The V&A Waterfront is widening the scope of its annual Neighbourhood Awards, marking a new chapter for one of Cape Town’s busiest tourism and business destinations under recently appointed CEO Graham Wood, Cape {town} Etc reports.
For the first time, the awards will celebrate far more than just retail stores and restaurants. Hotels, office tenants, marine and industrial businesses, attractions and small enterprises will now also be recognised, reflecting how the precinct has grown into a multi-faceted destination that supports thousands of jobs and businesses.
The move also offers an early glimpse into Wood’s vision for the Waterfront, with a stronger emphasis on hospitality, customer experience and collaboration across every part of the precinct.
For many Capetonians, the V&A Waterfront is synonymous with harbour views, weekend outings and international tourists. But behind the scenes, it has become one of the Western Cape’s biggest economic hubs.
According to the Waterfront’s latest economic contribution findings, the precinct supports more than 83 000 jobs across South Africa while providing opportunities for 433 small and medium-sized businesses. Around 25 million visits are recorded each year, creating a steady stream of customers for businesses operating within the neighbourhood.
Rather than rewarding only traditional retail excellence, this year’s expanded awards aim to recognise the wider network of businesses that collectively shape the visitor experience.
Wood, whose career has been built in the hotel and tourism industry, believes memorable experiences come from the people behind the destination rather than its iconic location alone. ‘The Waterfront is known for its views and location, but that is not what brings it to life,’ says Wood.
‘What people remember is how they were welcomed, where they stayed, what they ate, what surprised them, and how our precinct made them feel.’
– Graham Wood, Ceo of V&A Waterfront
He added that creating that experience depends on everyone working together. ‘That experience is not created by one operator or one attraction. It is created every day by hotels, restaurants, retailers, office tenants, attractions, marine businesses, entrepreneurs and service teams working together.’
The expanded awards will recognise achievements in areas including service excellence, sustainability, destination advocacy, innovative spaces, visitor experiences and overall business performance.
This year’s programme features 24 awards across six categories, with winners selected through a combination of tenant submissions, Waterfront nominations, mystery shopper and diner assessments.
Members of the public will also have a say when voting opens for the People’s Choice Awards later in the programme, allowing visitors and local residents to support their favourite Waterfront experiences. Winning businesses will be announced at the V&A Neighbourhood Awards dinner on 14 October, while eligible tenants have until 13 August 2026 to submit their entries.
The expanded awards come as Cape Town’s tourism sector continues to build on strong visitor demand, with the V&A Waterfront remaining one of South Africa’s most visited attractions.
For Cape Town, this initiative reflects a broader push to strengthen service standards, celebrate entrepreneurship and reinforce the Waterfront’s position as one of Africa’s leading mixed-use destinations.
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