Resort GM of the Year
For the General Manager who turns a beach, wellness or destination resort into an unforgettable escape — and a high-performing business.
Resort GM of the Year
Resort GM of the Year recognises the General Manager who leads a beach, wellness or destination resort to exceptional guest experiences and commercial results. Unlike a city hotel, a resort sells a complete environment — multiple restaurants and bars, spa and leisure, activities, kids' clubs, events and acres of grounds — often through seasonal demand and all-inclusive or full-leisure models. This award celebrates the leader who masters that complexity, sustains a destination's reputation and delivers standout performance across an entire resort estate.
Merit-based · Independent jury · No public voting. Winners are chosen on achievement alone, then celebrated at the gala on 14 November 2026 in Dubai.
Who Should Be Nominated
- General Managers of beach, island or coastal resorts where leisure is the core draw
- Leaders of wellness, spa or retreat resorts built around guest wellbeing
- GMs of destination, mountain, golf or integrated resorts with extensive grounds and facilities
- Heads of all-inclusive or full-leisure resorts managing multi-outlet operations
- Resort GMs balancing pronounced seasonality, peak weeks and shoulder periods
- Leaders driving sustainability and community stewardship at a resort destination
What the Jury Looks For
Each nomination is scored on merit against the criteria most relevant to this award.
Resort-Wide Guest Experience
A seamless journey across rooms, dining, spa, activities and grounds.
Multi-Outlet Commercial Results
Profit across rooms, F&B, leisure, spa, events and retail.
Seasonality & Yield Management
Strong performance through peak, shoulder and low seasons.
Leisure & Experience Programming
Activities, events and amenities that define the resort's appeal.
Team Leadership at Scale
Recruiting, training and retaining large, often seasonal teams.
Destination & Sustainability Stewardship
Protecting the setting, community and the resort's reputation.
The Value of Winning
- Independent, merit-based proof of resort leadership at the highest level
- Strengthens a resort's reputation, rate and direct demand
- Reassures owners and investors that a flagship destination is in expert hands
- Opens doors to larger portfolios and flagship resort roles
Questions About the Resort GM of the Year
Related Hotels & Resorts Categories
Browse other World GM Awards categories, or see the full award categories and the dedicated sector page.