The National Tourism Agency organizes the first edition of the TEA Awards 2026
The National Tourism Agency, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, organized the gala ceremony “TEA Awards 2026”, the first edition of an event dedicated to evaluating destinations, events, attractions and actors that contribute to the promotion of Albania as a tourist destination.
The evening marked not only the award ceremony, but also the celebration of Albania's transformation into a modern tourist destination, where culture, technology and hospitality come together on a single platform as TEA (Tourism Events of Albania). In the presence of representatives of institutions, tourism, media, culture, diplomacy and business, 35 first prizes were awarded in different categories, appreciating the destinations, events, tourist attractions, gastronomy, agritourism and hospitality that have contributed to the promotion of Albania as a competitive destination in the region and beyond.
The Director General of the National Tourism Agency, Zana Çela, together with journalist Drini Zeqo, hosted the gala ceremony, where personalities from tourism, media, culture, diplomacy and business awarded 35 main awards, as well as prizes for second and third places in the respective categories.
During the ceremony, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports, Blendi Gonxhja, stated that the TEA Awards 2026 comes for the first time as an initiative of the National Tourism Agency to evaluate the promoters of Albania's tourism, based on the data and measurements of the TEA (Tourism Events of Albania) application, as a reflection of the interest and experience of domestic and foreign visitors. According to him, the awards evoke the calendar of activities, socio-cultural hospitality and events that encourage visitation, increasing the audience and promotion of the Albanian brand in all regions of the country.
TEA Awards 2026 Winners
- City of Art Fest – Shkodra
- TEA's Most Desirable Art Fest – Shkodra
- City of Authentic Experiences – Gjirokaster
- TEA's Most Desirable Local Event – Korca
- TEA's Most Desirable Taste Fair – Saranda
- TEA's Most Desirable Folklore Tradition – Aulona Folk Festival
- City of Sports & Adventures – Vlora
- TEA's Most Desirable Sports & Adventure – Enkelana Marathon, Pogradec
- City of Theater - Iron
- TEA's Most Desirable Theater Show – Nationwide Comedy Festival “KoKo Fest”
- City of Visual Arts – Durres
- TEA's Most Desirable Visual Art – “Italian Renaissance”, GADK
- City of Festivals & Concerts – Shkodra
- TEA's Most Desirable Festival & Concert – UNUM Festival
- TEA's Bluest Color Award – Ksamil Beach
- TEA's Hidden Gem Award – Cape Stillo and Tongo Island
- TEA's Most Desirable Tourist Experience – Vjosa River
- TEA's Most Desirable Cultural Attraction – Historical Center of Berat
- TEA's Agrotourism Award – Mrizi i Nave
- TEA's Gastronomy Award – Restaurant “Gegë & Toskë”
- TEA's Experience Award – Melia Resort
- TEA's Hospitality Award – Butrint Hotel
- TEA All Senses Award – Tirana
- Tirana's Most Desirable Festival & Concert – Scorpions Coming Home
- Tirana's Most Desirable Visual Art – Salvador Dalí Exhibition
- Tirana's Most Desirable Sport & Adventure – Tirana Marathon
- Tirana's Hospitality Award – Rogner Hotel
- Tirana's Agrotourism Award – Blerina Farm
- Tirana's Gastronomy Award – Restaurant Ceren Ismet Shehu
- Tirana's Most Desirable Tourist Attraction – Tirana Castle
Awards for countries with the highest number of TEA app downloads
- TEA's Most European Users - Italy
- TEA's Most Balkan Users – Kosovo
- TEA's Most American Users – United States of America
- TEA's Most Asian Users – China
- TEA's Most Arab & Middle Eastern Users - Israel
During this prestigious evening, the latest innovations of the TEA application were also presented, including: AI Trip Planner – intelligent personalized itineraries, support in 12 languages, Audio guide and AR Experience – interactive exploration through augmented reality, demonstrating the modern approach that Albania is building to promote tourism. Through technology, culture and authentic experiences, TEA is contributing to the communication of Albanian stories, traditions and creative energy with increasingly wider international audiences.
TEA Awards 2026 marked an important moment in the evaluation of the actors and destinations that are shaping the future of Albanian tourism, promoting the quality, innovation and unique identity of the country, as well as further strengthening Albania's positioning on the map of international tourist destinations.
