Sanlam Top Destination Awards honouring key players in SA tourism and hospitality

11 Sep 2017

To honour South Africa's top hospitality establishments, Discount Traveler is celebrating National Tourism month with the third annual Sanlam Top Destination Awards, with winner announcements taking place at the Kelvin Grove Club in Newlands, Cape Town on 14 September.

Founder of the Top Destination Awards, Jonathan Pepler

Created to uplift the nation’s hospitality industry, the awards acknowledges key players within the South African tourism sector, serving as a platform for nominees to compete for the title of top destination in nine categories and five-star gradings respectively.

“Hospitality and tourism is a large driving force in our economy and we want to continue to recognise and reward one of our country’s most influential industries,” explains Jonathan Pepler, managing director of Discount Traveler and founder of the Sanlam Top Destination Awards.

Sponsored prizes

The stakes have been raised this year by sponsors who have put together an array of generous prizes. Inn-Addition will be giving away a gift hamper, Romatex Hospitality Textiles, the official textiles sponsor of the awards, will be giving one lucky establishment a full bedding set and Rialhem, which crafted the trophies that will be handed out on the evening, will have one lucky winner in attendance win a fully decorated Rialheim room makeover.

Sabre Hospitality Solutions, the title sponsor of the Sabre Top Destination Technology Award, will be giving members who have signed up with Sabre’s central reservation system, SynXis, before 14 September a chance to win a trip to the Sabre Customer Forum in Europe in 2018. Finally, all finalists who have added their inventory to Bookings Unlimited before Thursday, 14 September, stand a chance to win big with vehicle sponsor, Volkswagen.

“We strive to uplift local family businesses that have put blood, sweat and tears into their establishments while also giving recognition to the four and five-star hotels whom all deserve recognition for their stellar contribution,” elaborates Pepler.

This year’s award ceremony will be streamed live via the Sanlam Top Destination Awards Facebook page. Emcees for the evening will include Josie Eveleigh and Tracey Lange. Viewers can expect live performances by Ricky Botsis, ShenFM and an authentically African dance presentation by Blush Productions.