The Oscars of the Tourism World: Selection of the World Travel Awards
The World Travel Awards organization, founded in 1993, presents annual excellence awards to leading entities in the tourism, travel, and hospitality sectors worldwide. The awards have been dubbed 'the Oscars of the tourism industry' and are considered one of the most prominent symbols of recognition in the international tourism industry. Winners are chosen through a vote involving professionals from the tourism and travel industry, alongside the general public from many countries around the world.
The wins were announced at the World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony 2026, held on September 13th at the One&Only One Za’abeel Hotel in Dubai, with the participation of executives and leaders of the tourism and hotel industry from across the Middle East. Among the winners of the honorable titles are also Israeli hotels:
* Carlton Tel Aviv Hotel selected as Israel's Leading Hotel 2026:
The Carlton Tel Aviv Hotel won the prestigious title of Israel's Leading Hotel 2026. For Carlton Tel Aviv, this is a particularly significant achievement. In 2025, the hotel won the title of Israel's Leading Business Hotel for the ninth time. Now, it has won one of the main and most coveted categories of the competition: Israel's Leading Hotel for 2026.
Hotel CEO, Adi Nevo: "Winning the title of Israel's Leading Hotel for 2026 is a source of great pride for us and an emotional expression of confidence in the Carlton Tel Aviv and the hotel staff. Particularly during a challenging time for the Israeli tourism industry, there is special meaning in the international recognition of an Israeli hotel and the high standards we insist on providing our guests. This award is thanks to the hotel staff, who bring professionalism, dedication, and true love for hospitality every day. We will continue to work to provide an Israeli hospitality experience at an international level and to be a home for guests from Israel and around the world."
* The American Colony Hotel in Jerusalem selected as Israel's Leading Boutique Hotel 2026 – Tenth win of the prestigious title:
The American Colony Hotel in Jerusalem was selected as Israel's Leading Boutique Hotel for 2026 by the prestigious World Travel Awards organization. The Jerusalem hotel has won this prestigious title for the tenth time.
Hotel CEO, Alex Nassar: "We are very proud and excited to win the title of Israel's Leading Boutique Hotel for the tenth time. A tenth win is an extraordinary achievement, especially for an independent hotel with such a unique character and history. For us, the award is first and foremost an expression of confidence in our people, in the level of service, and in the experience we provide to guests. The American Colony is a place with soul, history, and character that cannot be replicated, and we work every day to preserve this magic while continuing to innovate. We thank the guests, the hotel staff, and everyone who has been a partner along the way to this exciting achievement."
* David InterContinental Tel Aviv selected as Israel's Leading Conference Hotel 2026 – Fifth win of the prestigious title:
David InterContinental Tel Aviv was selected as Israel's Leading Conference Hotel for 2026, marking the fifth time the hotel has won this title, which joins a series of titles and achievements the hotel has earned over the years in the international competition.
Hotel CEO, Ilya Bulgakov: "The fifth win of the title of Israel's Leading Conference Hotel is a source of great pride for us and an expression of confidence in the hotel's ongoing work. Our conference center, the largest among hotel conference centers in Israel, allows us to host conferences, events, and delegations from Israel and around the world throughout the year at the highest scales and standards. This achievement belongs first and foremost to our professional and dedicated staff, who provide every event with a precise framework and a world-class hospitality experience."
