Experientialist® Awards 2026:
This year’s winners show that purpose is the new luxury

The Experientialist® Awards by OutThere were conceived not simply to applaud luxury but to champion purpose. They exist for those who are enthralled not just by beautiful places, but by what those places stand for. For the hoteliers who invest in their communities as carefully as they do in their design. For the tour operators who understand that safeguarding culture and environment is not a marketing line, but a responsibility. For the destinations that recognise travellers as partners in preservation, not passive consumers. We are immensely proud to reveal the winners of the Experientialist® Awards 2026.

It’s awards season – and ours too. The Experientialist® Awards 2026 applaud the very best of travel, reflect on the defining journeys and seismic shifts of the year just passed, and celebrate the people and places that have truly moved the dial.

Our trophies – striking works of art created by our friends at Inclusive Morocco – were duly polished; shortlists pored over and debated; and the luminaries of the OutThere travel world gathered beneath the chandeliers of Corinthia London. Glasses of Gusbourne and Wild Idol bubbly were raised, as pioneers, changemakers and visionaries were celebrated for their hard work, bold thinking and brave investments in a better way of travelling.

Acknowledgement matters. It sets benchmarks. It fuels ambition. It signals what we, as a community, value most. And when guided by purpose as much as prestige, it has the power to make travel better – more responsible, more inclusive and more enduring for the generations of Experientialists yet to come.

We’re proud that The Experientialist® Awards 2026 are different to most of our industry’s award programmes. They’re not-for-profit, they champion purpose and impact. They celebrate the people, places and pioneers who understand that travel, at its best, changes us – and, crucially, can change the world around us too. In today’s complex socio-environmental landscape – shaped by climate urgency, shifting geopolitics and a long-overdue reckoning around equity and inclusion – travel cannot afford to be neutral. Nor, increasingly, do travellers want it to be. The global community that gathers around OutThere understands that travel is both a privilege and an opportunity. It can be extractive, or it can be regenerative. It can perpetuate imbalance, or it can foster mutual respect and shared prosperity. Purpose-driven travel is not a passing trend; it is the trajectory of our industry.

That conviction sits at the heart of the Experientialist® Awards 2026. Our winners are voted for by a discerning international community that values sustainability, inclusivity, authenticity and positive impact as highly as – if not more than – aesthetics and service. And crucially, the awards do more than confer recognition. Thanks to the extraordinary engagement of our partners and readers this year, we have raised substantial funds to distribute among some outstanding travel-related causes, supporting environmental conservation, community and cultural preservation and initiatives advancing diversity across the sector.

At OutThere, we have long believed that exploration should take people places in every sense – broadening horizons and minds while protecting the very communities and ecosystems that inspire us. The Experientialist® Awards 2026 are both celebration and commitment: proof that exceptional travel experiences and meaningful impact are not opposing ideals, but intertwined ambitions. If this is the future of travel – and we firmly believe it is – then these are the stories, and the changemakers, deserving of our attention.

Congratulations to all our winners and nominees. You are OutThere!

Most OutThere travel brand

Winner: andBeyond

For decades, andBeyond has redefined luxury travel, seamlessly blending exceptional hospitality with immersive, transformative experiences. Their unwavering commitment to people, sustainability, and community empowerment sets a benchmark for what it truly means to be OutThere. From the wild landscapes of Africa to the depths of the Peruvian Amazon, every journey they craft is as meaningful as it is extraordinary.

Other finalists in this category include:

Most OutThere initiative in inclusive travel

Joint-winner: Amilla Maldives

Amilla Maldives has set the benchmark in inclusive hospitality, pioneering personalised consultations and specialist adaptations that redefine accessibility in travel worldwide. Nestled in the UNESCO-listed Baa Atoll, it goes above and beyond: from beach-adapted wheelchairs and boat hoists for accessible snorkelling to dysphagia-friendly menus, autism spectrum–friendly spaces, and fully adapted over-water villas safe for solo wheelchair travellers. Even their seaplanes are accessible, ensuring that every guest can experience paradise without compromise.

