Durban ICC wins big in Africa as KZN tourism businesses take home World Travel Awards

Durban has another reason to celebrate after the city’s International Convention Centre was crowned Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2026 at the World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony in Zanzibar.

The win is a major nod to Durban’s position as a leading business-events destination on the continent, and was one of several South African tourism successes at the ceremony, held at Diamonds Bijoux Zanzibar.

But the good news didn’t stop there. The KZN-based Beekman Group had an especially strong night, with three of its resorts taking home awards across South Africa and Mozambique.

Durban ICC takes the top spot

The Durban ICC claimed the title of Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2026, putting Durban’s business-events offering firmly in the continental spotlight.

The win recognises the ICC’s role in hosting major conferences, exhibitions, meetings and events, and adds another international accolade to one of Durban’s best-known tourism and business landmarks.

For a city where business tourism is an important part of the visitor economy, the award is a significant one.

Three big wins for the Beekman Group

It was also a big night for the Beekman Group, with three of its resorts recognised in the 2026 World Travel Awards.

The winning properties were:

• Cayley Mountain Resort (Drakensberg, KZN) – South Africa’s Leading Lifestyle Resort 2026
• The Kingdom Resort (Pilanesberg, North West) – South Africa’s Leading Family Resort 2026
• San Martinho Beach Club – Mozambique’s Leading Family Resort 2026

This follows another big win for the group at the recent 2026 KZN Top Business Awards – presented by Standard Bank and Women of Africa Group in association with East Coast Radio – where they earned the KZN Top Brand for 2026.

READ: Tourism businesses take top spots at KZN Top Business Awards

The wins also add to the region’s growing reputation as a destination that can cater to everything from family holidays and lifestyle escapes to major conferences and international tourism.

What the World Travel Awards celebrate

The World Travel Awards recognise excellence across the global travel and tourism industry, with awards spanning:

• Destinations
• Airlines
• Hotels and resorts
• Tour operators
• Travel agencies
• Tourism organisations

Africa’s big winners this year included Tanzania, which was named Africa’s Leading Destination and Africa’s Leading Tourist Board, while Zanzibar claimed both Africa’s Leading Beach Destination and Africa’s Leading Festival & Event Destination.

Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club was named Africa’s Leading Hotel, while Serengeti National Park took both Africa’s Leading National Park and Africa’s Leading Big 5 National Park.

View the full list of Africa Winners 2026 HERE.

Speaking at the ceremony, Graham Cooke, Founder of World Travel Awards, notes: “It has been a privilege to welcome our winners from across Africa to this extraordinary celebration in Zanzibar. Diamonds Bijoux provided a spectacular setting for an unforgettable evening, reflecting the elegance, warmth and vibrant spirit that make Zanzibar such a compelling destination. Our winners represent the very best of the travel and tourism sector, and we congratulate them on their achievements in helping to shape its future.”

READ: The 13 best hotels in and around Durban

And there’s more to come

The Zanzibar ceremony marked the opening leg of the World Travel Awards’ Grand Tour 2026, with further red-carpet ceremonies scheduled for destinations including the Maldives, Jamaica, Montenegro, and the United Arab Emirates before the Grand Final in Tanzania.

For Durban, however, the message is already clear: the region is punching well above its weight on the African tourism stage!

READ: 5 things to do in Durban for under R200