Every year, Travel + Leisure asks its readers to recognize the travel companies, hotels, cruise lines, and cities that create the most memorable experiences around the world. This year, more than 207,000 readers cast their votes and, once again, they named Ker & Downey World Travel among the world's best tour operators.

In the magazine's 2026 World's Best Awards, announced on July 7, Ker & Downey World Travel ranked No. 5 in the Tour Operators category. The full rankings will appear in the August issue of Travel + Leisure.

Awards are always meaningful, but this one feels especially significant because it comes directly from the people who have traveled with us. These are the travelers who trusted us to plan honeymoons, family adventures, milestone celebrations, and long-awaited safaris. Knowing they took the time to vote for us is an honor we never take for granted.

Fifteen Years of Recognition

This year's award continues a long history of recognition from Travel + Leisure readers. Over the past fifteen years, they've consistently included Ker & Downey among the world's best, including naming us the World's Best Tour Operator in 2020 and the World's Best Safari Outfitter in 2015. With these awards, we have the distinguished honor of being named the World's Best in both categories. 

While we're incredibly proud of those honors, what they represent means even more. They reflect the care our travel designers put into every itinerary, every recommendation, and every detail that turns a great trip into a lifelong memory. Whether it's a first safari in Botswana, a private journey through the Balkans, or a custom family adventure halfway around the world, our goal is always the same: to create travel experiences that feel deeply personal and impossible to replicate.

Why This Recognition Matters

The Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards are based entirely on reader feedback. Travelers evaluate tour operators on the quality of their staff and guides, the originality of their itineraries, the accommodations, the dining, and the overall value of the experience.

To earn that level of trust year after year is something we're incredibly grateful for. It tells us that our commitment to thoughtful planning, trusted partnerships, and highly personalized service continues to make a difference for the people who travel with us.

This recognition also comes during an exciting year for our team. Four Ker & Downey travel designers were named Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialists for 2026. Together, these honors reflect the expertise, passion, and dedication of the people behind every journey we create.

Thank You to Our Travelers

Most of all, we'd like to thank the travelers who continue to place their trust in us. Every vote represents a journey shared, a memory created, and a relationship we're grateful to be part of.

If you're dreaming about your next adventure, whether that's a private safari, an expedition cruise, or a tailor-made journey anywhere in the world, we'd love to help you plan it.

Connect with a Ker & Downey travel designer today and discover why readers continue to recognize us among the world's best.