1. Entities Responsible for the Contest
The Madrid Hotel Business Association (AEHM), with registered office at Calle Marqués de Cubas, number 25, 4th Left, 28014 Madrid (Spain), with tax identification number G-28610525 and email address aehm@aehm.es, and the entity Connecting Heads, with the corporate name Martin Warwick, S.L., with tax identification number B-67422022 and registered office at Calle Nou 28-34, 4th Floor, 08241 Manresa (Barcelona), hereinafter jointly referred to as the Organizing Entities, are organizing the contest called "Traveling for Happiness Awards," 6th Edition 2026, which will take place between March 9, 2026, and June 17, 2026, both inclusive.
AEHM will act as the institutional promoter of the contest, while Connecting Heads will assume the tasks of management, coordination, and operational execution of the contest, without prejudice to any joint liability that may arise with respect to participants under the terms set forth in these Rules and in the applicable regulations.
These Legal Terms and Conditions will be permanently available for consultation during the contest period on the following official websites:
2. Participation Requirements
The following are eligible for the "Traveling for Happiness Awards," 6th Edition 2026, in any of its categories, national or international companies, private organizations, company executives, or private initiative projects whose main activity falls within the field of tourism, understood as, but not limited to, accommodation, transportation, catering, or tourism intermediation, provided that they meet the requirements set forth in these Rules:
Fit the candidate profile description and the objectives of the award for which they are applying, in accordance with the definition of each category and based on their activity, track record, impact, or results.
Formalize your registration through the official contest website, filling out the form provided for this purpose in its entirety and providing, within the established deadline, the documentation and materials required by the Organizing Entities.
Provide a valid contact person as the sole point of contact for any communication related to the application.
Commit, if selected as the winner, to attend the award ceremony and give a brief presentation of the winning project, lasting no more than three (3) minutes, in accordance with the terms determined by the organization.
Responsibly declare that the participating entity, its activity, or its representatives are not involved in any final legal proceedings or serious legal disputes that could negatively affect its reputation or that of the competition, particularly in matters of corporate social responsibility, labor rights, fair trade, prevention of money laundering, or violation of fundamental rights.
Responsibly declare that you are up to date with your tax, labor, and Social Security obligations, as well as any other obligations required under applicable regulations.
For the purposes of this contest, activities that are not primarily tourism-related will not be considered tourism activities and will be excluded from participation, as will entities whose activities are mainly limited to providing tour guide services, active tourism, or specialized services of a cultural, sporting, organizational, consulting, or similar nature.
The application must be submitted directly by the entity, project, or individual candidate, who will assume the status of participant for all purposes. Applications submitted by marketing, communications, consulting, or other intermediary agencies will not be accepted, unless they are acting solely as technical support in the preparation of documentation, without assuming representation or acting as an intermediary with the Organizing Entities. Under no circumstances shall agencies or third parties involved acquire the status of participant or be entitled to any rights arising from the competition.
The Organizing Entities reserve the right to reject, exclude, or not evaluate any applications that do not meet the requirements set forth in these Rules, as well as to request, at any time, any information or documentation necessary to verify compliance.
Likewise, when an entry meets the general requirements for participation but, in the opinion of the Organizing Entities, does not fully fit the category initially selected, they may relocate it to the category they consider most appropriate in view of the nature, purposes, and characteristics of the project submitted, informing the participant thereof, without such relocation being grounds for exclusion or giving rise to any right of claim.
3. Participant Representations and Warranties
Participation in the "Traveling for Happiness Awards" contest, 6th Edition 2026, implies that each participant declares and guarantees, under their sole responsibility, to the Organizing Entities, that:
Accuracy of information
All information, data, and documentation provided in connection with your application are accurate, complete, up to date, and faithfully reflect the reality of the entity, project, or initiative presented.
Ownership and legitimacy
You have the legal capacity necessary to participate in the contest and are acting on your own behalf or with the proper representation of the entity or project you are presenting, fully assuming the consequences of such participation.
The application has been submitted on their behalf and at their own expense, and that, if they have had the collaboration of third parties in preparing the documentation or materials, such collaboration does not imply any transfer of rights, representation, or legitimacy vis-à-vis the Organizing Entities, with the participant assuming full responsibility for the content and accuracy of the application.
