The World Travel Awards (WTA) is an annual awards programme established in 1993 to recognise and reward excellence across the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. The awards are presented at regional gala ceremonies throughout the year, culminating in a Grand Final event.
The World Travel Awards were founded by Graham E. Cooke. The first ceremony was held in Los Angeles, California, and the programme has since expanded into a series of regional events staged across Africa, Asia, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Middle East, followed by a Grand Final. [1] [2]
In 2010, The Independent reported that London had been named "World’s Leading Destination" at the awards, while other categories recognised Etihad Airways and the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. [3]
In 2023, The Independent reported that the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin was named "Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction" at the World Travel Awards, with organisers noting that the awards had been running for 30 years and had been referred to as the "Oscars of the travel industry". [4]
The programme features hundreds of categories, covering sectors such as:
Categories are periodically revised to reflect changes and trends in the industry, such as sustainable tourism and eco-hospitality. [1]
Nominations are drawn from previous winners, industry recommendations and vetted entries. Voting takes place online and is open to both travel industry professionals and members of the public. Verified industry votes are weighted more heavily than consumer votes. [5] [2]