Tanzania Welcomes the World's Travel Elite to Zanzibar
The World Travel Awards Global Final Comes to Tanzania for the First Time — August 28, 2026
In August 2026, the World Travel Awards — the most prestigious honours in global travel — will hold its annual Global Final in Stone Town, Zanzibar. For the first time in the awards' 32-year history, an African nation is hosting.
The WTA is voted by thousands of travel professionals — tour operators, advisors, hoteliers, airline executives — making it the travel industry's most meaningful peer endorsement. For travellers planning a Tanzania trip, the coincidence of peak safari season, the Great Migration, and the world's travel elite gathered in Zanzibar creates a remarkable window of opportunity.
The World Travel Awards — The Travel Industry's Oscars
Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards is the most prestigious awards programme in global travel and tourism. Voted by thousands of travel professionals — genuine industry endorsement, not expert panels.
The Global Final is the annual celebration of all regional winners from every continent. Hosting the Global Final is itself a signal: the industry recognizes a destination as world-class.
This is Tanzania's first time hosting — a milestone 32 years in the making.
Why Zanzibar, Why August
The Destination
Zanzibar: UNESCO World Heritage Stone Town, world-class beaches, East Africa's historic maritime crossroads. For the world's travel elite, few venues could better represent global tourism's rich tapestry.
The Timing
August = peak season for both the Great Migration Mara River crossings AND beach season in Zanzibar. Kilimanjaro is at its clearest and driest in August — the best month for summit attempts. The global travel industry's elite are in Tanzania for a week — at the same time Kilimanjaro climbers are on the mountain.
What This Means for Your Tanzania Trip
First African Host Ever
In 32 years of WTA Global Finals, no African nation has ever hosted. Tanzania changes that in 2026.
85+ Nominations
Tanzania's operators and destinations are represented across multiple award categories.
August 28 Ceremony
The world's travel elite gather in Stone Town for the annual announcement of winners.
Peak Season
Kilimanjaro clearest; Migration crossings at their most dramatic; Zanzibar beach-perfect.
Combine Your Climb With the Magic of Tanzania
The WTA hosting validates what Kilimanjaro climbers already know: Tanzania delivers experiences found nowhere else on Earth.
- →August Kilimanjaro climbs: Clear skies, dry trails, best summit conditions of the year
- →Add a safari: The Northern Circuit route flows seamlessly into Serengeti and Ngorongoro
- →Add Zanzibar: The beach recovery every climber deserves
- →Be where the industry is: When the world's top travel advisors are in Zanzibar for the WTA, you can be too
Safaris Kilimanjaro has been running Tanzania adventures since 1978 — family-owned, direct operations, own Land Cruisers, own certified guides. We own the vehicles. We employ the guides. No brokers, no middlemen. The same authenticity the travel industry celebrates in Zanzibar is what we deliver on the mountain and in the bush.
Experience Tanzania at Its Finest
August combines the world's travel elite with Africa's greatest wildlife spectacle. Ask Don what's available for 2026.
Family-owned since 1978 · Ask Don what's available for August 2026