World Tourism Awards 2025, Brussels, Belgium
The world’s most influential figures in travel and tourism will gather in regal grandeur on 20 October 2025 for the World Tourism Awards – Best 100, set to take place at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium. As the culminating event of the Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting 2025, this prestigious ceremony will recognize visionary leadership, innovation, and lasting impact across the international tourism industry.
The clock is ticking for tourism boards and destination management organizations worldwide as the application window for the World Tourism Awards 2025 officially closes Thursday, September 18.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their entries by emailing info@worldtourismforum.net before the deadline. This prestigious recognition is part of the Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting and aims to promote destinations that are setting global benchmarks in excellence and visitor experience.
10 Categories Celebrating Destination Excellence
This year’s World Tourism Awards will highlight top destinations across 10 unique categories:
Best Global Destination
Celebrating the world’s most iconic, visited, and well-managed destination offering superior infrastructure, cultural richness, and tourist satisfaction.
Best Emerging Destination
Recognizing destinations gaining fast-growing global attention for their development, safety, and unique character.
Most Sustainable Destination
Honoring regions excelling in environmental conservation, green practices, and responsible tourism policies.
Best Heritage Destination
Awarding cities and towns that have preserved and promoted their cultural and historical legacy for global travelers.
Best Nature-Based Destination
Acknowledging eco-tourism hubs with outstanding biodiversity, natural beauty, and immersive outdoor experiences.
Best Beach Destination
Spotlighting stunning coastal regions offering pristine beaches, marine life, and leisure tourism.
Best Mountain Destination
Celebrating adventure-rich and culturally vibrant mountainous areas with activities like skiing, hiking, or climbing.
Best Cultural Tourism Destination
Rewarding destinations that provide rich, authentic cultural experiences through arts, festivals, and local traditions.
Best Wellness Destination
Recognizing places that offer transformative wellness experiences through spas, retreats, and holistic health centers.
Best Adventure Tourism Destination
Awarding thrill-filled regions known for trekking, extreme sports, diving, and other adrenaline activities.
All nominations will undergo a detailed evaluation by a distinguished panel of experts representing the tourism, sustainability, culture, and investment sectors.
Winning destinations will be revealed at a high-profile awards ceremony during the Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting 2025, attended by global leaders, ministers, CEOs, and tourism innovators.
About the World Tourism Awards
The World Tourism Awards are a premier recognition initiative under the World Tourism Forum Institute, which champions sustainable, inclusive, and innovative tourism development worldwide. The awards help elevate destination profiles and attract international travelers, investors, and policy attention.
Apply Now
To be considered for these globally recognized honors, applications must be submitted by September 18 via info@worldtourismforum.net
See you at Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium on October 20
