Plett nominated as world’s leading beach destination

16 Oct 2024 | Statement

Plett Tourism is thrilled to announce that in addition to being nominated as Africa’s Leading Beach Destination for the 15th year, they have been nominated as the World’s Leading Beach Destination in the World Travel Awards this year.

This marks its first global nomination, placing it alongside renowned beaches like those in Thailand, Hawaii, and the Maldives, while Cape Town is also a South African nominee in Africa’s Leading Beach Destination category, Plettenberg Bay is the sole South African contender for the global title.

The World Travel Awards

The awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire. Each year, World Travel Awards™ covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to celebrate the achievements and strengths of the travel industry, within each key geographical region.

Plett’s beaches and marine life have long been celebrated among the best in South Africa, and now possibly the world - with a strong emphasis on community stewardship of its natural attractions.

This is highlighted in several ways:

Six international Blue Flag status beaches. Robberg 5 Beach, one of these Blue Flag beaches, approaches the world-famous Robberg Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich history dating back 125,000 years.
World Cetacean Alliance Whale Heritage Area. A Whale Heritage Area - administered by the World Cetacean Alliance - is a designation that recognizes destinations that protect and celebrate whales and dolphins, promoting environmental sustainability and local community involvement.
Mission Blue Hope Spot. Sylvia Earle, a renowned marine biologist and founder of Mission Blue, named Plettenberg Bay one of her Hope Spots in 2014. Hope Spots are critical ocean areas that Earle aims to protect through her Mission Blue initiative. She is a leading advocate for ocean conservation and has been recognized for her work worldwide
Annual Plett Ocean Festival- and associated Marine Science Symposium. The festival and symposium celebrate the region's marine life during the winter months. Only in its third year, this annual event has attracted the attention of environmental journalists and marine science experts from across the country.
Marine Protected Areas. The bay is flanked by two marine protected areas, Robberg and Tsitsikamma, Africa’s oldest marine protected area. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designated areas of the ocean where human activities are restricted or prohibited to conserve marine ecosystems and their biodiversity. These protected areas play a crucial role in safeguarding marine species, promoting sustainable fishing practices, and maintaining the health of our oceans.
Terrestrial & Marine Wonders. From dramatic cliffs covered in endemic fynbos to estuaries as nurseries for rays and seahorses and endless stretches of pristine sandy beaches, Plett is perfectly positioned to offer an incredible beach experience. Where the shore becomes an ocean, the wonders continue as the bay is a playground for all water-sports lovers: whale-watching, kayaking, swimming with seals, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, swimming, snorkelling, surfing, sailing and more…

Plett Tourism CEO, Patty Butterworth says they would like to extend their warm appreciation to Bitou Municipality for their enormous contribution to ensuring Plett’s beaches are pristine, safe and well-managed.