International jury of the Open Passport Award 2026 will bring together representatives from the four founding countries

The World Travel Journalism Organization (WTJO) announced that the 11th edition of the International Open Passport Award will take place on Friday, January 30, 2026, in Panama City*, and will include a historic milestone: the jury will be composed exclusively of professionals from the four founding countries of the award,Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and Panama,each of them communicators with recognized experience in the ten previous editions and in the new celebration to come.  

The jury will be presided over by Miguel Ledhesma, creator of the award and president of the WTJO.

He will be joined by notable representatives from each founding country:

From Argentina:

• Maru Ulivi

• Bernardo Sabisky

• Elba Romer

From Colombia:

• Kevin Casanova

• Elizabeth Mora Ascuntar

• Norma Reina López

From Mexico:

• Jesús “Chuy” Coronado

• Lilia Lara Compeán

• Claudia Peralta

From Panama:

• Luis Polo Roa

• Izela Noriega

• Carlos Barrios

This composition seeks to honor the original spirit of the award, created to recognize the contributions of journalists, communicators, destinations, and institutions that work toward a more responsible, inclusive, and human form of tourism.

Since its first edition in 2017, Open Passport Award has become one of the most influential recognitions in the field of travel journalism, celebrating stories that inspire, transformative communication projects, and coverage that brings tourism closer to communities.

The 2026 edition in Panama promises to uphold this legacy, incorporating new evaluation criteria, a broader perspective on the social impact of tourism communication, and the participation of professionals with firsthand experience in the evolution of the award.

With a jury renewed in spirit and at the same time faithful to its roots, the 2026  Open Passport Award is poised to become a memorable edition for international travel journalism.