London has been named the World’s Best MICE Destination and Dubai World Trade Centre the World’s Best Convention Centre at the 2026 World MICE Awards, with South Africa’s Durban ICC and Table Mountain Aerial Cableway also securing top honours.
Source: World Mice Awards
The winners were announced at the seventh annual World MICE Awards Gala Ceremony at Princess Grand Jamaica, recognising achievements across the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry.
The ceremony brought together representatives from the global business events sector, with awards spanning destinations, hotels, convention centres, event venues, airlines and specialist organisers.
Among the global winners, One&Only One Za’abeel in the United Arab Emirates was named World’s Best MICE Hotel, while Malaysia Airlines received the World’s Best MICE Airline award. Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre won World’s Best MICE Event Venue, Gaylord Hotels was named World’s Best MICE Hotel Brand, and Vietravel of Vietnam received the World’s Best MICE Organiser title.
London won World’s Best MICE Destination, while Los Angeles was named North America’s Best Incentive Destination and Hong Kong took Asia’s Best MICE Destination.
South African venues secure MICE awards
South Africa also featured among the winners, with the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) receiving both Africa’s Best Convention Centre and South Africa’s Best Convention Centre.
The latest continental title marks the Durban ICC’s fourth win in the category, following previous wins in 2020, 2021 and 2023. The centre has also been named South Africa’s Best Convention Centre six times, according to the organisation.
Durban ICC chief executive officer Lindiwe Rakharebe said: “Our greatest achievement is not simply bringing people into a building, it is creating a platform where ideas can travel, partnerships can begin and opportunities can take shape. Every international gathering hosted in Durban reinforces the city’s connection to the world while creating value for our local economy and communities. These awards belong to the people who make those connections possible every day.”
The Twelve Apostles Terrace at Table Mountain Aerial Cableway retained Africa’s Best MICE Event Venue title for the second consecutive year. Located at the summit of Table Mountain, the open-air venue offers views of Cape Town and the Atlantic seaboard. It was shortlisted alongside nominees from Morocco, the Republic of the Congo and Kenya.
Tracy Mkhize, managing director of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company, said: “We are proud to receive this recognition. Hosting an event on Table Mountain brings people together in an extraordinary natural setting, and this award acknowledges the team behind those events and their commitment to creating memorable experiences for event organisers and their guests.”
The recognition coincides with the company’s 97th anniversary this month. The company said the terrace contributes to Cape Town’s business tourism offering by providing a distinctive setting for events.
Recognising the global MICE industry
Rina van Staden, managing director of World MICE Awards, said: “The standard of this year’s winners is a testament to the ambition, innovation and commitment to excellence that continue to drive the global MICE industry forward. We are proud to celebrate the organisations and destinations setting new benchmarks for excellence. My congratulations to each of them.”
The 2026 results followed a year-long search for the world’s leading MICE brands. Votes were cast by MICE industry professionals and the public, with the nominee receiving the most votes in each category named the winner.
The awards recognise organisations and destinations delivering experiences for business travellers, event planners, corporate groups and incentive programmes, including achievements in infrastructure, hospitality and professional event delivery.
For the full list of 2026 winners, visit World MICE Awards.
