From airports, hotels and conference destinations, numerous South African offerings have received the prestigious title as leaders in the tourism industry in Africa for 2017.

In addition to this, Johannesburg recently came out on top as the most popular destination in Africa in 2016, according to the annual Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index.

At the World Travel Awards 2017, cities across South Africa won big, reflecting the broad, quality tourism offering in Mzansi. Cape Town International Airport clinched the award for Africa's leading airport, while The Palazzo Montecasino in Johannesburg claimed the title for Africa's Leading Casino Resort 2017 and Durban won Africa's Leading Meetings & Conference Destination 2017.

In December 2016, Cape Town International Airport exceeded the 10-million passenger mark for the first time, and through partnerships such as Air Access, the airport has seen 10 new routes and 11 route expansions since 2015.

This year marks the 24th World Travel Awards, which sees travel and tourism professionals, as well as business and travel consumers worldwide vote in the awards.

The annual Africa awards evening is among the continent's most prestigious travel and tourism events of the year, and brings together leading travel sector figures and VIPs from across Africa.

Other South African companies that were titled leaders in Africa include Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa for Boutique Hotel 2017, South African Airways' Sawubona was named leading Inflight Magazine 2017, Fairmont Zimbali Resort got the title for leading Luxury Resort and Cape Town was also named Africa's Leading City Destination 2017.

There were many other leading awards received by local tourism companies, particularly in the accommodation sector. – Source: Traveller24