# Omaha area tourism draws nearly 14,000 votes for annual awards  
**Published:** 2026-05-04T21:18:00.000Z  
**Source:** [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/omaha-area-tourism-groups-announce-2026-standouts-as-state-celebrates-national-travel-week/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://lincolne.news/article/omaha-area-tourism-draws-nearly-14-000-votes-for-annual-awards

Omaha-area tourism groups announced 2026 standouts Monday, with nearly 14,000 votes cast in the [Omaha Metropolitan Area Tourism Awards contest](https://www.visitomaha.com/oma-tourism-awards/), recognizing attractions that made a difference in the lives of area residents and visitors during National Travel and Tourism Week.

The awards, presented by [Visit Omaha](https://www.visitomaha.com/) and Unleash Council Bluffs, drew nearly 900 original nominations across four categories: best attraction, best hotel, best restaurant and best retail business. Winners will be featured on social media and billboards through May 17, coinciding with [National Travel and Tourism Week](https://www.ustravel.org/events/national-travel-and-tourism-week), held annually May 3-9.

In Douglas County, the Joslyn Art Museum won best attraction after its major expansion and overhaul, with the Great Plains Black Museum as runner-up. The Kimpton Cottonwood topped the hotel category, while Big Mama's Kitchen claimed best restaurant and City Limits won best retail business. In Pottawattamie County, Arrowhead Park won best attraction, Judge Richard Distillery Airbnb took best hotel, The Back Forty Bar & Grill won best restaurant and Central Perch claimed best retail.

[Visit Nebraska](https://visitnebraska.com/) said tourism across the state accounted for [$4.6 billion in visitor spending in 2025](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/omaha-area-tourism-groups-announce-2026-standouts-as-state-celebrates-national-travel-week/), supported more than 41,000 jobs statewide and generated more than $320 million in state and local tax revenue. The awards underscore [Nebraska's ranking among the top six states for tourism sector growth](https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/from-rural-towns-to-major-cities-how-nebraskas-travel-industry-is-expanding-and-breaking-records/).

"Travel is a powerful driver for Nebraska communities," said Jenn Gjerde, executive director of the Nebraska Tourism Commission. "It supports local jobs, fuels small businesses and brings new energy into towns across the state." She said the week offers an opportunity to recognize people and places "who make Nebraska a destination worth exploring."

## Sources

- [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/omaha-area-tourism-groups-announce-2026-standouts-as-state-celebrates-national-travel-week/)
- [Omaha Metropolitan Area Tourism Awards](https://www.visitomaha.com/oma-tourism-awards/)
- [Visit Omaha](https://www.visitomaha.com/)
- [National Travel and Tourism Week 2026](https://www.ustravel.org/events/national-travel-and-tourism-week)
- [Visit Nebraska Tourism](https://visitnebraska.com/)
- [Nebraska tourism sector growth data](https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/from-rural-towns-to-major-cities-how-nebraskas-travel-industry-is-expanding-and-breaking-records/)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Nebraska Examiner, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/omaha-area-tourism-groups-announce-2026-standouts-as-state-celebrates-national-travel-week/.