Zanzibar Named Host of World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony in August 2026
World Travel Awards (WTA) has announced Zanzibar as the Official Host Destination of its Africa Gala Ceremony 2026, with the VIP event scheduled for 28 August at the Diamonds Bijoux resort. The ceremony will bring together leaders from across Africa's travel and tourism industry to recognise excellence across categories spanning hotels, airlines, tour operators, and destinations. The announcement marks the first of two landmark WTA events to be held in Tanzania in 2026, with the country also set to host the WTA Grand Final Gala Ceremony in November - the culmination of the organisation's annual Grand Tour series.
WTA Founder Graham Cooke described the double hosting as "a powerful statement about the incredible strength and depth of Tanzania's tourism sector," adding that Diamonds Bijoux provides a world-class backdrop that embodies the elegance and warmth for which Zanzibar is renowned. Arif Abbas, Executive Secretary of the Commission for Tourism Zanzibar, said the hosting opportunity amplifies and elevates the destination's ongoing development efforts. Zanzibar - an Indian Ocean archipelago celebrated for its powder-white beaches, spice plantations, and UNESCO-listed Stone Town - has rapidly emerged as one of Africa's most sought-after destinations, blending Swahili, Arab, and Portuguese heritage. The dual Tanzania hosting underscores the country's growing prominence on the global tourism stage ahead of what is expected to be a landmark year for the destination.
Source: The Citizen
