THE Zulu kingdom, KwaZulu-Natal, cemented its position as the darling of mega events’ organisers when the City of Durban was announced as Africa’s premier meetings and conference destination.

The City of Durban received the honours at the World Travel Awards held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC on Saturday evening.

Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Sihle Zikalala received the award on behalf of the provincial government of KwaZulu-Natal.

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“With this prestigious award, which recognises the work done by our Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE), KwaZulu-Natal has once again reinforced its position as the world’s mega events and tourism destination,” said Zikalala upon receiving this top drawer accolade.

The World Travel Awards are widely regarded as the “Oscars of the travel industry”.

“This recognition was also a solid acknowledgement of the never ending excellent service that tourism players offer to the province’s guests and delegates when hosting international events. We are humbled by the increased confidence that the world continues to show in KwaZulu-Natal,” said the MEC.

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Zikalala said there has also been an increase in more airlines flying directly into KwaZulu-Natal.

At the end of October, British Airways will also fly directly from Heathrow into King Shaka International Airport.

The MEC said negotiations were under way with other international airlines and that the provincial government was confident that it would in the near future be announcing another airline which would also land directly into the province.

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