Joint-winner: Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve

Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve has gone above and beyond to ensure travellers with disabilities can enjoy immersive, transformative journeys. From accessibility-adapted accommodations and vehicles to inclusive activities, this brand sets the standard for excellence in accessibility, making an already extraordinary safari experience even more remarkable – especially for visually impaired guests. Rangers are specially trained to bring wildlife to life through sound and scent, guiding guests to track animals by touch: feeling the texture of an elephant molar, examining a still-warm lion paw print in the sand, or listening closely to identify the calls of mammals and birds in real time.

Other finalists in this category include:

Most OutThere champion

Winner: Janice Tjon Sien Kie

Janice Tjon Sien Kie embodies courage, compassion, and conviction in equal measure. For years, they have been at the forefront of change, bridging activism and tourism in a rare and powerful way. By turning advocacy into a tangible economic and social opportunity for their community, Janice represents the ultimate Experientialist – someone who doesn’t just open doors, but builds them anew, ensuring discovery, diversity, and human connection remain at the heart of everything they do. They have championed visibility, equality, and authentic representation, driving change that is deeply felt. As a community leader, advocate, and entrepreneur, Janice was the driving force behind the landmark legal case that secured marriage equality in Curaçao and helped transform the island into one of the Caribbean’s most progressive and welcoming destinations, especially for LGBTQ+ OutThere travellers.

Other finalists in this category include:

Most OutThere initiative in community, conservation and sustainability

Joint-winner: Steppes Travel – Fund for female rangers

Steppes Travel and their Fund for Female Guides are remarkable not only for their measurable impact, but for a globally replicable approach: strengthening local livelihoods, amplifying voices, improving conservation outcomes, and creating richer, more inclusive travel experiences. It challenges who gets to tell a place’s story, whose knowledge is valued, and who truly benefits when travellers arrive. The fund transforms the lives of women from indigenous and underrepresented communities across the globe – from Africa to India, Peru, Colombia, and Sri Lanka. Since June 2023, aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for gender equality and decent work, it has supported dozens of women with bursaries for accredited training and mentored field placements through trusted local partners, creating opportunities that ripple far beyond the guiding trail. The judges praised this project for its vision, its results, and its potential to scale even further.

The Fund for Female Guides has been awarded £6,500 collected from entry donations to further fund their project.

Joint-winner: Wilderness – SACOLA: Sabyinyo Community Livelihood Association

World-leading luxury hospitality company, Wilderness leverages its stellar reputation and global reach, providing operational, management and marketing expertise to inspire guests to travel with purpose – supporting development projects that uplift local communities. Its SACOLA project in Rwanda has, since 2008, delivered tangible, life-changing impact: building schools, roads, water systems and homes, while creating jobs and transformative opportunities for vulnerable families across nearly a thousand households. Spanning 2.2 million hectares, many of these communities are still healing from the scars of the Rwandan genocide of 1994, making every achievement here all the more extraordinary.

SACOLA has been awarded £6,500 collected from entry donations to further fund their project.

Other finalists in this category include:

One highly commended project has been awarded £2,000.

The following six categories for the Experientialist Awards celebrate the luxury travel brands that like us, are rooted in diversity, discovery and discernment, linked to the six OutThere traveller profiles.

The Adventurer award

Winner: 62°NORD

A tribute to the philosophy of “free-air life,” 62°NORD crafts immersive itineraries that feel both authentic and intimately personal. Rooted in family ownership and a profound respect for local communities, their hotels and journeys go beyond hospitality and sightseeing – they are carefully woven experiences that celebrate culture, champion environmental stewardship and foster genuine human connection. Each adventure unfolds against the backdrop of some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes, where rugged Norwegian coastlines, endless skies and untamed wilderness invite travellers to breathe, explore and truly belong.

Other finalists in this category include:

The Culturalist award

Joint-winner: Botanic Sanctuary

Journey to a city that has long held a certain magnetic allure, its brilliance lies in a delightful cultural tension: the historic heart of the city – cobbled streets, gilded façades, and centuries of craft – meets a contemporary, creative pulse that feels anything but predictable. Where, you ask, is this urban enchantment? Why, Antwerp, of course. And the crown jewel of this adventure? The stunning Botanic Sanctuary – an oasis of calm, colour, and life, where nature and design converge in perfect harmony. Staying here is like undergoing a cultural recalibration, where tradition and modernity dance together, inspiring fresh perspectives at every turn.

