PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - For many a visitor and resident, Plettenberg Bay is one of the top destinations in the world, but this became an official status when the town was included in the prestigious Condé Nast Gold List of the world's best destinations for 2022.
The list is compiled by the top end publication's senior editors.
Every year, editors in the mass media company based in seven cities across three continents, share their personal favourite places to go, spaces to stay and cruises to take. The Gold List is then compiled to provide readers with recommendations.
Plettenberg Bay was recognised, along with eight other destinations across the globe: Puebla, Mexico; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Alentejo, Portugal; Svalbard, Norway; Goa, India; Scottsdale, Arizona; Val Graziosa, Italy; and Chiang Mai, Thailand.
"Plettenberg Bay is South Africa's summer playground, and I, a Capetonian, would drive the 186-mile coastal path along the scenic Garden Route each year to join the fun," wrote Condé Nast editor Isabella Sullivan.
"The bohemian seaside town sits atop a sheltered bay, where a jumble of hipster coffee shops, seafood restaurants, and kitsch boutiques tumble down onto fynbos-covered cliffs."
She said that the Plettenberg Hotel, a favourite with Condé Nast travellers and winner of a Condé Nast Traveller's Award in 2019, 2020 and 2021, is a "grand dame overlooking the bay and mountains". It received a special mention in the article as did the modern, seaside Robberg Beach Lodge and Tsala Treetop Lodge.
The list also mentions Plett's winter whale and dolphin season, Gary Player golf course, Keurbooms and Robberg Nature reserves, the Plett Polo Club, animal sanctuaries and golden beaches.
Tourism chief executive Patty Butterworth says the recognition comes at a time when the small seaside town needs international attention as the economy struggles to recover from the South African lockdown and the recent cancellation of the town's single largest festival, the Plett Rage Student Festival, due to Covid concerns.
She said with international attention and Condé Nast travellers looking ahead to travel to South Africa in 2022, there is "enormous potential for recovery for the tourism industry as international guests plan their spring holidays".
The town also proudly wears a number of recent awards: voted Africa's Best Beach Destination in 2020, and awarded six international Blue Flag beaches and two Blue Flag boats for the 2021/2022 season.
"Plettenberg Bay is settling beautifully into a lifestyle destination with a strong emphasis on natural attractions, unique experiences and exquisite surroundings for those looking to experience the very best of South Africa and the Garden Route," Butterworth said.
"We are excited about these results, the accolade could not have come at a better time. It's encouraging to know that Plett continues to be a sought-after, international, world-class destination. We have seen the international guests slowly returning, and we are looking forward to an increase as borders start to reopen."
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