Applications now open for Gender Equality Champion of Year

The award celebrates tourism and hospitality organisations

Equality in Tourism, an international non-profit committed to advancing gender equality in the industry, has opened applications for the Gender Equality Champion of the Year Award 2026. 

Now in its fourth year, the Award celebrates tourism and hospitality organisations spearheading more gender equal practices and promotes their adoption among industry peers. 

Sponsored annually by the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and with support from Sojern in 2025, the Gender Equality Champion of the Year Award is the only one of its kind on a global platform. Details of the 2026 sponsorship will be announced later. It’s presented annually at ITB Berlin, the world’s leading tourism trade fair, with winners in two categories crowned during the 2025 ceremony. 

South American travel operator Responsible Travel was named the Travel & Destinations winner, with judges noting that gender equality is deeply embedded in their business and supported by a strong public declaration on their website. 

Nepalese social enterprise Community Homestay Network won the Accommodation category, similarly, impressing judges with thorough and transparent gender equality efforts across the business, including areas such as disaster risk reduction, climate risk and gender awareness training. 

Sri Lanka’s first women-led hotel Amba Yaalu (Mango Friends) Kandalama was also highly commended as a new venture with potential for a highly impactful future.

In 2026, the judging panel will once again be made up of esteemed experts in gender and tourism. They will carefully review the impact of shortlisted applicants’ policies and initiatives, ensuring the award continues to be recognised as a credible and respected benchmark for progress in gender equality. 

Dr. Stroma Cole, Professor in Tourism and Human Rights at the University of Westminster and Co-Director of Equality in Tourism, comments, “Each year we’re inspired by the high quality of applications and the incredible ways applicants are creating change for women in the industry – but we’d love to see even more entries. Whether you’re part of a leading chain or a small community enterprise, I encourage you to enter. Your contributions to gender equality are valuable and deserve recognition.”

Past winners have praised the application form for providing an excellent set of criteria to evaluate current commitments to gender equality. 

Aayusha Prasain, CEO of Community Homestay Network,explains how it encouraged them to make improvements: “We had long been fostering a gender-equal environment in our workplace and in the communities, we work with. However, it wasn’t until the application process that we took the crucial step of solidifying our commitments by properly documenting them, such as with a comprehensive gender equality policy.”

Applications are open until 26th January 2026, with more information and the application form available on the Equality in Tourism website.