Global culinary

travel awards

Recognizing excellence and innovation in food and beverage tourism through a long-standing awards program supporting small businesses and destination-led initiatives.

LEARN MORE & APPLY NOW
The logo for the global culinary travel awards shows a flower in a circle.

Founded in 2016 originally as the FoodTrekking Awards, our awards program is our industry’s first, largest and best respected recognition program. 2026 is our TENTH YEAR!


The Awards are a fun, affordable way to submit your year’s best work to be evaluated by an impartial panel of industry experts for a chance to be acknowledged publicly on a global stage.


RECOGNITION & IMPACT

EXCELLENCE IN UNIQUE INDUSTRY CATEGORIES

We offer four exclusive award categories created specifically to reflect the unique needs and opportunities within the food and beverage tourism industry - categories you will not find in any other tourism awards program.

COLOR ACRYLIC PHYSICAL DISPLAY TROPHY

Proudly display your stunning trophy at your business or feature it on your website - it’s a symbol of excellence that sets you apart.


See how past winners showcase their awards below.

A black and white drawing of a medal with a ribbon.

MULTI-CHANNEL GLOBAL VISIBILITY

Winners are celebrated across multiple platforms, including our global newsletter, social media channels, press releases, and the official winners showcase below - maximizing your recognition and industry visibility.


HOW TO APPLY

Applying for the Global Culinary Travel Awards is a straightforward, transparent process.
Please review the steps below before beginning your application.

Step 1: Choose Your Category


Review the award categories carefully and select one or more categories that best represent your work and contribution to our industry. We strongly recommend that you request the FAQ and Criteria document in advance before proceeding to the next step. If anything is unclear, please contact us with questions before submitting payment.


Step 2: Pay the Application Fee


When you are ready to apply, submit the €49 application fee. This modest fee helps cover program administration and evaluation costs.


  • Each application requires a separate fee.
  • You may submit multiple applications by increasing the number of entries in your shopping cart.
  • There are no additional or hidden fees, including for award recipients.


If you are unable to pay by credit or debit card, alternative payment options are available:


  • PayPal payment request (world-wide)
  • Wise payment request (world-wide)
  • Bank transfer (world-wide)
  • ACH transfer (US only)


Please contact us to request any of these options if needed.

Pay Application Fee

Step 3: Get Your Application Packet


Within 24 hours of payment confirmation, you will receive an email containing your application packet. This includes:


  • Detailed instructions
  • The official application template
  • The evaluation criteria


Please check both your inbox and spam folder to ensure receipt.


Step 4: Complete Your Application


This year, applications will be submitted using a PowerPoint template. This format provides greater flexibility and space to clearly present your story, impact, and supporting materials in a structured way. You may apply on behalf of your own business, organization, or initiative.



Application Timeline

  • Applications open: February 1, 2026
  • Applications close: April 1, 2026 at 23:59 (London, UK time) No extensions will be granted.
  • Winners announced: By May 31, 2026


We appreciate the time and care that all of our applicants put into their submissions and look forward to reviewing your work. Best of luck, and thank you for helping advance excellence in culinary travel and the preservation of culinary heritage.


entry categories

Businesses eligible to apply depend on each category and may include individual businesses (wineries, breweries, tour operators, DMCs, cooking classes, tourist guides, restaurants; etc.); NGOs; destination marketing organizations (tourism offices, mayor's offices, chambers of commerce, and government ministries); writers and other journalists; chefs and cooks; and schools.


For a detailed description of each category, and to learn about the judging criteria and the most suitable business types to apply, please download the criteria document using the form below.


JUDGING CRITERIA & TIPS

Since the Awards program’s inception, 68 businesses and destinations in 31 countries have won an Award and showcased to the world their excellence and innovation in culinary tourism.

There is no secret to winning, but we do offer a guide to help applicants to prepare the best possible application.


Complete the form to get the awards criteria document delivered to your inbox (be sure to also check your spam folder).



THE JUDGING PROCESS

All entries are fairly judged by an impartial review committee of international industry experts. Judges review each entry based on the criteria provided for that category. Their votes are compiled to create a short list of winner candidates. The judges then deliberate the final winners. We announce up to 3 semi-finalists and one main winner in each category.

OUR JUDGES


AWARDS TIMELINE

  • February 1, 2026

    Applications open.

  • April 1, 2026

    Applications close.

  • May 15, 2026

    Finalists Announced.


PAST WINNER SHOWCASE


GLOBAL CULINARY TRAVEL AWARDS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

  • What are the Global Culinary Travel Awards?

    The Global Culinary Travel Awards are the world’s leading accolades recognizing excellence and innovation in food and beverage tourism, presented annually by the World Food Travel Association.

  • Who can apply for the awards?

    Any destination, business, organization, or individual involved in culinary tourism—including tourism boards, tour operators, content creators, chefs, and nonprofits—may submit an entry.

  • What are the award categories?

    The World Food Travel Association offers multiple award categories such as Best Culinary Destination, Best Food or Beverage Tour, Best Creative Content, and Best Use of Technology in culinary tourism (also known as gastronomy tourism).

  • What is the judging process?

    Entries are reviewed by a panel of international experts appointed by the World Food Travel Association. Judging is based on impact, creativity, innovation, sustainability, and relevance to food and beverage tourism.

  • What are the benefits of winning an award?

    Winners gain international visibility, credibility, promotional support, and the prestige of being recognized by the World Food Travel Association as the global leader in culinary tourism.

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