Plett Tourism is thrilled to announce that in addition to being nominated as Africa’s Leading Beach Destination for the 15th year, they have been nominated as the World’s Leading Beach Destination in the World Travel Awards this year.
Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, has been nominated for the World’s Leading Beach Destination. This marks its first global nomination, placing it alongside renowned beaches like those in Thailand, Hawaii, and the Maldives. While Cape Town is also a South African nominee in the Africa’s Leading Beach Destination category, Plettenberg Bay is the sole South African contender for the global title.
The World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire. Each year, World Travel Awards™ covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to celebrate the achievements and strengths of the travel industry, within each key geographical region.
Plett’s beaches and marine life have long been celebrated among the best in South Africa – and now possiblt the world – with a strong emphasis on community stewardship of its natural attractions.
This is highlighted in a number of ways:
- Six international Blue Flag status beaches. Plettenberg Bay has earned Blue Flag status for six of its beaches, already positioning it as a leading global beach destination. Robberg 5 Beach, one of these Blue Flag beaches, approaches the world-famous Robberg Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich history dating back 125,000 years.
- World Cetacean Alliance Whale Heritage Area. A Whale Heritage Area – administered by the World Cetacean Alliance – is a designation that recognizes destinations that protect and celebrate whales and dolphins, promoting environmental sustainability and local community involvement.
- Mission Blue Hope Spot. Dr. Sylvia Earle, a renowned marine biologist and founder of Mission Blue, named Plettenberg Bay one of her Hope Spots in 2014. Hope Spots are critical ocean areas that Earle aims to protect through her Mission Blue initiative. She is a leading advocate for ocean conservation and has been recognized for her work worldwide
- Annual Plett Ocean Festival – and associated Marine Science Symposium. The festival and symposium celebrate the region’s marine life during the winter months. Only in its third year, this annual event has attracted the attention of environmental journalists and marine science experts from across the country.
- Marine Protected Areas. The bay is flanked by two marine protected areas, Robberg and Tsitsikamma, Africa’s oldest marine protected area. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designated areas of the ocean where human activities are restricted or prohibited to conserve marine ecosystems and their biodiversity. These protected areas play a crucial role in safeguarding marine species, promoting sustainable fishing practices, and maintaining the health of our oceans.
- Terrestrial & Marine Wonders. From dramatic cliffs covered in endemic fynbos to estuaries as nurseries for rays and seahorses and endless stretches of pristine sandy beaches, Plett is perfectly positioned to offer an incredible beach experience. Where the shore becomes ocean, the wonders continue as the bay is a playground for all water-sports lovers: whale-watching, kayaking, swimming with seals, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, swimming, snorkelling, surfing, sailing and more…
Plett Tourism CEO, Patty Butterworth: ”Plett Tourism would like to extend our warm appreciation to Bitou Municipality for their enormous contribution to ensuring Plett’s beaches are pristine, safe and well managed. Given Plett’s natural attractions and involved community, it makes sense that, in addition to being chosen as a front-runner for Africa’s leading beach destination and now a global beach destination, Plett is also positioned as a sustainable conservation, research and nature hub.”
Whether visitors choose winter or summer, spring or autumn to visit Plett and the Garden Route they are assured of pristine beaches, exceptional and unforgettable marine sightings, coastal trails and watersports to enjoy.
If you would like to cast your vote for Plett as World’s Leading Beach Destination in the World Travel Awards, vote at www.worldtravelawards.com/vote.