Celebrating Excellence: Finalists announced for the Tshwane Tourism Awards 2025

Following a robust scoring and judging process by industry leaders with rich experience across different areas of our tourism ecosystem, the finalists for the Tshwane Tourism Awards 2025 have been announced.

The winners will be selected and celebrated at a glamorous event on August 16 at Batter Boys Village in Montana.

Tickets to the entertainment-packed event that includes fine dining are already on sale and include a red carpet arrival and a delicious dinner experience.

The Tshwane Tourism Awards have been established to recognise, celebrate and elevate the tourism sector in South Africa’s capital city, the only one in the world that has a Big 5 game reserve.

More than just a celebration, the awards are part of a long-term vision to inspire excellence, build stronger industry connections, and set a new standard for tourism in Tshwane – one that is collaborative, sustainable and proudly local.

The awards seek to honour businesses and individuals who go above and beyond in shaping memorable visitor experiences, growing with intention, and uplifting the communities they operate in. More than trophies and titles, this platform provides industry-wide visibility, professional affirmation and shared motivation to drive Tshwane’s tourism offering forward together.

The entrants are evaluated across four core pillars of tourism excellence: Community Contribution & Sustainability – recognising impact beyond the business; Internal Environment & Team Culture – rewarding people-first leadership and staff development; Industry Collaboration & Engagement – highlighting those who work well with others; and Business Growth & Improvement – acknowledging consistent innovation and measurable growth.

An experienced panel of independent judges were selected to review the entries. These professionals bring a wealth of insight from various sectors: tourism, business, hospitality and development, and are committed to a fair, evidence-based evaluation process. 

This year’s theme is Welcome to the Wildest Capital City in the World — so guests can expect to dress to impress and enjoy a night of wildly fun networking, wildly delicious food and wildly wonderful people. Of course, the theme also refers to the wildly untamed nature reserves within the Tshwane metro.

For tickets, finalist updates and more information, visit: www.tshwanetourism.com/awards 

The deserving finalists per category in alphabetical order are:

Guesthouse of the Year

• 137@ Murray Street Guesthouse
• Casa Toscana Lodge
• Noxolo Guesthouse

Tour Operator of the Year

• Famba Famba Tour Design Specialists
• La Luonde Tours
• Ulysses Tours & Safaris CC

 Restaurant of the Year

• Capital Craft Beer Academy
• Eat In Italian
• LeSi Restaurant @ Casa Toscana Lodge

Spa & Wellness Provider of the Year

• Incognito Spa and Events Pty Ltd
• L'abri Day Spa Pretoria
• Mangwanani Spa

 Lodge of the Year

• Kwalata Game Lodge
• MELA Luxury Game Lodge
• Ritsako Game Lodge

Supplier of the Year

• Albacoxe Productions
• eCom
• Q2B Solutions
• Travelex

 Education & Training Provider of the Year

• School for the Art & Science of Event Management (by Conference Consultancy South Africa)
• The Capital Hotel School and Training Academy

 Hotel of the Year

• City Lodge Hotel Hatfield
• Garden Court Hatfield
• Menlyn Boutique Hotel
• The Maslow Time Square Hotel

 Tourist Attraction of the Year

• Acrobranch Adventure Park (PTY) LTD
• Adventure Zone Africa
• Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris
• DITSONG: National Museum of Natural History
• Freedom Park Heritage Site & Museum
• Sundowner Flyfishing Adventures at Oxbow Country Estate
• Time Square
• Voortrekker Monument 

Conference & Events Venue of the Year

• CSIR International Convention Centre
• Inani Hotels – Morning Star
• Kievits Kroon Gauteng Wine Estate
• Menlyn Boutique Hotel
• South African National Biodiversity Institute
• Southern Sun Pretoria
• Sunbet Arena Time Square