Brussels, Belgium – The World Tourism Awards 2026 is poised to spotlight the leaders, brands, destinations, and institutions defining what excellence in tourism means in the years ahead – Image: Cosmin Serban/Unsplash
The World Tourism Awards 2026 Ceremony will take place together with the Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting 2026 on 9th of November, at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels, positioning the Belgian capital as one of the most important meeting points for the international travel and tourism industry. As tourism enters a new era shaped by both disruption and opportunity, the World Tourism Awards 2026 is poised to do more than honor achievement. It will spotlight the leaders, brands, destinations, and institutions defining what excellence in tourism means in the years ahead.
Set against the backdrop of one of Europe’s most distinguished cultural venues, the event will bring together ministers, investors, hospitality executives, destination leaders, tourism innovators, and global brands for a high-level gathering focused on excellence, influence, and the future direction of travel. The ceremony is expected to serve not only as a celebration of achievement, but also as a statement of where global tourism is heading next.
At a time when the tourism industry is being reshaped by sustainability targets, new investment flows, digital transformation, cultural diplomacy, and evolving traveler expectations, the World Tourism Awards has emerged as a platform that recognizes those setting new benchmarks across the sector. More than a symbolic recognition, the awards reflect a wider industry shift: success in tourism today is increasingly measured not only by scale, but by resilience, innovation, relevance, and long-term value creation.
As tourism enters a new era shaped by both disruption and opportunity, the World Tourism Awards 2026 is poised to do more than honor achievement. It will spotlight the leaders, brands, destinations, and institutions defining what excellence in tourism means in the years ahead – Image: Global Tourism Forum
Held alongside the Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting 2026, the ceremony will benefit from the presence of a highly influential international audience spanning the public and private sectors. This alignment gives the awards unique strategic weight. It creates an environment in which recognition is directly connected to dialogue, partnerships, investment conversations, and future-facing policy discussions.
The growing prestige of the World Tourism Awards is also reflected in the caliber and diversity of its recent honorees. At the 2025 edition in Brussels, the awards recognized standout achievements across destinations, tourism investment, aviation, hospitality, technology, and institutional leadership. Among the notable winners were
- France as Best Global Destination,
- Egypt as Best Heritage Destination,
- Angola as Best Tourism Investment Destination,
- Singapore as Best Health-Safe Destination, and the
- Maldives as Best Beach Destination.
The awards also recognized major institutions and globally respected brands such as Turkish Airlines as Best International Airline, Marriott International as Best Eco-Friendly Hotel Chain, Dubai World Trade Center as Best Convention Center, The Red Sea Project as Best Tourism Infrastructure Project, and GetYourGuide with the Tourism Innovator Award.
Applications for the World Tourism Awards 2026 are now open – Image: Global Tourism Forum
These examples underline the awards’ international reach and their ability to spotlight both destinations and institutions shaping the future of the global visitor economy.
That breadth matters. Tourism is no longer defined by one segment alone. It now sits at the intersection of infrastructure, investment, innovation, sustainability, mobility, hospitality, public policy, and branding. Awards that reflect this wider ecosystem carry greater influence because they help define which models, ideas, and institutions are setting the standard for others to follow.
For destinations and companies alike, being recognized in Brussels at a globally positioned event can deliver more than visibility. It can reinforce credibility, sharpen market positioning, elevate brand prestige, and open doors to new conversations with governments, investors, operators, and international partners. In an increasingly competitive landscape, recognition has become a strategic asset.
Applications for the World Tourism Awards 2026 are now officially open, giving organizations, institutions, destinations, and industry leaders the opportunity to apply for nomination in the category they select. The application platform is designed to identify those whose work demonstrates measurable excellence, innovation, resilience, and meaningful contribution to the development of global tourism.
Nomination through the official application page: www.globaltourismforum.org/world-tourism-awards-2026-application
NAN/GlobalTourismForum 23-07-26
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