Peru is entering the World Travel Awards 2026 with more than 20 nominations. Among the nominees are well-known destinations, hotels, and important tourism facilities in the country. Machu Picchu, Máncora, and the new Jorge Chávez International Airport are also in the spotlight.
For many years, the World Travel Awards have been among the internationally recognized accolades in the travel and tourism industry. For Peru, the numerous nominations offer another opportunity to strengthen its position as a significant South American travel destination.
More than 20 Nominations for Peru
Peru is represented in numerous categories at the South American edition of the World Travel Awards 2026. According to Peruvian media, there are more than 20 nominations in total.
This includes not only individual attractions. Destinations, tourist offerings, hotels, and infrastructure projects are also among the candidates.
Particularly interesting is the mix of internationally known destinations and new projects. While Machu Picchu has been one of Peru's most important tourist flagships for years, the modernized transport infrastructure of the country, represented by the new Jorge Chávez Airport, is also in focus.
Machu Picchu Once Again in International Competition
Machu Picchu naturally cannot be missing from the World Travel Awards 2026. The Inca site is one of Peru's most famous attractions worldwide and is of enormous importance for the country's international tourism.
Every year, visitors from numerous countries travel to Cusco to continue their journey to Machu Picchu from there. At the same time, Peru is trying to better organize visitor flows and protect the archaeological site long-term.
Another international award would therefore not only concern Machu Picchu. It could also increase global attention for the entire Cusco region.
Those planning a trip to the region can find more information about Cusco and Machu Picchu on PeruMagazin.
Máncora Represents Peru's Coast
Máncora is also one of the important names in this year's nominations. The beach resort in northern Peru has developed into one of the most famous destinations on the Peruvian Pacific coast.
Máncora stands for beaches, warm climate, surfing, and a tourist infrastructure that differs significantly from many classic round-trip destinations in Peru.
International attention is particularly interesting for northern Peru. The country's tourism continues to focus heavily on Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu. Destinations on the north coast could benefit from greater international recognition.
Máncora is also an example of how diverse a trip to Peru can be nowadays. In addition to the Andes, Inca sites, and the Amazon regions, beach tourism is also becoming increasingly important.
New Jorge Chávez Airport Also Nominated
One of the most remarkable nominations concerns the Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima.
The new airport operation is of strategic importance for Peru. Lima is the most important gateway to the country for a large proportion of international visitors.
From here, numerous national flight connections lead to Cusco, Arequipa, Piura, Iquitos, and other regions.
An award at the World Travel Awards would therefore also be a signal for the international perception of the new airport infrastructure.
For travelers, it is particularly crucial whether the new facilities will ultimately lead to shorter processes, better international connections, and higher capacity.
Why the World Travel Awards are Important for Peru
The World Travel Awards were founded in 1993 and honor companies, destinations, and organizations from various sectors of the international travel industry.
The awards are often regarded as significant international recognition within the tourism industry.
For Peru, such awards also have considerable advertising value. International accolades are used by tour operators, hotels, and tourism organizations worldwide for their marketing.
Peru has achieved numerous successes at the World Travel Awards in previous years. Especially the areas of culture, gastronomy, and tourist attractions have brought the country international attention.
The more than 20 nominations in 2026 show that Peru continues to be recognized in very different areas of tourism.
Visitors Can Participate in the Voting
At the World Travel Awards, votes can be cast for the nominated candidates.
To do so, participants must register via the official World Travel Awards website. They can then cast their vote within the respective region and category.
In addition to votes from travelers, votes from registered professionals in the tourism industry are also included in the process.
Those who wish to vote should first review the respective categories. Peru is not competing as a single candidate but is represented by various destinations, facilities, and tourist offerings.
Peru Continues to Focus on International Tourism
The nominations come at an important time for the Peruvian tourism sector.
Peru is trying to distribute international visitors more widely across different regions of the country. While Machu Picchu remains the best-known destination, other regions are intended to benefit more from international tourism.
Northern Peru has significant potential in this regard. Beaches like Máncora, archaeological sites, and lesser-known landscapes can offer an alternative to classic travel routes.
At the same time, functioning transport infrastructure remains crucial. The nomination of the new Jorge Chávez Airport shows that the World Travel Awards do not exclusively evaluate attractions.
For Peru, the combination is interesting: Machu Picchu stands for historical heritage, Máncora for the coast, and the Jorge Chávez Airport for modern tourist infrastructure.
Thus, the nominations simultaneously showcase multiple facets of Peru as a travel destination.
When Will the Winners Be Announced?
The winners of the World Travel Awards will be announced during the regional award ceremonies. Until then, voting for the nominated candidates will continue.
For Peru, it's about more than individual trophies. Every international award increases the visibility of the respective destination and can draw additional travelers to previously less known regions.
It will therefore be particularly exciting to see how many of the more than 20 Peruvian nominations will ultimately receive a World Travel Award 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions about the World Travel Awards 2026
How many nominations does Peru have?
Peru is represented at the World Travel Awards 2026 with more than 20 nominations in various tourism categories.
Is Machu Picchu nominated in 2026?
Yes. Machu Picchu is once again among the Peruvian candidates at the World Travel Awards.
Is Máncora participating in the World Travel Awards?
Yes. Máncora in northern Peru is also among the mentioned Peruvian candidates.
Is Lima's new airport nominated?
Yes. The Jorge Chávez International Airport is also among the Peruvian nominations.
Can travelers vote?
Yes. Participation in the voting is possible via the official World Travel Awards website. Registration is required.
What are the World Travel Awards?
The World Travel Awards were founded in 1993. They honor destinations as well as companies and organizations from various sectors of the international tourism industry.
Sources
World Travel Awards – official information and nominations 2026
Infobae Perú, August 16, 2026
Information on Jorge Chávez International Airport
