The Blue Train has been named as Africa’s Leading Luxury Train by the World Travel Awards – an award it has enjoyed for six consecutive years now, since 2009.
The Blue Train adds this award to an already array list of accolades collected over the years; such as being voted The World’s Leading Luxury Train for three consecutive years between 2009 and 2011, at the World Travel Awards, as well as Best Passenger Rail Operator at the 2012 Africa Rail Awards.
Hailed as ‘the Oscars of the travel industry’, World Travel Awards (WTA) celebrates its 21st anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade.
WTA’s global media partner network includes International New York Times, TV5Monde, CNBC Arabiya, Newsweek, Outlook Traveller, Travel & Leisure, Khaleej Times, Trade Arabia, TTN, Trav Talk India, Publituris, ASTA Network, Breaking Travel News, eTurboNews, Travel Daily News International and Focus on Travel News.
Upon receiving the news, Hanlie Kotze, The Blue Train’s Executive Manager commented: “The World Travel Awards, whose global media partner network has a monthly readership of 1.7 million and a TV audience reach of 90 million, aims to celebrate those brands that are pushing the boundaries of industry excellence. We are very thrilled and honoured by the faith shown in us by the thousands industry professionals the world over, who yet again decided to give us the nod by voting us amongst the best in the African continent”, she says.
“To be nominated in this category is an honour in itself, but to win it, and do so on six consecutive occasions, is beyond words”, continued an elated Kotze.
“This award will in no way serve as a ‘catalyst’ for complacency on our part. We will continue to ‘push those boundaries’ as we strive to take this brand to a 6 and perhaps a 7-star level, and hopefully reclaim the coveted title of being the World’s Leading Luxury Train at the Grand Final, taking place in Marrakech, Morocco in November 29th 2014”, Kotze concludes.
