Cape Town - Readers of the Daily Telegraph in London have voted Cape Town the Best World City in its 2008 travel awards.
South Africa itself also secured a place in the top three best non-European country category.
The Telegraph, one of the UK's leading daily newspapers, polled 40 000 of its readers in the 10th awards of its kind. Cape Town beat both San Francisco and Sydney to be named as the world's best city.
The SA government's internet news service, BuaNews, on Monday quoted Cape Town Tourism chief executive, Mariëtte du-Toit Helmbold saying: "We are thrilled with the news. Cape Town is well placed to receive visitors looking for value for money and an authentic experience. Cape Town has so much to
offer that visitors generally end up coming back to see and do more."
UK country manager at South African Tourism Lebohang Mokhesi also congratulated Cape Town on its award. She said: "Cape Town is one of the world's most beautiful cities and to receive such an accolade from consumers themselves is great recognition of the wonderful tourism offering it has developed." Value for money and the strength of the pound compared with other world currencies appears to have been a deciding factor for readers when voting.
Cape Town was also recently voted one of 10 cities in the world most likely to become a global sustainability centre by 2020. It has already won a long list of other awards, including Africa's Best City (US Travel and Leisure Best in the World Awards, July); Best Travel Destination in Africa and Middle East (US Travel & Leisure magazine, 2004 through 2007);
and one of the world's five Bluest Sky Destinations (expedia.co.uk).
Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille was also honoured earlier this year as the world's number one mayor by City Mayors, a global local government think-tank. She led a group of 820 mayors from around the world in the competition, which spanned 18 months.
- I-Net Bridge