About Durban Tourism Business Awards

Durban is more than a destination — it’s a living culture, a warm welcome, a coastline of stories, and a city built by entrepreneurs, creators, hosts, and experience-makers who make people want to return. The Durban Tourism Business Awards exist to recognise, celebrate, and elevate the individuals and organisations who power Durban’s visitor economy and help shape the city’s reputation as one of Africa’s most vibrant tourism hubs. These awards honour excellence across the tourism value chain — from accommodation providers and tour operators, to event promoters, rickshaw pullers, crafters, and emerging entrepreneurs. Whether you operate behind the scenes or on the front line of guest experience, the Awards spotlight those who consistently deliver quality, authenticity, and service that reflects the best of Durban.

Why the Awards Matter

Tourism is a major driver of jobs, enterprise growth, and local pride. When tourism businesses thrive, communities benefit — through employment, supplier opportunities, skills development, and increased demand for local products and services.

The Durban Tourism Business Awards aim to:

  • Recognise excellence in service, innovation, professionalism, and visitor experience

  • Strengthen Durban’s destination brand by promoting quality and consistency across the sector

  • Support inclusive growth by celebrating emerging entrepreneurs and universally accessible tourism

  • Encourage responsible tourism by rewarding sustainability and ethical business practices

  • Create visibility and opportunity for winners and finalists through promotion and sector recognition

Who Should Enter

If you contribute to Durban’s tourism ecosystem — directly or indirectly — these awards are for you. Entries are open to tourism-related businesses, practitioners, and initiatives that operate within Durban and demonstrate strong performance, credibility, and a commitment to improving how visitors experience the city.

This includes (but is not limited to):

  • Accommodation providers (hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, serviced apartments, backpackers, etc.)
  • Event venues and event service providers
  • Tour guides and tour operators
  • Experience creators and attraction owners
  • Sustainable tourism initiatives and green businesses
  • Emerging tourism entrepreneurs and new ventures
  • Event owners, promoters, and organisers
  • Rickshaw pullers and cultural ambassadors
  • Crafters, makers, and tourism-linked creative enterprises
  • Film makers and creative storytellers contributing to destination marketing and cultural tourism

Award Categories

The Awards celebrate excellence across a range of categories that reflect Durban’s diverse tourism offering:

  • 1. Accommodation
  • 2. Meetings, Events & Special Events
  • 3. Tourist Guide
  • 4. Tourist Operator
  • 5. Universally Acceptable (Accessible & inclusive tourism)
  • 6. Visitor Experience
  • 7. Upcoming Film Makers
  • 8. Green & Sustainable Tourism
  • 9. Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur
  • 10. Event Owners & Promoters
  • 11. Rickshaw Pullers
  • 12. Crafters

The Awards Process

The Durban Tourism Business Awards follow a structured process designed to ensure credibility, fairness, and transparency:

  • 1. Call for Entries

    • Eligible participants submit their entry under the category that best matches their tourism offering


  • 2. Screening & Validation
    • Entries are reviewed to confirm eligibility, completeness, and alignment to category requirements.


  • 3. Judging & Shortlisting

    • A panel assesses entries against set criteria and produces a shortlist of finalists per category.


  • 4. Final Evaluation (as applicable)

    • Depending on category, this may include deeper document review, interviews, references, or in-person assessment.


  • 5. Awards Event

    • Winners are announced at an official awards ceremony celebrating Durban’s tourism champions.


What Winners Receive

Being recognised as a finalist or winner positions your brand as a trusted and credible tourism offering. Benefits may include:

  • Public recognition and official award status

  • Marketing exposure through Durban Tourism platforms and media coverage

  • Enhanced credibility with visitors, partners, and industry stakeholders

  • Networking opportunities within the tourism and events ecosystem

  • A stronger competitive edgein the market

A Celebration of Durban’s Best

At its heart, the Durban Tourism Business Awards are about more than trophies — they are about building pride, setting standards, and shining a light on the people who keep Durban’s tourism heartbeat strong.
If you are delivering great service, creating memorable experiences, building sustainable tourism solutions, or championing Durban through your craft and creativity — this is your platform.

Enter. Be recognised. Help shape the future of Durban tourism.