Tourise Awards 2025: Tokyo Leads Global Destinations of the Future | Tour Summit Highlights Riyadh

Tourise Awards 2025: Tokyo Leads Global Destinations of the Future | Tour Summit Highlights Riyadh The inaugural Tourise Awards lit up Riyadh during the opening night of the Tour Summit 2025, celebrating global destinations that are shaping the future of tourism. Hosted by the Saudi Arabia Authority, the awards recognized excellence across six standout categories, from culinary and adventure to arts and entertainment. Tokyo, Japan emerged as the biggest winner, taking home three major honors: Best Overall Destination, Best Entertainment Destination, and Best Culinary Destination. Meanwhile, New York took the top spot for arts and culture, and Paris was crowned the Best Shopping Destination. Latin America's Amashiro made history, winning Best Adventure Destination, surpassing the Galapagos Islands and Uganda’s Bwindi Forest. The Tourise Awards focused on destinations that are not only popular today but also innovating for the future of tourism. With a global jury and an open nomination process, the awards have set a new standard for destination excellence, marking the winners as the ones to watch in the evolving tourism landscape.

The unbeatable streak: Chicago crowned America’s best big city for a historic ninth year

As Condé Nast Traveler readers reaffirm Chicago’s dominance, the city’s record-breaking tourism numbers and resilient spirit tell the real story.

By Yousuf Basil and Jennifer Z. Deaton

Chicago occupies a singular place in the nation’s culture, history and politics. Headlines often skew political—and negative—but the lived experience of millions of visitors tells a different story. This month, Condé Nast Traveler readers named Chicago the Best Big City in the U.S. for the ninth consecutive year, a streak unprecedented in the awards program’s more than 30-year history.

“While critics try to paint Chicago as something to fear, the rest of the world knows the truth—this is the best big city in America,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said, underscoring the gap between perception and on-the-ground reality. Mayor Brandon Johnson dedicated the honor to residents: “This recognition is a testament to the people of Chicago—their welcoming spirit, creativity and grit. Chicago’s strength has always come from its residents, whose hard work and pride shine through in every neighborhood.”

A counter-narrative of success

The award arrives at a complex political moment, which may be exactly why it resonates. Condé Nast Traveler, a leading travel publication, surveyed 750,000 readers; Chicago again rose to the top—evidence that travelers keep choosing the city with their itineraries and their dollars.

The proof: a record-breaking summer

The “Best Big City” title isn’t just sentiment—it’s supported by performance. Choose Chicago reports the city’s hotels posted their strongest summer on record. In a year when many destinations faced headwinds, Chicago bucked national trends.

June–August 2025 (Choose Chicago):

More than 3.56 million hotel room nights sold (up 4.3% vs. 2024)

More than $948 million in hotel revenue, surpassing last year’s record

Travelers are voting with their wallets—and they’re choosing Chicago.

Why Chicago?

A world-class hospitality engine. From hoteliers to tour guides, the city’s hospitality workforce anchors the visitor experience. “Your creativity and dedication make every stay… an experience that makes people want to come back again and again,” said Michael Jacobson, Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association.

An unbeatable cultural and culinary scene. From the Art Institute to neighborhood jazz clubs—and a globally acclaimed restaurant community—culture and cuisine remain powerful draws. “I’m convinced that it’s our chefs, servers, restaurateurs… that make this city’s food scene so special,” said Sam Toia, Illinois Restaurant Association.

Top-tier infrastructure for business and events. With McCormick Place, Navy Pier and two major airports, Chicago remains a convention powerhouse, generating more than $3 billion in economic activity last year.

A city celebrating itself

“This award affirms what we know to be true: Chicago is a world-class city with unmatched beauty, culture and hospitality,” Kristen Reynolds, president and CEO of Choose Chicago, said. She noted the broader impact: tourism supports about $20 billion in annual economic activity and more than 130,000 local jobs.

The celebration is spilling into the public square. Choose Chicago is inviting residents and visitors to share their stories using #NeverOutdoneChi and #AllForTheLoveOfChicago—a fitting tribute to a city that isn’t done winning people over.

More Than a Trip, It's a Mosaic: Japan's Regional Diversity Earns It Top Incentive Honors

By Yousuf Basil and Jennifer Z. Deaton

(Las Vegas, USA) All the exhibitors at IMEX America 2025, held at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, came eager to showcase their businesses and make deals. Japan, though, stood out—marching into the show already a winner. Even before the opening ceremony, before the first handshake on the floor, Japan had been crowned “Best Incentives Destination (Asia)” for 2025.

The honor comes from the M&C Asia Stella Awards, which recognize outstanding performance and innovation across the MICE sector (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions). Japan earned the majority of votes in the incentives category—clear validation of its reputation for quality experiences and high visitor satisfaction.

