Seven Egyptian properties were named winners at the 2026 Africa Travel Awards ceremony, held in Zanzibar on 28 August. The awards span categories from Best Luxury Beach Resort to Best Diving Experience, and Egyptβs strong showing reflects the continued recovery of its resort sector after several years of subdued international travel.
Which Destinations Took Home Awards
The recognised properties are spread across Egyptβs two main resort corridors. Hurghada claimed multiple wins, with properties on the northern coast singled out for beach quality, watersports facilities, and food-and-beverage programmes. Hurghada has expanded its airport capacity over the past two years and now receives direct charter and scheduled flights from around forty European cities.
Sharm el-Sheikh also featured in the winners list, with at least two properties taking top-three placings in the dive and snorkelling categories. The awards panel specifically cited the clarity of water at Ras Mohammed National Park and the concentration of coral reef access within a short boat ride of the main hotel strip.
The full list of category winners was published by the Africa Travel Awards organisers following the ceremony.
What the Awards Mean for Travellers
Industry recognition tends to influence how operators prioritise inventory and pricing. Properties that win tend to see booking demand increase in the months that follow, which can mean earlier sell-out dates on premium rooms. If any of the recognised Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh properties are on your shortlist, it may be worth checking availability sooner rather than later for late-2026 and early-2027 travel dates.
The awards also validate Egyptβs position as one of the most consistent Red Sea diving destinations on the African continent. For travellers weighing between Red Sea destinations, Egyptβs combination of accessible flights, competitive pricing, and award-level dive sites remains a strong argument.
Planning a Visit
Egyptβs Red Sea coast has a year-round season, though the shoulder months β October to early December and March to May β offer lower prices and thinner crowds than peak winter. Both Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh have international airports with connections from Europe, the Gulf, and East Africa. Our guides to Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh cover where to stay, what to dive, and how to reach the resorts from Cairo. You can also browse tours and activities in Hurghada directly to see current dive excursions and watersports from the award-recognised operators.
The 2026 Africa Travel Awards results are expected to be published in full on the awards website within the coming weeks.