Gibraltar Shortlisted For Seatrade Cruise Award’s Destination Of The Year 2026
The Gibraltar Tourist Board, on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism, has announced that Gibraltar has been shortlisted for Destination of the Year at the 2026 Seatrade Cruise Awards.
A statement from the Government follows below:
The Gibraltar Tourist Board, on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism, is pleased to announce Gibraltar has been shortlisted as a finalist for Seatrade Cruise Award’s - Destination of the Year 2026.
These Awards recognise excellence across the international cruise industry. The Destination of the Year category considers the value delivered to cruise lines, guests and local communities, as well as initiatives that grow cruise tourism and enhance the visitor experience.
Gibraltar’s submission highlighted our strong growth in the cruise sector as well as the continued investment in Gibraltar’s tourism and heritage product. It also focussed on the initiatives aimed at improving the cruise passenger experience whilst ensuring the benefits of tourism are felt throughout the community.
These include improvements to Gibraltar’s heritage attractions, the exhibition of local artwork at the Cruise Terminal, collaboration with the Gibraltar Re-enactment Association, entertainment in Main Street and interactive visitor experiences such as the roaming “I Love Gib” sign. Gibraltar has also continued to work with cruise lines to deliver distinctive cultural experiences at venues such as St Michael’s Cave.
The Seatrade nomination adds to a growing series of industry recognitions for Gibraltar over the past 12 months. These include Gibraltar’s nomination for Best Tourist Board at the Travel Weekly Globe Awards, receiving Tourist Board of the Year – Silver from AITO, and being shortlisted as a finalist for Destination for Change at the TTG Travel Industry Awards 2026.
Minister for Equality, Employment, Culture and Tourism, the Hon Christian Santos GMD MP, said:
“Being shortlisted as a finalist for Destination of the Year at the Seatrade Cruise Awards is a significant achievement for Gibraltar and welcome recognition from the international cruise industry.
“Our approach is about increasing cruise calls, as well as continually improving the experience we offer visitors while ensuring that cruise tourism supports our local businesses, cultural organisations and wider community.
“I congratulate the Gibraltar Tourist Board and all our local industry partners whose work continues to strengthen Gibraltar’s reputation as a distinctive and high-quality visitor destination.”
The winner of Destination of the Year will be announced at the Seatrade Cruise Awards Ceremony on Wednesday 16 September 2026 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, during Seatrade Cruise Med.
