Female Leader of the Year
Celebrates a woman whose leadership in Tourism, the Blue Economy, Logistics or Investment changed her organisation and her sector in 2026, and who is opening doors for the women coming after her.
Who nominates: Nominated by colleagues, boards, partners or industry bodies.
What the judges look for
- Measurable results of the organisation she leads
- Leadership through difficulty and change
- Mentoring and creating opportunity for women and youth
- Integrity and standing in the community
And the three ZBEA values
- Excellence. Outstanding results, quality and service, shown with evidence.
- Responsibility. Care for people, culture and the ocean that sustains the islands.
- Zanzibar value. Local jobs, local suppliers, local ownership and skills.
- FL-01
Island of the Year
Zanzibar is an archipelago of over fifty islands. This award honours the island or island destination that did the most in 2026 for its visitors, its people and its ocean. It is open to the smaller islands of the archipelago and to defined destinations on Unguja and Pemba (a coastal village or stretch of coast), so that the award goes to a place rather than to a whole main island. It is received on stage by representatives of the community and its destination partners.
Public vote - FL-03
Young Leader of the Year
A leader aged 35 or under making an outsized impact in any of the four Pillars.
- FL-04
Sustainability Champion of the Year
The organisation that went furthest in 2026 to reduce its environmental footprint and protect Zanzibar's nature.
- FL-05
Community Impact Award
The business or institution whose work most improved lives in a Zanzibar community.
- FL-06
Digital Transformation Award
The organisation that used technology most effectively to serve customers or run its operations better.
- FL-07
Lifetime Achievement Award
A person whose decades of work built Zanzibar's tourism, ocean economy, trade or investment climate.
- FL-08
ZBEA Grand Prix: Company of the Year
The night's highest honour, chosen from among the year's category winners.