Tanzania has been honoured to host the upcoming World Travel Awards 2026 finals.
DODOMA. MINISTER of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr. Ashantu Kijaji, has directed the formation of a national-level committee to prepare Tanzania for hosting the 2026 World Travel Awards (WTA) finals.
The committee will comprise top leaders and tourism experts from the ministry, relevant institutions, national parks, and private sector stakeholders.
Dr. Kijaji issued the directive during a ceremony in Dodoma, where she received five international awards won by Tanzania at the 2025 WTA ceremony in Bahrain.
The awards include Leading Safari Destination, Leading National Park (Serengeti), Leading Balloon Ride Operator (Serengeti Balloon Safari), Leading Exclusive Private Island (Jumeira Thanda Island), and Africa’s Best Corporate Retreat Destination (Zanzibar).
Among other preparations, Dr. Kijaji noted that the committee will also be tasked to decide over the best region in which the global – top travel awards finals will be held in Tanzania.
Dr. Ashantu Kijaji
Dr. Kijaji emphasized the need for effective preparations to host the event at an international level, involving key private sector stakeholders to boost facilities and services.
She also urged institutions to innovate and develop new tourism products annually to attract 8 million visitors by 2030.
The Minister directed the Tanzania Tourist Board to establish a working platform with stakeholders to market tourism attractions and improve regulations and policies to create a conducive environment for investors.
Dr. Kijaji attributed Tanzania’s success in tourism to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s commitment to improving the sector.
Permanent Secretary Dr. Hassan Abbassi hailed the President’s contribution, citing initiatives like Royal Tour and Amazing Tanzania films that have promoted the country.
“The tourism sector has grown rapidly since COVID-19, with tourist numbers increasing from 600,000 to 2.1 million last year, driven by joint efforts between government and private sector,” he briefed.
He informed, the awards that the country scooped, especially the Leading Safari Destination, is considered one of the global most prestigious in the tourism sector.
Together with that, Dr Abbasi explained that the award reflects Tanzania’s effective conservation of wildlife and the environment, which has made the country a leading global attraction.
It was unveiled during the 2025 awards ceremony, held in Bahrain, that Tanzania has been honoured to host the upcoming World Travel Awards 2026 finals.
ABOUT WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS
The World Travel Awards (WTA) are prestigious global awards established in 1993 to recognize excellence in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries, often called the “Oscars of tourism,” celebrating top performers through regional galas culminating in a Grand Final.
They identify industry leaders, promote destination competitiveness, and serve as a key networking platform for travel professionals, with winners setting industry benchmarks for quality and service.
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