The World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA)—the sustainability‑focused sister event of the famed World Travel Awards—is kicking off its highly anticipated 2025 programmer by unveiling its official shortlist of nominees and opening the public voting window . Now in its second year, the 2025 WSTHA promises to spark global attention and industry momentum around sustainable tourism and responsible travel—and this year’s edition could be its most impactful yet.
A Record-Breaking Entry Round
A record number of submissions poured in from across every region, covering a broad spectrum of sustainable innovation. From eco‑friendly accommodations that reduce carbon footprints to indigenous community tourism projects and circular‑economy initiatives, the nominees represent a diverse tapestry of socially conscious and environmentally savvy efforts
These entries were rigorously assessed by Sustainable Business students at Nova Business School, who evaluated each against a combination of quantitative metrics and narrative strength. Their shortlist was then reviewed and formally approved by an expert Advisory Board that uphold international standards and net‑positive frameworks.
What Makes the Nominees Stand Out
A key strength of the WSTHA process is the attention paid to scalability, replicability, partnership and collaboration, and measurable impact, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Net Positive vision of creating more value than is taken from communities and environments
New categories introduced for 2025—nine in total—are especially notable: they include Peace Impact, Sustainable Food & Nutrition, Sustainable Guest Experience, and Indigenous Community Tourism. These additions reflect where the industry is evolving and what truly meaningful sustainability looks like today/
In total there are 30 award categories, ranging across themes such as climate action, water and waste innovation, cultural heritage conservation, technology, and partnerships.
Voting Now Open—Until August 30
Starting today, the WSTHA voting period is officially open to all: industry professionals, media, and the traveling public are invited to cast their votes for nominees they deem most impactful in each category
Anyone can vote, and the nominee with the highest votes in each category will be declared the winner. Voting runs until 30 August 2025 (midnight UTC+1). It’s a fully transparent, democratic process empowering stakeholders at all levels to recognize sustainability leadership.
Global Network and Organisational Muscle
The WSTHA is delivered in partnership with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (WSHA)—whose membership spans over 66,000 hotels, 8 million rooms globally, more than 300 brands, and over 100 supply chain and strategic partners. Together with the World Travel Awards, WSTHA leverages a broad, global network for visibility and influence
Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of WSHA and vice-chair of the Awards Advisory Board, praised the calibre and diversity of entries, highlighting them as powerful examples of building toward a net‑positive tourism industry
Justin Cooke, Executive VP of WSTHA, added:
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the engagement in our 2025 programme. The calibre of entrants is exceptional, with many fascinating stories of how they are driving change in sustainable tourism. This reflect the growing momentum and innovation behind building a net positive travel industry. I wish all our nominees the best of luck – and don’t forget to cast your vote.”
The Gala Awards Ceremony: Mark Your Calendars
The winners will be formally celebrated at the 2nd Annual World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards Gala Ceremony, scheduled for 29 October 2025. The venue: Terra at Expo City Dubai, a LEED Platinum‑certified event space aligned with the UAE’s Net Zero goals
This star-studded event will gather industry leaders, innovators, policymakers, and changemakers under one roof, offering a platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and spotlighting the next frontier of sustainable hospitality.
Why These Awards Matter
Sustainable tourism isn’t a trend—it’s now a global imperative. As tourism continues to grow, the environmental and social impacts of travel have renewed urgency. Awards like WSTHA help:
- Elevate best practices: They spotlight projects that offer real solutions and inspire industry peers.
- Drive accountability: Public voting and transparent criteria help ensure winners are subject to scrutiny.
- Amplify impact stories: Recognition helps scale ideas and attract new partners or funding.
- Empower consumers: Shining a light on sustainable leaders helps travellers make more informed choices.
The categories reflect this: energy efficiency, water/waste innovation, cultural preservation, indigenous tourism, employee well‑being, female empowerment, accessibility and inclusion, and sustainable finance and technology initiatives all have a place among the honorees World Sustainable Hospitality Alliancewstha.com.
A Timeline to Watch
Here’s a quick summary of key dates:
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Call for Entries | 2 May – 21 July 2025 |
| Voting Opened | 4 – 30 August 2025 |
| Gala Ceremony | 29 October 2025 at Terra, Expo City Dubai |
These milestones emphasize the Awards’ institutional rigor and clear structure.
What’s Next for You
- Vote today: Head to the WSTHA site before 30 August and lend your voice to projects making a sustainable impact.
- Explore the full shortlist: See what amazing initiatives have been nominated—each story represents innovative, real‑world change.
- Engage with the winners: Watch themes emerge after 29 October, and follow what the winners are doing next.
Final Thoughts
The launch of the 2025 World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards nominations and the opening of voting mark an important moment for the travel world. As communities, travellers, and businesses grapple with the environmental and social costs of tourism, such recognition drives attention to models that protect ecosystems, champion local livelihoods, and honour cultural heritage.
From climate action projects to community tourism initiatives, sustainable agriculture sourcing to guest‑experience design that minimizes waste—this year’s nominees are already shaping stories worth telling on a global stage.
If you care about the future of travel—and the kind of world tourism unlocks—now is your chance to help decide who gets elevated.
Cast your vote, discover the nominees, and join this movement towards a travel industry that gives more than it takes. Travel & Hospitality Awards Travel & Hospitality Awards Travel & Hospitality Awards Travel & Hospitality Awards Travel & Hospitality Awards Travel & Hospitality Awards Travel & Hospitality Awards Travel & Hospitality Awards
