Shamwari Group has double win at World Travel Awards 2011

It was a night of elation and some disappointment at this year’s World Travel Awards Ceremony held at the Egypt Hall at SOHO SQUARE in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, last night, 16th September 2011. The industry’s top brass, including CEOs and Directors of leading travel companies, government ministers and tourist board chiefs, all gathered from across the globe to battle it out at the most important evening of the year in world travel and tourism.
This year, a phenomenal 213,000 industry professionals participated in the voting process, which is scrupulously monitored and independently audited.

Although it’s been a tough year in the travel industry, there have been a few notable exceptions and the biggest applause of the night was saved for The Shamwari Group’s Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, who went on to received international recognition for its ongoing conservation efforts by winning the Africa’s Leading Conservation Company and Africa’s Leading Safari Lodge award.

“I together with Dubai World Africa we are thrilled and honored to receive this special recognition tonight. This award is a tribute to our ongoing commitment to the value and importance of conservation in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. As always, we are fully committed and strive to continue our conservation efforts in South Africa.” says Joe Cloete, Managing Director of The Shamwari Group.

Shamwari Game Reserve began with 2000 hectares of eroded and abused land, a small insignificant piece of valley bushveld, and from this grew Shamwari Game Reserve, which is now 25 000 hectares in size and has seen the re-introduction of all the large game that once occurred in the Eastern Cape. Shamwari now hosts visitors from all over the world, and proudly displays how Shamwari Game Reserve contributed greatly conservation, restoring previous wild lands and introducing the Eastern Cape on the Tourism map.

Graham E. Cooke, Founder and President of World Travel Awards said that in addition to the prestige for their respective companies and destinations, the winners also gain considerable commercial benefit.

“Because of its global reach and reputation, World Travel Awards is unique and regularly referred to as the ‘Oscars’ of travel and tourism”, said Cooke. “This means that consumers are increasingly using our portfolio of winners as a reliable and independent guide when booking their travel.”

Established 17 years ago, the awards are committed to raising the standards of customer service and overall business performance throughout the international industry.

“What is so encouraging is the strength demonstrated by the travel and tourism industry in the face of adversity. Tonight’s winners represent the cream of the industry, and those players that are leading the continent’s recovery,” Cooke added.

Shamwari Game Reserve is part of the Shamwari Group which is a proud member of the Preferred Boutique™ Hotel Group.