LuxGroup earns two World Travel Awards 2026 global nominations

LuxGroup said two of its Vietnam-based businesses have been named world-level nominees in the World Travel Awards 2026: Lux Travel DMC for luxury tour operations and Lux Cruises Group for small-ship cruising. Voting runs through Oct. 30, with winners to be announced at the gala in Tanzania on Dec. 12.

Why it matters: - The nominations put Vietnamese luxury travel and cruising on a global stage. - LuxGroup can use the recognition to reach more international travelers, trade partners and tourism consumers. - The awards also highlight a business model built around culture-led, high-touch travel experiences.

What happened: - LuxGroup announced that two companies in its ecosystem were selected as world-level nominees in the World Travel Awards 2026. - Lux Travel DMC was nominated for World’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator 2026. - Lux Cruises Group was nominated for World’s Leading Small Ships Cruise Line 2026. - Voting is open until Oct. 30, 2026, for travel professionals, media and tourism consumers. - The World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2026 is scheduled for Dec. 12 in Tanzania, when the winners will be announced.

The details: - World Travel Awards told LuxGroup that its World categories represent the highest level of recognition in the program. - Lux Travel DMC focuses on tailor-made journeys across Vietnam and Southeast Asia. - The company builds itineraries around traveler motivations, local knowledge, service coordination and support during the trip. - Lux Travel DMC previously won Asia’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator in 2023 and 2024. - Lux Cruises Group operates through brands including Heritage, Emperor and Amiral. - The cruise business pairs Vietnamese art, regional cuisine and cultural storytelling with small-ship voyages. - LuxGroup was founded by Pham Ha and operates as an integrated luxury tourism group based in Vietnam. - The group’s portfolio includes destination management, boutique cruises, hospitality, gastronomy, arts and cultural experiences. - LuxGroup describes its model as a “House of Small Giants.” - The group says its guiding belief is “Luxury is Culture,” with Vietnamese identity at the center of the guest experience. - LuxGroup also uses the phrases “Delivering Happiness” and “Touching Hearts” to describe its hospitality approach. - The group’s “People First” philosophy emphasizes support for employees so they can better serve guests.

Between the lines: - The dual nominations suggest LuxGroup is positioning itself as both a travel designer and a cultural storyteller. - The company is trying to turn local identity into a differentiator in a crowded luxury travel market. - The awards process gives LuxGroup a chance to broaden awareness beyond Vietnam, even before winners are announced.

What's next: - LuxGroup is asking guests, travel partners, industry professionals and tourism consumers to vote through the official World Travel Awards platform before Oct. 30. - The company will wait for the Dec. 12 gala in Tanzania to learn whether either nomination becomes a win. - LuxGroup said it will continue focusing on designing journeys, communicating clearly and delivering the experiences guests expect. - More information is available in the World Travel Awards announcement and at LuxGroup.

The bottom line: - LuxGroup’s World Travel Awards nominations validate a strategy built on Vietnamese culture, personalized service and small-scale luxury experiences.