Regulatory compliance
The activity, project, or initiative presented complies with applicable regulations, particularly in the areas of commercial, tax, labor, environmental, competition, data protection, intellectual and industrial property, and corporate social responsibility.
Rights to the materials provided
You are the owner of the intellectual and industrial property rights over the materials provided (including, but not limited to, texts, images, videos, and audiovisual content), or you have the necessary authorizations, licenses, or consents for their use in accordance with these Terms and Conditions, guaranteeing that said materials do not infringe on the rights of third parties.
Absence of conflicts and complaints
Participation in the contest and the eventual use of the materials provided does not infringe on the rights of third parties or give rise to legal disputes, claims, administrative or judicial proceedings, or situations that could damage the reputation of the contest or the Organizing Entities.
Indemnity
You agree to hold the Organizing Entities harmless from any claim, damage, loss, penalty, cost, or expense (including professional fees) that may arise from a breach of the representations and warranties contained in this clause or from participation in the contest.
4.Categories
There are 8 categories to choose from:
SUSTAINABLE GASTRONOMY: The award is given to those establishments and tourist entities that stand out in the integration of sustainable practices in gastronomy. It recognises excellence in the use of sustainable, local, and seasonal ingredients, the minimisation of food waste, the elimination of plastic and the promotion of healthy and sustainable food, thus contributing to environmental conservation, health and local economic development.
RESPONSIBLE WELLBEING: The award is given to those tourism establishments and entities that focus on the physical health, mental health, and wellbeing of visitors, as well as on the relaxation of people, while demonstrating a firm commitment to sustainability. This includes practices such as responsible use of natural resources, environmentally friendly products, wellbeing programmes that respect the environment, and physical activities that promote personal wellness and connection with nature.
REGENERATIVE TOURISM: This award is given to tourism initiatives that go beyond sustainability, towards the active regeneration of ecosystems and local communities. It includes strategies for the responsible use of resources, in harmony with the ecosystem (water, energy, etc.). It seeks to recognise those projects that not only minimise negative impacts, but also generate a positive impact on the environment, the economy and society, fostering social cohesion and community development.
CONSCIOUS CULTURE AND ART: It distinguishes those entities within the field of tourism, including companies, organisations, or projects, which are dedicated to the conservation and promotion of artistic and cultural heritage, integrated into the environment and that promote social welfare. This award recognises projects that preserve cultural heritage, promote social welfare, and minimise environmental impact. It also seeks to encourage participants and spectators to move towards more sustainable practices in their daily lives through the critical, emotional, and reflective connection that art offers.
SUSTAINABLE LEADERSHIP: This award recognises companies and organisations in the tourism sector that are leading the way towards a sustainable transformation, integrating sustainability into their business model, encompassing economic, social, and environmental aspects to make the expression “sustainable development” increasingly real. It highlights those who implement effective, innovative, and inspiring strategies to promote positive impact, while promoting economic development and local wealth generation, establishing themselves as a role model in the sector.
DECARBONISATION: This is awarded to organisations in the tourism sector that stand out for their efforts to reduce carbon emissions. It recognises those that apply clean technologies, optimize energy use, promote sustainable transport among their visitors, and take measures to achieve carbon neutrality.
This award recognises the important contribution to the fight against climate change and focuses on the transformation to a low-carbon tourism industry that protects our future.This award recognizes the important contribution to the fight against climate change and focuses on the transformation to a low-carbon tourism industry that protects our future.
SOCIAL IMPACT: This award recognizes tourism companies and organizations that develop projects with a strong positive social impact. It recognizes initiatives that significantly improve the quality of life of local communities, promote social inclusion, fair employment and capacity building. This award highlights the commitment to creating social value, strengthening communities and contributing to tourism development that benefits all stakeholders.
