Absolutely thrilled is how we feel and we’re sharing the good news! Harvey World Travel was officially crowned South Africa’s Leading Travel Agency 2026 at the prestigious World Travel Awards Annual ceremony held recently in Zanzibar. World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across every key sector of the global travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised worldwide as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence. The voting process is a democratic one, with travel professionals, suppliers and general public voting for nominees.
Coming out tops against the industry’s best in a very tough market is a profound honour for Harvey World Travel and the recognition doesn’t come easily. The travel industry in South Africa boasts extraordinary trend-setters and world-class competitors, each pushing the boundaries of hospitality, logistics, and customer experience. Facing off against such strong competition makes this achievement all the more meaningful. Kele Lekalake, Managing Director of Harvey World Travel Southern Africa puts it this way “For over 25 years we have been a trusted choice for our customers and partners, and winning this award proves that legacy, when combined with innovation, remains unbeatable.”
What does this mean for our stakeholders?
We think this accolade is a reaffirmation of trust. Generations of travellers have relied on HWT South Africa to curate their dream holidays, bucket-list adventures, and cherished family getaways. When our customers choose HWT SA they know they are supported by a world-leading standard of service, meticulous attention to detail, and a team that treats their precious leisure time with the dedication it deserves.
Our network of franchise holders and Independent Travel Consultants are our heroes. This award serves as a powerful validation of their hard work, entrepreneurial spirit, and daily execution of our brand promise. The exceptional dedication of our local business owners is what breathes life into the HWT name and experience. The recognition serves to strengthen their market presence, boost their credibility and demonstrates to their customers that the HWT banner aligns them with global benchmarks of excellence.
Of course, this award also puts the stamp of excellence on the names of our valued suppliers. Across our vast network of accommodation establishments, airlines, tour operators, transport vendors and many more services, we have built relationships grounded in integrity, reliability and shared values. This international recognition reinforces to our supply chain partners that collaborating with HWT South Africa guarantees access to high-value travellers and a shared commitment to elevating the South African tourism industry standard of excellence.
We couldn’t have done it without you!
First and foremost, this award belongs to all our loyal travellers, dedicated partners, and a supportive community that believes in our brand. We thank you for choosing HWT South Africa and trusting us and we feel incredibly honoured that you believe in our legacy. We look forward to a future dedicated to setting new benchmarks in travel excellence for the next 25 years and beyond.