The World Travel Awards (WTA) has announced that the Maldives will host industry leaders from across Asia, Oceania, and the Indian Ocean for a blockbuster VIP Gala Ceremony. Celebrating the very best in travel and tourism, the flagship event is scheduled to take place at the spectacular CROSSROADS Maldives on World Tourism Day, September 27, 2026.
The Gala Ceremony promises to be the region’s premier travel industry event of the year. The high-profile evening will bring together government ministers, tourism boards, hospitality executives, and international media for an unforgettable night of recognition, celebration, and elite networking.
The Maldives represents the pinnacle of barefoot luxury and stands as one of the world’s most aspirational destinations, celebrated for its crystalline lagoons, powder-white beaches, and world-renowned overwater bungalows.
The venue for this landmark event, CROSSROADS Maldives, is located just 15 minutes by boat from Velana International Airport. As the nation’s first and only multi-island integrated lifestyle destination, the resort is designed in the spirit of a vibrant island community. Its architecture and ethos draw rich inspiration from the Maldives’ history as an ancient trading hub that historically connected Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
“It is an incredible honour to host the World Travel Awards in the Maldives—and what better occasion than World Tourism Day to celebrate the very best of our industry!” said Graham Cooke, Founder of the World Travel Awards.
“The Maldives continues to set the global standard for luxury and sustainable tourism, and I look forward to welcoming travel leaders from across Asia, Oceania, and the Indian Ocean to experience the extraordinary magic of these remarkable islands.”
Staging the ceremony on World Tourism Day underlines the WTA’s ongoing commitment to elevating the global profile of the tourism industry. The event champions the destinations, hotels, airlines, and operators that consistently raise the bar for travelers worldwide.
The Maldives last hosted the World Travel Awards in 2017. In the years since, the island nation has consistently secured top honors in the prestigious program for its hospitality excellence and sustainability initiatives. It currently holds the coveted title of ‘World’s Leading Destination.’ Returning the gala to Maldivian shores recognizes these monumental achievements while strategically strengthening the country’s global tourism positioning.
“We are tremendously proud to bring the World Travel Awards back to the Maldives,” said Ibrahim Shiuree, Managing Director of Visit Maldives. “This ceremony will allow us to showcase not only the natural beauty and hospitality that define the Maldives experience, but also our enduring commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism. We look forward to welcoming industry leaders to our shores and sharing the warmth, culture, and wonder that make the Maldives truly one of a kind.”
