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Three Representation Plus Clients Shortlisted for Prestigious 2026 Travel Awards

It has been an exciting awards season for Representation Plus, with three of our destination clients – Greater Miami & Miami Beach, Samoa and St Helena – receiving significant recognition across some of the travel industry’s most respected awards programmes.


Together, the three destinations have secured 10 award nominations and finalist places, celebrating everything from LGBTQ+ friendly travel and cultural heritage to adventure, gastronomy, sustainability, wildlife and family travel.


Greater Miami & Miami Beach recognised as an LGBTQ+ friendly destination


Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau has been shortlisted in the Star LGBTQ+ Friendly Destination category at the Travel Bulletin Star Awards 2026.



Greater Miami & Miami Beach is competing alongside Gran Canaria, Malta, Mykonos and Spain, with the awards recognising destinations that provide welcoming and inclusive experiences for LGBTQ+ travellers.


The nomination reflects Greater Miami & Miami Beach's vibrant and diverse communities, inclusive hospitality offering and reputation as a destination where travellers can enjoy everything from world-class beaches and neighbourhoods to arts, culture, nightlife, dining and major events.


Samoa shines with six Wanderlust nominations


Samoa has achieved an exceptional six nominations in the 2026 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, demonstrating the breadth of the destination's appeal.



Samoa is shortlisted for:


  • 🏝️ Most Desirable Island Country

  • 🌺 Most Desirable Country for Culture & Heritage

  • 🌊 Most Desirable Country for Adventure

  • 🍽️ Most Desirable Country for Gastronomy

  • 🐢 Most Desirable Country for Nature & Wildlife

  • 🌱 Most Desirable Country for Sustainability


The six nominations reflect the many dimensions of the Samoan experience – from fa'a Samoa, the country's distinctive way of life, and its rich Polynesian traditions, to volcanic landscapes, tropical rainforests, waterfalls, pristine coastline and exceptional marine environments.


Samoa's gastronomy is another important part of the visitor experience, with fresh seafood, tropical produce and traditional cooking methods such as the umu providing an authentic taste of the islands.


The sustainability nomination is particularly timely, recognising Samoa's commitment to protecting its natural environment and supporting community-led conservation. Recent recognition of the Samoa Conservation Society as the 125th national Partner of BirdLife International further highlights the country's commitment to biodiversity and responsible tourism.


With six nominations, Samoa is one of the destinations with the broadest representation across the Wanderlust awards this year.


St Helena: one island, three award nominations


Meanwhile, Saint Helena is enjoying an equally impressive awards season, with recognition from both Wanderlust and Family Traveller.



St Helena has been shortlisted in the Most Desirable Island (Worldwide) category of the 2026 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, placing the remote South Atlantic island alongside some of the world's most inspiring island destinations.


The nomination celebrates precisely what makes St Helena so distinctive: dramatic volcanic landscapes, fascinating history, extraordinary wildlife, crystal-clear waters and a genuine sense of discovery.


Visitors can explore the island's hiking trails and cloud forests, discover its maritime and Napoleonic heritage, dive in its rich marine environment and, during whale shark season, experience the unforgettable opportunity to swim alongside these gentle giants.


St Helena's family appeal has also been recognised, with the destination named a finalist in two categories at the Family Traveller Awards 2026:


  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Adventure Family Destination

  • 🌍 Emerging Family Destination


The Family Traveller shortlist places St Helena among destinations being recognised for offering families meaningful experiences built around adventure, discovery and time together.


For an island known for being one of the world's most remote destinations, this recognition is particularly significant. St Helena offers families something increasingly difficult to find: the opportunity to step away from the familiar and discover somewhere genuinely different, with outdoor adventures, wildlife encounters, fascinating history and experiences that can be shared across generations.


A fantastic result for Representation Plus clients

The recognition received by Greater Miami & Miami Beach, Samoa and St Helena demonstrates the extraordinary diversity of destinations represented by Representation Plus – from a dynamic and inclusive US city destination to a culturally rich Pacific island nation and one of the world's most remote islands.


More importantly, these nominations reflect the changing priorities of today's travellers: authenticity, inclusivity, culture, nature, adventure, sustainability and meaningful family experiences.


We are incredibly proud to see all three clients recognised by leading travel media and awards organisations and wish them the very best of luck in the final voting.


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