The Mpumalanga Province announced the names of the provincial winners of the 2016 Lilizela Tourism Awards. The announcement was made at an awards ceremony held on September 9, 2016 at the Nutting House Lodge in Mbombela where all the province’s finalists were publically honoured for their contribution to service excellence and quality assurance in the tourism industry.
Billed to recognise only the best in the South African tourism industry, the Lilizela Tourism Awards aim to recognise and reward the highest levels of excellence in the tourism value chain. They are the ultimate reward for entrepreneurial and service excellence that sets global benchmark standards.
“We would like to congratulate all the Mpumalanga finalists and winners. Each year, we are encouraged by the quality of products and services that enter the Lilizela Tourism Awards. Through their high standards they definitely help us deliver on the brand promise of South Africa being a tourism destination that excels in high levels of quality service excellence. These businesses’ continued commitment positively enhances South Africa’s global competitiveness,” says Mr Darryl Erasmus, Chief Quality Assurance Officer at the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.
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 South Africa and the tourism industry at large celebrate Tourism Month.
“We are delighted with the standard of entries and remain committed to growing the number of entries to ensure our province is well represented next year. This has been a long journey following a rigorous judging process leading to the announcement and we are proud to have come out with good quality products that represent Mpumalanga in the area of service excellence”, said Mr Abe Sibiya, Acting CEO of MTPA.
“Mpumalanga received a total of 79 entries in 2016 which is a decrease from 93 entries in 2015. The ceremony tonight will see 63 finalists being awarded certificates, with 30 of them proceeding to represent Mpumalanga in the national awards ceremony to be held in October 2016 in Gauteng”, commented Sibiya.
“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 Sibiya.
The Mpumalanga provincial winners as selected by independent judges are:
ACCOMMODATION AWARDS
Name of Establishment | Star Grading | Category | Area |
Visit Vakasha Guest Lodge 3 | 2 | Backpacking & Hosteling | Emalahleni |
Visit Vakasha Guest Lodge 1 | 3 | Bed & Breakfast | Emalahleni |
Hillwatering Country House | 4 | Bed & Breakfast | Sabie |
Matumi Golf Lodge | 5 | Bed & Breakfast | Mbombela |
Blyde Canyon A Forever Resort | 3 | Caravan & Camping | Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve |
Welgelegen Manor | 5 | Country House | Balfour |
Jock Safari Lodge | 5 | Game Lodge | Kruger National Park Area |
Bongani Mountain Lodge | 4 | Game Lodge | Mbombela |
Deletz Guest House | 3 | Guest House | Emalahleni |
Turaco Lodge | 4 | Guest House | Marloth Park |
Loerie's Call Guest House | 5 | Guest House | Mbombela |
Road Lodge Mbombela | 1 | Hotel | Mbombela |
Protea Hotel Highveld | 3 | Hotel | Emalahleni |
Casa Do Sol Hotel | 4 | Hotel | Hazyview |
Sabie River Bush Lodge | 3 | Lodge | Hazyview |
Needles Lodge | 4 | Lodge | Marloth Park |
Ingwenyama Conference & Sports Resort | 3 | Meetings, Exhibitions and Special Events (MESE) | White River |
115@Casambo | 5 | Meetings, Exhibitions and Special Events (MESE) | Mbombela |
Thaba Tsweni Lodge & Safaris | 3 | Self-catering Exclusive | Graskop |
The Cycad Lodge & Chalets | 4 | Self-catering Exclusive | Mbombela |
Valbonne Villa at Tomjachu Bush Retreat | 5 | Self-catering Exclusive | Mbombela |
Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge | 4 | Self-catering Shared Vacation | Mbombela |
VISITOR EXPERIENCE AWARDS
Name of Establishment | Category | Area |
Inyati Game Lodge | Wildlife Encounters | Sabi Sands Reserve |
Lowveld National Botanical Garden | Scenic Beauty | Mbombela |
Induna Adventures | Action & Adventure | Hazyview |
Matsamo Customs and traditions center | Roots & Culture | Nkomazi |
Emhlangeni Archery & Fishing | Culture & Lifestyle | Delmas |
TOURIST GUIDE
Name | Category | Area |
Bethuel Mkhonto | Nature | Operating in the Kruger National Park |
Raymond Khosa | Nature | Operating in the Kruger National Park |
EMERGING TOURISM Entrepreneur OF THE YEAR AWARD (ETEYA)
Name | Area |
KwaBhekizihambi Guest House | White River |
The National Winners will be announced at the Sandton Convention Centre on 16th of October 2016.
To view the full list of finalists and winners visit www.lilizela.co.za
Enquiries:
Mrs. Kholofelo Nkambule
Senior Manager: Communications & PR
Tel. +27 13 759 5550 | Cell. +27 82 451 2548
Email: kholo@mtpa.co.za | www.mpumalanga.com