PRESERVATION OF FAUNA AND FLORA: This award is intended for those initiatives that are committed to the regeneration of the flora and fauna of their environment through two types of measures. On the one hand, those that advocate the minimization of the impact on the ecosystem in which they are located in order to restore the environment. But, above all, those in which, through reforestation, the reintroduction of endemic species, the protection of endangered species or the repair of marine or terrestrial ecosystems are contributing to the natural preservation of the place where they are located. In addition, special value will be given to projects that share these initiatives with guests and even propose experiences of awareness and responsible enjoyment of the recovered environment.
The interpretation of the scope and content of each category will ultimately be the responsibility of the Organizing Entities and the jury, taking into account the purpose of the competition and the consistency of the entries as a whole.
5. Participation Period
The "Traveling for Happiness Awards" contest , 6th Edition 2026, will take place between March 9, 2026, and June 17, 2026, inclusive, and will consist of the following phases:
Application period: from March 9, 2026 , to May 8, 2026, inclusive.
Evaluation of applications by the jury: from May 18, 2026 , to June 2, 2026, inclusive.
Jury decision: June 3, 2026.
Public announcement of the winners of the "Traveling for Happiness Awards 2026": June 8, 2026.
Award ceremony: June 17, 2026.
The Organizing Entities reserve the right to modify the dates indicated, when there are justified reasons of an organizational, technical, or force majeure nature, undertaking to communicate any modification with the same dissemination as that given to these Rules, without such modifications affecting the rights acquired by the participants in accordance with them.
6. Mechanics of the contest
The contest will be conducted in accordance with the phases described below:
Candidate registration phase.
Candidates may only register by completing the form provided for this purpose on the official awards website: www.travelingforhappiness.com between March 9, 2026, and May 8, 2026, inclusive.
Participation in the contest implies full, express, and unconditional acceptance of these Legal Terms and Conditions by the participants.
To complete the registration process correctly, you will need to:
Complete the registration form in full, providing accurate, complete, and up-to-date information.
Attach any additional documentation and materials requested, accepting only videos and/or photographs as audiovisual material supporting the initiative presented, in the formats and technical conditions determined by the organization.
Each application must be submitted to the category that best represents the main focus of the project, understood as the area in which the initiative generates its greatest differential impact.
The Organizing Entities reserve the right to reject any applications that are submitted after the deadline, are incomplete, contain inconsistent information, or do not meet the requirements set forth in these Terms and Conditions.
During the review and admission process, the Organizing Entities may, in accordance with the provisions of Rule Two, reassign an application to a category other than the one initially selected, when they consider that said category better suits the content and objectives of the project submitted.
Candidate evaluation phase
Accepted entries will be evaluated by the jury according to the criteria established for each category of the contest. For evaluation purposes, the following criteria, among others, will be taken into account:
Results obtained and impact generated by the project or initiative.
Relevance and contribution of the project in relation to the objectives of the award for which it is being submitted.
Degree of innovation, originality, and distinctive character of the initiative.
Suitability of the application for the selected category.
Growth potential and future prospects for expanding impact.
Existence of elements that favor the replicability or scalability of the project.
Multiplier effect in economic, social, and/or environmental terms.
The jury will pool their individual assessments and deliberations in order to reach a final decision. Each category will have a jury member designated as rapporteur, who will be responsible for presenting and justifying the winning proposal to the rest of the jury.
Resolution phase, announcement of winners, and award ceremony
Once the evaluation phase has been completed, on June 3, 2026, the jury will proceed to designate the winners of the contest, one for each category, in accordance with the evaluation criteria established in these Rules, and the corresponding minutes will be drawn up with the results of the scores obtained.
The Organizing Entities will individually notify each selected participant of their status as a winner of the "Traveling for Happiness Awards" contest, using the contact details provided on the registration form.
Notwithstanding the above individual notification, on June 8, 2026, the winners will be officially published on the following websites:
This publication will be for informational purposes only and to disseminate the jury's decision.
The awards ceremony will take place during the official event or gala, which will be held on June 17, 2026, at a location and under conditions determined by the Organizing Entities, which will be communicated to the winners in due course.
The inability to contact a winner for reasons not attributable to the Organizing Entities, or the lack of response within a reasonable period of time after notification, shall not affect the validity of the jury's decision nor give rise to any right of claim, without prejudice to the provisions of these Rules regarding acceptance of the prize.