Joint-winner: Schloss Elmau

Schloss Elmau is a sanctuary where luxury takes an entirely different shape: not in the form of polished perfection, but in participation, presence and creative immersion. In a world dominated by Instagrammable moments, it offers something wonderfully unscripted – a space where curiosity is currency and imagination is the guest of honour. Since its founding in 1916, the estate has pioneered a philosophy of “stay and play,” inviting world-class artists, musicians, and thinkers to perform, share and collaborate with visitors in exchange for nothing more than the crisp mountain air. Here, culture is not a backdrop; it is the heartbeat of the experience, a living dialogue between creativity, nature, and human connection.

Other finalists in this category include:

The Escapist award

Joint-winner: Dharana at Shillim

Dharana at Shillim is a sanctuary where the boundaries between self and landscape begin to dissolve. Nestled within the Western Ghats, it offers a rare invitation to slow down, breathe deeply and embark on journeys of reflection, renewal and soul-searching. Here, escapism comes with purpose: every moment is designed to nurture not only the spirit but also the world around it. Each stay supports local female farmers, sustains conservation projects rooted in education and knowledge, and reinforces a philosophy of mindful living. Dharana doesn’t just promise a retreat from the everyday – it offers a transformative immersion, where the sublime beauty of nature becomes a mirror for inner healing and conscious connection.

Joint-winner: O&L Leisure

O&L Leisure delivers a taste of Namibia that is as exhilarating as it is authentic, offering a total change of scene across six extraordinary luxury destinations. Proudly locally owned, each property is shaped by the heartbeat of its community, with stays informed by rich local storytelling, traditions, and culture. Every experience gives back – supporting conservation, uplifting local communities, and safeguarding the country’s raw, untamed landscapes. Here, luxury is never superficial; it is immersive, responsible, and profoundly connected to place. From sweeping desert vistas to hidden coastal enclaves, O&L Leisure transforms travel into adventure with purpose – a journey where the land, its people, and its stories are always front and centre.

Other finalists in this category include:

The Hedonist award

Winner: Broadwick Soho

Bursting with personality and impossibly chic, Broadwick Soho is a celebration of contemporary hedonism at its most effortless. Yet beneath the glamour and flair lies a heart of radical inclusivity: the hotel champions some of London’s most vital community charities, turning every stay into an opportunity to support and engage with the city it calls home. Here, individuality is the only dress code, and creativity is the currency. From bold interiors to thoughtful programming, every corner pulses with energy, laughter, and authenticity.

Other finalists in this category include:

The Insider award

Winner: Red Savannah

Red Savannah doesn’t just curate experiences – it crafts journeys that are profoundly personal and immersive. The luxury tour operator offers travellers insider access that few can match, transforming every trip into an intimate encounter with place, culture and story. More than a travel company, they see themselves as a people company, placing connection and care at the heart of every itinerary. Here, craftsmanship is returned to travel: every detail is meticulously considered and every encounter thoughtfully designed, with a narrative woven around you, your curiosity, and your desire to truly explore the world.

Other finalists in this category include:

The Sophisticate award

Winner: Capella Hotel Group

Capella Hotel Group redefines luxury, not as a label, but as a transformative experience. Each property under the Capella Hotels and Resorts; and Patina Hotels and Resorts brands is a canvas for culture and craft, thoughtfully designed to channel local heritage with authenticity and subtlety. Here, curiosity is cultivated at every turn: from the artisanal details in the suites to the immersive experiences beyond the walls, every moment is carefully considered and consequential. The hotels spark discovery, deepens understanding and elevates the very notion of what it means to travel with intention. Luxury, in their hands, becomes an art of engagement, connection and lasting impression.

Finalists:

www.outthere.travel/awards

Featured photography courtesy of respective nominees