Travel Daily News: World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards opens 2026 entries

Wed 12 August 2026

The World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards has opened entries for its 2026 programme, inviting individuals and organisations worldwide that are contributing to sustainable travel and tourism to submit applications.

The 2026 programme is open to organisations of different sizes, including global travel groups, destinations, startups and community initiatives, as well as individual creators and emerging leaders.

Now in its third year, the programme includes 22 categories selected by the Awards Advisory Board to reflect the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and a net-positive framework based on People, Planet, Place, Prosperity and Partnerships.

The categories cover sustainable travel and tourism under six areas: Organisational Excellence; Destinations, Hospitality and Transport; Leadership; Impact; Storytelling and Influence; and Special Recognition.

Also read → Paris to host World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2026

Entries must be submitted by August 31. Applications will then be reviewed, analysed and scored by students in sustainable business at Nova School of Business and Economics in Lisbon.

Entries will be assessed against criteria including demonstrated outcomes, credible evidence, leadership, collaboration and the potential to deliver lasting change. Applicants reaching the qualifying benchmark will be shortlisted for final approval by the Awards Advisory Board.

Global voting will be open to travel and tourism professionals from September 21 to October 21. The winners will be announced during the third annual World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards Gala Ceremony in Paris on December 9, 2026.

The ceremony will take place on the final night of the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance Global Summit, scheduled for December 8-9 in the French capital.

Justin Cooke, Executive Vice-President, World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, said: “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.”

The awards programme is delivered in partnership with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. According to the organisers, the Alliance’s partners and members represent more than 66,000 hotels and eight million rooms globally, covering 300 brands and more than 100 supply chain and strategic partners.

Glenn Mandziuk, President & CEO, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, said: “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.”