V&A Waterfront expands Neighbourhood Awards spotlighting Cape Town visitor economy

THE NEWS: The V&A Waterfront is expanding its annual Neighbourhood Awards in 2026 to recognise a broader range of businesses and people shaping South Africa’s major tourism and commercial precinct.

DETAILS:

WHY IT MATTERS: By widening the awards to include hotels, attractions, marine operators and office tenants, the V&A Waterfront signals a strategic shift toward holistic visitor experience and deeper cross‑sector collaboration, which could boost the precinct’s overall appeal and commercial vitality.

FAQ
How is the V&A Waterfront Neighbourhood Awards programme changing in 2026?
The awards are being expanded in 2026 to recognise a broader array of businesses and people that contribute to the precinct, moving beyond the previous focus on retail and food‑and‑beverage to include hotels, attractions, marine businesses, office tenants and other sectors.

Who is leading the new direction for the V&A Waterfront awards?
Graham Wood, the newly appointed chief executive officer of the V&A Waterfront, is guiding the first major evolution of the awards. Wood’s hospitality background is directing the precinct toward heightened visitor experience, collaboration and service excellence.

What types of businesses will be eligible for the expanded 2026 awards?
The expanded programme will acknowledge the wider ecosystem powering the Waterfront, including hotels, attractions, marine businesses, office tenants and other diverse enterprises, in addition to the traditional retail and food‑and‑beverage participants recognised in earlier editions.

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