Our gratitude goes to the members of the jury, who dedicated their time and expertise throughout the evaluation process, ensuring thoughtful and professional deliberations. We are truly proud to have counted on the support of jury members of renowned international standing within the tourism sector, whose extensive experience and distinguished careers have greatly enriched this initiative. Their contribution has not only enhanced the rigor and credibility of the evaluation but has also brought exceptional value and prestige to the overall process.

We sincerely thank all the companies that took part in this inaugural edition. Your commitment, creativity, and enthusiasm have truly shaped the spirit of these awards. Both the UIC team and the jury have repeatedly highlighted the outstanding quality and the remarkable interest in the submissions received.

SAR’s flagship North Night Train offers a seamless overnight journey designed for relaxation and ease. Running 1,242 km between Riyadh and Qurayyat, it features 280 seats, 96 sleeper beds, a restaurant coach, and capacity for up to 20 cars. A smooth, steady speed is optimized for restful sleep throughout the night. A dedicated luggage coach allows passengers to travel comfortably without managing luggage onboard.

It has been awarded for its comprehensive onboard service offer, adopting a modern approach that integrates all necessary elements to elevate the customer experience on night trains while enhancing sustainable travel.

The Lighthouse Galician Route is a one-day tourist train operated in Galicia by Renfe formed by conventional coaches adapted for group tourism, featuring comfortable seating, air conditioning, PA system, and official tour guides. The itinerary combines train travel with bus transfers to reach unique natural landmarks such as Estaca de Bares, Cape Ortegal, and Loiba. Designed for cultural and nature tourism.

It has been awarded for its innovative reuse and adaptation of short-distance rolling stock to connect travellers with less-visited destinations, local artisans, and rural landscapes showcasing how rail tourism can enrich regional culture while supporting sustainable travel.

For the last 91 years, the Núria Rack Railway has been the only mode of transport providing access to Vall de Núria, in the Eastern Pyrenees, which includes a ski and mountain resort located at an altitude of 2,000 metres. Thus, the Rack Railway operates daily, all year round. The journey by Rack Railway is a unique experience: from the very first moment you’ll experience a world of sensations as you enjoy the beauty and spectacle of this singular landscape and natural environment.

It has been awarded for its contribution to the sustainable development of the protected area of Vall de Núria by using solar-powered rolling stock and a varied, inclusive tourist offer that highlights the area’s natural values while regulating visitor flows, demonstrating how rail tourism can protect and celebrate fragile environments.

KTX Gwangmyeong Station served approximately 34,000 passengers daily in 2023, firmly establishing it as one of Korea’s top transportation hubs. Its site spans about 264,131m² (roughly 37 football fields), and the station building covers approximately 78,495m² across two above-ground and two below-ground levels—making it the second-largest high-speed rail station in Korea after Seoul Station by building area. The station accommodates five KTX high-speed lines (Gyeongbu, Honam, Gyeongjeon, Donghae, Jeolla) and serves as a stop for both the Incheon Airport shuttle bus service and Seoul Subway Line1. As a multimodal transport hub connecting high-speed rail, suburban subway, and airport services.

It has been awarded for its innovative solutions aimed at improving passenger services, with special mention of its pioneering use of personalised robotic services.

​​​Opened in 1902, Szklarska Poręba Górna quickly became a vital link for spa visitors and mountain tourists from all over Europe drawn to the town surrounded by dense forests, rocky ridges, and rushing mountain streams. The modernization of the station was finalized in 2021 preserving its historic character and architectural details implementing sustainable solutions.

It has been awarded for its respect for heritage while addressing the special challenges of balancing commercial and logistical requirements.

Trenitalia manages the Milano Centrale and Roma Termini FrecciaLounges, located in two large-main stations. In lounges TI offers personalised assistance,ticketing, Wi-Fi and quiet areas for relaxation, with the option to reserve a silent zone for added comfort. Access is granted to “Carta Freccia” members, Executive, Business or Salottino Frecciarossa ticket holders. Premium and Standard ticket holders can acquire entrance by paying an extra when purchasing their ticket. Guests can enjoy freshly prepared meals throughout the day: breakfast, light lunch, or aperitivo. These all feature high-quality, plastic free Italian products, including wine and prosecco.

It has been awarded for enhancing hospitality while highlighting Italian culture, and for the innovative vision of connecting the two lounges to strengthen multimodality between key hubs such as Rome and Milan, not only within the railway network but also with airports and other transport modes.

EFE‘ has implemented attractive routes designed for tourists in Chili using this heritage line. Tourists from around the world arriving via Pacific Ocean cruises with a stop at the Port of Arica can now enjoy a unique journey aboard a historic train. This immersive experience offers a scenic ride through the region, enriched by traditional dances, local tastings, and cultural storytelling. This new way of exploring the region has become possible after a 20-year hiatus in railway service—reviving heritage tourism and reconnecting visitors with the soul of northern Chile.

It has been awarded for its remarkable efforts in bringing back to life and developing a historic line in a sparsely populated area, innovatively showcasing territorial resources and cultural heritage despite limited resources.

The Gotthard Panorama Express is a unique rail tourism initiative that has been in operation since 2017, showcasing the beauty of the Swiss landscape in an impressive manner. As well as connecting boat and train, the Gotthard Panorama Express also brings together two of the most attractive regions in Switzerland to provide a first-class experience. The journey begins on the steamboat in the cultural city of Lucerne. In Flüelen, our guests change from the boat to the 1st class panorama train, with a warm reception from the tour guides. They then continue by train on the world-famous and historical Gotthard route – one of Europe’s most significant alpine crossings – towards southern Switzerland. Finally, they are met by the varied Mediterranean countryside of Ticino, and the welcome sight of palm trees. The main components of the Gotthard Panorama Express are of course the comfortable panoramic carriages, as well tour guides on the train, happy to share fascinating stories and anecdotes about the region and its history.

It has been awarded for bringing together key touristic attractions to create an excellent multimodal travel experience, including luggage management, personalised onboard attention, storytelling, seamless links with other transport modes, and efficient booking facilities.