South Africa has affirmed its status as a prime tourist destination in Africa with multiple nominations at the 2025 World Travel Awards.

The annual awards serves to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.

This year's nominations spotlight South Africa's diverse offering across various categories, encompassing landscapes, culture and unique attractions.

Among the categories up for grabs are Africa's Leading Beach Destination, Africa's Leading Big 5 National Park, Africa's Leading City Destination, Africa's Leading Family Resort, Africa's Leading Airline Brand and Africa's Leading Airport.

Prominent airports in the country are showcased, with Cape Town International Airport and O.R. Tambo International Airport vying for the title of Africa's Leading Airport.

They will compete against Kenya's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Tanzania's Julius Nyerere International Airport,

South African Airways bagged four nominations in the categories Africa's Leading Airline, Africa's Leading Airline Brand, Africa's Leading Airline - Business Class and Africa's Leading Airline -Economy Class.

Meanwhile, the allure of the country’s natural and historical landmarks is evident in the nominations for Africa's Leading Tourist Attraction, which features the Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway, Robben Island, Table Mountain and the vibrant V&A Waterfront.

Valley of Waves, uShaka Wet 'n Wild and Wild Waves Water Park have been nominated in the category, Africa's Leading Water Park.

Kruger National Park has also scored a nomination for Africa's Leading Big 5 National Park alongside Akagera National Park, Rwanda, Chobe National Park, Botswana, Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe, Nyerere National Park, Tanzania and Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.

Other nominees include South Africa for Africa's Leading Destination, Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg for Africa's Leading Festival and Event Destination and Peermont D'oreale Grande at Emperors Palace, Sun City Resort, The Palazzo and Wild Coast Sun for Africa's Leading Casino Resort.

The World Travel Awards will hold its first-ever ceremony in Bahrain, with the final gala taking place at the Exhibition World Bahrain on December 9.

However, the excitement for the African region will commence with the Africa & Indian Ocean Gala in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on June 28.

Voting for the World Travel Awards 2025 Africa region will close on May 4. Visit their website for more details.