TANZANIA has made history by winning 27 out of 60 awards at the World Travel Awards (WTA) ceremony, hosted in the country for the first time since its inception in 1993.

Dr. Pindi Chana, the Natural Resources and Tourism minister, said in the award ceremony at the weekend that “this historic recognition underscores Tanzania's growing prominence as a premier global tourist destination.”

The country secured 11 awards, recognizing top tourist attractions, Africa's leading tourist board, Africa's leading tourist destination, and Africa's best airport, while the private sector also performed exceptionally well.

Various tourism companies, hotels and service providers clinching16 awards altogether, including accolades for best safari tour operators, hotels with best services, and hotels with the most appealing beaches attracting tourists from across the globe.

The minister attributed these significant achievements to the transformative efforts of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, with key initiatives like the launch of ‘Tanzania: The Royal Tour’ documentary, which significantly boosted the country’s international tourism promotion. 

Other contributing factors include increased budget allocation for the tourism sector, improved infrastructure in protected areas and the creation of an investor-friendly environment, she stated.

“This victory unequivocally positions Tanzania as a tourism hub in Africa and globally, committed to sustainable tourism that benefits citizens and contributes to national GDP,” she said, highlighting that the tourism sector currently contributes 17.2 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP).

It provides direct and indirect employment for 3.6m people annually and accounts for 25 percent of the country's foreign exchange earnings, she further noted, in the background of several of the country’s iconic national parks receiving top honors.

These include Tarangire National Park, winning the award for Africa's leading elephant national park, Ruaha National Park recognized as Africa's leading natural national park and Kitulo National Park, named in Africa's leading honeymoon destination category.

Serengeti National Park (SENAPA) was also awarded among Africa’s leading big five national parks, Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) won Africa's leading tourist board for 2025, replicating its 2024 success at the Nairobi ceremony.

Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) was named Africa's leading airport for tourism activities, while SENAPA secured the title of Africa's leading national park for the seventh consecutive time, since 2019.

Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) won Africa's leading mountain national park for 2025, Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) won Africa's leading tourist attraction, while Nyerere National Park was recognized as Africa's most scenic national park.

Following Tanzania's outstanding performance, the WTA organizers announced that the 2026 World Travel Awards ceremony will also be held in Tanzania.