Africa Travel WeekPlettenberg Bay – located within the Bitou Municipality of the Western Cape along the Garden Route – has been voted ‘Africa’s Leading Beach Destination’ in the World Travel Awards.
Each year, the World Travel Awards™ conducts a year-long search for the world’s best travel, tourism and hospitality destinations and brands. Votes are cast by travel industry professionals and the public, with the nominee gaining the most votes in a category named as the winner. Top contenders for this year’s leading beach destination included Cape Town.
This was Plett’s 11th consecutive nomination, a prestigious honour for the town. With 20 kilometres of pristine coastline, the entire bay is a Marine Protected area, and it is one of the few scientifically identified ‘Hope Spots’ in the world. So, it is no surprise that Plett has continuously been nominated. With world-class tourism products and services, a pristine and protected coastline, indigenous forests, and a playground of outdoor activity, the area has won several national and international accolades.
Visitors who frequent any of the six internationally recognized Blue Flag status beaches and Plett’s estuaries and lagoon often share the warm Indian Ocean with the different marine life that frequent the bay. This includes humpback, southern right, beluga and killer whales as well as the common, bottlenose and humpback dolphins. Migratory sharks during the Sardine Run, manta rays, African penguins and Cape fur seals also make yearly visits. There is even a Blue Flag ocean charter service that guests can book.
The bay is protected on one side by the National Monument and World Heritage site Robberg Nature Reserve, arguably one of the only places in the world to watch the Great White shark in its natural habitat from land. And on the other side, by the indigenous rain forests and peaks of the Tsitsikamma Mountains. Plett is also favoured for its moderate climate with an average winter temperature of 17c and summer temperature of 27c. It may just be the perfect year-round beach destination.
“For Plettenberg Bay it’s not about just being Africa’s leading beach destination. It is also about being recognized as a world-class tourism destination that recognizes the importance of maintaining a careful balance between providing visitors with inspiring experiences they desire while preserving and maintaining our valuable natural assets. We encourage guests to respect the beautiful destination that many of us call home, to stay safe during their trip and ‘leave no trace’ by being mindful of our environment,” says Plett Tourism’s Acting CEO Patty Butterworth.
“We are honored that our work and passion in promoting Plettenberg Bay has been recognized by the World Travel Awards™, and we thank all of those who live in Plett and those who voted for us,” said Butterworth.
Graham Cooke, founder, World Travel Awards, said: “Our winners represent the very best of Africa’s travel and tourism sector and my congratulations to each of them. “They have all demonstrated remarkable resilience in a year of unprecedented challenges.” He added; “The World Travel Awards™ 2020 programme received a record number of votes cast by the public.
“This shows that the appetite for travel and tourism has never been stronger and bodes well for the industry’s future as the global recovery begins.”
For more information on Plettenberg Bay, visit: www.plett-tourism.co.za
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