Anbessa Travel wins Ethiopia’s top DMC award

Anbessa Travel was named Ethiopia’s Leading Destination Management Company 2026 at the World Travel Awards Africa Gala in Zanzibar on Aug. 28. The win spotlights the Addis Ababa-based company’s focus on sustainability, local partnerships and destination management across Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.

Why it matters: - The award gives Anbessa Travel stronger visibility with international tour operators, travel agencies, NGOs, corporate clients and event organizers. - The recognition also highlights Ethiopia as a destination for culture, wildlife, hospitality and nature. - The company’s win underscores a broader shift in travel toward sustainability, safety and responsible tourism.

What happened: - Anbessa Travel was named Ethiopia’s Leading Destination Management Company 2026 at the 33rd annual World Travel Awards. - Winners were announced Aug. 28, 2026, at the World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony at Diamonds Bijoux in Zanzibar, Tanzania. - The event brought together tourism and hospitality organizations from across Africa. - Anbessa Travel is Ethiopia’s first Travelife-certified company.

The details: - The Addis Ababa-based company began in 2012 under the former name FKLM Ethiopia Tours. - Anbessa Travel now serves international tour operators, travel agencies, leisure travelers, corporate clients, NGOs and event organizers. - The company focuses on tailor-made tours, cultural journeys, wildlife and birdwatching trips, MICE and incentive travel, executive chauffeur services and corporate ground transportation. - Founder and General Manager Molla Miheretu said the recognition reflects the team’s commitment to quality, responsibility and authentic travel experiences. - Miheretu also said the award belongs to employees, clients, partners, suppliers and communities that supported the company. - The company has deep experience working across Ethiopia’s destinations, cultures, communities, wildlife and traditions. - Its itinerary highlights include Lalibela, Gondar, the Simien Mountains, Bale Mountains, the Omo Valley, Harar and the Danakil Depression. - Anbessa Travel says strong ties with hotels, conference venues, charter flight operators, transportation providers, local communities and tourism professionals help it manage projects safely and with attention to detail. - The company won Best Destination Management Company in Ethiopia from MEA Markets in 2023. - The 2026 award adds to a record of industry recognition and signals continued growth in a competitive travel market. - Anbessa Travel says its work is guided by professional service, transparency and ethical business conduct. - Sustainability has been central to operations since the company became Ethiopia’s first Travelife-certified business in 2016. - The company says its sustainability approach includes community support, responsible travel, fair business practices, heritage protection and lower environmental impact. - Anbessa Travel plants indigenous trees each year at its planting site in Entoto Park. - The company funds 15 student scholarships annually. - Electric vehicles make up 40% of the fleet. - Over the past eight years, Anbessa Travel has distributed 1,200 improved cookstoves to 1,200 households. - The cookstove program is designed to reduce firewood use, protect forests and cut indoor smoke exposure. - Community-based tours are structured to direct visitor spending to local hosts and keep more tourism income in destination communities. - Media contact listed in the release is Molla Miheretu, Founder and General Manager, at +251 93 011 0004 and info@anbessa.travel. - The company website is Anbessa Travel.

Between the lines: - The award strengthens Anbessa Travel’s positioning as a sustainability-minded operator rather than only a luxury or logistics-focused DMC. - The mix of electric vehicles, tree planting, scholarships and cookstoves suggests the company is using tourism to support visible community and environmental projects. - The recognition may help Anbessa Travel convert industry credibility into more cross-border business across the Horn of Africa.

What's next: - Anbessa Travel says it will keep improving services and promoting Ethiopia’s history, culture, wildlife and natural beauty. - The company is likely to lean further into responsible tourism and community-based travel as it builds on the award. - The recognition could bring more international attention to Ethiopia’s tourism sector and its destination-management market.

The bottom line: - Anbessa Travel’s World Travel Awards win combines industry validation with a sustainability story that can help it stand out in African tourism.