Unveiled the Winners of the 13th World Creative Tourism Awards

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CreativeTourismAwards
CreativeTourismAwards

The winners of the 13th World Creative Tourism Awards have just been announced, once again illuminating the global stage with creativity, innovation, and a renewed commitment to more human‑centered, sustainable travel. This new edition confirms what has been steadily growing over the past decade: creative tourism is no longer a niche—it is a transformative force reshaping the future of the travel industry.

Created in 2014 by the Creative Tourism Network®, these prestigious awards honor destinations, projects, and companies that place creativity at the heart of their tourism strategies. Their mission remains clear and powerful: to reward initiatives that foster authentic, participatory experiences while generating regenerative value for local communities.

A Record-Breaking Edition Reflecting Global Vitality

This year, the Creative Tourism Awards jury—composed of international experts in tourism marketing and the creative economy—had the difficult task of selecting the winners from among 223 candidates representing 28 countries. This remarkable enthusiasm demonstrates the continued growth of creative tourism in recent years, embodying a virtuous tourism model that is adaptable to a wide range of contexts, stakeholders, and territories.

Among the selection criteria for this edition were the originality of the proposed experiences, the capacity to create a local creative ecosystem, and the integration of sustainability principles. Whether emerging from a village of one hundred inhabitants or a major megalopolis, from an ecolodge or a five‑star hotel, from a tour operator or a travel advisor, the Creative Tourism Awards celebrate authenticity, value creation, and the commitment of promoters to involve both locals and visitors in the co‑creation of meaningful experiences.

Creativity as a Universal Language

As Caroline Couret, President of the Creative Tourism Network® emphasized,

the remarkable diversity of participants and the wide range of project scales—from long‑established initiatives to small, emerging gems—prove that creativity truly belongs to everyone. This new edition shines with that same spirit more than ever. It is genuinely exciting to see how destinations and project leaders around the world are embracing creative tourism as a powerful driver of sustainable, regenerative, and virtuous development, while also responding brilliantly to travelers’ growing appetite for meaningful, authentic experiences.

A global panorama of award‑winning initiatives

The 2026 winners reflect the vitality and diversity of creative tourism worldwide. Among them, Barranquilla (Colombia) stands out for its ambitious strategy around the creative economy and orange tourism, with a special mention for its iconic Carnaval de Barranquilla, a powerful engine of social cohesion and cultural transmission. The Vanilla Islands (Réunion, Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, Mayotte, Comoros) are recognized for their inclusive approach, using creative tourism as a lever for women’s empowerment and the promotion of local know‑how.

In Europe, Budapest and Cannes – French Riviera are celebrated for their Creative Hubs, hybrid spaces fostering innovation, collaboration and immersive experiences. Essaouira o Ljubjana, UNESCO Creative Cities, are acknowledged for their inspiring model of cultural and creative tourism. Cities such as Belo Horizonte, Bangkok and Turin stand out for their innovative urban strategies, while rural territories like the Charentes Region demonstrate the power of creative tourism in revitalizing local communities. Destinations such as Barcelos and Tunisia are rewarded for their regenerative experiences centered on craftsmanship and intangible heritage.

The Caribbean Creative Tourism Awards highlight outstanding initiatives from Kingston, Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Grenada, Nevis and Haiti, showcasing the creative vitality and tourism potential of the entire Caribbean region.

A Special Collaboration with UNESCO-EU Transcultura : the Caribbean Creative Tourism Awards

This year also marked a significant milestone through a special partnership with the programme Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, implemented by UNESCO and funded by the European Union. As part of this collaboration, the Creative Tourism Network® launched the Caribbean Creative Tourism Awards, created to highlight the richness and diversity of the region’s creative and sustainable ecosystems.

These awards aim to recognize initiatives that use creativity as a driver for sustainable tourism development, celebrating the cultural diversity of the Caribbean and the entrepreneurial talent of its young professionals. Open to all cultural, creative, and tourism stakeholders—from workshops and hotels to local operators, events, and destinations—the call reflected the inclusive and vibrant spirit of the region.

The awards emerged from the collaboration with Transcultura and complement the training and mentoring programmes delivered by the Creative Tourism Network® to empower Caribbean professionals in designing experiences rooted in local identities and community values.

As Anne Lemaistre, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana, highlights, “strengthening cultural and creative industries within tourism fosters economic diversification, job creation, and local entrepreneurship.”

Caroline Couret, President of the Creative Tourism Network®, adds that “the Caribbean is investing strongly in creative tourism as a transformative and virtuous model, and these awards aim to support all stakeholders engaged in this evolution.”

A model for the future, strengthened by the UN’s International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development

Creative tourism is emerging as a powerful model capable of regenerating territories, strengthening communities, valuing local identities and responding to travelers’ growing demand for meaningful experiences. The Creative Tourism Network® will continue to act as an international platform, developing new programs, strengthening institutional collaborations and supporting destinations in their creative strategies.

In the context of the UN proclamation of 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, the network will launch new creative‑volunteering initiatives, training programs and collaborative projects aimed at amplifying tourism’s social and cultural impact.

Stay connected — and above all, join us!

A Virtuous Model for the Future of Tourism

The award-winning initiatives reflect a tourism model that is adaptable, resilient, and deeply aligned with contemporary travel expectations. They promote:

  • authenticity through local culture
  • innovation through creative engagement
  • sustainability through long-term community benefits
  • co‑creation involving residents and visitors

This approach not only enriches the visitor experience but also strengthens local economies and cultural ecosystems.

Global Recognition and New Opportunities

Beyond the honor of the award itself, winners will benefit from international visibility through the Creative Tourism Network® and gain access to collaborations, synergies, and strategic partnerships with other members and global institutions. This recognition often becomes a catalyst for new opportunities, reinforcing the positive impact of creative tourism worldwide.

A Network Leading the Way

Internationally recognized for its commitment to innovative and responsible tourism, the Creative Tourism Network® continues to lead the way in promoting tourism models that are both creatively enriching and socially empowering. Founded in 2010 with the support of the European Union, the Network has rapidly expanded worldwide and now collaborates closely with UNESCO, UN Tourism, and numerous national ministries. As a global platform, it works hand in hand with destinations, tourism professionals, cultural organizations, and creative industries to strengthen the visibility and impact of creative tourism. Through these collaborations, the Network fosters sustainable development, supports local entrepreneurship, and ensures that communities of all kinds benefit directly from tourism.

Discover the Winners

of the World Creative Tourism Awards

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