The World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards have opened applications for the 2026 programme. Organisations and individuals from around the world who contribute to the development of more sustainable travel and a sustainable hospitality industry can now submit their entries.

This year's program includes 22 categories and targets everything from global travel and hotel groups and destinations to startups, local initiatives and individuals.

The categories have been developed by the competition's Advisory Board and are linked to the UN's global goals for sustainable development and the areas of People, Planet, Place, Prosperity and Partnerships.

The winners will be announced in Paris in December.

The last day to submit contributions is August 31. The applications are then reviewed and scored by students in sustainable entrepreneurship at the Nova School of Business and Economics in Lisbon.

The assessment is based on, among other things, documented results, credible evidence, leadership, collaboration and the ability to create long-term change. Entries that reach the qualifying level will be forwarded to the competition's Advisory Board.

The nominees will be announced on September 18th, and between September 21st and October 21st, travel and tourism professionals can participate in the global vote.

The winners will be announced at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards Gala Ceremony in Paris on December 9, 2026. The gala is organized in conjunction with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance Global Summit on December 8–9.

“Our goal is to recognize and tell the stories of those who are driving change forward and creating sustainable impact for future generations,” says Justin Cooke, Executive Vice-President of the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards.

The program is implemented in partnership with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, whose partners and members represent more than 66,000 hotels, eight million hotel rooms and 300 brands globally.