Last year, we asked operators to prove the world is unbelievable enough on its own – no AI required. You delivered 380+ photos, 10,000+ votes, and got the industry talking.
This year, we’re going bigger.
Welcome to the 2026 Unreal Experiences Photo Competition, celebrating the incredible tours, activities and attractions that you are delivering.
What’s new this year
We’ve built three categories so every kind of operators has their stage:
- Epic Landscapes: awe-inspiring natural or urban backdrops
- Local lives: human stories, hidden gems and cultural connections
- Adventure awaits: action, adrenaline and outdoor challenges
Every category gets two winners:
- People’s choice: voted for by the public on our competition page
- Panel choice: selected by a judging panel from Bókun, Tourpreneur and Tripadvisor
That’s six winners in total. Six businesses walking away with a $1000 Amazon voucher and 12-month Tourpreneur PRO membership.
Why we’re running it again
Operators don’t just run tours, they create moments that travellers will remember forever. This competition puts these moments where they belong, in front of the industry, your community, and potential customers actively looking for inspiration.
It’s our way of backing the experiences industry at a time when AI-generated content is flooding every feed. And the timing couldn’t be more relevant.
We surveyed 2,000 travellers across the UK and Italy to understand how photos actually influence behaviour – and the results are clear. 72% of people say photos are important when deciding whether to book a tour or experience and 57% say they’d be tempted to book primarily because the photos look appealing. Beyond price and location, photos ranked as the third most influential factor in driving people to find more about an experience.
The flip side is just as striking: 72% said AI-generated photos would make them less likely to book, and 47% named AI imagery as their biggest put-off when browsing experiences online.
Real photos don’t just inspire – they convert. This competition is our way of putting that front and centre.
How to enter
- Pick your favourite photo and the category it fits best – Epic Landscapes, Local Lives or Adventure Awaits
- Upload it to the competition page and fill in your details
- Share it with your community to bring in the votes
One entry per business, one category per entry. Get involved early – the more time your photo has on the competition page the more chance of a vote!
The prizes
Six winners. Two per category. Each one receives:
- A $1,000 USD Amazon voucher to spend on whatever your business needs
- A 12-month Tourpreneur PRO membership
You’re also winning visibility: a place on Bókun’s channels, a story for your marketing, and proof that your industry is one of the most jaw-dropping in the industry.
Get involved
The competition runs from the 20th July to the 14th August. Start scrolling through your camera roll now, because that photo that’s been sitting in your “favourites” folder might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Good luck!
