The International Open Passport Award celebrated its 11th edition in Panama and announced future changes

On January 30, Panama City hosted the 11th edition of the International Open Passport Award, a ceremony organized by the World Travel Journalism Organization that once again brought together communicators, content creators, institutions, and tourism projects from different countries, with the aim of recognizing works that contribute critical perspectives, social sensitivity, creativity, and commitment to territories.  

The 2026 edition stood out not only for the geographical diversity of the awarded projects, but also for a key announcement by the organization: this was the last edition of the International Open Passport Award in which ties and special mentions will be allowed. Starting with the next edition, each category will have a single winner, reinforcing the competitive and distinctive nature of the award.

The ceremony began with the presentation of the award in the Social Relevance category, where the jury distinguished Hernán & Eugenia – Más que solo estelas en el agua, by Irina Grassmann of Germany, a work that highlights human stories linked to water and mobility.

In the Recognition of Others category, the award went to Casas de quincha: sueños tejidos en barro que sobreviven a la modernidad, by Mara Rivera of Panama, a work that rescues traditional construction techniques and their link to collective memory.  Following this announcement, it was communicated that the jury had decided to grant a tie, also recognizing El Chontacuro: el Manjar Exótico de la Palma de La Chonta, by Jacqueline Granda of Ecuador, for its contribution to the visibility of ancestral knowledge and identity-based gastronomy.  

The Originality category awarded first place to Sicília de carro em 5 dias: um roteiro gastronômico pelo melhor da ilha italiana, by Rapha Aretakis of Brazil. The jury then announced a tie, also recognizing Pedasí, un destino para reencontrarse con la calma, by María Victoria Echeverría of Panama, for its sensitive narrative and focus on conscious tourism.  

In Journalistic research, the award went to Artesanos dominicanos: manos creativas que impulsan el turismo cultural y sostenible, by Massiel de Jesús Acosta of the Dominican Republic, highlighting the value of craftsmanship as a driver of local development.  

The award for Outstanding specialized tourism media was granted to Modoviajeok.com.ar of Argentina, for its trajectory and sustained contribution to tourism dissemination.  

In Photography with purpose, the jury distinguished Tríptico de Día de Muertos, by Aleks G. Camacho of Mexico, a visual proposal that combines identity, memory, and tradition.

The Video with social impact category recognized En la Esperanza, Intibucá: Disfrutando del Festival del Choro y del Vino, by Manuel Enrique Menjívar Flores of Honduras, for its ability to present tourism as a tool for cultural encounter.  

The Event of the year award went to the Fiesta Nacional e Internacional del Poncho of Argentina, an emblematic celebration that brings together identity, culture, and tourism.

In Original social media content, the first recognition was awarded to Te Invito a conocer San Cristóbal, Táchira, Venezuela conocida también como la ciudad Cordial, by Yovanny Valero of Venezuela. A tie was later announced, also recognizing Quédate en Cúcuta…, by Audrey Dayana Salcedo Sánchez and Edwin Camargo Guerrero of Colombia.

The Best tourism proposal category awarded Curta Caxias of Brazil, while in Emerging Destinations, the recognition went to Nariño, Colombia, for its projection and territorial work.

In Committed tourism entrepreneurs, the award went to Copa Airlines of Panama, highlighting its role in regional connectivity. In Teamwork, recognition was given to the Municipal Secretariat of Tourism and Economic Development of Caxias do Sul of Brazil, and in Collaborating Organization, to Promtur of Panama.

Toward the final segment of the ceremony, the most significant awards of the edition were presented. The Lifetime achievement recognition was awarded to Carmola Cândido of Brazil, for her career and sustained contribution to tourism and communication. Finally, the Open Passport Grand Prize, the highest distinction of the competition, was awarded to Transsandona of Nariño, Colombia, consolidating it as the most outstanding project of the edition.

 Thus, the 11th edition of the International Open Passport Award closed a chapter of the competition marked by diversity of perspectives and the federal and international nature of its awardees, while opening a new stage with more clearly defined rules for future editions.

Complete list of winners by category

Social Relevance

• Hernán & Eugenia – Más que solo estelas en el agua. Irina Grassmann. Germany.

Recognition of others

• Casas de quincha: sueños tejidos en barro que sobreviven a la modernidad. Mara Rivera. Panama.

• El Chontacuro: el Manjar Exótico de la Palma de La Chonta. Jacqueline Granda. Ecuador.

Originality

• Sicília de carro em 5 dias: um roteiro gastronômico pelo melhor da ilha italiana. Rapha Aretakis. Brazil.

• Pedasí, un destino para reencontrarse con la calma. María Victoria Echeverría. Panama.

Journalistic research

• Artesanos dominicanos: manos creativas que impulsan el turismo cultural y sostenible. Massiel de Jesús Acosta. Dominican Republic.

Outstanding specialized tourism media

• Modoviajeok.com.ar. Argentina.

Photography with purpose

• Tríptico de Día de Muertos. Aleks G. Camacho. Mexico.

Video with social impact

• En la Esperanza, Intibucá: Disfrutando del Festival del Choro y del Vino. Manuel Enrique Menjívar Flores. Honduras.

Event of the year

• Fiesta Nacional e Internacional del Poncho. Argentina.

Original social media content

• Te Invito a conocer San Cristóbal, Táchira, Venezuela conocida también como la ciudad Cordial. Yovanny Valero. Venezuela.

• Quédate en Cúcuta…. Audrey Dayana Salcedo Sánchez & Edwin Camargo Guerrero. Colombia.

Best tourism proposal

• Curta Caxias. Brazil.

Emerging Destinations

• Nariño. Colombia.

Committed tourism entrepreneurs

• Copa Airlines. Panama.

Teamwork

• Municipal Secretariat of Tourism and Economic Development of Caxias do Sul. Brazil.

Collaborating Organization

  •  Promtur. Panama.

Lifetime achievement

• Carmola Cândido. Brazil.

Open Passport Grand Prize

• Transsandona. Nariño, Colombia.