O&L Leisure has been named joint winner of the Escapist Award at the OutThere 2026 Experientialist® Awards, held recently in London. The award was accepted on O&L Leisure’s behalf by PC Agency, its UK and US representation.
"We are humbled and proud to share in this international honour. Awards like these are independent validations of quality, service and operational excellence and they reflect the people behind every experience we deliver. Just last week, O&L Leisure received recognition at the SADC Quality Awards in the Service of the Year category for large enterprises and now this. Receiving this recognition here in Namibia is truly special, as it honours the very land and people whose stories we are telling," says Maryke van Lill, Managing Director of O&L Leisure.
“For a proudly Namibian company, this means more than a podium moment. Each of O&L Leisure's six properties is shaped by the community that surrounds it, built on conservation, rooted in local storytelling and committed to uplifting the people who make Namibia what it is. From the Namib Desert and wild Etosha to the Skeleton Coast, the landscapes are extraordinary and it is our people who bring them to life for every guest who arrives.”
The Escapist category recognises journeys that embody the art of truly getting away from it all, championing wellbeing, peace of mind and meaningful escape. O&L Leisure was shortlisted alongside a strong field of global contenders. Among them were eriro Alpine Hide, Beaverbrook, Grand Forest Metsovo, Himalayan Echoes, Il Salviatino, Le Grand Bellevue and Naturhotel Forsthofgut while judging was conducted by a panel of highly respected international media figures.
OutThere is a multi-award-winning luxury travel brand co-founded by Uwern Jong and Martin Perry, known for its inclusive editorial voice and commitment to diversity, discovery and discernment. Its Experientialist® Awards are a not-for-profit, philanthropy-led platform that honours brands actively shaping a more thoughtful, inclusive and forward-looking travel industry. The recognition carries particular weight because OutThere’s judging process is entirely independent, making it a genuine reflection of the strength of the submission and the authenticity of the experiences delivered.
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