News Desk
The Maldives bagged five major regional honors at the World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala 2026, including being named Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination for the seventh consecutive year.
The gala event, hosted at CROSSROADS Maldives to mark World Tourism Day, drew top tourism officials, hotel executives, airline reps, and media delegates from over 40 countries. Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation presided over the ceremony as chief guest.
Alongside taking the top regional title, the Maldives picked up awards for Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination 2026, Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Destination 2026, and Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination 2026. The Visit Maldives Corporation also secured the title of Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist Board.
Visit Maldives noted that more than 15 Maldivian tourism brands picked up regional awards during the ceremony across various categories, including luxury resorts, aviation, private island experiences, diving, superyacht tourism, and eco-friendly operations.
The latest wins build on the country’s unbroken six-year streak as the World’s Leading Destination from 2020 through 2025. Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards are widely recognized as the top accolade in the global travel and hospitality industry.
