Two new categories in tourism awards as businesses compete for prestigious honours
This year’s finalists showcase the capital’s diverse tourism industry, recognising outstanding restaurants, accommodation providers, attractions, tour operators, wellness businesses and industry suppliers. Two new categories will also celebrate chefs and tourist guides, highlighting the people behind memorable visitor experiences as the countdown to the awards continues.
Tshwane’s tourism industry is set to come together for the 2026 Tshwane Tourism Awards on August 22, with finalists across accommodation, restaurants, wellness, tourism experiences, attractions, events, education and industry support categories coming together.
The latest finalist announcement highlights the breadth of businesses and individuals contributing to Tshwane’s tourism offering. Simultaneously, two new award categories will place a stronger focus on the people behind the experiences this year.
Susan Marais, chairperson of the Tshwane Tourism Association, said the finalists provide a reminder of the diversity within the city’s tourism sector.
“In the second week of August we introduced our 2026 Tshwane Tourism Awards finalists. What a wonderful reminder they are of just how diverse our tourism industry really is!”
The finalists span restaurants, wellness experiences, tour operators, attractions, township tourism and the people involved in delivering tourism experiences across the capital.
In the Township Tourism Experience of the Year category, Noxolo Guesthouse, Eazy Events & Tours and Fundani Tours are finalists.
The Restaurant of the Year category features Kingsley Restaurant at Kievits Kroon Gauteng Wine Estate, So Subtle, LeSi Singing Waiter Restaurant at Casa Toscana Lodge and Le Bon Goût Café.
Kievits Kroon Gauteng Wine Estate and Mangwanani Spa are finalists for Spa & Wellness Provider of the Year.
The Supplier to Industry of the Year category includes Q2B Solutions, eCom, Go See Do South Africa, The Pretoria Bucket List and CASI Safety App.
Ulysses Tours & Safaris, La Luonde Tours and Zilko Tours & Travel are competing for the Tour Operator of the Year award.
The Tourist Attraction of the Year category has seven finalists: Bill Harrop’s ‘Original’ Balloon Safaris, Pretoria National Botanical Garden, SunOx Fishing Adventures, Royal Africa Experiences, Voortrekker Monument, Dinokeng Game Reserve and Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria.
The awards will also introduce two new categories. They are the Chef of the Year with four finalists: Dikeledi Sibanda, Lebo Phala, Ronaldie Thurly and Sivy Marie; as well as The Tourist Guide of the Year, recognising Mammy Raselabe, Carmen Sonnenberg and Mpho Matidze as finalists.
The new categories are intended to recognise some of the people behind the tourism experiences that contribute to Tshwane’s appeal as a destination.
The Conference & Events Venue of the Year finalists are 012central, CSIR International Convention Centre, Kievits Kroon Gauteng Wine Estate, Menlyn Boutique Hotel, and Monte de Dios Conference and Wedding Centre.
The Education & Training Provider of the Year finalists are Adventure Institute, School for the Art & Science of Event Management, and The Capital Hotel School and Training Academy.
Four establishments are finalists for Guesthouse of the Year: 3@Marion Guesthouse, 314 on Clark Guesthouse, Hana Guest House, and The African Penguin Guesthouse and Conference Centre.
The Hotel of the Year category includes Kievits Kroon Gauteng Wine Estate, Menlyn Boutique Hotel, Stay Menlyn ApartHotel, The Pretoria Hotel, and The Centurion Hotel.
The Lodge of the Year finalists are Cullinan Diamond Lodge, Kwalata Game Lodge, Ritsako Game Lodge, and The Blades Hotel and Conference Venue.
Together, the categories reflect a tourism sector that spans accommodation, dining, meetings and events, education and training, wellness, tours, attractions and township experiences.
Marais said the awards also place businesses and tourism professionals at the centre of the celebration, with the new Chef of the Year and Tourist Guide of the Year categories expanding the programme beyond establishments and organisations.
The winners will be announced on the evening of August 22 in Pretoria North.
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