Frequently Asked Questions
Nomination — Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the International Travel Awards nomination process — from getting started to submission, from strengthening your entry to what happens after you nominate.
Getting Started
How to Start Your Nomination
The basics — how to begin, what it costs, and what you need to know before submitting.
Visit award-nomination.html or goldentreeawards.com/award-nomination to begin your nomination. Select the most appropriate award category for your organisation, complete the nomination form with detailed supporting evidence of your excellence, and submit. Our coordination team confirms receipt by email and guides you through any additional documentation requirements. The entire process is straightforward and can be completed online in approximately 45-90 minutes for a well-prepared nomination.
Nomination fees apply for the International Travel Awards. Fees vary by category and entry level and cover the cost of independent expert judging, premium trophy production, ceremony organisation, media distribution, and winner marketing support. The investment is modest relative to the business value of winning — media coverage, booking uplift, premium pricing justification, and brand value enhancement typically return the nomination fee many times over. Contact awards@goldentreeawards.com or call +971585862014 for current fee information.
The International Travel Awards accepts nominations year-round at goldentreeawards.com/award-nomination. Nominations are processed on a rolling basis throughout the year. The 2026 gala ceremony is scheduled for 14 November 2026 at the Westin Marina Hotel, Dubai. We strongly recommend submitting as early as possible to ensure your nomination receives full consideration in the judging process and to be included in early shortlist announcements that drive media coverage.
Yes — self-nomination is fully permitted and is the most common route. Travel and hospitality businesses complete the nomination form on behalf of their own brand, drawing on their internal performance data, guest satisfaction records, and service quality documentation to build the strongest possible case. Third-party nominations — where an industry partner, client, media contact, or professional peer nominates an organisation they admire — are also accepted and can be very compelling, as they demonstrate independent industry recognition before the formal judging process even begins.
No. The International Travel Awards is a global programme open to travel and hospitality organisations from any country. Nominations have been received from over 150 countries across all inhabited continents. You do not need operations in Dubai or the UAE to nominate — the awards celebrate excellence globally. That said, attending the gala ceremony at the Westin Marina Hotel, Dubai on 14 November 2026 is highly recommended for all shortlisted nominees to maximise the networking, media, and PR value of your recognition.
Documentation & Deadlines
What to Include & Category Questions
Documents, evidence requirements, multiple categories, and other submission questions answered.
Strong nominations provide specific, measurable evidence rather than general claims. Include: verified guest satisfaction scores (TripAdvisor ranking, Booking.com score, internal NPS data), sustainability certifications and documented environmental programmes, detailed description of service standards and staff training investment, specific examples of extraordinary guest experiences that represent your brand, financial performance metrics (occupancy, RevPAR, or revenue growth as appropriate), existing awards and media recognition, any relevant industry accreditations or certifications (LEED, Green Globe, ISO standards), and team bios for individual leader nominations. The more specific and documented your evidence, the more compelling your nomination will be to our judging panel.
Yes. You can nominate your organisation in as many relevant categories as your excellence supports. A luxury hotel group might nominate individual properties for Best Luxury Hotel, Best Spa & Wellness Resort, Best Sustainable Hotel, and Best New Hotel Opening while simultaneously nominating the group for Best Hospitality Group and a key executive for Best General Manager. Each nomination is submitted, evaluated, and judged independently. Winning multiple awards amplifies marketing benefits and provides diverse media story angles across different audience segments.
Contact awards@goldentreeawards.com as soon as possible after submission if you need to amend your nomination. Amendments can typically be accommodated within the intake period while submission is still open for your category. Once your category has entered the formal judging phase, amendments may not be possible — which is why investing time in a thorough initial submission is important. Our coordination team will advise on amendment options when you contact them.
The primary nomination language is English as this enables our international judging panel to evaluate all nominations consistently. However, our coordination team can provide assistance in multiple languages including Arabic, Hindi, French, Spanish, and others. If you require language support when completing your nomination, contact awards@goldentreeawards.com in advance and we will arrange appropriate assistance. We do not want language to be a barrier to any excellent travel or hospitality brand accessing the recognition it deserves.
Yes. Third-party nominations — where an industry partner, client, media contact, or professional association nominates a travel or hospitality brand — are accepted and can be particularly compelling because they demonstrate independent industry recognition. If nominating on behalf of another organisation, indicate this clearly in your submission and ensure the organisation has knowledge and consent. Our coordination team will contact the nominated organisation to confirm their participation and gather any additional documentation needed for the judging process.
After Submission
What Happens After You Nominate
The journey from submission to shortlist to winner announcement — what to expect and how to prepare.
After submission, our coordination team reviews your nomination for completeness and confirms receipt by email within 2-3 business days. Your nomination enters the judging intake queue for your category. You will receive email updates at each key milestone: qualifying confirmation (confirming your nomination has passed initial review), shortlist announcement (if you have been selected as a finalist), and final results (at or following the gala ceremony). Our coordination team at awards@goldentreeawards.com is available throughout to answer questions about your specific nomination status.
The strongest nominations provide specific, quantified evidence for every claim made. Concrete steps to strengthen your nomination include: include your exact TripAdvisor ranking, Booking.com review score, and occupancy data; describe specific guest experiences that represent your brand philosophy with named examples; quantify your sustainability outcomes (litres of water saved, percentage renewable energy, tonnes of waste diverted from landfill); include testimonials from notable guests or trade partners; describe your staff training programme with hours invested per employee; and highlight any innovation that has genuinely influenced your sector. Judges score evidence-based nominations significantly higher than those making general quality claims.
Shortlisting means your nomination has been assessed by the initial expert judging panel and placed among the top candidates in your category — typically the top 3-5 nominations per category. Shortlisted nominees are announced publicly, generating immediate PR and media value. Being shortlisted for a global travel award is itself significant recognition that can be marketed to guests, trade partners, and media. Winners are then selected from the shortlist by the final judging panel and announced at the gala ceremony. Both shortlist and winner status carry substantial marketing and commercial value.
Shortlisted nominees receive advance email notification from awards@goldentreeawards.com before public shortlist announcement, giving you time to prepare PR materials and social media content for the announcement. Winners are revealed at the gala ceremony and simultaneously notified by email. Our coordination team ensures all relevant contacts within your organisation are informed promptly. We encourage all shortlisted nominees to prepare winner press releases and social media announcements in advance so they can publish immediately following the gala ceremony announcement.
If your organisation's circumstances change significantly after submission — change of ownership, major rebranding, temporary closure, management change — contact awards@goldentreeawards.com immediately. Our coordination team will review the situation and advise on the appropriate course of action depending on how the changes affect your category eligibility and nomination accuracy. In most cases, updates can be incorporated without affecting your nomination's standing. Transparency with our team ensures the process runs smoothly for all parties.