The World Travel & Tourism Council has launched a year-long global campaign inviting the public to nominate and vote for the 7 Contemporary Wonders of the World. More than a competition, the initiative highlights how iconic landmarks drive tourism, create jobs, attract investment, and transform destinations worldwide.
A year-long global campaign aims to redefine what makes a destination iconic—and demonstrate how visionary tourism investments create jobs, transform communities, and shape the future of travel.
Nearly twenty years ago, hundreds of millions of people around the world cast votes to choose the New Seven Wonders of the World. The campaign became one of the largest public engagement exercises in tourism history, generating more than 600 million votes and placing destinations such as Petra, Machu Picchu and Christ the Redeemer firmly into the global travel spotlight.
Now, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is asking a provocative question:
What if the world’s greatest wonders aren’t only ancient?
With the launch of its year-long 7 Contemporary Wonders of the World campaign, WTTC isn’t simply creating another popularity contest. It is attempting something much bigger—changing the conversation about what tourism creates success in the 21st century.
WTTC 7 Contemporary Wonders of the World
WTTC 7 Contemporary Wonders of the World
The campaign began with a cinematic 90-second video sweeping across the globe, showcasing breathtaking landmarks, engineering marvels, and cultural icons before delivering a simple message:
“Every generation creates its own wonders.”
Instead of celebrating only monuments built centuries or millennia ago, WTTC is inviting the world to recognize landmarks created since 1801—places that have transformed cities, inspired investment, generated employment, and forever changed the way people travel.
At first glance, the initiative feels familiar, recalling the excitement surrounding the global vote for the New Seven Wonders. But this campaign is about much more than architecture or popularity.
WTTC represents the global private Travel & Tourism sector, whose members collectively support an industry responsible for around 10% of global GDP and one in every ten jobs worldwide. For the Council, the world’s most influential landmarks are more than visitor attractions—they are economic engines.
The campaign seeks to identify destinations where visionary investments have revitalized communities, strengthened local businesses, enhanced national brands and inspired millions of travelers.
From the Eiffel Tower in Paris to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and Egypt’s Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, these landmarks demonstrate how bold ideas can redefine entire destinations. The famous “Bilbao Effect” remains one of the clearest examples of how a single cultural attraction can transform a city’s economy and international reputation.
WTTC believes many more such stories deserve global recognition.
Beginning on July 7, 2026, nominations are open worldwide. On January 7, 2027, WTTC will announce 70 nominees before inviting the public to vote. The field will narrow to 30 finalists on April 7, with the seven Contemporary Wonders of the World revealed on July 7, 2027.
The carefully chosen timeline turns the initiative into a year-long global conversation rather than a single awards announcement.
It also reflects WTTC’s growing reputation for launching campaigns that engage not only governments and industry leaders but also travelers themselves. By inviting the public to participate, the Council hopes to reinforce a message it has championed for years: tourism infrastructure is not simply about attracting visitors—it is about creating resilient economies and stronger communities.
WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara summarized the initiative’s purpose:
“Wonder is not something humanity stopped creating centuries ago. Every generation leaves its mark on the world. We are inviting people everywhere to help recognize the landmarks that have defined the modern age and will continue to inspire new ways of experiencing the world.”
She added that the most influential tourism assets do far more than attract visitors.
“They create jobs, stimulate investment, support local businesses, strengthen communities and enhance the global profile of destinations.”
That philosophy explains why this campaign matters far beyond tourism marketing.
Recognition can generate international attention that destinations cannot easily buy. For emerging destinations, even being shortlisted could become a powerful catalyst for future tourism growth, investor confidence and global visibility.
Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of WTTC’s initiative is its definition of a “wonder.”
Unlike traditional lists focused primarily on architectural achievement, WTTC will also consider tourism contribution, economic impact, destination development, community value, and long-term influence.
In other words, the world’s next contemporary wonder will not simply be judged by how it looks. It will be judged by how it has changed the lives of the people who live around it—and the millions inspired to visit.
For the next twelve months, that conversation begins with a simple invitation from WTTC:
Help the world decide what today’s wonders really are. Your voice goes here