This prestigious recognition highlights world-class infrastructure, exacting service standards, rich culture, and diverse incentive experiences that make Japan a standout destination in Asia.

On the IMEX America exhibition floor, Japan’s pavilion is buzzing—an energy you can’t miss.

Why Japan

Mr. Lewis Ream, with the Japan National Tourism Organization, told TTW that Japan’s “secret” is the seamless connectivity between its diverse cultures and destinations.

“One of Japan’s main strengths is the diversity of options for host cities for incentive trips and conferences,” he said. “Japan has so many regional cultures and traditions, giving travelers the chance to visit several cities and connect with different cultures in a single itinerary.”

In a statement, the M&C Asia Stella Awards organizing body added:

“The result reflects that Japan is highly regarded by incentive planners in the Asia region for offering high-value-added experiences, quality facilities, and excellent service in the field of incentive travel.”

If there’s one quality that sets Japan apart, Mr. Ream tells me is The Attention to Detail—a value deeply embedded in the country’s collective culture. On that point, there’s little debate.

Hilton’s Leaders Talk Real Traveler Needs — A Personal Las Vegas Briefing at IMEX America 2025

By Jen Deaton & Yousuf Basil — Monkey Tiki Lounge, Hilton Resorts, Las Vegas (on the sidelines of IMEX America 2025)

(LAS Vegas) : It wasn’t a ballroom; it was the Golden Monkey Tiki Lounge at Resorts World Las Vegas—personal, close-quarters, and genuinely conversational. That set the tone for a candid press briefing where the focus wasn’t on the sizzle, but on the guest experience. A women-led powerhouse panel—Gerilyn Horan (VP, Group Sales & Strategic Accounts), Kelly Knowlen (VP, Sales Engagement & Special Events), Nicole Tilzer (VP, All-Inclusive & Resort Strategy), and Marina Nicholson (Brand Manager, Hilton Hotels & Resorts)—was moderated (and very much a key voice) by Frank Passanante, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Sales and Hilton Reservations and Customer Care. The energy felt sincere: a team invested in creating the best possible stay—whether you’re in for business, a big convention, or traveling solo.

The through-line: meet guests where they are

Timed just ahead of Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report—spotlighting the rise of the “whycation,” where the question isn’t “Where are we going?” but “Why are we going?”—the briefing translated that theme into a simple promise: high energy or low, high tech or no tech—your choice. Want a text-first, fully digital journey from check-in to concierge? Done. Prefer human guidance—a real conversation about dinner or a neighborhood plan? Also done. The goal is to offer choice that feels like you, not a funnel that feels like work.

MICE That Breathes (and Fits More Budgets)

For meetings and conventions, the goalposts are shifting on what makes the experience truly valuable. Attendees don’t want wall-to-wall meetings and panels; they want time to exhale, enjoy the property and destination, and return home feeling better than they arrived. That means quiet zones, intentional white space between sessions, and formats that leave room to recharge. We also heard why all-inclusive is rising for MICE: when everything is handled, planners stop chasing side costs, and guests stop juggling decisions. Hilton is scaling that across budgets—from ultra-luxury to Signia by Hilton (the brand’s approachable luxury line).

Place Before Polish

The emphasis was on authentic local flavour: real regional food (not a token dish), on-site cultural pop-ups, and short off-site experiences that respect the community. Those are the moments attendees remember—and the easiest “yes” for registration.

Tiny Frictions, Solved

Where available, wearables that double as room keys and charge tokens are winning fans—especially on pool or activity days when nobody wants to carry wallets and phones. Small fix, big calm.

TREnd Headlines That Matter

• Both/And Travel: Guests want to recharge and seek adventure (think sleep upgrades and outdoor time).

• Seamless but Optional Tech: Digital keys and chat concierge for those who want it; room to log off when they don’t.

• Food First: Travelers are planning trips around restaurants—and booking tables before flights.

• Social Shapes: More frolleagues trips, more solo “MeMooners,” often with pets.

• Slow & Nostalgic: Families revisiting parents’ childhood places and longer immersion stays.

Scale with Range

Behind the panel’s practicality is real reach: 100+ years of hospitality and roughly 9,000 properties worldwide. That scale lets Hilton localise at the property level while rolling out ideas like Signia by Hilton to hit the “premium, polished, not fussy” sweet spot for large groups.

Bottom Line: On the sidelines of IMEX America, the conversation left a clear impression: thoughtful, data-informed leadership focused on the human experience, not just figures. The priorities felt current and practical—sleep quality and white space, moments of quiet and joy, genuine ties to the local community, and frictionless choice between high-tech and high-touch—delivered by a century-old brand with ~9,000 properties. In short: travel the way you want it, with Hilton doing the hard work behind the scenes.