Tanzania has once again cemented its status as a premier global tourism hotspot after being named Africa’s Leading Destination 2025 during the prestigious World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, held in Dar es Salaam on June 28.
The event, which brought together industry leaders from across the continent and island nations, turned into a celebration of Tanzanian excellence, with the country scooping top honours across a wide range of categories.
Top National Accolades
- Zanzibar was crowned Africa’s Leading Beach Destination, a nod to its powder-white shores, historic charm, and growing reputation as a tropical paradise.
- Serengeti National Park dominated the wildlife category, earning both Africa’s Leading National Park and Africa’s Leading Big 5 National Park titles.
- Mount Kilimanjaro, the continent’s highest peak, was named Africa’s Leading Mountain National Park.
- The iconic Ngorongoro Conservation Area secured the title of Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction.
- Kitulo National Park, known for its vibrant floral meadows, emerged as Africa’s Leading Honeymoon Destination.
Niche Tourism Champions
Tanzania also stood tall in specialized tourism categories:
- Ruaha National Park: Africa’s Leading Cultural National Park
- Nyerere National Park: Africa’s Leading Scenic National Park
- Tarangire National Park: Africa’s Leading Elephant Paradise National Park
Travel Infrastructure Recognised
- Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam was named Africa’s Leading Airport, while the Port of Dar es Salaam clinched Africa’s Leading Cruise Port.
- The Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) was crowned Africa’s Leading Tourist Board 2025.
Tour Operators in the Spotlight
Several Tanzanian travel operators were honoured for their outstanding contributions:
- Altezza Travel: Tanzania’s Leading Tour Operator
- Zara Tanzania Adventures: Africa’s Leading Adventure Tour Operator
- Miracle Experience – Balloon Safaris Tanzania: Africa’s Leading Balloon Ride Operator
- Pollman’s Tours & Safaris: Africa’s Leading Tour Operator
A Night to Remember
Speaking during the event, Graham Cooke, President and Founder of the World Travel Awards, praised Tanzania’s vibrant hospitality, stating:
“It has been a privilege to welcome our winners to Tanzania. The warmth and vibrancy of its people made this celebration unforgettable.”
Ephraim Mafuru, Director General of TTB, emphasized the national pride in hosting the event:
“This has been a milestone moment for Tanzania’s tourism sector — an opportunity to showcase our unmatched landscapes, heritage, and hospitality to global leaders.”
The 2025 ceremony reinforced Tanzania’s rising influence on the global travel stage, ahead of other destinations such as South Africa, Kenya, and the Maldives — the latter winning Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination and Green Destination.
As Tanzania continues to invest in infrastructure and sustainable tourism, its reign as a top-tier African destination looks firmly set to continue.
