World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards opens entries for 2026 programme

The World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards has opened entries for its 2026 programme. Individuals and organisations across the globe that are accelerating change and making a significant contribution to sustainable travel and tourism are invited to enter.

The 2026 programme has been designed to be more accessible, more rigorous and more valuable, both to enter and to win. It recognises organisations of every size, from global travel groups and destinations to startups and community initiatives, as well as individual creators and emerging leaders.

Now in its third year, the programme features 22 categories selected by the Awards Advisory Board of experts to reflect the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and net-positive framework of People, Planet, Place, Prosperity and Partnerships. These cover all sectors of sustainable travel and tourism under the headings of Organisational Excellence; Destinations, Hospitality and Transport; Leadership; Impact; Storytelling and Influence; and Special Recognition.

Entries must be submitted by 31 August. All applications are then reviewed, analysed and scored by students in sustainable business at Nova School of Business and Economics, Lisbon. Entries are assessed on demonstrated outcomes, credible evidence, leadership, collaboration and the potential to deliver lasting change. Applicants meeting the qualifying benchmark are then shortlisted for final approval by the Advisory Board.

Global voting – open to travel and tourism professionals – will run from 21 September to 21 October. The winners will be announced at the 3rd annual World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards Gala Ceremony, taking place in Paris, France, on 9 December 2026, bringing together leaders in sustainable travel. The awards ceremony will mark the final night of the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance Global Summit taking place from 8–9 December.

On behalf of the Awards, I am delighted to open submissions for our 3rd annual programme. We welcome entries from across the sustainable travel and hospitality sector. Our goal is to recognise and tell the stories of those accelerating change and making a sustainable impact for future generations.

Justin Cooke, Executive Vice-President, World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards

The programme is delivered in partnership with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, whose partners and members represent more than 66,000 hotels, 8 million rooms globally, 300 brands, and more than 100 supply chain and strategic partners.

With entries and categories now officially open for the 2026 programme, we are proud to champion the individuals and organisations driving true sustainability across our industry. Bringing this year’s gala ceremony to Paris on the final night of our Global Summit provides a powerful platform to celebrate these trailblazers, align our collective efforts around the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and accelerate our journey towards a net-positive hospitality future.

Glenn Mandziuk, President & CEO, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

Key Dates:

Call for Entries Closes: 31 August
Nominees Announced: 18 Sept
Global Voting : 21 Sept – 21 Oct
Gala Ceremony, Paris, France: 9 Dec

To enter the 2026 programme, visit the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards website.

Media Contact

Becca Smith

Sustainable Hospitality Alliance [email protected]