Organisations demonstrating market-leading excellence are encouraged to participate. All available categories can be viewed online. The application process is quick and straightforward, and entries are submitted via the World Travel Awards website.

This year’s awards span the full breadth of the global travel and tourism sector, with categories covering aviation, destinations, hotels & resorts, tourist attractions, car hire, travel agencies and tour operators. Past winners range from small companies and boutique hotels to global hospitality brands.

Organisations in Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Central America, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America must submit their entries by 22 March. Meanwhile Middle East and Indian Ocean companies only have until 1 February.

Graham Cooke, Founder, World Travel Awards, said: “Each year, we witness the extraordinary commitment and innovation that drives our global travel and tourism industry forward. World Travel Awards exists to recognise those organisations that consistently raise the bar, and we look forward to receiving entries from across the world as we continue our journey towards crowning the very best of 2026.”

Voting will open shortly after the close of the Call for Entries. Votes can be made by industry professionals – senior executives, travel buyers, tour operators and travel agents – as well as the general public and the media. Votes are submitted via WTA’s website. Voting operates on a first-past-the-post system: the recipient of the most votes in a category is declared the winner.

Each year World Travel Awards covers the globe with its Grand Tour – a series of regional gala ceremonies to recognise excellence within each continent. The winners of each regional category will progress to the Grand Final where they go head-to-head with the winners of the other regional heats for the prestigious World categories.