Tanzania has been selected to host the 2026 World Travel Awards (WTA) Grand Final, placing the East African destination in the international tourism spotlight. The prestigious event is scheduled for December 12 at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, a five-star luxury property located within Serengeti National Park. The ceremony is expected to bring together leading figures from the global travel, tourism and hospitality industries to celebrate excellence across the sector.
The announcement was made at Tanzania’s tourism stand during World Travel Market (WTM) London, where Tanzania’s Minister of Tourism, Dr. Ashatu K. Kijaji, and World Travel Awards Founder and Chief Executive Officer Graham Cooke jointly revealed the host destination and event date to international media and tourism industry representatives.
Tanzania to Welcome Global Tourism Leaders
Hosting the World Travel Awards Grand Final represents an important opportunity for Tanzania to strengthen its international tourism profile and connect with influential figures across the global travel industry. The annual ceremony brings together winners from the organisation’s regional award programmes, recognising achievements across airlines, hotels, resorts, destinations, travel companies and tourism organisations.
The presence of Minister Kijaji and Graham Cooke at the announcement highlighted the collaboration between the Tanzanian tourism sector and World Travel Awards in bringing the international tourism community together. The event will also provide an opportunity to introduce Tanzania’s tourism products, hospitality services and destination experiences to industry leaders and international audiences.
Serengeti Provides a Distinctive Setting for the Grand Final
The 2026 Grand Final will take place at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, a luxury safari property situated in the heart of Serengeti National Park. The location places the international ceremony within one of Africa’s best-known wildlife destinations, offering a distinctive setting that reflects Tanzania’s strong identity in nature-based and safari tourism. The Serengeti is internationally recognised for its wildlife and expansive natural landscapes. Hosting the awards ceremony in this setting will provide international tourism representatives with an opportunity to experience one of the country’s major attractions while highlighting the connection between wildlife conservation, hospitality and tourism development.
Showcasing Tanzania’s Diverse Tourism Attractions
Beyond the Serengeti, Tanzania offers a wide range of tourism experiences, including the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar and Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. These attractions reflect the country’s diversity, combining wildlife safaris, mountain adventures, coastal holidays and cultural experiences. Hosting the Grand Final is expected to provide a valuable international platform for presenting these destinations to tourism businesses, media representatives and industry leaders. The event will help draw attention to Tanzania’s natural and cultural heritage while reinforcing its position as a destination offering diverse experiences for international travellers.
World Travel Awards’ Global Tourism Recognition
Established in 1993, World Travel Awards has become one of the recognised international award programmes in the travel and tourism industry. It honours excellence across different sectors, including aviation, accommodation, hospitality, destinations and travel services. Its annual Grand Final brings together winners from regional ceremonies to recognise outstanding achievements at the global level.
With the 2026 Grand Final scheduled for December 12, Tanzania is preparing to welcome members of the international tourism community for the programme’s concluding celebration. The event will provide an opportunity to recognise achievements across the industry while placing the country’s tourism attractions and hospitality sector before a wider global audience.
