World Travel Awards announces 2021 global winners

The World Travel Awards – the leading authority on recognising and rewarding excellence in travel and tourism – has announced the 2021 winners in its global categories.

Machu Picchu, awarded “World’s Leading tourist attraction 2021” (D.R.)

With three awards in this 28th edition, Peru confirms its position as a must-see destination by winning the awards for World’s Leading Cultural Destination, World’s Leading Culinary Destination and also having the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu awarded as the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction.

These awards come just days after the results of the World Cruise Awards 2021, recognising Peru as the best river cruise destination in the world and the best river cruise destination in Latin America.

PROMPERÚ’s Executive President, Amora Carbajal said: “We are proud of the important awards that our country receives, which place us among the most important tourist destinations in the world. We will continue to work so that Peru continues to focus on safety and sustainability in each of the regions and tourist destinations that today welcome visitors from all over the world, where gastronomy and cultural heritage are a source of joy and admiration.

The Visit Latin America team would also like to congratulate our member Explora Valle Sagrado in Peru, for winning the World’s Leading Adventure Hotel award in this 2021 edition.

Kayaking on Grey Lake/Torres del Paine National Park – Chile “World’s Leading Adventure Destination 2021” at the World Travel Awards (Credit: SERNATUR)

Chile continues to lead the way, winning for the second year in a row the award for World’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination.

Ecuador wins the title of World’s Leading Green Destination 2021, underlining the country’s excellence in the field of eco-tourism, which has already won this title seven times in the past.

Landscape of the Cotopaxi region, Ecuador “World’s Leading Green Destination 2021” at the World Travel Award (Credit: Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism)

In the rest of the world

Winners include the Maldives, which cemented its reputation as a secluded paradise sanctuary by winning the ‘World’s Best Destination‘ award for the second time. Portugal also did well, with Madeira being voted “World’s Best Island Destination” and the Algarve winning “World’s Best Beach Destination. The Greek Ministry of Tourism was voted the World’s Leading Tourist Board, while Armenia was named the World’s Leading Heritage Destination.

Dubai, currently booming and in the spotlight as host of Expo 2020, was voted the World’s Leading Business Travel Destination with the Dubai World Trade Center claiming the World’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre. Mina Rashid was recognised as the World’s Leading Cruise Port, and The Palm Jumeirah – Nakheel won the World’s Leading Tourism Development Project.

“Our global winners represent the best of world travel and tourism, my congratulations to each of them. They are all playing an important role in the global recovery of travel and tourism,” said Graham Cooke, founder of the World Travel Awards.

See the full list of winners for this year’s awards: World Travel Awards 2021