World Travel Awards (WTA) announces that Diamonds Bijoux Zanzibar will host its prestigious Africa Gala ceremony on 28 August 2026. The VIP reception will bring together leaders from across the continent to celebrate the travel and tourism sector’s leading organisations.
Opened in January 2026, Diamonds Bijoux is a luxury all-inclusive property set along the shores of Zanzibar’s spectacular southeast coast. This five-star resort combines contemporary elegance with authentic Swahili-Arabic design to create a seamless escape defined by comfort, intimacy and understated luxury.
This evening will mark the third World Travel Awards ceremony held in partnership with Diamonds Resorts. The first was held at Diamonds La Gemma dell’Est, in Zanzibar, in 2016, followed by the Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, in Diani Beach, Kenya, in 2024.
Graham Cooke, founder of World Travel Awards, said he was delighted to host the Africa Gala at Diamonds Bijoux, Zanzibar, an evening he described as offering an excellent opportunity to showcase this remarkable new property to leaders across the African travel and tourism sector. He noted that this is the third ceremony held in partnership with Diamonds Resorts, a brand he said is building a reputation for hosting world-class events in Africa.
Gianni Mannai, General Manager of Diamonds Bijoux Zanzibar, said that luxury at his property goes beyond beautiful villas and breathtaking ocean views, and is also about creating authentic moments of warmth, elegance and unforgettable memories inspired by the spirit of Zanzibar.
Arif Abbas, Executive Secretary of the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism, said he was delighted that the archipelago is the official host destination for this edition, an opportunity Zanzibar had long awaited to amplify and showcase the efforts under way as a destination.
The Africa Gala 2026 ceremony will honour winners across a wide range of categories spanning hotels, airlines, tour operators and destinations. The evening forms part of World Travel Awards’ Grand Tour, an annual series of events held across every continent, with the Maldives, Jamaica, Montenegro and the United Arab Emirates also on this year’s calendar, ahead of the Grand Final planned in Tanzania. Founded in 1993, World Travel Awards has established itself as the global benchmark for recognising excellence across all sectors of tourism.
===AT_A_GLANCE===
At a Glance
World Travel Awards — Africa Gala Ceremony 2026 – Date: August 28, 2026 – Venue: Diamonds Bijoux Zanzibar (opened January 2026), 5-star all-inclusive resort – Context: 3rd WTA ceremony hosted in partnership with Diamonds Resorts (after Zanzibar 2016, Kenya 2024) – Host destination: Zanzibar, officially designated by the Commission for Tourism Zanzibar – Scope: awards across hotels, airlines, tour operators and destinations – Series context: part of WTA’s Grand Tour 2026 (Maldives, Jamaica, Montenegro, UAE), Grand Final in Tanzania – WTA founded: 1993
