Plett beaches amongst Africa's best

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plett is once again vying for the crown of Africa's best beach destination after taking top honours in 2020.

This year is Plett's 14th nomination as Africa's Leading Beach Destination in the World Travel Awards and the town will go up against spectacular global destinations from across the continent: Cape Town, Diani Beach, Bazaruto, Cape Maclear, Dakhla, Zanzibar, Nungwi Beach and Sharm El Sheikh.

Plett Tourism chief executive Patty Butterworth says after the win in 2020, she is thrilled that Plett has been nominated again this year.

"Especially when our coastal attractions have also been recognised by the World Cetacean Alliance as a candidate Whale Heritage Site, and the second Plett Ocean Festival and Marine Science Symposium taking place from the end of next month," she said.

The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark.

Plett is no stranger to awards for its beaches and marine attractions.

It currently has six international Blue Flag status beaches and two international Blue Flag status boats, and is a recognised Mission Blue Hope Spot. To this end, Plett Tourism developed the Plett Ocean Festival and associated Marine Science Symposium, celebrating and highlighting a specific set of oceanic attractions during the winter months, including the visiting whales, sharks, dolphins and marine birds that gather in and around the bay in winter.

"The bay's recent candidacy as a Whale Heritage Site is a direct result of conversations that took place during and after the first Marine Science Symposium and was spearheaded by passionate local photographer and wildlife enthusiast Rob Smith, who was inspired by presentations at the symposium," Butterworth says.

"It is well known that southern right and humpback whales spend time in the bay during their migration along the South African coastline and that the winter months are particularly good for whale watching.

"Surrounded by the Garden Route National Park and marine protected areas, two CapeNature reserves, a large colony of Cape fur seals on Robberg, vibrant soft coral reefs for scuba diving, and a variety of birding habitats to enjoy, it makes sense that, in addition to being chosen as a front-runner for Africa's leading beach destination, Plett is also positioned as a sustainable conservation, research and nature hub."

Bitou Mayor Dave Swart says the town's beaches continue to be the pride and joy of the community. "We always strive to keep them in pristine condition. The nomination serves as another huge statement of recognition for the great work that is being done."

He says the municipality appreciates the efforts of all parties that play a big role in effectively managing the area's beaches.

"The recent addition of the Plett Shark Spotters and the Plett Ocean Smart Campaign is another way to prove that we place a very high value on our 'crown jewels'."

Plett's sprawling coastline is being recognised again as part of the Africa's Leading Beach Destination awards.