creativity, and resilience of African tourism. From iconic national parks to boutique hotels and top-tier airlines, the continent demonstrated that it continues to set global standards in many categories.

• Africa’s Leading Destination: Tanzania
  Tanzania confirmed its status as the continent’s flagship destination, driven by its unrivalled wildlife experiences, cultural richness, and natural beauty.

• Africa’s Leading Big 5 National Park: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
  Home to the world-famous Great Migration, the Serengeti remains a top wildlife destination globally.

• Africa’s Leading Scenic National Park: Nyerere National Park, Tanzania
  A jewel of biodiversity, this vast park continues to attract nature enthusiasts seeking pristine landscapes.

• Africa’s Leading Beach Destination: Zanzibar, Tanzania
  With its turquoise waters and historical Stone Town, Zanzibar remains one of the world’s most magnetic island escapes.

• Africa’s Leading Airline: Kenya Airways
  Kenya’s national carrier maintained its reputation for excellence, linking major African destinations with the rest of the world.

• Africa’s Leading Airline – Economy Class: EgyptAir
  EgyptAir was recognised for comfort and accessibility across its economy class offering.

• Africa’s Leading Airport: Julius Nyerere International Airport, Tanzania
  Dar es Salaam’s international gateway was honoured for its improving infrastructure and passenger service quality.

• Africa’s Leading Adventure Tour Operator: Zara Tanzania Adventures
  Recognised for shaping adventure tourism through mountain treks and wildlife expeditions.

• Africa’s Leading Travel Agency: Blueberry Travel
  Honoured for its professional service and strong presence in multiple African markets.

• Africa’s Responsible Tourism Award: Twiga Tours
  Celebrated for its commitment to sustainability, conservation, and community empowerment.

• Africa’s Leading City Destination: Cape Town, South Africa
  A global magnet for culture, beaches, gastronomy, and outdoor adventure.

• Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination: Nairobi, Kenya
  Cementing its status as East Africa’s economic and corporate hub.

The 2025 awards showcase the strength and diversity of African tourism — a sector that has recovered strongly and is now competing confidently on the world stage. For African travellers, the winners list is both a source of pride and a guide to the continent’s top destinations worth exploring.

Global Winners of Interest to African Travellers

At the Grand Final in Bahrain, several international winners stood out — particularly for Africans planning trips abroad.

• World’s Leading Destination: Maldives
  A favourite for African honeymooners and luxury travellers seeking pristine waters and private resorts.

• World’s Leading City Break: Athens
  A cultural and historical hotspot popular among African tourists visiting Europe.

• World’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination: Chile
  Offering unique outdoor experiences from deserts to glaciers.

• World’s Leading Safari Destination: Tanzania
  A global award that reinforces Africa’s dominance in safari tourism.

• World’s Leading Cruise Destination: Jamaica
  Relevant for Africans exploring Caribbean cruise routes.

• World’s Leading Airline: Qatar Airways
  A major carrier for African passengers travelling to Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

• World’s Leading Airline – Economy Class & Customer Experience: Etihad Airways
  A strong option for long-haul travellers seeking quality service at competitive rates.

• World’s Leading Airline – First Class: Emirates
  Renowned for luxury and premium connections to and from African destinations.

• World’s Leading Airline to Africa & South America: TAP Air Portugal
  An increasingly important bridging airline into African capitals.

Africa Rising in the Global Tourism Arena

The 2025 World Travel Awards reinforced what travellers increasingly recognise: Africa is not just a regional player but a global tourism powerhouse. With Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa and other countries dominating multiple categories, African destinations continue to captivate the world with unmatched natural beauty, cultural depth, and hospitality excellence.

Adira Kallo