Zanzibar announced as official host destination of the World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony 2026 | News
World Travel Awards (WTA) has announced that Zanzibar will host the 2026 Africa Gala Ceremony. The VIP reception on August 28, 2026 will take place at the luxurious Diamonds Bijoux and will bring together leaders from across Africa to celebrate the best organizations in travel and tourism.
The evening marks the first of two major WTA events to be held in Tanzania in 2026. The country will host the WTA Grand Final Gala Ceremony in November, marking the culmination of WTA’s Grand Tour 2026 and cementing Tanzania’s position as one of the world’s most dynamic and exciting travel destinations.
Zanzibar, an archipelago located in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean off the coast of Tanzania, is known for its powder-white beaches, aromatic spice plantations and Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a destination that combines Swahili, Arabic and Portuguese heritage and has quickly become one of Africa’s most fascinating destinations.
Graham Cooke, Founder of World Travel Awards, says: “We are thrilled to host our Africa Gala Ceremony in Zanzibar, a destination that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. Diamonds Bijoux provides the perfect backdrop – a world-class venue that embodies the elegance and warmth that Zanzibar is known for. The fact that Tanzania will host not one but two of our most prestigious events in 2026 is a powerful statement about the incredible strength and depth of this country’s tourism sector and its journey.I would like to thank Visit Zanzibar, Tanzania Tourist Board and the Government of Tanzania for their support, faith and trust in making this event possible.
Arif Abbas, Executive Secretary of the Zanzibar Tourism Commission, said: “Zanzibar is delighted to be the official host destination of the World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony 2026. This is an opportunity that Zanzibar has long awaited and which strengthens and takes to the next level the efforts we have implemented as a destination. We look forward to hosting the leaders of travel in Zanzibar on August 28, 2026.”
The WTA Africa Gala Ceremony 2026 will recognize winners in a wide range of categories, including hotels, airlines, tour operators and destinations. The evening is part of WTA’s Grand Tour, an annual series of red carpet events staged on every continent, culminating in the grand finale in Tanzania in November.
WTA was founded in 1993 to recognise, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the WTA brand is recognized worldwide as the ultimate mark of industry excellence.
