Cape Town has done it again, taking double honours at the World Travel Awards Africa 2026 and putting the Mother City firmly in the global spotlight (AGAIN!).
Cape Town, South Africa (31 August 2026) – Cape Town has done what Cape Town does best: overachieved. The Mother City has been named Africa’s Leading City Destination 2026 and Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination 2026 at the World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony in Zanzibar, giving South Africa another very good reason to celebrate.
And honestly, we will take every win we can get.
Often described as the Oscars of tourism, the World Travel Awards are decided through a global vote involving travel professionals, industry leaders and the travelling public. So these aren’t simply titles handed out in a boardroom. They are a vote of confidence from the people who know travel, work in travel and, most importantly, choose where they want to go.
This year, they chose Cape Town twice.
The two awards also tell an important story about what makes the city such a remarkable destination. Being named Africa’s leading city destination celebrates everything visitors come to Cape Town for, from Table Mountain and the Atlantic coastline to its food, culture, creativity and extraordinary natural beauty.
The meetings and conference title recognises something else entirely: the infrastructure and expertise that sit behind the postcard. It speaks to the city’s venues, hotels, professional services and logistics, and its ability to welcome thousands of delegates and make hosting a major event look almost effortless.
“Winning one of these is a good night. Winning both is a statement,” says Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism.
And that statement comes at an exciting time for tourism across the continent.
Arrivals at Cape Town International Airport from elsewhere in Africa grew by 17% in 2025, while foreign visitor spend in the city increased by 18% over the same period. Africa isn’t simply welcoming more visitors. Africans are travelling too, and Cape Town is proving to be a destination they want to experience.
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“Visitors come for the conference but stay longer for the conversation,” he says, pointing to the way a business visitor can become a tourist, trader and ultimately an investor. A conference can introduce someone to a city, create new relationships, uncover opportunities and inspire a return trip with colleagues, friends or family.
That is where Cape Town’s double win becomes particularly exciting. The city doesn’t ask visitors to choose between business and pleasure. A delegate can finish a conference in the afternoon and be on Table Mountain by evening, explore the winelands the next morning and head towards Cape Point the following day.
Few cities can offer that kind of combination.
James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth and Tourism, says the impact stretches well beyond the tourism sector.
“Every visitor who chooses Cape Town supports a job here,” he says, highlighting the importance of business events because they bring visitors into the city during the week and often outside traditional peak tourism seasons.
There is also a bigger opportunity sitting behind the awards: getting more people to Cape Town in the first place.
The city currently has direct connections to 31 international destinations, with a continued focus on growing that network, securing more flights and strengthening relationships with cities around the world.
And that matters because recognition like this does more than fill a trophy cabinet. It tells travellers, airlines, conference organisers and investors that Cape Town is open, connected and ready to welcome them.
So yes, Cape Town is once again giving favourite-child energy. But perhaps the best part is that when the Mother City wins, South Africa gets to stand a little taller too.
Cape Town will now advance to the World Travel Awards Grand Final later this year, where it will compete against regional winners from around the world. For now, though, let’s enjoy this one.
Two African titles. One extraordinary city. And another brilliant reminder that South Africa continues to have plenty worth celebrating on the world stage.
Go on, Cape Town. Keep showing off. We don’t mind.
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