Serengeti makes history as World Tourism Awards host

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA will host the World Travel Awards (WTA) Grand Final Gala Ceremony on December 12, 2026, at Serengeti National Park, marking the first time the event will be held inside a national park in its more than 30-year history.

According to the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), the ceremony is expected to attract more than 500 international guests, placing the country’s flagship wildlife destination at the centre of global tourism attention.Hosting the event is expected to strengthen Tanzania’s international tourism profile, expand access to new markets, attract investment and create opportunities for partnerships with players in the global travel industry.

The World Travel Awards, widely regarded as the ‘Oscars of Travel and Tourism’, recognise excellence across the tourism, travel and hospitality sectors worldwide.

Staging the grand final in the Serengeti wilderness will also give international delegates an opportunity to experience one of Africa’s renowned wildlife destinations while showcasing Tanzania’s tourism attractions to a global audience.

Meanwhile, the government has called on the public and tourism stakeholders to support Tanzania’s nominated categories by voting through the World Travel Awards website, www.worldtravelawards.com.

The December ceremony is expected to mark a milestone for the country’s tourism industry by bringing an international awards event to an African national park, while providing an opportunity to strengthen Tanzania’s visibility and engagement within the global tourism market.