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MUMBAI: South Africa has won the prestigious International Lifestyle Destination of the Year Award at Jaypee Greens NDTV Good Times Lifestyle Awards 2013. The event was a star-studded gala awards? ceremony with a distinguished guest list. Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Jacqueline Fernandes, Maria Gorretti, Milind Soman, Suhel Seth, Vir Sanghvi were the celebrity guests at the event. One of the many highlights of the event was an exclusive fashion show by renowned designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee.
At the glamorous ceremony in New Delhi, Ms. Hanneli Slabber, Country Manager of South African Tourism India, received the prestigious award from Shilpa Shetty Kundra. The nominations were adjudged by a panel of jury comprising some renowned names in the travel tourism and lifestyle industry.
By winning this award South African Tourism has added another feather to its hat. Last year, South Africa had won Lonely Planet?s award for Best International Wildlife Destination and Today?s Travelers? Best Publicity and Promotions Award.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Hanneli Slabber, Country Manager, South African Tourism, said, ?We are extremely pleased and excited to have received this award and we would like to thank NDTV for this recognition. Having received this award from Shilpa Shetty Kundra makes it even more special since she has always voiced her love for the Rainbow Nation be it during the IPL or otherwise. This is an extremely special moment for us?.
Hanneli further added, ?It is a great honour for South Africa to be accepted as a destination which has left a lasting impression on Indian travelers? minds. Over the years, we constantly strived to be innovative in the way we promote our beautiful country and receiving such accolade is extremely encouraging for us. We are glad that South Africa has been appreciated for its cultural diversity and warm hospitality and this award is testimony to the relationship Indian travellers have with our destination. We are happy that SA has inspired Indians to come and experience South Africa, and that it shows just how exciting and accessible our country is and how friendly and welcoming our people are. For those of you who haven?t experienced South Africa yet, we guarantee you a holiday filled with unforgettable memories with your loved ones?.
According to the latest arrival figures of October 2012, South Africa has received 87,906 Indians visitors between January to October 2012. This is an increase of 16.8% to the corresponding period last year.
NDTV Good Times Lifestyle Awards 2013 is a first of its kind award to honour celebrated icons that have created a unique identity for them in the country. A unique celebration of the Indian way of life, the award is a symbol of excellence in the lifestyle domain. An extensive short listing process, rigorous judging parameters and the high powered jury ensured that the best across Indian lifestyle were acknowledged. The validation process was undertaken by Ernst &Young.
