The world’s leading figures in tourism, travel, and hospitality gathered at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels for the World Tourism Awards 2025 — the most prestigious celebration of excellence across the global tourism landscape.
Held immediately after the Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting 2025, the glittering ceremony recognized outstanding destinations, organizations, innovators, and individuals shaping the future of travel worldwide. This year’s edition showcased remarkable achievements in sustainability, technology, investment, and cultural innovation.
🏆 Destination Excellence
The awards for outstanding destinations highlighted the world’s most inspiring travel experiences:
Best Global Destination:France
Best Emerging Destination:Benjamin Vallée for Parc Omega
Best Sustainable Destination:Mozambique
Best Heritage Destination:Egypt
Best Nature-Based Destination:Benjamin Vallée for Parc Omega
Best Beach Destination:Maldives
Best Mountain Destination:Courchevel, France
Best Cultural Tourism Destination:Uzbekistan
Best National Park:Virunga National Park – DRC
Best Culinary Destination:Azerbaijan
Best MICE Destination:Malaysia
Best Sports Destination:Qatar
Best Shopping Travel Destination:Paris, France
Wellness Retreat Destination:SHA Wellness Clinic
Best Health Tourism Destination:South Korea
Best Entertainment Destination:Abu Dhabi
Most Secure Destination:Iceland
Best Tourism Investment Destination:Angola
Best Health-Safe Destination:Singapore
🏨 Hospitality & Accommodation
Best Luxury Hotel:Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Best Boutique Hotel:Il San Pietro di Positano – Italy
Best Eco-Hotel:Arctic TreeHouse Hotel – Finland
Best Resort Hotel:Club Nena, Antalya – Turkiye
Best Business Hotel:Aman Tokyo
Best Airport Hotel:Hilton London Heathrow Airport
Best City Hotel:Rosewood London
Best Family-Friendly Hotel:Tiffany Hotels Cuba
Best All-Inclusive Hotel:Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island – Abu Dhabi
Best Hotel Design:The Chedi Andermatt – Switzerland
✈️ Airlines & Aviation
Best International Airline:Turkish Airlines
Best Low-Cost Airline:Ryanair
Best Inflight Experience:Qatar Airways
Best Airline for Business Travelers:Emirates
Most Sustainable Airline:Air France – KLM Group
Best Airport:Dubai International Airport
Best Airport Lounge:Lufthansa First Class Terminal
Best VIP Terminal:JETEX Dubai
Best Airport for Sustainability:Athens Airport
Best Airport Duty Free:Hamad International Airport / Qatar Duty Free (QDF)
🌍 Tourism Boards & Ministries
Best National Tourism Board:ENIT – Italy
Best City Tourism Office:Visit Abu Dhabi
Most Innovative Tourism Campaign:Tourism Authority of Thailand – Half-Half Thai Travel
Best Tourism Branding:Incredible India
Best Use of Technology in Tourism Promotion:Welcome to Arabia – Saudi Tourism Authority
🧭 Travel Services & Operators
Best Tour Operator:TUI
Best Online Travel Agency:Booking.com
Best Travel App:Guide of Dubai
Best Cruise Line:Royal Caribbean Group
Best River Cruise Operator:Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Best Safari Tour Operator:&Beyond
Best Luxury Travel Company:Black Tomato
Best Adventure Tour Provider:Intrepid Travel
Best Wellness Travel Agency:FIT Reisen
💡 Technology & Innovation
Best Travel Tech Startup:Cityfans
Best Use of AI in Travel:Tourism Authority of Thailand – TAT-AI
Best Digital Tourism Experience:Pilgrimaps
Best Virtual Travel Platform:Google
Best Business Networking Platform:LinkedIn
Best Platform for Tourism Promotion:Instagram
🎪 Events & MICE
Best International Festival:Cannes Film Festival
Best Cultural Event:Carnival in Rio de Janeiro
Best Sports Tourism Event:UEFA Champions League 2025
Best Convention Center:Dubai World Trade Center
🍴 Food & Gastronomy
Best Food Festival:Melbourne Food & Wine Festival
Best Hotel Restaurant:Il Borro Tuscan Bistro Dubai
🌱 Sustainability & Responsibility
Best Sustainable Tourism Project:Green Rock LLC
Best Eco-Friendly Hotel Chain:Marriott International
Most Responsible Tour Operator:Intrepid Travel
Best Carbon-Neutral Travel Project:Palau: Carbon Neutral Destination Program
👩💼 Individuals & Leadership
Tourism Person of the Year:H.E. Shaikha Al Nowais
Best Woman in Tourism Leadership:Hala Matar Choufany
Best Tourism Entrepreneur:Cotur
Tourism Innovator Award:GetYourGuide
💎 Luxury & Lifestyle
Best Private Jet Charter Company:NetJets
Best Yacht Charter Company:Fraser Yachts
Best Luxury Train Journey:La Dolce Vita Orient Express – Accor
🌐 Digital & Media
Best Tourism Video Campaign:Feel the Rhythm of Korea – Korea Tourism Organization
Best Social Media Strategy:Visit Dubai
🚗 Transport & Mobility
Best Car Rental Company:National Car Rental
Best Ride-Hailing Service:Uber
Best Cruise Port:Willemstad, Curaçao – Netherlands
🏥 Health, Safety & Inclusion
Best Accessible Tourism Project:Visit Flanders
Best Hospitality Investment Fund:Kasada Capital
Best Diversity & Inclusion Program:NEOM Saudi Arabia
Best Crisis Response in Tourism:Santorini, Greece – Recovery After Earthquakes
🎓 Education & Development
Best Tourism Education Program:The AIM Foundation – Tourism Camp Armenia
Best Hospitality School:EHL Hospitality Business School
Best Internship Program in Tourism:Marriott Internship Program
Best Training Initiative:GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program
🏗️ Real Estate & Investment
Best Tourism Infrastructure Project:The Red Sea Project
Best Hospitality Development Project:Galataport Istanbul
Best Public-Private Partnership:Portugal Tourism Board & Pestana Hotel Group
Best Tourism Destination Developer:Aldar Properties
🌍 Special Recognitions
Best Community-Based Tourism Initiative:Nanitravels
Best Destination Wedding Planner:Palmary Events
Best Regenerative Tourism Project:Aupaba Institute
Best Social Impact Tourism Initiative:Fondation Les Deux Rivières (Gabon)
Lifetime Achievement in Tourism:Dr. Taleb Rifai
✨ Celebrating Global Tourism Leadership
In his closing remarks, Mr. Bulut Bağcı, President of the World Tourism Forum Institute, congratulated all winners:
“The World Tourism Awards honor visionaries and pioneers who are redefining global travel through innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. This year’s winners embody the spirit of transformation that the tourism industry needs in a new era of responsible growth.”
The 2025 ceremony reaffirmed Brussels’ position as a global capital of tourism diplomacy — where the industry’s most influential voices unite to shape the future of travel.
