Montenegro is set to host the World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony 2026 on October 17, marking the first time the country has hosted a World Travel Awards event during the organisation’s 33 year history. The event will take place at Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort, bringing together representatives of travel, tourism, aviation and hospitality businesses across Europe who will help celebrate achievements in a range of award categories, including hotels, airlines, tour operators and tourist destinations.
The gathering at Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort will be part of the World Travel Awards Grand Tour 2026 an international award program recognizing excellence across the global travel and tourism industry. For Montenegro, hosting the Europe gala presents an opportunity to showcase the country’s tourism offerings to key industry leaders and international audiences. The event also puts Montenegro’s hospitality sector and Adriatic destination appeal at the centre of a major regional tourism gathering.
Kotor Bay Showcases Montenegro’s Coastal Tourism Appeal
The location of the event, Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort, is strategically located in the scenic Bay of Kotor, where mountainous landscapes meet the Adriatic coastline. The resort offers an example of modern accommodation and dining plus wellness facilities, combining the luxury hospitality experiences promoted by Montenegro’s tourism sector. As the official host partner, the Montenegrin destination will present an opportunity to showcase its accommodation, services and visitor experience offerings to international tourism representatives attending the event.
The wider Kotor region of the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort includes a historic architecture, waterfront scenery and cultural heritage. The UNESCO-listed Natural and Culturo Historical Region of Kotor spans a historic town characterized by Romanesque churches, public squares and narrow streets enclosed within its old fortifications. Ancient city walls and hillside fortress offer visitors panoramic views over the bay an important attraction for cultural heritage, architecture and coastal landscape tourists.
Tourism and Hospitality Leaders to Celebrate Industry Achievements
The gala will bring together leading travel and hospitality brands across Europe to help celebrate achievements across a range accommodation, aviation, tour operations and destinations. Graham Cooke, founder of World Travel Awards, said that hosting the event in Montenegro for the first time showcased the country’s growing profile in luxury hospitality. He added that he identified Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort’s location as an important component of the event’s appeal.
Hans Prins, general manager of Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort, said that the resort was pleased to be the official host partner for the event. He highlighted the property’s commitment to hospitality experiences which combined international service standards with the natural beauty and cultural character of the bay. The gathering is also expected to provide opportunities for networking and engagement amongst tourism professionals, hospitality operators and other organisations attending the event.
Europe Gala Marks Key Stage of the 2026 Grand Tour
The Montenegro ceremony is part of the World Travel Awards Grand Tour 2026, which recognises travel and tourism organisations via a series of regional events followed by a global Grand Final. In past years, events in this year’s programme have taken place in Zanzibar, Dubai, the Maldives and Jamaica. The Europe Gala in Montenegro marks the final regional ceremony in the series, which will move towards its concluding event.
The Grand Tour draws international attention to the destinations and organisations it showcases, whilst presenting a platform to recognize achievements across the travel industry. Hosting the Europe gala gives Montenegro an opportunity to enhance its visibility amongst tourism professionals and potential visitors. The event also highlights the role of international awards and gatherings in supporting destination promotion by connecting hospitality brands, tourism organisations and travel sector representatives.
