Tourism and hospitality elite honoured at World Travel Awards 2026 in the Maldives

The Maldives honoured the best travel organisations in Asia, Oceania and the Indian Ocean at a VIP gala ceremony.

The ceremony, with the Maldives as Official Host Destination, Bank of Maldives as Platinum Sponsor, and CROSSROADS Maldives as Host Partner, marked the third leg of WTA’s Grand Tour 2026, a global search for the finest travel and tourism organisations.

Winners included Vietnam, which took the title for ‘Asia’s Leading Destination’, with the Philippines voted ‘Asia’s Leading Beach Destination’ and ‘Asia’s Leading Tourist Board’. New Zealand claimed the title for ‘Oceania’s Leading Destination’, with Sydney hailed as ‘Oceania’s Leading City Destination’.

The Maldives confirmed its reputation as a tourism powerhouse in the region by securing five titles, including ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination’. Seychelles also enjoyed a strong performance, collecting ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination’.

The hospitality sector shone brightly, with winners from across the region recognised for their exceptional achievements, from luxury city hotels to island resorts. The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort collected double honours, winning ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort’ and ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Island Resort’. Omana, New Zealand, took ‘Oceania’s Leading Boutique Hotel’.

In the newcomer categories, InterContinental Sapporo won ‘Asia’s Leading New Hotel’, and InterContinental Brisbane was named ‘Oceania’s Leading New Hotel ’.Here, Baa Atoll, Maldives, claimed ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading New Resort’.

In the aviation sector, Hong Kong International Airport won ‘Asia’s Leading Airport’ for its world-class facilities, innovation and traveller experience. Vietnam Airlines collected ‘Asia’s Leading Airline – Customer Experience’ and ‘Asia’s Leading Airline – Premium Economy Class’. Velana International Airport, Maldives, claimed ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport’. Maldivian was named ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline Brand’, while Trans Maldivian Airways took to the podium to collect ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Seaplane Operator’.

Other winners included Vietravel (‘Asia’s Leading Tour Operator’); Hard Rock Hotel Maldives (‘Maldives’ Leading All-Inclusive Resort’); SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton (‘Maldives’ Leading Family Resort’); and SO/ Maldives (‘Maldives’ Leading Lifestyle Resort’)