The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched the search for the 7 Contemporary Wonders of the World, a global initiative designed to identify and celebrate the landmarks and buildings created since 1801 that have had the greatest impact on Travel & Tourism, local communities and economic development, and continue to redefine the future of destinations around the world.
For the first time in history, people around the world will have the opportunity to nominate and help select the places that best define the modern age of travel. The campaign aims to establish a new global benchmark for contemporary wonders, recognising not only architectural and cultural significance, but also the transformative role these places play in revitalising local economies, attracting investment and creating jobs.
From the Eiffel Tower in Paris (France) to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (Spain) and the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza (Egypt), contemporary wonders demonstrate how bold ambition, visionary investment and long-term collaboration can transform a destination’s global standing. These places have not simply attracted visitors; they have also stimulated investment, supported jobs and will help redefine the identity of entire cities and nations.
At a time when governments around the world are seeking new sources of growth and resilience, WTTC is launching the campaign to highlight the value of world-class tourism assets as strategic infrastructure. Beyond their cultural importance, iconic landmarks and visitor attractions already deliver lasting economic and social benefits. Choosing the 7 Contemporary Wonders of the World also highlights how public-private collaboration can create world-class landmarks that generate future growth and enhance the visitor experience.
The campaign will recognise not only globally celebrated icons, but also emerging landmarks that have delivered a meaningful impact on their communities and have the potential to shape the next generation of tourism destinations. The selection criteria consider factors such as tourism contribution, economic impact, community value and destination development alongside cultural and architectural significance.
The year-long campaign follows four stages:
- 7 July 2026: Nominations open worldwide
- 7 January 2027: The 70 nominees are announced and public voting begins
- 7 April 2027: The shortlist narrows to 30 finalists
- 7 July 2027: The 7 Contemporary Wonders of the World are revealed
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, said:
“Wonder is not something humanity stopped creating centuries ago. Every generation leaves its mark on the world. We are inviting people everywhere to help recognise the landmarks that have defined the modern age and will continue to inspire new ways of experiencing the world.
“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. We want to showcase how visionary investments in tourism infrastructure and cultural assets can deliver lasting economic and social value for generations.”
By highlighting both globally recognised icons and emerging landmarks, WTTC aims to demonstrate how Travel & Tourism can unlock new sources of growth, spread economic benefits more broadly across regions and communities, and inspire a new generation of investment in the places that will shape how the world travels.