7. Jury
The competition jury will be composed of professionals from the tourism sector, renowned figures, and/or national or international experts in fields related to the different award categories.
The jury shall act with complete independence, objectivity, and impartiality in the exercise of its functions. Its deliberations shall be confidential.
For each of the evaluations carried out, the corresponding report will be drawn up, which will include the scores awarded and, where applicable, the observations and general grounds for the decision taken, for the sole purpose of ensuring the traceability of the process and the adequate justification of the decisions.
The jury's decision shall be final and irrevocable, and no appeals shall be accepted from participants.
The jury may declare any of the prizes void if it considers, with justification, that the entries submitted do not meet the standards of quality, suitability, or compliance with the requirements set forth in these Rules.
Furthermore, in the event of a tie in the final score between two candidates within the same category, the jury will agree to award the prize ex aequo to both candidates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, when there is a tie between more than two entries within the same category, or when there are ties in more than one category, the jury will proceed to make a new assessment exclusively among the tied entries, in accordance with the assessment criteria established in these Rules, in order to designate a single winning entry per category. The decision taken after this new assessment will be final and unappealable.
8. Obligations and commitments of the organization
The Organizing Entities undertake, with respect to the winners of the contest, to:
Make the official presentation of the award during the ceremony or gala planned for that purpose.
To publicize and provide media coverage of the event and the winning initiatives through its communication channels, own media, social networks, and, where appropriate, collaborating media, from the moment the jury's decision is announced until the next edition of the competition is held.
Allow each winner a maximum of three (3) minutes for the public presentation of their project or initiative during the awards ceremony, in accordance with the organizational terms established.
Make the recording of the event and other promotional materials generated during the contest available to the winners for use in their own communication and promotional activities for a period of one year from the date of the event.
The Organizing Entities do not guarantee a specific media impact or a specific reach for the dissemination actions, which are subject to organizational and editorial criteria and media availability.
9. Nature and content of the prize
The prizes for the "Traveling for Happiness Awards" contest, 6th Edition 2026, are honorary and promotional in nature and do not imply, under any circumstances, the awarding of a cash prize.
Each winning organization or project will receive:
A certificate accrediting the award, which will grant the holder the right to use the name and insignia of the corresponding award, exclusively for commercial, promotional, and corporate communication purposes, during the calendar year in which the award was granted, in accordance with the conditions established in these Terms and Conditions.
A commemorative gift, designed by Boa Mistura, whose nature will be symbolic and representative of the recognition awarded.
The use of the name, image, or distinctive features of the award by the winners must at all times respect the reputation, values, and purpose of the contest, with the Organizing Entities reserving the right to revoke such use in the event of misuse or use contrary to these Rules.
The prizes in this contest may be subject to any applicable tax withholdings, and winners are solely responsible for complying with any tax obligations that may arise from receiving the prize.
10. Personal data protection and image rights clause
Joint controllers
In accordance with the provisions of Article 26 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of April 27, General Data Protection Regulation (hereinafter, GDPR), AEHM and Connecting Heads will act as joint controllers of the personal data provided by participants in the "Traveling for Happiness Awards" contest, 6th Edition 2026, jointly determining the purposes and essential means of processing, without prejudice to the management, coordination, and operational execution functions assumed by Connecting Heads.
Both entities shall be liable to interested parties under the terms set forth in the applicable regulations.
Purpose of processing
Personal data provided through the registration form available on the official website of the contest www.travelingforhappiness.com will be processed for the following purposes:
Manage registration and participation in the contest.
Evaluate the entries by the jury and draw up the corresponding minutes with the results of the scores.
Communicate with participants during the contest and notify winners individually of their status as winners.
Publish the jury's decision and disseminate the results of the contest.
Organize, hold, and document the awards ceremony or gala.
Promote and provide media coverage of the event and the winning initiatives through our own media channels, social media, and, where appropriate, partner media outlets.
Comply with applicable legal and administrative obligations.
Categories of data processed
The personal data subject to processing may include, among others:
Identifying and professional details (first and last name, position, company or organization, sector of activity)
Contact details (email, telephone number). Photographs, videos, image and voice recordings captured during the contest, the awards ceremony, and the winners' public presentations.
