Welcome Awards 2009 finalist announced
07. Apr, 2009
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The Welcome Awards, which saw nearly a doubling of entries compared to last year, has announced the finalists for the 2009 awards. After a lengthy judging process 33 finalists have been selected and will go on to the awards ceremony at INDABA on May 11.
The finalists were selected on the basis of supporting documents submitted as well as official pre-announced telephonic interviews. They will again be visited and evaluated for the final round of judging which takes the form of an unannounced mystery visit.
Says Hanneli Slabber, Global Manager: Product at South African Tourism: “The calibre of entries this year has been outstanding. Entrants have definitely upped their game in providing excellent service delivery in the build up to 2010. The judging process is rigorous. The mystery visits will really put finalists to the test, in terms of their overall hospitality offering.”
The Awards (created by South African Tourism and supported by First National Bank) are open to all tourism service providers and aim to identify tourism related businesses that raise the standard of customer service, showcase the best of the industry, and enhance word of mouth and the visitor experience.
Judging is based on four important criteria, says Slabber. These are applied across all categories. They are 1) making contact or booking services, 2) arrival/service preparation, 3) the experience and 4) departure or conclusion of service.
Pieter de Bruin, Head of the Tourism Division at FNB Commercial Banking congratulates the finalists: “We have been very impressed by this year’s entries and high standard put forward by entrants. Delivering a truly South African hospitable experience for visitors is paramount especially in the run up to the Confederation Cup and 2010.”
Entries this year grew significantly (67 percent) in the accommodation category. For the first time this year further categories were introduced. They include restaurants, parks, meetings, exhibitions and special events (MESE) and travel agencies.
My name is Muzi Mohale a full-time travel blogger, your host at Travelwires.com responsible for all editorial on this blog. I blog about the travel and tourism industry in Africa. Apart from blogging about tourism, I also run 
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