TOURISM EXCELLENCE
This category highlights the individuals and organisations going above and beyond to elevate tourism in the Eastern Cape, from digital influencers and eco-champions to top-notch culinary destinations and tour operators.
Meet the changemakers and vote for those leading the way.
- You may vote for one finalist per category.
- Only one vote per category per person will be counted.
- Voting closes at midnight on 31 July
Outstanding Culinary Experience & Restaurants
Awehness Travel
Awehness Travel is a boutique agency matching clients with local artists, crafters, brewers, distillers, and unforgettable experiences in and around Gqeberha. If you want to explore off the beaten path, culinary delights and have a fully immersive experience, let us awaken your soul!
You dream it, we can build it and connect you. Come and have a transformative experience woven together through a tapestry of taste, sound and sight, served with a local ‘friendly city’ smile.
Big Time Taverna
Discover Big Time Taverna, a legendary Greek restaurant nestled on the scenic canals of St Francis Bay. With stunning canal views, vibrant Mediterranean flavours, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot for long, lazy lunches or festive evening dinners. Enjoy authentic Greek dishes—think fresh seafood, tender lamb, and perfectly crisp calamari—paired with fabulous wines or ouzo for a true taste of Greece.
Whether you're relaxing with family or celebrating with friends, Big Time Taverna promises an unforgettable dining experience right on the water’s edge. Come for the food, stay for the vibe. Opa!
Ginger The Restaurant
Ginger is a coastal gem delivering a refined dining experience on Gqeberha’s iconic beachfront. Known for its seasonal menus, premium wine list, and elevated yet unpretentious cuisine, Ginger delights guests with its warm hospitality and stunning sea views. Whether it’s an elegant dinner or a relaxed lunch, Ginger strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and comfort.
The restaurant’s focus on locally sourced ingredients, creative flair, and attentive service makes it a favourite for both locals and visitors seeking memorable moments through food.
Digital Tourism Influencer of The Year
Firefly The Travel Guy
Firefly the Travel Guy is the OG Eastern Cape travel content creator. With 27 years of experience in the tourism industry, he started a travel blog 17 years ago to share the things he discovered on his travels. He has changed along with the times, now sharing his content on various social media platforms and his website, with one video receiving over 200 million views in the last year.
Social media content isn’t just a hobby, but also a career, as he also curates content for tourism associations and businesses.
Sunshine Simplicities
Sunshine Simplicities is all about ‘finding the sunshine in the simply things’ - discovering the hidden gems of the Eastern Cape and beyond. Road trips and padstals and everything in between.
The places, the people, the history. Revealing small town treasures, coastal splendours and the exquisite natural beauty of the region. From the lush Amathole forests to Karoo night skies dazzling with thousands of stars. Discover the enchanted fairy kingdom of Hogsback, snow-capped peaks and magical waterfalls.
Or explore the golden sands and unspoilt spaces of our magnificent coastline. This is the Eastern Cape! Let’s discover it together.
The Real Travel Guy
Gqeberha's Hidden Heart, Revealed by The Real Travel Guy
Looking for the real Gqeberha? The Real Travel Guy, our anonymous, well-traveled local, shines a light on Nelson Mandela Bay's soul. Passionate about the Eastern Cape, he returned home to showcase vibrant food, lively events, and genuine community. His TikToks are inspiring millennials and Gen Z to see Gqeberha not just as a fantastic tourist spot, but a place to relocate for family-friendly life and work.
Families from Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town are now planning visits, eager to contribute to our tourism and economy, all thanks to his vision. He's expanding his social media footprint, making Gqeberha truly awesome! Life is a journey; happiness lies in the moments, not a destination.
Sustainable Tourism Award
Raggy Charters
Raggy Charters Marine-Eco Tour company combined with Conservation running since 1992. Owner run and managed with a small staff. Specialising in taking tourists, photographers, TV crews and marine wildlife enthusiasts on ocean safaris to watch and learn about the whales, dolphins, penguins, and other natural wonders of Algoa Bay.
Our wildlife and whale watching boat cruises possibly cover the longest distance of any ocean safari along the South African coast, lasting for about 4 hours and covering 50km. This provides guests with a better chance of seeing the full array of marine wildlife Algoa Bay has to offer.
SANCCOB NPO
The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) is a registered non-profit organisation (NPO 003-134) based in Cape Town (Western Cape) and Gqeberha (Eastern Cape), South Africa, and was established in 1968. SANCCOB’s mission is to reverse the decline of seabird populations through the conservation and protection of southern Africa’s seabirds, especially the Critically Endangered African Penguin, and other threatened species, for the benefit of present and future generations, SANCCOB’s main activities include seabird rehabilitation (rescue, rehabilitation, and release of oiled, injured, and ill seabirds); contingency planning to mitigate and respond to seabird oiling, mass chick abandonment, disease outbreaks and any other disasters that may threaten seabirds.
SANCCOB is mandated to respond to oiled seabirds nationally and provides preparedness and response services. Additional SANCCOB activities include artificial incubation and hatching of African Penguin and other seabird eggs, hand-rearing of chicks for release back into the wild; environmental education and public awareness; skills development and training; research; project administration; and advocacy.
Stormsriver Adventures
Stormsriver Adventures, nestled in the heart of the Tsitsikamma, is a proudly Fair Trade Tourism-certified company offering guided hikes, interpretive forest drives, immersive cultural experiences, and educational eco-journeys. Beyond adventure, they are a beacon of sustainability — reinvesting significantly into job creation, skills development, and community upliftment. Their trained local guides share rich stories that connect visitors to both nature and culture, fostering respect for biodiversity and heritage.
With every experience, Stormsriver Adventures champions responsible tourism by reducing environmental impact and placing people at the center. It’s more than adventure — it’s meaningful connection, sustainable practice, and shared growth.
Tour Operator of The Year
Awehness Travel
Awehness Travel is a boutique agency matching clients with local artists, crafters, brewers, distillers, and unforgettable experiences in and around Gqeberha. If you want to explore off the beaten path, culinary delights and have a fully immersive experience, let us awaken your soul! You dream it, we can build it and connect you.
Come and have a transformative experience woven together through a tapestry of taste, sound and sight, served with a local ‘friendly city’ smile.
Lelo N Travels
Lelo N Travels is a travel agency based in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, specializing in local and international travel packages and tours. We offer a wide range of options for solo travelers, groups, families, and corporate clients—from luxury escapes to adventure experiences. Our mission is to build trusted relationships through honest, personalized service and attention to detail.
Every trip is tailor-made to offer the best value and unforgettable memories. Our vision is to help clients explore the world and fulfill their travel dreams. With Lelo N Travels, every journey is meaningful, exciting, and memorable.
Mawethu Platyi
Mawethu’s mission is to promote and share the beauty of our province to the world, with pride. My duties as a tourist guide are to ensure that I create memories with the visitors more than guiding a tour, so that they can’t stop raving about their experience when they go back to their home country.
Sharing and storytelling about our province’s beautiful landscape, culture and spirit of Ubuntu is what I live to do with pride for people coming from different parts of the world, even for our people. Passionate guides are what keep visitors coming back for more memories.
