2026 Travel Unity Awards Seeking Nominations

Travel Unity—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that ensures everyone can benefit from travel through standards, education, certification, and community-building—has opened the call for nominations for their 2026 Travel Unity Awards.

The Travel Unity Awards recognize individuals and organizations helping make travel more welcoming through leadership, community impact, research, organizational action, storytelling, and the work of emerging professionals. Those interested are welcomed to nominate someone they know and/or self-nominate now through September 13, 2026 (there is no fee to nominate or apply).

2026 Award Categories

Inclusion Champion
Recognizing an individual demonstrating exemplary leadership in advancing inclusion across the travel industry.

Community Impact
Recognizing an individual or organization creating meaningful, sustained positive change within the communities in which travel and tourism operate.

Academic Research
Recognizing one or more individuals and/or academic institutions for published, peer-reviewed, or presented research with a thesis anchored in inclusive practices.

Organizational Initiative
Recognizing an innovative, impactful, and replicable organizational initiative centered on inclusive practices, including traveler-facing experiences, accessibility, workforce initiatives, community engagement, product or service design, and more.

Young Professional
Recognizing an outstanding professional age 30 or younger who is making meaningful contributions to advancing inclusion in travel.

Inclusive Travel Storytelling
Recognizing an individual or organization whose travel storytelling broadens representation, elevates perspectives that are often overlooked, and helps audiences better understand people, places, and experiences in travel. Eligible work can include journalism, destination and brand campaigns, photography, video, podcasts, social content, publications, documentaries, and other forms of storytelling.

Learn more and submit nominations here.

Those with questions about the Awards or which category is the best fit for their nominations are encouraged to email awards@travelunity.org.

Courtesy of Groups Today.