TravelDailyNews: Zanzibar to host World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony 2026

Zanzibar has been announced as the Official Host Destination of the World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony 2026, with the VIP reception set to take place on 28 August 2026 at Diamonds Bijoux.

The event will bring together travel and tourism leaders from across Africa to recognise leading organisations in the sector. It will be the first of two major World Travel Awards events scheduled to take place in Tanzania during 2026.

Tanzania will also host the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony in November, marking the conclusion of the organisation’s Grand Tour 2026. The hosting of both events places Tanzania at the centre of the awards programme for the year.

Zanzibar, located off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean, is known for its beaches, spice plantations and Stone Town, which is listed by UNESCO. The archipelago combines Swahili, Arab and Portuguese heritage and has strengthened its profile as a destination in the African tourism market.

Graham Cooke, Founder of World Travel Awards, said: “We are thrilled to stage our Africa Gala Ceremony in Zanzibar, a destination that belongs on every traveller’s bucket list. Diamonds Bijoux provides the perfect backdrop – a world-class venue that embodies the elegance and warmth Zanzibar is famous 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 trajectory. I wish to thank Visit Zanzibar, Tanzania Tourist Board and the Government of Tanzania for their support, faith and trust in making this event happen.”

Arif Abbas, Executive Secretary of the Commission for Tourism Zanzibar, said: “Zanzibar is delighted to be the Official Host Destination of World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony 2026. This is an opportunity Zanzibar has long been waiting for, amplifying and elevating our efforts we have been implementing as a destination. We look forward to hosting the leaders of travel in Zanzibar on 28 August 2026.”

The World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony 2026 will include awards across categories covering hotels, airlines, tour operators and destinations. The event forms part of the World Travel Awards Grand Tour, a global programme of red-carpet ceremonies held across each continent before the Grand Final in Tanzania in November.

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. The brand is now recognised internationally as a benchmark for achievement in the sector.