At the annual Relais & Châteaux congress, held this year in Italy in November, Salvatore Ferragamo, grandson of the famous Italian shoemaker and general manager of one of our new member properties, Il Borro in Tuscany, was introduced by Relais & Châteaux President Jaume Tàpies as the 'Relais & Châteaux Ambassador 2013'.

The new, annual guide, launched at Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa on 21 November 2012 and simultaneously, for the first time in Paris, on the same day, has become a 'must have' for guests and the tourism industry and proudly presents the latest properties worldwide to become members of this unique family of hoteliers. 734 pages, 550 000 copies in 6 languages - French, English, German, Spanish, Italian and Mandarin, 60 countries of distribution and from January 2013 available via www.relaischateaux.com/appstore

The QR Codes printed on each country map and each of our member's pages take you, in the first case, directly to the Google maps on our website and, in the second case, to the websites of the relevant hotels. A digital version of the guide is available on the website in ultra-light mode to facilitate download. http://publications.relaischateaux.com/guide2013/en

Discover 5 new dream destinations in the 2013 edition: Zambia, Botswana, Kenya, Guatemala, Fiji Islands, 36 new Relais & Châteaux, 4 spas, 12 new Grands Chefs including 3 who have been promoted. Today more than ever before, you can sketch out your own Routes du Bonheur with your eyes closed: 520 charming hotels and gourmet restaurants in 60 countries.

New member properties that have joined the Africa Delegation include Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa situated in Stellenbosch, Morukuru Family in the Madikwe Game Reserve, Ol Donyo Lodge, Kenya, Royal Chundu in Zambia and Zarafa Camp in Botswana bringing the total number of member properties within this delegation to 22.

Every year, Relais & Châteaux joins forces with 11 prestigious brands from the world of spirits, fine dining and beauty, to award trophies that reward the diversity of our properties in their respective areas. From the Welcome Trophy, which recognises the sense of hospitality, to the Innovation Trophy which highlights creativity, they cover the entire range of Relais & Châteaux values.

For 2013 Camp Jabulani in Hoedspruit was awarded the Passion Trophy, proof that the camp shares Hennessy's commitment to creating experiences forged from the heart.

Comments Annie-Claude Bergonzoli, Director of the Africa Delegation, "2013 is destined to be a great year with new member properties joining the Relais & Châteaux family, all of which are presented in this exceptional new look guide, as well as the endless possibilities available for guests to enjoy on multiple Routes du Bonheur not only on the African continent but worldwide."

This press release has been distributed on behalf of our client, Relais & Châteaux.