As the global travel industry recalibrates itself for a new era of movement, meaning and experience, the Global Travel Awards 2026 has revealed its full list of nominees—an expansive snapshot of the destinations, brands, institutions and creators shaping how the world travels now.
Taking place on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, at the Crown London Hotel, the ceremony is set to bring together an influential cross-section of the global travel ecosystem: hospitality leaders, aviation giants, tourism authorities, and a new generation of digital storytellers whose influence now rivals that of traditional institutions.
Public voting is officially open and will close on 20 March 2026, with millions of travellers worldwide expected to participate—underscoring the Awards’ position as one of the industry’s most publicly engaged recognitions.
A Barometer of Global Travel Power
The nominations read less like a list and more like a cultural map of modern travel influence. From established luxury capitals to emerging destinations quietly rewriting the rules of tourism, the Global Travel Awards offer a clear picture of where attention, investment and curiosity are converging.
Among the most talked-about contenders for Best Travel Destination Worldwide are places that continue to dominate both headlines and holiday wish-lists: the Maldives and Mauritius for their mastery of high-end leisure; Dubai and Abu Dhabi for scale and ambition; Cape Town for cultural depth; Paris and New York City for enduring global magnetism; Tokyo and Bali for their unique balance of tradition and reinvention; and Santorini for its timeless appeal.
Alongside them, the Best Emerging Travel Destination category highlights a shift in global curiosity. Rwanda, Namibia and Zanzibar reflect Africa’s rising prominence beyond safari clichés, while Saudi Arabia, Georgia, Uzbekistan and Albania signal how new narratives—rooted in culture, heritage and infrastructure investment—are reshaping tourism flows.
Cities Still Define the Global Imagination
If destinations provide the canvas, cities remain the focal points of global travel storytelling. London, Paris, Dubai, Cape Town and Tokyo once again compete for Best City for Tourists, joined by Singapore, Bangkok, Rome, Istanbul and New York City—urban centres that continue to balance heritage, innovation and cultural relevance.
Their inclusion speaks to a broader truth: despite the rise of remote escapes and slow travel, cities remain where culture, commerce and curiosity intersect most powerfully.
The Influencers Who Now Shape Travel Behaviour
One of the most telling categories is Best Travel Influencer, where digital creators with audiences numbering in the hundreds of millions stand shoulder to shoulder. Figures such as Wode Maya, Drew Binsky, Mark Wiens, Nas Daily, Kara and Nate, Eva Zu Beck and Sam Chui are no longer peripheral voices—they are central to how destinations are discovered, interpreted and desired.
Their nominations reflect a structural shift in travel media itself: storytelling is no longer confined to magazines and broadcasters, but increasingly shaped by individuals with the ability to mobilise global audiences in real time.
Aviation, Airports and the Theatre of Travel
Aviation remains one of the most visible expressions of brand power in travel, and the 2026 nominations reflect fierce competition across continents. Global airlines including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air France and Turkish Airlines feature prominently, alongside regional leaders across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas and Oceania.
Airports, too, are recognised as destinations in their own right. Singapore Changi, Hamad International, Dubai International, Tokyo Haneda and Heathrow continue to redefine what travellers expect from transit spaces—while airline lounges such as Qatar Airways’ Al Mourjan and Emirates’ First Class Lounge in Dubai highlight how the journey itself has become an experience.
Hotels, Resorts and the Language of Luxury
Hospitality categories span the full spectrum of global accommodation, from landmark properties such as The Savoy, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Marina Bay Sands and Taj Lake Palace, to intimate boutique hotels and design-led stays redefining modern luxury.
Luxury, however, is no longer a singular concept. The nominations reflect a broader definition—one that values experience, sustainability, authenticity and place as much as opulence. From safari lodges in Kenya to resorts in the Indian Ocean and cultural hotels in Europe’s historic cities, the list mirrors the evolving priorities of high-value travellers.
Platforms, Operators and the Infrastructure Behind Travel
Beyond destinations and experiences, the Awards also recognise the platforms and operators enabling global movement. Travel booking giants, short-stay platforms, tour operators, luxury travel specialists, cruise lines, private jet companies and car rental brands all feature—highlighting the complex ecosystem required to sustain modern travel at scale.
Even financial products, from premium travel cards to digital-first solutions, are acknowledged for their growing role in shaping how—and how often—people travel.
A Ceremony Reflecting the Moment
What distinguishes the Global Travel Awards is not simply the breadth of its categories, but its reflection of travel as culture, economy and influence combined. In an era where destinations compete not just for visitors but for narrative relevance, and where creators sit alongside corporations as tastemakers, the 2026 nominations capture a sector in transformation.
As London prepares to host the ceremony this March, the Awards stand as both recognition and referendum—on who is leading global travel now, and where the world may be heading next.
Global Travel Awards 2026
Date: Wednesday, 25 March 2026
Venue: Crown London Hotel
City: London, United Kingdom
Public Voting:
https://globaltravelawards.co/Voting
