What's Happening?
The Skift IDEA Awards for 2026 are set to recognize innovative contributions in the travel industry, with a diverse panel of judges from various sectors such as aviation, destinations, cruise, travel tech, and sustainability. The panel includes notable figures like Jonathan Gómez Punzón, CEO of Malaga Tourism, and Amy Martin Ziegenfuss, Chief Marketing Officer at Carnival Cruise Line. The awards aim to highlight strategies that address market pressures, operational gaps, and demonstrate measurable impacts in areas like revenue, engagement, and brand lift. Entries are evaluated based on specific criteria, ensuring a fair and consistent scoring process.
Why It's Important?
The Skift IDEA Awards play a crucial role in spotlighting transformative strategies within the
travel industry, encouraging innovation and excellence. By recognizing efforts that effectively respond to market demands and operational challenges, the awards help set benchmarks for industry standards. This recognition can drive further innovation, as companies strive to meet and exceed these standards. The awards also provide a platform for sharing best practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptation in a rapidly changing global market.
What's Next?
As the submission process for the 2026 Skift IDEA Awards is now open, companies are encouraged to submit their entries, showcasing their innovative strategies and achievements. The judging panel will continue to expand, bringing in more experts to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of entries. The awards ceremony will likely serve as a networking opportunity, bringing together industry leaders to discuss future trends and challenges. Participants can expect to gain valuable insights and recognition that could influence their strategic directions.













