Our Story
HTEA (Hospitality & Tourism Excellence Awards) was founded to fill a gap: Nigeria's hospitality and tourism sector lacked a truly national, rotating awards platform that would bring recognition to every state — not just Lagos and Abuja.
Each year, HTEA travels to a new host state, partnering with local hotel owners, government officials, and business leaders to celebrate the champions of that region while maintaining one consistent national standard of excellence.
In 2026, HTEA arrives in Kwara State — a state rich in culture, hospitality, and tourism potential.
2026: KWASHATE
Kwara State Hospitality & Tourism Expo — hosted in Ilorin. Nominations open now.
Visit KWASHATE →How HTEA Works
HTEA is the national brand. It sets the standard, owns the categories, and rotates the awards ceremony across Nigeria's 36 states + FCT.
Each edition has its own identity. When HTEA arrives in a state, that edition gets its own name, its own site, and its own local flavor. For 2026, that edition is KWASHATE — the Kwara State Hospitality & Tourism Expo.
Think of it like the Olympics: HTEA is the global movement; KWASHATE 2026 is the host city's event. Same standard, different stage.
Our Two-Tier Judging System
Because HTEA rotates across different states each year, we cannot rely on a single permanent panel of judges. Instead, we operate a two-tier system that guarantees both national consistency and local understanding.
HTEA National Board
A permanent body of senior figures in Nigerian hospitality, tourism, and business. The National Board is the custodian of the HTEA standard — the same standard applied in every state, every year.
Responsibilities:
- Approve and publish the 18 award categories
- Oversee the integrity of the entire process across all editions
- Review and sign off on each edition's local judging panel
- Handle disputes, appeals, and eligibility challenges
- Guard the long-term credibility of the HTEA brand
The HTEA National Board will be formally announced ahead of the 2026 Awards Night.
Edition Judging Panel
Each host state assembles its own seven-person Judging Panel for that year's edition. These are people who know the local market — its hotels, its restaurants, its tourism operators.
Composition (per edition):
- 3 representatives from the host state's Hotel Owners Association
- 2 representatives from the host state's government (Tourism Ministry and related agencies)
- 2 representatives from the host state's business sector
For 2026: the KWASHATE Judging Panel will be announced shortly and will serve the Kwara edition only. In 2027, Osun State will assemble its own panel under the same National Board oversight.
✨ Our Vision
To become the leading hospitality and tourism awards platform in Nigeria, recognized for celebrating excellence, promoting cultural heritage, and driving economic growth through world-class events.
🎯 Our Mission
To create a prestigious platform that celebrates, rewards, and empowers the champions of Nigeria's hospitality and tourism industry — through recognition, networking, and business growth.
What We Do
HTEA recognizes excellence across 18 award categories spanning four sectors: Hotels, Restaurants & Fast-Food, Transport, and Travel & Tourism.
Every nomination goes through a transparent four-step process — Nomination, Verification, Public Voting, and the Awards Night — ensuring fairness and credibility.