Mantis Collection Honoured with World Travel Africa Awards 2008

- 19 May 2008

The Mantis Collection has once again received acknowledgement for its achievements within the South African tourism industry.

The first ever World Travel Africa Awards were held on Monday 12^th May at the ICC Durban, and Mantis Collection Chairman Adrian Gardiner was present to accept these prestigious awards.

Reigning King of the Zulu nation, His Majesty King Zwelithini Goodwill kaBhekuzulu opened the first World Travel Awards Africa Ceremony, watched by up to 400 VIP’s and leading figures.

Following the huge success of the 2007 World Travel Awards Grand Tour events, the 2008 World renowned honours scheme was expanded to include more regional ceremonies than ever before. Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as the ‘travel industry’s equivalent to the Oscar’s”, the World Travel Awards 2008, and now, this year’s first regional ceremony of the 15^th Anniversary Grand Tour is the most comprehensive, the biggest and the most prestigious awards program in the global travel and tourism industry. Other chosen destinations include Sydney, Australia; Shanghai, China; Las Vegas, USA; Poprad, Slovakia; Crete, Greece; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Abu Dhabi, UAE; London, UK and the Turks & Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. These nine planned Ceremonies will truly recognise award winners in their own territories, reflecting escalating local interest and the ever increasing numbers of entries for the awards every year.

The Mantis Collection celebrated the following honours:

· Africa’s Leading Safari – Shamwari Game Reserve, Eastern Cape

· Africa’s Leading Conservation Company – Shamwari Game Reserve, Eastern Cape

Adrian Gardiner, Chairman and Founder of the group, says, ‘We are delighted to be honoured with this award, and feel that it is a true recognition of South Africa’s progress as a tourism destination, as well as a mark of the team’s hard work and dedication. The awards demonstrate the value and importance of an environmentally & ecologically aware product, and we are fully committed to continuing our development in this manner.’

The Mantis Collection properties include Sanbona Wildlife Reserve (Western Cape), The Last Word Retreats (Western Cape), Shamwari Game Reserve (Eastern Cape), Bushman Sands Game Reserve (Eastern Cape), Oceana Beach & Wildlife Reserve (Eastern Cape), Lake Pleasant Living (Garden Route), Jock Safari Lodge (Kruger National Park), Jiva Hill Park Hotel(Near Geneva), Alladale (Near Inverness - Scotland) and the Draycott Hotel (London).

In addition, the group will open two additional properties, The Shamwari Townhouse (Eastern Cape) and the Nkomazi Game Reserve (Mpumalanga) before the year is out to complement its established portfolio.

The group considers the diversity of the properties to be its greatest strength, with each hotel offering its own atmosphere, experiences and character.

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