Press Release

Sent to: All members of Skål International

30 September 2026

Skål International is delighted to announce the winners of the 2026 Sustainable Tourism Awards. This year's edition attracted 74 entries from 26 countries across five renewed categories, reflecting the tourism industry's ongoing commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible development.

Since 2002, the Awards have recognized outstanding initiatives that create positive environmental, social, and economic impacts while inspiring best practices across the global tourism sector.

The winners were revealed during the Opening Ceremony of the 85th Skål International World Congress in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa, on 30 September, in the presence of the Skål International Executive Board led by World President Andrés O. Hayes, together with international and local Skål leaders and senior South African officials. 

Discover the 2026 Winners

Click here to view the winners across all categories and celebrate the outstanding achievements recognised this year.

Independent Jury and Partners

The entries were independently evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges representing the official partners of the programme. We extend our sincere appreciation to:

• Ion Vilcu, Director of the Affiliate Members Department of UN Tourism, whose continued support reinforces the credibility and international standing of the Awards. As an Affiliate Member of UN Tourism since 1984, Skål International is proud to benefit from the organisation's ongoing commitment to promoting sustainable, responsible, and accessible tourism worldwide. Mr. Vilcu addressed attendees through a special video message.

• Patricio Azcárate Díaz, Secretary General of the Responsible Tourism Institute. A partner of the Awards since 2018, the RTI granted the “Skål & Biosphere Sustainable Special Award” to the winners in recognition of their outstanding contribution to sustainable tourism and their alignment with internationally recognised sustainability principles.

Presented by José Luis Quintero, Director of Sustainability at Skål International, the Awards celebrated organisations whose projects demonstrate leadership and measurable contributions to a more sustainable tourism industry.

Meet the Participants of the 2026 Edition: click here

Interested in participating in the next edition?

The guidelines for the 2027 Sustainable Tourism Awards will be published on the Skål International website. Applications must be endorsed by a Skål Club, except in the case of government entities.

For further information, please contact awards@skal.org 

Sponsors:

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