Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2026
The 2026 number ones, the survey behind them and how advisors can use the list.
Sell Award-Winning TravelThe Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards are a reader survey covering cities, islands, hotels, resorts, airlines and cruise lines. Travel + Leisure’s 2026 announcement said the 2026 results drew on insights from more than 207,000 readers.
Travel Leisure World’s Best Awards 2026: Top Winners
| Category | #1 in 2026 |
|---|---|
| City in the world | San Miguel de Allende, Mexico |
| Island in the world | Koh Samui, Thailand |
| Airline in the world | EVA Air |
| Hotel in the world | Patina Osaka, Japan |
Source: Travel + Leisure, 2026 World’s Best Awards announcement (July 7, 2026). Cruise-line results are covered by our sister site Cruise Industry Awards.
How the Survey Works
According to T+L’s 2026 promotion guidelines, the 2026 survey ran from October 20, 2025 to February 23, 2026, and readers rated experiences from the past three years. Results are published as ranked lists by category and region.
A reader survey rewards places that delight T+L’s readers. That makes the list excellent inspiration and a reasonable sign of quality, but not a guarantee that a winner suits every client.
Note the timing: a survey that closes in February is published in July. A hotel that changed hands or renovated in between may not be the experience voters rated.
Advisors who use the list well check recent reviews and supplier updates before recommending a winner.
Selling the 2026 Winners
Each winner suits a different client, so match the honor to the traveler rather than the other way round.
- San Miguel de Allende suits clients who want walkable colonial streets, art, food and a slower pace in central Mexico.
- Koh Samui suits beach-and-resort trips in Thailand, often combined with Bangkok.
- EVA Air is relevant for clients flying to Asia; book with the routing and connection in mind.
- Patina Osaka fits luxury clients adding Osaka to a Japan itinerary.
- Clients who dislike crowds may prefer a lower-ranked place on the same list; a famous win can bring more visitors.
The full Travel Leisure World’s Best Awards lists run far deeper than the number ones, with regional rankings for cities, resorts and hotels. Those regional lists are often more useful to an advisor than the headline winners, because they cover places your clients are already considering.
Quote the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards by name and year. To sell these trips yourself, see Be a Travel Agent, and find hotel and airline suppliers in the Official Travel Industry Directory.
World’s Best FAQ
How are the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards decided?
By a reader survey. For 2026, T+L’s promotion guidelines say the survey ran from October 20, 2025 to February 23, 2026, and readers rated experiences from the previous three years.
When are the World’s Best Awards announced?
The 2026 results were announced on July 7, 2026, ahead of the magazine’s August issue.
Sell the World’s Best
Learn how to start a home-based travel business and plan trips around the year’s winners.
Become a Travel Agent