Durban – From customer accessibility and experiences to lodging, the Sapphire Coast has come out tops on the 4th Durban Tourism Business Awards, showcasing the wealth of tourism choices on this lovely coastal stretch.
Hosted on the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in June, the awards honoured innovation and excellence inside the tourism sector, with the Sapphire Coast claiming 5 awards on the night time.
This 12 months, there have been 17 classes on the Durban Tourism Awards with winners receiving money prizes as much as R50 000, whereas the primary runner-up bagged a prize to the worth of R35 000, and the second runner-up walked away with R25 000.
Exceptional Achievement Award winners obtained a world examine tour value R100 000 and in depth advertising and marketing alternatives to promote their companies.
“We are extremely happy with all our winners and top-performing tourism operators who proceed to reveal why the Sapphire Coast is a guests’ vacation spot of alternative,” commented Romy Wenzel of Sapphire Coast Tourism.
“This can also be an amazing instance of the advantages of Community Tourism Organisation (CTO) Membership with organisations like Sapphire Coast Tourism – which is considered one of 9 CTOs inside eThekwini – providing membership alternatives.
“We encourage different institutions to pursue this value-added route.”
Sapphire Coast’s Top Performers
The Sapphire Coast in KwaZulu-Natal extends from Athlone Park within the North to Clansthal within the South, inclusive of inland areas to Umbumbulu. This engaging coastal area walked away with 3 total wins, and a couple of prime 3 placements.
Universally Accessible and Green Sustainability Award
1st Place: Wheels on Waves (Contact: 066 422 7857 | [email protected])
third Place: ATKV-Natalia (Contact: www.natalia.co.za | 031 916 4545 | [email protected])
Exceptional Visitor Experience Award
1st Place: Gary’s Horses (Contact: www.garysbeachrides.co.za | 084 205 9797 | [email protected])
Tourism Excellence in Accommodation Award (lower than 50 rooms)
1st Place: The View Boutique Hotel and Spa (www.hoteltheview.com | [email protected] | 031 903 1556)
2nd Place: Bali Grand Lodge and Spa (www.baligrand.co.za |[email protected] | 082 337 1081)
Diversity of Tourism Offerings
Father and son duo, Wesley and Reece Smith, are passionate advocates for incapacity rights and are spearheading efforts to make Amanzimtoti the highest worldwide vacation spot for disabled guests.
Reece Smith, a quadriplegic with an everlasting love for the ocean, believes inclusivity is important which is why they began Wheels on Waves – a free service that offers folks with mobility challenges secure entry to the ocean through Sandcruiser seashore wheelchairs.
Commenting on their win, Reece Smith from Wheels on Waves, stated: “We are reworking Amanzimtoti Beach – and the KZN area – right into a vacationer vacation spot of alternative for the disabled, and we intention to distribute floatable wheelchairs to all bathing seashores in South Africa.
“It’s an enormous honour to win the Durban Tourism Award as this may unfold consciousness about what we’re doing and help in fundraising for future occasions.”
Another distinctive tourism expertise is Gary’s Horses, which, for greater than twenty years, has given vacationers the possibility to expertise Amanzimtoti and surrounds on horseback.
Hosting all the things from youngsters’s events, pony camps, and horse-drawn weddings to rural and seashore rides, it is a must-try expertise on the Sapphire Coast.
“Winning this prestigious award means a lot as we have been competing in opposition to a number of the finest within the trade,” commented Gary Coetzee, proprietor of Gary’s Horses.
“It’s such an honour for ourselves, and for everybody who supported us, with out whom we couldn’t have achieved this award.”
Showcasing the area’s high quality lodging venues, the Sapphire Coast bagged each first and second place within the Tourism Excellence in Accommodation Awards for venues of lower than 50 rooms.
Taking residence first place was The View Boutique Hotel and Spa, which began greater than three many years again as a family-owned, two-room guesthouse.
It has since expanded into the gorgeous, 47-room boutique lodge it’s at this time, with a world-class spa and an award-winning Italian restaurant, providing personalised hospitality.
“The award is an unbelievable accolade and exhibits that dedication and fervour for what you do actually pays off,” commented lodge supervisor, Dylan Lategan.
“This conjures up and motivates us to boost the bar even increased. Being a tourism member permits us to partake in occasions that drastically profit our publicity to the trade and construct ourselves from being a ‘hidden gem’ to the winner of Best Accommodation in Durban.”
Benefits of Being a Sapphire Coast Tourism Member
- Brochure show on the native Tourist Information Centre
- Marketing help through Durban Tourism promotions
- Regular updates on tourism hall developments
- Listing on the Sapphire Coast Tourism database and a Membership Certificate
- Social media publicity through Sapphire Coast Tourim’s Facebook and Instagram web page
- Inclusion on the Sapphire Coast Tourism and Durban Tourism web site
- Featured within the Sapphire Coast Visitor Guide and Map (when printed)
- Networking and referral alternatives facilitated by Sapphire Coast Tourism
- Eligibility to use for as much as 50% eThekwini property charges refund (T&Cs apply)
- Enables necessary utility to EDTEA for TKZN (Tourism Kwa-Zulu Natal) membership
- TKZN membership permits utility for nationwide grading through the Tourism Grading Council of SA
- Graded members qualify for provincial street signage by means of TKZN
- Interested events can contact [email protected] or 083 733 6468 for any SCT membership enquiries.
Other Sapphire Coast Tourist Sites and Activities
- Amanzimtoti Main Beach which incorporates enjoyable slides at Splash Water World, quite a lot of eating places, takeaways, and outlets with native merchants promoting lovely crafts and curios alongside the promenade.
- Charter boats for a day of deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, shark cage diving, and/or snorkelling at Aliwal Shoal, a world-renowned dive website.
- Crocworld Conservation Centre the place the oldest identified Nile crocodile in captivity lives – the world-famous Henry, in addition to the newly launched aerial zipline Jikaleza Outdoor Adventures.
- Illovo River is one other prime spot for water sports activities, fishing, birding, and picnics.
- Umkomaas Golf Club or Amanzimtoti Country Club for a spherical on the 18-hole course or a drink or meal on the membership.
- Nature walks, hikes, and birdwatching can be found with Nungwane Waterfalls within the coronary heart of Umbululu, an amazing attraction for nature lovers, whether or not skilled on horseback, 4×4, or mountain bike.
For extra details about the Sapphire Coast and its various tourism choices, go to www.sapphirecoasttourism.co.za or the Sapphire Coast Tourism Facebook web page.