With the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ just around the corner, South Africa will be welcoming tourists in greater numbers than ever. Providing them with positive tourism experiences and excellent service, will ensure they become ambassadors for our country and encourage others to visit us too!

As in the past, the Welcome Awards will once again recognise those tourism businesses, operations and individuals that not only act as excellent hosts, but also raise the levels of customer service and provide authentic South African experiences.

This year, we're inviting consumers to be a part of the Welcome Awards and they will be asked to nominate establishments that have given them a great tourism experience for a Consumer's Choice Award.

Great tourism businesses makes our country even greater, so all the best with your entry!

• enhance the visitor's experience, fundamental to the growth of tourism;
• promote the best-of-the-best as examples to the industry and in doing so, encourage industry to focus on service excellence;
• recognise organisations and individuals in South Africa who raise the level and standards of customer service those that enhance visitors' experiences;
• inspire longer stays and repeat visits;
• turn guests into ambassadors for our country;
• identify and add to innovations that embrace authentically South African experiences; and
• encourage the industry to share ideas and best practice on improving service.