No special categories of personal data will be processed, unless expressly required by law.
Legal basis for processing
The legal bases that legitimize the processing of personal data will be:
The execution of the legal relationship arising from participation in the contest and full acceptance of these Legal Terms and Conditions.
The express consent of the interested party, granted through their participation in the contest, in particular for the publication of the winner's status and the use of their image and audiovisual materials.
Compliance with legal obligations applicable to the Organizing Entities.
Publication and dissemination of winners
Participants expressly agree that, if they are selected as winners, their identifying and professional details, as well as their image and voice, may be published and disseminated for informational and promotional purposes related to the contest on the following websites:
as well as on social media, the Organizing Entities' own media, and, where applicable, collaborating media, from the moment the jury's decision is announced until the next edition of the contest is held, without any commercial character outside of said scope.
Use of images and audiovisual materials
The winners authorize the Organizing Entities, free of charge, on a non-exclusive basis and without territorial limitation, to use their name, image, voice, and audiovisual materials generated during the contest for communication, promotion, and institutional dissemination purposes.
Likewise, the Organizing Entities will make the recording of the event and other promotional materials generated available to the winners, who may use them for their own communication and promotional activities for a maximum period of one (1) year from the date of the awards ceremony, respecting the rights of third parties in all cases.
Data retention
Personal data will be kept for the time necessary for the proper management and running of the contest and, subsequently, for the periods required by law to comply with legal obligations or to address any possible liabilities, after which it will be deleted.
Data communications
The data may be communicated to:
The members of the jury, exclusively for the evaluation of the candidates.
Suppliers who provide services necessary for the organization of the contest and the awards ceremony, acting as data processors in accordance with Article 28 of the GDPR.
Competent public administrations, when legally required.
No international data transfers are anticipated.
Rights of data subjects
Participants may exercise their rights of access, rectification, erasure, objection, restriction of processing, and portability at any time, as well as withdraw their consent, by sending their request to any of the Organizing Entities. They may also lodge a complaint with the Spanish Data Protection Agency if they consider that the processing of their data does not comply with current regulations.
Withdrawal of consent will not affect processing that has already been carried out.
Security measures
AEHM and Connecting Heads undertake to implement the appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure a level of security commensurate with the risk of processing, preventing the loss, alteration, unauthorized access, or improper disclosure of personal data.
11. Intellectual Property, Image Rights, and Use of Contributed Materials
Participants shall retain, in all cases, ownership of the intellectual and industrial property rights over the projects, initiatives, and materials submitted in connection with their participation in the "Traveling for Happiness Awards" contest, 6th Edition 2026.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, participation in the contest implies that participants grant the Organizing Entities, free of charge, non-exclusively, irrevocably, and without territorial limitation, a license to use the materials provided, including, but not limited to, texts, images, photographs, videos, and audiovisual content, for the purpose of:
-Manage and develop the contest.
-Allow the jury to evaluate the applications.
-Disseminate, communicate, and promote the contest, its results, and the participating or award-winning initiatives.
-Incorporate these materials into digital media, websites, social networks, presentations, press releases, reports, and other corporate material related to the contest.
The license granted shall be valid for one (1) year from the date of the awards ceremony, and may be extended thereafter for purely informational, documentary, or historical purposes related to the contest, without such extension implying any additional commercial use beyond that of the contest itself.
Likewise, participants, and in particular the winners of the contest, expressly authorize the Organizing Entities, in accordance with the provisions of Organic Law 1/1982, of May 5, to capture, reproduce, and use their image, name, and voice, as well as the image of their representatives, employees, or collaborators who may appear in the materials provided or at the awards ceremony, for the sole purpose of promoting, informing, and publicizing the contest in any medium or format, including the Internet and social networks, without the right to receive any financial compensation.
This authorization is granted for a maximum period of one (1) year from the date of the awards ceremony, without prejudice to the preservation of the content in archives, repositories, or digital media of a historical or documentary nature relating to the contest.
Participants guarantee that they hold the necessary rights to the materials provided and that they have obtained the corresponding authorizations from any persons who may appear in them, exempting and holding harmless the Organizing Entities from any third-party claims arising from the use of such materials and image rights in accordance with the provisions of these Rules.
