World Travel Awards (WTA) has announced that Diamonds Bijoux Zanzibar will host its prestigious Africa Gala Ceremony on 28 August 2026. The VIP reception will bring together leaders from across Africa to celebrate the finest organisations in travel and tourism.
Opened in January 2026, Diamonds Bijoux is a luxury all-inclusive retreat set along the shores of Zanzibar’s stunning south-east coast. The five-star resort blends contemporary elegance with authentic Swahili-Arabic design to create a seamless escape, defined by comfort, privacy and understated luxury.
The evening will mark the third World Travel Awards ceremony to be hosted in partnership with Diamonds Resorts. The first ceremony was held at Diamonds La Gemma dell’Est, Zanzibar in 2016, followed by Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, Diani Beach, Kenya in 2024.
Graham Cooke, Founder, World Travel Awards, said: “We are delighted to stage our Africa Gala Ceremony at Diamonds Bijoux, Zanzibar. The evening presents an excellent opportunity to showcase this incredible new resort to the leaders of Africa’s travel and tourism industry. It will also mark our third ceremony to be hosted in partnership with Diamonds Resorts – a brand that is building a reputation for staging world-class events in Africa.”
Gianni Mannai, General Manager, Diamonds Bijoux Zanzibar, said: “At Diamonds Bijoux Zanzibar, luxury is not only about beautiful villas and breathtaking ocean views; it is also about creating authentic moments of warmth, elegance, and unforgettable memories inspired by the spirit of Zanzibar.”
Zanzibar is an archipelago set in the Indian Ocean off Tanzania’s coast and is renowned for its powder-white beaches, aromatic spice plantations and UNESCO-listed Stone Town. Blending Swahili, Arab and Portuguese heritage, the destination has rapidly emerged as one of Africa’s most captivating destinations.
Arif Abbas, Executive Secretary, Commission for Tourism Zanzibar, says: “Zanzibar is delighted to be the Official Host Destination of World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony 2026. This is an opportunity Zanzibar has long been waiting for, amplifying and elevating our efforts we have been implementing as a destination. We look forward to hosting the leaders of travel in Zanzibar on 28 August 2026.”
The WTA Africa Gala Ceremony 2026 will see winners recognised across a wide range of categories spanning hotels, airlines, tour operators and destinations. The evening forms part of WTA’s Grand Tour, an annual series of red-carpet events hosted across each continent. This year’s destinations include Maldives, Jamaica, Montenegro and United Arab Emirates, culminating in the Grand Final in Tanzania.
WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the WTA brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.
