Tanzania was named Africa’s Leading Destination 2026 at the 33rd edition of the World Travel Awards (WTA) Africa Gala Ceremony.
The ceremony was held on 28 August 2026 in Zanzibar, opening WTA’s Grand Tour 2026, a global series of award ceremonies culminating in the Grand Final Gala Ceremony in Tanzania in November.
Serengeti National Park, known for its wildlife density and the Great Wildebeest Migration, was named Africa’s Leading National Park 2026 and Africa’s Leading Big 5 National Park 2026.
Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest mountain, won Africa’s Leading Mountain National Park 2026, while Nyerere National Park was named Africa’s Leading Scenic National Park 2026.
Tarangire National Park received Africa’s Leading Elephant Paradise National Park 2026, Selous Game Reserve was named Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2026, and Mpanga Kipengere Game Reserve won Africa’s Leading Honeymoon Destination 2026.
Zanzibar was named Africa’s Leading Beach Destination 2026, while the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism (ZCT) won Africa’s Leading Regional Tourist Board 2026.
The Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) won Africa’s Leading Tourist Board 2026, extending its winning streak to five consecutive years following victories in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
In tourism infrastructure, Julius Nyerere International Airport, Tanzania’s main international gateway, was named Africa’s Leading Airport 2026.
The results brought Tanzania and Zanzibar’s combined tally to more than 20 titles across destinations, national parks, resorts, lodges, tour operators, and infrastructure.
The Acting Director General of the Tanzania Tourist Board, Dr Thereza Mugobi, said the fifth straight win would sharpen the board’s ambitions beyond the African region.
“For us, this award is a sign that we are doing well, but we must step up our efforts so that, ultimately, we can win the World’s Leading Tourist Board award,” she said.
For his part, the President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, linked the islands’ wins to tourism’s expanding role in the local economy.
“This prestigious occasion reflects the growing stature of Zanzibar as one of Africa’s leading tourism destinations celebrated for its pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage, fascinating history, warm hospitality and the dedication of its people,” he said.
The Founder of WTA, Graham Cooke, addressed representatives from across Africa’s travel and tourism industry at the ceremony.
“It has been a privilege to welcome our winners from across Africa to this extraordinary celebration in Zanzibar. Our winners represent the very best of the travel and tourism sector, and we congratulate them on their achievements in helping to shape its future,” he said.
Tanzania’s Tourism Sector Performance
Tanzania won Africa’s Leading Destination in 2025 as well, when the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony was held in Dar es Salaam on 28 June 2025.
Tanzania recorded 2,294,495 international tourist arrivals in 2025, up 7.1% from 2,141,895 the previous year, while tourism earnings rose 13% to USD 4,410.6 million from USD 3,903.1 million, according to the Bank of Tanzania’s International Visitors’ Exit Survey.
Average expenditure per visitor climbed 19.1% to USD 289 per person per night in 2025, up from USD 243 in 2024, reflecting a shift toward higher-value tourism.
Zanzibar accounted for 654,880 of the national arrivals, up 9%, and USD 1,190.8 million of the earnings, up 19.3%, according to the same survey.
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