The World Travel Awards 2026 celebrated Europe’s leading tourism destinations, airlines and hospitality brands during a landmark ceremony in Montenegro. Held on 17 October at Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort, the event recognised outstanding achievements across the European travel industry.
The celebration marked two important milestones. It commemorated the 20th anniversary edition of the Europe Gala Ceremony and Montenegro’s first opportunity to host the prestigious awards.
Portugal emerged among the biggest winners, securing multiple destination honours. Montenegro also attracted international attention, winning recognition for its natural landscapes and emerging tourism appeal.
Turkish Airlines, Athens, Disneyland Paris and several leading hospitality organisations joined the winners, highlighting Europe’s diverse tourism strengths.
Portugal Dominates World Travel Awards 2026 with Multiple Tourism Honours
Portugal delivered an impressive performance at the World Travel Awards 2026, collecting several major European tourism titles.
The country secured Europe’s Leading Destination award, strengthening its reputation as a competitive international holiday destination.
Lisbon received Europe’s Leading City Destination recognition, highlighting its appeal among travellers seeking cultural attractions, architecture and urban experiences.
The Algarve claimed Europe’s Leading Beach Destination, reinforcing the importance of coastal tourism within Portugal’s visitor economy.
Meanwhile, the Azores Islands received Europe’s Leading Regional Adventure Tourism Destination award. The recognition highlighted the archipelago’s appeal for outdoor exploration and nature-focused holidays.
Dark Sky Alqueva also secured Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction, drawing attention to Portugal’s distinctive night-sky tourism experiences.
Together, these achievements showcase the diversity of Portugal’s tourism offerings, spanning beaches, cultural cities, adventure tourism and specialist attractions.
Montenegro Tourism Gains Global Recognition with Two Major European Awards
Montenegro emerged as another significant winner during the prestigious European tourism celebration.
The country received Europe’s Leading Nature Destination award, recognising its mountain landscapes, protected environments and outdoor tourism opportunities.
Kotor earned Europe’s Leading Emerging Tourism Destination, bringing additional visibility to the historic Adriatic coastal town.
Kotor’s UNESCO-listed heritage, medieval streets and dramatic mountain surroundings provide a distinctive combination of cultural and natural attractions.
Beyond the coastline, Durmitor National Park and Tara River Canyon offer opportunities for hiking, outdoor exploration and adventure tourism.
These awards arrive as Montenegro strengthens its international tourism positioning.
The country’s tourism economy benefits from accommodation, transport, hospitality and destination services. Continued destination promotion could support wider international awareness and encourage visitors to explore beyond established coastal attractions.
Turkish Airlines, Athens and Disneyland Paris Lead European Tourism Winners
The World Travel Awards 2026 also recognised major organisations and destinations across aviation, entertainment and city tourism.
Turkish Airlines secured Europe’s Leading Airline, highlighting its position within the continent’s competitive international aviation market.
Athens received Europe’s Leading City Break Destination, reflecting the Greek capital’s appeal for shorter urban holidays.
Disneyland Paris won Europe’s Leading Theme Park Resort, reinforcing its importance within Europe’s family entertainment tourism sector.
Dubrovnik received Europe’s Leading Seaside Metropolitan Destination, recognising its combination of historic attractions and coastal experiences.
Madrid claimed Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination, while The Convention Centre Dublin secured Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre.
Cannes received Europe’s Leading Festival & Event Destination, acknowledging its established role in international events and business tourism.
These results underline the broad appeal of European destinations across leisure, entertainment and professional travel.
Luxury Hotels and Tourism Companies Celebrate Major Industry Achievements
Hospitality and travel service providers also featured prominently among the award recipients.
Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort received Montenegro’s Leading Resort, strengthening its recognition within the country’s luxury accommodation sector.
Merit Starlit Hotel & Residence & Casino claimed Montenegro’s Leading Hotel, while Villa Geba Boutique Hotel earned Montenegro’s Leading Boutique Hotel.
Montenegro Concierge DMC secured the national award for Montenegro’s Leading Destination Management Company.
Across Europe, Nordic Visitor received Europe’s Leading Tour Operator, while Top Atlântico won Europe’s Leading Travel Agency.
Europcar secured Europe’s Leading Car Rental Company, and Mideast Travel Worldwide earned Europe’s Leading Destination Management Company.
These distinctions recognise different segments of the tourism industry, from accommodation and transportation to destination management.
Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort Showcases Montenegro’s Luxury Hospitality Ambitions
Hosting the awards provided Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort with an opportunity to showcase Montenegro’s expanding luxury hospitality offerings.
Located beside Boka Bay, the waterfront property combines accommodation, leisure amenities and event facilities.
The resort features 252 accommodations and private villas, with 25 additional apartments planned for April 2027.
Guests can access a private beach, marina, Spa Soul and the Vrmac Health & Wellbeing Retreat.
Dining facilities include Lighthouse restaurant and Olé! Beach & Bar, supporting the resort’s wider leisure experience.
Modern meeting spaces and a ballroom also position the property for weddings, corporate gatherings and international hospitality events.
Its selection as the official host reflected Montenegro’s growing appeal for upscale tourism and destination events.
World Travel Awards 2026 Highlights Europe’s Tourism Growth Opportunities
The Montenegro ceremony concluded the regional stages of the World Travel Awards Grand Tour 2026.
Earlier celebrations took place in Zanzibar, Dubai, the Maldives and Jamaica, recognising tourism excellence across international markets.
The programme will conclude with its Grand Final in Tanzania on 12 December 2026.
For European tourism, the awards highlight the importance of destination diversity, hospitality investment and memorable visitor experiences.
Portugal’s extensive recognition demonstrates the strength of established tourism markets. Montenegro’s success highlights opportunities for emerging destinations seeking greater international visibility.
As travellers explore cultural cities, coastal resorts and nature-based holidays, World Travel Awards 2026 has placed renewed attention on Europe’s varied tourism offerings.
The results also reinforce the importance of maintaining strong hospitality standards while developing distinctive destinations for future international visitors.
For more travel news like this, keep reading Global Travel Wire
