Global sustainability pioneers take centre stage as World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards opens 2026 voting

Fri 25 September 2026

World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards has unveiled its 2026 nominees and opened global voting, following the assessment of hundreds of entries spanning 60 countries and territories.

More than 90 nominations across over 35 countries and territories now compete for recognition, bringing together independent businesses, community initiatives, destinations and international travel brands working towards a more sustainable industry.

The programme will culminate in Paris on 9 December, when the winners will be announced alongside a special honour: Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Travel & Hospitality. Selected at the collective discretion of the Advisory Board, this distinction will recognise an exceptional contribution to the sector, with the recipient revealed on the night.

This year’s shortlist spans Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Oceania. It reflects the breadth of the sustainability challenge, from reducing hotel emissions and protecting wildlife to opening careers to young people, improving accessibility and keeping tourism income within local communities.

Smaller organisations feature prominently alongside major operators. More than a third of shortlisted nominations come from entrants reporting fewer than 250 employees, demonstrating that meaningful contributions can come from businesses of every size. Travel and tourism professionals can vote from 25 September to 21 October 2026. The nominee receiving the most eligible votes in each competitive category will be named the winner.

Now in its third year, the programme comprises 19 competitive categories, alongside Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Travel & Hospitality, bringing the total to 20 awards.

The categories recognise achievements across climate action, circular economy, community impact, nature protection, education and skills, equality and inclusion, innovation, destinations, hospitality and transport, as well as individual leadership.

Analysis of the entries highlights how widely sustainability now reaches across the visitor economy. Initiatives include turning discarded hotel linen into livelihoods, creating supported routes into hospitality employment, connecting guests with conservation and cultural heritage, and expanding lower-emission transport choices.

Justin Cooke, Executive Vice-President, World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, said: “Hundreds of entries spanning 60 countries and territories show the breadth of ambition across our industry. A small business creating opportunities in its community deserves to stand alongside a global group changing how thousands of hotels operate. This year’s shortlist brings those contributions together.

“Our Outstanding Contribution honour will be a particularly special moment in Paris. It gives the Advisory Board an opportunity to recognise a contribution whose significance reaches beyond any single project or competitive category. We look forward to revealing the recipient on the night.”

The assessment framework considers quantitative and qualitative evidence, internationally recognised standards and best practice, scalability, collaboration, relative impact and the strength of each entry’s story. Its founding methodology was developed under the leadership of Professor Graham Miller, with support from students at Nova School of Business & Economics, Lisbon.

The Advisory Board reviewed the assessments and determined the shortlist. Recognition relates to the named entry, category and year. Nominees remain responsible for substantiating their own environmental and social claims.

The World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards Gala Ceremony will take place in Paris, France, on 9 December 2026, concluding the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance Global Summit on 8–9 December. Together, the events will connect industry leaders, practical solutions and recognition of the people helping drive progress.

The Awards are delivered in partnership with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, whose members and partners represent more than 66,000 hotels, eight million rooms and 300 brands worldwide.

Glenn Mandziuk, President & CEO, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, said: "These nominees prove that true sustainability is not just about reducing our footprint, it is about expanding our positive impact."

"By uniting these Awards with our Global Summit in Paris, we are bridging recognition with real-world action. We want every delegate to walk away not just inspired, but equipped with new partnerships, practical blueprints, and the fierce determination to accelerate our industry toward a net-positive future."

To explore the nominees and cast your vote, visit wstha.com.

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Notes to Editors

About World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards

World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards recognises, celebrates and shares the stories of individuals and organisations that are accelerating change and making an impactful contribution to sustainable travel and tourism. For further information visit wstha.com or contact [email protected]

About World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

The World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance brings together engaged hospitality companies and the wider hospitality value chain, along with strategic partners, to address key challenges affecting the planet, people and places around the world. For further information visit sustainablehospitalityalliance.org or contact: [email protected]