AZTA, The Association of Zimbabwe Travel Agents, is a group that was established over 60 years ago in order to promote integrity and a code of ethics among travel agents. Members of AZTA benefit from the association as they are fully certified and registered, therefore instilling trust in their clients. The group works to offer professional and honest guidance to travelers, and to stay informed of all aspects of domestic and international travel. Members of AZTA pride themselves in their top-quality standard of service, and their principled business practices are a direct benefit to the public.
Each year, AZTA holds a themed awards dinner to honour outstanding professionals in the field. And to have a little fun, too! The winners are voted on by the Zimbabwe travel industry and are among the top players in the field. The theme for the awards dinner that was held at Reps Theatre on September 23, 2017 was “Hollywood Glitz and Glamour” and proved to be a great evening.
AZTA Award Winners 2017
Best International: Airline Emirates
Best Regional Airline: British Airways/Comair
Best Offline Carrier: Virgin Atlantic
Best City Hotel: Meikles
Best Resort Hotel: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
Best Boutique Hotel: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
Best Bed & Breakfast /Guesthouse: Amanzi Lodge
Best Safari Camp, Tented: The Hide
Best Safari Camp, Non-tented: Camp Amalinda
Best Mobile Safari Operator: Natureways
Best Self-Catering Lodge: Lokuthula Lodges
Best Car Hire: Avis
Best Tour Operator: Premier Holidays
Best Ground Handler: Wild Horizons
Best Service Provider: Travelport
Best New Establishment: Batonka Guest Lodge
Best Voluntary Service: Wendy Bourne
Best Travel Consultant: Dalish Patel – Wings Travel
Best Travel Agent: Premier Travel
Dr J. Nozipo Maraire
Dr. J. Nozipo Maraire is an acclaimed Zimbabwean-born neurosurgeon, writer and entrepreneur. She is the author of Zenzele: A Letter for My Daughter. The novel was published in 1996, was a New York Times “Notable Book of the Year” and a Boston Globe bestseller. It has been published and translated into over 14 languages. She lived and worked in the United States for 30 years and returned to Zimbabwe in 2012 to open her own neurosurgery practice and help improve Africa’s healthcare and economy. Dr Maraire attended Dominican Convent High School in Harare, she received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and then attended The Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. She completed her neurosurgery training at Yale School of Medicine. She was awarded a Clinical Fellowship Award by The Congress of Neurological Surgeons which she used to work with Dr. Fred Epstein in paediatric neurosurgery in New York City. She is a public speaker who has been invited to lecture at colleges and universities across the United States and in Harare as well as TEDx Harare, a non-profit organization devoted to Ideas worth Spreading. In 2010, she was one of the winners of the British Airways Entrepreneur Face to Face Award for her entry of Ecosurgica, her vision for cutting edge, affordable health care in Southern Africa. She is the founder of Cutting-Edge Neurosurgeon Inc., a web-based start-up. She is also a founder and current Chairperson of Zimbabwe National Covid Action Trust (ZINCAT). Dr Maraire serves on several boards including St George’s College, Zimbabwe National Arts Council (Chairperson), Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (OMLAC), the selection committee for the Rhodes and Beit scholarships and formerly Island Hospice and as a trustee of the Tererai Trent Foundation. She is married to accomplished Urological surgeon, Dr Allen Chiura, and they have 4 children.