ZANZIBAR: The eyes of Africa’s tourism industry are turning to Zanzibar today as the island hosts the prestigious World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony 2026, bringing together leading figures from the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors from across the continent and beyond.
The highly anticipated ceremony is taking place on Friday, 28 August 2026, at Diamonds Bijoux, Bwejuu, Zanzibar, marking another significant moment in Zanzibar’s growing position on the international tourism calendar.
The gala brings together tourism leaders, hospitality brands, travel professionals and other industry stakeholders to celebrate excellence and recognise outstanding achievements across Africa’s tourism industry.
Zanzibar puts tourism in the spotlight
Hosting the Africa Gala provides Zanzibar with an opportunity to showcase its distinctive tourism identity to an international audience.
Known for its white-sand beaches, historic Stone Town, spice heritage, marine attractions and vibrant Swahili culture, Zanzibar has increasingly positioned itself as a destination capable of combining beach tourism, cultural heritage, marine experiences and luxury hospitality.
The event also comes at a time when Zanzibar is seeking to diversify its tourism products and strengthen its position within the competitive African tourism market.
A celebration beyond awards
The World Travel Awards ceremony is expected to create opportunities for networking among tourism stakeholders while highlighting destinations, hotels, airlines, tour operators and other businesses contributing to the growth of African tourism.
For Zanzibar, the gathering provides a platform to connect with international tourism decision-makers and promote investment and partnership opportunities across the island.
The destination's growing focus on the Blue Economy, marine tourism, cultural tourism, sports tourism and sustainable tourism provides additional opportunities for developing new experiences for international visitors.
Zanzibar welcomes the world
Beyond the awards themselves, the gala is also an opportunity for guests to experience Zanzibar's hospitality and tourism attractions.
Visitors attending the event can explore the island's beaches, historical sites, traditional communities, spice farms and marine environment, offering a broader understanding of why Zanzibar continues to attract travellers from around the world.
The hosting of major international tourism events also strengthens Zanzibar's visibility as a destination for business events, conferences, luxury travel and international tourism gatherings.
Africa's tourism industry celebrates excellence
As leading tourism brands and destinations gather in Zanzibar, the 2026 Africa Gala represents a celebration of the people, businesses and destinations shaping the continent's tourism future.
For Zanzibar, hosting the event is more than a prestigious occasion—it is an opportunity to place the island at the centre of conversations about African tourism excellence, innovation, investment and sustainable destination development.
With the world watching from Zanzibar tonight, the island once again demonstrates its ability to bring Africa's tourism industry together while showcasing its own unique attractions to a global audience.
World Travel Awards 2026 — Zanzibar welcomes Africa. Zanzibar welcomes the world.
Discover Zanzibar — explore its beaches, culture, heritage and unforgettable island experiences.
