The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency announced the names of the provincial winners of the 2018 Lilizela Tourism Awards. The announcement was made at an awards ceremony held on 7 September 2018 at Emnotweni Arena in Nelspuit where all the province’s finalists were publically honoured for their contribution to service excellence and quality assurance in the tourism industry.
The theme for the Lilizela Tourism Awards for 2018 is Honouring the Best of the Best, befitting as the awards recognise and reward the highest levels of excellence in tourism value chain. The Lilizela Tourism Awards celebrate tourism businesses that showcase best business practices, quality assurance and service excellence contributing to making South Africa a globally competitive tourism destination. They are the ultimate reward for entrepreneurial and service excellence that sets global benchmark standards.
The Lilizela Tourism Awards are an opportunity to celebrate professionalism, creativity and innovation in the industry. The provincial awards are being held in the month of September – which is also the time that South Africa and the tourism industry at large celebrate Tourism Month.
“We would like to congratulate all the finalists and winners. Each year we are encouraged by the quality of products and services that enter the Lilizela Tourism Awards. These awards are our way of recognising the hard work in setting the bar high and helping to make South Africa such a highly regarded must-visit destination, for local and international tourists alike”, said Mr Johannes Nobunga, CEO of Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency.
“Mpumalanga received a total of 110 entries for 2018 compared to 170 received in 2017. The ceremony tonight will see 34 finalists being awarded certificates, with 32 of them being winners that will proceed to represent Mpumalanga in the national awards ceremony to be held in Gauteng”, commented Nobunga.
“We wish to congratulate our provincial winners for their achievements and all their hard work as well as the effort they have put into positioning their products and especially the province. We believe that this achievement will enable others to learn from this outstanding work that is being delivered and further motivate others to participate” concluded Nobunga.
The Mpumalanga provincial winners as selected by independent judges are:
Name of Establishment | Category | Star Grading | Status |
Action & Adventure | |||
Lowveld Extreme Adventures | Action & Adventure | 0 | Winner |
Bed & Breakfast | |||
Matumi Golf Lodge | Bed & Breakfast | 5 | Winner |
Blue Jay Lodge | Bed & Breakfast | 4 | Winner |
La Picasso Guesthouse | Bed & Breakfast | 3 | Winner |
Caravan & Camping | |||
Badplaas A Forever Resort Caravan Park | Caravan & Camping | 3 | Winner |
Tented Adventures Pretoriuskop | Caravan & Camping | 2 | Winner |
Country House | |||
Umsisi House | Country House | 5 | Winner |
ETEYA Awards | |||
Vomba Tours and Transfers | ETEYA Awards | 0 | Winner |
Game Lodge | |||
Tintswalo Safari Lodge | Game Lodge | 5 | Winner |
Tintswalo Manor House | Game Lodge | 4 | Winner |
Umlani Bushcamp | Game Lodge | 3 | Winner |
Guest House | |||
Loerie's Call Guesthouse | Guest House | 5 | Winner |
La Roca Guest House | Guest House | 4 | Winner |
Selati 103 Guest Cottages | Guest House | 3 | Winner |
Hotel | |||
Akabeko Boutique Hotel | Hotel | 5 | Winner |
Country Boutique Hotel | Hotel | 4 | Winner |
Fortis Hotel Malaga | Hotel | 3 | Winner |
Town Lodge Mbombela | Hotel | 2 | Winner |
Road Lodge Mbombela | Hotel | 1 | Winner |
Lodge | |||
Needles Safari Lodge | Lodge | 4 | Winner |
Sabie River Bush Lodge | Lodge | 3 | Winner |
Meetings, Exhibitions and Special Events (MESE) | |||
Badplaas A Forever Resort Conference | Meetings, Exhibitions and Special Events (MESE) | 3 | Winner |
Scenic Beauty | |||
Graskop Gorge Lift Company | Scenic Beauty | 0 | Winner |
Self-catering Exclusive | |||
Valbonne Villa at Tomjachu Bush Retreat | Self-catering Exclusive | 5 | Winner |
The Cycad Lodge & Chalets | Self-catering Exclusive | 4 | Winner |
Thaba Tsweni Lodge & Safaris | Self-catering Exclusive | 3 | Winner |
Self-catering Shared Vacation | |||
Ngwenya Lodge | Self-catering Shared Vacation | 4 | Winner |
Jackalberry Ridge | Self-catering Shared Vacation | 3 | Winner |
Graskop Holiday Resort | Self-catering Shared Vacation | 1 | Winner |
Tour Operators | |||
Ntwanano Tours and Travel | Tour Operators | 0 | Winner |
Wildlife Encounters | |||
Ngwenya Lodge | Wildlife Encounters | 4 | Winner |
The National Winners will be announced at the Sandton Convention Centre on 17th of November 2017.
To view the full list of finalists and winners visit www.lilizela.co.za or www.mpumalanga.com