The Organizing Entities undertake to use the materials and images while respecting at all times the integrity of the content, the dignity of individuals, and the good name of the participants, and not to use them for purposes other than those expressly provided for in this clause.
12. Exclusion, Withdrawal of Prize, and Loss of Rights
The Organizing Entities reserve the right to exclude from the contest, at any stage thereof, as well as to withdraw any prize already awarded, without the right to any compensation or indemnification, any participants or winners in respect of whom any of the following circumstances apply:
a) Failure to comply with the participation requirements set forth in these Terms and Conditions.
b) Falsehood, inaccuracy, or relevant omission in the information, statements, or documentation provided in connection with the application.
c) Infringement of intellectual property rights, industrial property rights, or image rights of third parties in relation to the materials provided.
d) Failure to comply with the representations and warranties made by the participant in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.
e) The sudden occurrence of events, proceedings, sanctions, or circumstances that could cause serious reputational damage to the contest or the Organizing Entities, or that are incompatible with the values and principles of the contest.
f) Misuse, misleading or unauthorized use of the name, image or distinctive features of the award.
In the above cases, the Organizing Entities may agree to revoke the winner's status, withdraw the right to use the prize and its insignia, and remove the entry from the contest's broadcast channels, without prejudice to any legal action that may be taken.
The withdrawal of the prize will not affect the validity of the jury's decision regarding the other participants and will not give rise, under any circumstances, to financial compensation or claims for damages against the Organizing Entities.
13. Limitation of Liability
The Organizing Entities shall not be liable for any damages of any kind that participants may suffer as a result of:
a) Failures, interruptions, errors, or technical incidents in the computer systems, digital platforms, communication networks, or websites used for registration, participation, or running of the contest, when such failures are not attributable to willful misconduct or negligence on the part of the Organizing Entities.
b) Loss, delay, alteration, or unauthorized access to data or materials provided by participants, when such incidents are due to technical causes, force majeure, actions by third parties, or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Organizing Entities.
c) The inability to participate effectively in the contest due to technical or organizational reasons, or force majeure not attributable to the Organizing Entities.
d) Unmet expectations of participants regarding the scope, dissemination, media coverage, or results derived from their participation in the contest.
Under no circumstances shall the Organizing Entities be liable for indirect damages, loss of profits, or reputational or commercial damage that may arise from participation in the contest, except in cases where the law establishes otherwise.
This clause shall apply without prejudice to any inalienable rights that may correspond to participants in accordance with applicable regulations.
14. Acceptance, Interpretation, and Prevalence of the Terms and Conditions
Participation in the "Traveling for Happiness Awards" contest, 6th Edition 2026, implies full, express, and unconditional acceptance of these Legal Terms and Conditions by the participants, who declare that they have read, understood, and accepted them in their entirety.
These Terms and Conditions constitute the sole regulatory instrument governing the contest and shall prevail over any other information, communication, promotional content, publication, or informational material related to the contest, whether disseminated through websites, social media, press releases, electronic communications, or any other means.
Any question relating to the interpretation of these Rules shall be resolved by the Organizing Entities in accordance with their purpose, spirit, and contractual good faith, in accordance with applicable regulations, without prejudice to the jury's authority to evaluate the entries.
15. Reservation of rights
The Organizing Entities reserve the right to make changes, clarifications, or corrections to these Rules, as well as to suspend, postpone, or extend the contest, when there is a justified cause of an organizational, technical, legal, or force majeure nature.
Any modification, clarification, or suspension will be duly communicated and published with the same dissemination as these Terms and Conditions, and will not affect the rights acquired by participants in accordance with them until the time of the modification.
Any modifications made shall take effect from the moment of their publication, without giving rise to any right to compensation.
16. Applicable law and jurisdiction
The rules of this contest are governed by Spanish law. AEHM, HEADS CONNECTING, and the participants in this contest expressly submit to the courts and tribunals of Madrid in the event of any dispute regarding the rules of this contest, expressly waiving any other jurisdiction that may apply. The user accepts the conditions set forth above.
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