Zanzibar hosts World Travel Awards Africa Gala 2026

The World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony 2026 was held at Diamonds Bijoux in Zanzibar, celebrating excellence in the continent’s hospitality, aviation, and tourism sectors.

Tanzania secured several major titles, including ‘Africa’s Leading Destination’ and ‘Africa’s Leading Tourist Board’. Zanzibar was recognized as ‘Africa’s Leading Beach Destination’ and ‘Africa’s Leading Festival & Event Destination’. Other national winners included Serengeti National Park for ‘Africa’s Leading National Park’ and ‘Africa’s Leading Big 5 National Park’, Kilimanjaro National Park as ‘Africa’s Leading Mountain National Park’, and Julius Nyerere International Airport as ‘Africa’s Leading Airport’.

Cape Town also achieved significant recognition, winning both ‘Africa’s Leading City Destination’ and ‘Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination’. These awards highlight the city’s dual appeal for leisure and business travel, coinciding with a reported 17% increase in arrivals from the African continent at Cape Town International Airport in 2025.