With more than 1,500 nominations now revealed, voting is expected to be highly competitive right up until the 29 February deadline.
World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke said: "This is always an exciting time of year for World Travel Awards, as we unveil the nominees for the first Gala Ceremony of the year. As we have come to expect it is a stellar list, incorporating the leading lights of hospitality from across Africa and the Indian Ocean.
"With just four weeks of voting ahead of us I urge voters from around the world to cast their ballots at the first opportunity and to make their voices heard as we being the Grand Tour 2016."
Each year WTA covers the globe with a series of regional Gala Ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective successes within each key geographical region. Each WTA Gala Ceremony offers networking opportunities to members of the travel and tourism industry, with the events welcoming government and industry leaders as well as international print and broadcast media.
WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.
A full list of nominees for the Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2016 can be seen here, while voters are requested to register their interest here.
