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South Africa's premier Travel and Tourism Awards

Since 2013, the Lilizela Tourism Awards, launched by the Minister of Tourism, have been on a continuous journey to unearth excellence in the tourism sector.

We are shining the spotlight on our industry's top achievers, recognising and rewarding those businesses that are passionate and deliver world-class products and services.

These awards raise the bar on every aspect of tourism, making it a memorable experience through impeccable standards and conduct as we grow South Africa’s status as a competitive global destination.

We want to celebrate the very best of what we have to offer and recognise the efforts, commitment and dedication to crafting a distinctive South African encounter from when our guests set foot on our soil to their final sunset, overlooking the magnificent scenery in any of our 9 provinces.

To all of our tour guides, accommodation owners, and transport vendors, this is where all your hard work, passion, dedication, and efforts are awarded!

National Winners

Olive Convention Centre

Olive Convention Centre
Olive Convention Centre
National winner in 2019 in the Conference and Exhibition Centre category.

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Monakaladi Gardens Wedding and Conference Venue

Monakaladi Gardens Wedding and Conference Venue
Monakaladi Gardens Wedding and Conference Venue
National winner in 2019 in the Function venue category.

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Mthatha Dam Resort Luchaba Nature Reserve

Mthatha Dam Resort Luchaba Nature Reserve
Mthatha Dam Resort Luchaba Nature Reserve
National winner in 2019 in the Events venue category.

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Times Square Sun Arena

Times Square Sun Arena
Times Square Sun Arena
National winner in 2019 in the Events venue category.

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Lesedi African Lodge & Cultural Village

Lesedi African Lodge & Cultural Village
Lesedi African Lodge & Cultural Village
National winner in 2019 in the Hotel category.

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Mayfair Hotel

Mayfair Hotel
Mayfair Hotel
National winner in 2019 in the Small Hotel category.

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Aquarius Luxury Suites

Aquarius Luxury Suites
Aquarius Luxury Suites
National winner in 2019 in the Self-Catering Exclusive category.

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N'Wambu Safari Lodge by Elite Residences

N'Wambu Safari Lodge by Elite Residences
N'Wambu Safari Lodge by Elite Residences
National winner in 2019 in the Self-Catering Exclusive category.

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Mjejane Bush Camp

Mjejane Bush Camp
Mjejane Bush Camp
National winner in 2019 in the Self-Catering Shared Vacation category.

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Bayala Game Lodge

Bayala Game Lodge
Bayala Game Lodge
National winner in 2019 in the Nature Lodge category.

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Naba Lodge Guest House

Naba Lodge Guest House
Naba Lodge Guest House
National winner in 2019 in the Guest House category.

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African Tulip Guesthouse

African Tulip Guesthouse
African Tulip Guesthouse
National winner in 2019 in the Bed and Breakfast category.

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Provincial Winners

Thali Thali Game Lodge

Thali Thali Game Lodge
Thali Thali Game Lodge ☆ ☆ ☆
Thali Thali Game Lodge - Provincial finalist in 2019 in the Game Lodge category.

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Leeuwenbosch Country House

Leeuwenbosch Country House
Leeuwenbosch Country House ☆ ☆ ☆
Leeuwenbosch Country House - Provincial finalist in 2019 in the Game Lodge category.

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Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retre

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retre
Bushmans Kloof ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retre - Provincial finalist in 2019 in the Nature Lodge category.

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The Gorge Private Game Lodge & Spa

The Gorge Private Game Lodge & Spa
The Gorge Private Game Lodge & Spa ☆ ☆ ☆
Provincial finalist in 2019 in the Nature Lodge category.

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Needles Safari Lodge

Needles Safari Lodge
Needles Safari Lodge ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Provincial finalist in 2019 in the Nature Lodge category.

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Monte Bello Lodge

Monte Bello Lodge
Monte Bello Lodge ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Provincial finalist in 2019 in the Nature Lodge category.

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Lilizela gallery
See all the photos from Lilizela national and provincial awards ceremonies going back to 2013.

Award Catergories

Universal Accessibility Experience
This award is driven by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa, who in 2010 incorporated Universal Accessibility (UA) grading criteria for the first time in its other quality grading criteria. TGCSA will make the Lilizela Tourism Award for Universal Accessibility Experiences to businesses that are accessible for people with disabilities.
Entrepreneurship
ETEYA only Black (as defined in the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act) entrepreneurs, who operate small, micro and medium tourism or hospitality-related businesses. They must have been in operation for less than 10 years, employ no more than 50 people and have a turnover of not more than R10 million a year.
Universal Accessibility Accommodation
This award is driven by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa, who in 2010 incorporated Universal Accessibility (UA) grading criteria for the first time in its other quality grading criteria. TGCSA will present the Lilizela Tourism Award for Universal Accessibility to facilities and services at accommodation establishments and MESE venues that are accessible for people with disabilities.
Visitor Experience of the Year
The Visitor Experience of the year Awards award all businesses that enable visitors to experience the diversity that is offered in South Africa. The are 8 categories within the Visitor Experience awards.
Tour Operators
The Tour Operator category is a brand new category that has been launched in the 2015 awards. With the great demand from the industry to award this very important profession, we are pleased to have this category under the Lilizela Tourism Awards.
Tourist Guides
Tourist Guides Awards are awarded Registered Tourist Guides that have gone beyond the call of duty to make a tourist's experience worthwhile. The Tourist guide awarded is not only very knowledgeable of South Africa and it's offerings in their respective field, but is also professional and ensures that the tourist has a memorable experience in South Africa.
MESE
Meetings, Exhibitions and Special Events Awards
Accommodation
The Lilizela Accommodation Awards are designed to encourage and motivate you to offer the best service, facilities and product that you can. The Accommodation Category gives you an opportunity – and a brilliant opportunity at that – to celebrate excellence, creativity and innovation. They give us all momentum to learn from each other and to strive to turn an already great industry into an industry that’s brilliant.
Tourism Transport
ETEYA
Travel Technology Of The Year