Mozambique wins Best Sustainable Destination at 2025 World Tourism Awards; Cotur named Best Tourism Entrepreneur

Mozambique has been recognised as an outstanding destination at the 2025 World Tourism Awards in Brussels, which highlights some of the world’s most inspiring travel experiences. The country received the Best Sustainable Destination award, while the Mozambican company Cotur was awarded Best Tourism Entrepreneur.

This double recognition reinforces Mozambique’s commitment to sustainable, innovative, and transformative tourism that values nature, communities, and national identity.

The World Tourism Forum Institute (WTI) is a global organisation headquartered in London, responsible for the World Tourism Awards and initiatives that promote cooperation, innovation, and investment in tourism, driving the sustainable growth of the sector.

The World Tourism Awards 2025, the most prestigious celebration of excellence across the global tourism landscape, were held at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels.

In his closing remarks, the President of the World Tourism Forum Institute, Bulut Bağcı, congratulated all the winners.

“The World Tourism Awards honour visionaries and pioneers who are redefining global travel through innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. This year’s winners embody the spirit of transformation that the tourism industry needs in a new era of responsible growth,” he said.

The awards for outstanding destinations highlighted the world’s most inspiring travel experiences:

Best Global Destination: France

Best Emerging Destination: Benjamin Vallée for Parc Omega

Best Sustainable Destination: Mozambique

Best Heritage Destination: Egypt

Best Nature-Based Destination: Benjamin Vallée for Parc Omega

Best Beach Destination: Maldives

Best Mountain Destination: Courchevel, France

Best Cultural Tourism Destination: Uzbekistan

Best National Park: Virunga National Park – DRC

Best Culinary Destination: Azerbaijan

Best MICE Destination: Malaysia

Best Sports Destination: Qatar

Best Shopping Travel Destination: Paris, France

Wellness Retreat Destination: SHA Wellness Clinic

Best Health Tourism Destination: South Korea

Best Entertainment Destination: Abu Dhabi

Most Secure Destination: Iceland

Best Tourism Investment Destination: Angola

Best Health-Safe Destination: Singapore

• Hospitality & Accommodation

Best Luxury Hotel: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

Best Boutique Hotel: Il San Pietro di Positano – Italy

Best Eco-Hotel: Arctic TreeHouse Hotel – Finland

Best Resort Hotel: Club Nena, Antalya – Turkiye

Best Business Hotel: Aman Tokyo

Best Airport Hotel: Hilton London Heathrow Airport

Best City Hotel: Rosewood London

Best Family-Friendly Hotel: Tiffany Hotels Cuba

Best All-Inclusive Hotel: Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island – Abu Dhabi

Best Hotel Design: The Chedi Andermatt – Switzerland

Best International Airline: Turkish Airlines

Best Low-Cost Airline: Ryanair

Best Inflight Experience: Qatar Airways

Best Airline for Business Travelers: Emirates

Most Sustainable Airline: Air France – KLM Group

Best Airport: Dubai International Airport

Best Airport Lounge: Lufthansa First Class Terminal

Best VIP Terminal: JETEX Dubai

Best Airport for Sustainability: Athens Airport

Best Airport Duty Free: Hamad International Airport / Qatar Duty Free (QDF)

• Tourism Boards & Ministries

Best National Tourism Board: ENIT – Italy

Best City Tourism Office: Visit Abu Dhabi

Most Innovative Tourism Campaign: Tourism Authority of Thailand – Half-Half Thai Travel

Best Tourism Branding: Incredible India

Best Use of Technology in Tourism Promotion: Welcome to Arabia – Saudi Tourism Authority

•  Travel Services & Operators

Best Tour Operator: TUI

Best Online Travel Agency: Booking.com

Best Travel App: Guide of Dubai

Best Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Group

Best River Cruise Operator: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Best Safari Tour Operator: &Beyond

Best Luxury Travel Company: Black Tomato

Best Adventure Tour Provider: Intrepid Travel

Best Wellness Travel Agency: FIT Reisen

•  Technology & Innovation

Best Travel Tech Startup: Cityfans

Best Use of AI in Travel: Tourism Authority of Thailand – TAT-AI

Best Digital Tourism Experience: Pilgrimaps

Best Virtual Travel Platform: Google

Best Business Networking Platform: LinkedIn

Best Platform for Tourism Promotion: Instagram

Best International Festival: Cannes Film Festival

Best Cultural Event: Carnival in Rio de Janeiro

Best Sports Tourism Event: UEFA Champions League 2025

Best Convention Center: Dubai World Trade Center

Best Food Festival: Melbourne Food & Wine Festival

Best Hotel Restaurant: Il Borro Tuscan Bistro Dubai

Sustainability & Responsibility

Best Sustainable Tourism Project: Green Rock LLC

Best Eco-Friendly Hotel Chain: Marriott International

Most Responsible Tour Operator: Intrepid Travel

Best Carbon-Neutral Travel Project: Palau: Carbon Neutral Destination Program

Tourism Person of the Year: H.E. Shaikha Al Nowais

Best Woman in Tourism Leadership: Hala Matar Choufany

Best Tourism Entrepreneur: Cotur

Tourism Innovator Award: GetYourGuide

Best Private Jet Charter Company: NetJets

Best Yacht Charter Company: Fraser Yachts

Best Luxury Train Journey: La Dolce Vita Orient Express – Accor

Best Tourism Video Campaign: Feel the Rhythm of Korea – Korea Tourism Organization

Best Social Media Strategy: Visit Dubai

Best Car Rental Company: National Car Rental

Best Ride-Hailing Service: Uber

Best Cruise Port: Willemstad, Curaçao – Netherlands

• Health, Safety & Inclusion

Best Accessible Tourism Project: Visit Flanders

Best Hospitality Investment Fund: Kasada Capital

Best Diversity & Inclusion Program: NEOM Saudi Arabia

Best Crisis Response in Tourism: Santorini, Greece – Recovery After Earthquakes

Best Tourism Education Program: The AIM Foundation – Tourism Camp Armenia

Best Hospitality School: EHL Hospitality Business School

Best Internship Program in Tourism: Marriott Internship Program

Best Training Initiative: GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program

Best Tourism Infrastructure Project: The Red Sea Project

Best Hospitality Development Project: Galataport Istanbul

Best Public-Private Partnership: Portugal Tourism Board & Pestana Hotel Group

Best Tourism Destination Developer: Aldar Properties

Special Recognitions

Best Community-Based Tourism Initiative: Nanitravels

Best Destination Wedding Planner: Palmary Events

Best Regenerative Tourism Project: Aupaba Institute

Best Social Impact Tourism Initiative: Fondation Les Deux Rivières (Gabon)

Lifetime Achievement in Tourism: Dr. Taleb Rifai