Cape West Coast is playground to Thali Thali Game Lodge and Club Mykonos who have both shined in the biggest countrywide celebration of tourism excellence in South Africa: Lilizela Tourism Awards

They were among 12 Western Cape winners of the National Lilizela Tourism Awards. The awards recognise game-changers in the tourism sector.

Thali Thali received an award in the 3-star game lodge category. “We only received the news on Monday (November 19) and were totally surprised. We could not attend the function but the Lilizela Award brings great joy to our team and we will display it with pride. We would like to thank our fantastic team without whom we are mere mortals – they have superpowers to turn any stay into an unforgotten experience. We would also like to thank our loyal supporters, suppliers and the whole West Coast Community for making us the strong brand we are,” says owner Amalia Van Niekerk.

Club Mykonos marketing manager Liezl Gryffenberg says they have known about the award since September 13 when they attended the Western Cape provincial awards ceremony at Devonvale Golf Estate. “We were named as the provincial winner of the 4-star self-catering shared vacation category for service excellence. It was such a great honour to go onto the stage to receive this award, which is a first for Club Mykonos,” says Liezl. Set on Langebaan Lagoon, this lively Greek-style resort has gained valuable experience in providing superb hospitality for the past 30 years.

Liezl adds that Club Mykonos would like to dedicate the award to all their loyal customers and to all their devoted staff for their persistent efforts to provide an exclusive holiday experience and an award-winning self-catering product.

The National Lilizela Tourism Award ceremony was recently held at Times Square in Pretoria, a celebration of the country’s finest tourism businesses. The word “Lilizela” is an isiZulu word that means celebrating and praising by ululating when someone has done well. Established in 2013, the Lilizela National Awards is the biggest and only countrywide celebration of tourism excellence in South Africa. It is an initiative of the Tourism Department and spearheaded by South African Tourism to recognise and reward individuals and businesses that promote South Africa as a must-visit tourist destination.

Adjudication is based on an 80 per cent voting process by guests, their TripAdvisor rating and the remaining 20 per cent decided by a panel of judges.

The Lilizela Tourism Awards has grown each year and recognises and rewards businesses, individuals and tour operators and scenic destinations for their contribution to South Africa’s global competitiveness, and for growing tourism’s contribution towards GDP and job creation.

Winning a Lilizela Tourism award gives national recognition to establishments and raises their profile locally and around the world.

Amalia says Thali Thali has already received many good wishes on their social media platforms. “We feel that it puts us on the forefront again, and justifies our efforts toward service excellence. As the award also relies heavily on the reviews received on Tripadvisor, we are so glad that we are being recognised for keeping our customers happy and supplying them with an all-round home-away-from-home Thali Thali experience,” says Amalia.

The Lilizela Tourism Awards are adjudicated through public votes and by a panel of industry judges and audited by Nexia SAB&T.

Entry for the National Lilizela Tourism Awards is free, allowing equal opportunity for all tourism providers to participate. Further details on how to enter and the conditions of entry can be found on www.lilizela.co.za.

Find Thali Thali Game Lodge and Club Mykonos on the West Coast Way Foodie Route along the West Coast R27 Road.

West Coast Way is Your Route To Nature

West Coast Way is your ultimate gateway to experiencing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Cape West Coast of South Africa. As a premium tourism brand, we offer six uniquely themed trip plans that promise an unforgettable journey: Cape, Culture, Foodie, Tractor, Berg, and Wild.

Discover over 101 incredible things to see and do with West Coast Way: Savour the delights of wine, craft beer, olives, and Rooibos tea tastings. Indulge in authentic Weskus cuisine and the traditional braaivleis (barbecue). Feel the thrill of swinging into Citrusdal on a zipline or challenge yourself with Cederberg bouldering. Rejuvenate in natural warm pools and embark on serene cruises across lagoons and rivers. Explore the diverse landscapes of nature reserves and a National Park, or embark on exciting game drives. Hone your skills in archery and angling, or amp up the excitement with sandboarding and quad-biking. Enjoy horse riding, immerse yourself in the unique San culture, and experience the vibrant Riel dancing. For water sports enthusiasts, kite- and windsurfing, surfing, and kayaking trips await. Go beach hopping, learn about bees and whales, and delight in birdwatching in a twitcher’s paradise – all within South Africa’s renowned wildflower reserve. For more information on the best places to visit on the West Coast, road tripping routes, hikes, tours, and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777.  Follow us on  on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn @WestCoastWaySA.