Cape Town scores major double win at World Travel Awards
· The South African
Cape Town has added two major accolades to its tourism reputation, after bagging two titles at the World Travel Awards.
The wins were announced at the World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony at Diamonds Bijoux in Zanzibar on Thursday, 27 August.
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Often referred to as the “Oscars of Tourism”, the World Travel Awards are determined through votes from travel professionals, industry leaders and the travelling public.
This year, Cape Town came out on top in two categories covering both leisure and business travel: Africa’s Leading City Destination and Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination
A double win for the Mother City
The two awards recognise different sides of Cape Town’s appeal.
The Africa’s Leading City Destination title reflects the city’s attraction as a leisure destination, from Table Mountain and its Atlantic coastline to its food, cultural and creative offerings.
The Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination award, meanwhile, recognises the infrastructure supporting business tourism, including conference venues, hotels, professional services and transport.
Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism, said winning both awards was significant for the city.
“Winning one of these is a good night. Winning both is a statement,” he said.
He added that business visitors often extend their stays beyond conferences, becoming tourists and potentially returning as investors or bringing colleagues, friends and family with them.
Cape Town is attracting more African visitors
The double win comes as travel between Cape Town and the rest of Africa continues to grow.
Arrivals at Cape Town International Airport from elsewhere on the continent increased by 17% in 2025, making it the fastest-growing visitor category.
Foreign visitor spending in the city also increased by 18% over the same period.
This points to a growing role for Cape Town not only as a destination for international tourists, but also as a hub for African business and leisure travel.
James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth and Tourism, said business events are particularly valuable because delegates tend to travel during weekdays and outside traditional peak tourism periods.
He said Cape Town currently has direct international connections to 31 destinations, with efforts continuing to attract more flights and strengthen relationships with cities around the world.
Cape Town will now progress to the World Travel Awards Grand Final later this year, where it will compete against regional winners from around the world for the global titles.