Male’, Maldives -19th May 2026 – The Maldives is set to assume a prominent role in the global tourism spotlight as it prepares to host an expanded edition of the World Travel Awards Gala Ceremony on 27 September 2026, coinciding with World Tourism Day. The event will bring together award winners from across Asia, Oceania, and the Indian Ocean, marking a significant extension of the programme’s regional reach.
The ceremony will be held at CROSSROADS Maldives, the country’s first multi-island integrated lifestyle destination. Located just 15 minutes by boat from Velana International Airport, the destination is designed around the concept of a vibrant island community, inspired by the Maldives’ historical role as a maritime crossroads connecting Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
This expanded edition of the World Travel Awards will gather winners from a broad range of markets spanning Asia, the Pacific, Australasia, and the Indian Ocean region. Together, these destinations represent one of the most dynamic and fast-developing areas in global tourism, underscoring the significance of the Maldives as host.
The Founder of World Travel Awards highlighted that bringing together winners from these regions creates a unified platform that reflects both the diversity and growing influence of the wider tourism landscape. The selection of CROSSROADS Maldives was noted as a reflection of its innovative approach to integrated resort development and its ability to accommodate large-scale international gatherings within a single destination.
Representatives from CROSSROADS Maldives expressed honour in hosting the ceremony on World Tourism Day, noting that the occasion aligns with their vision of offering a seamless blend of hospitality, entertainment, and leisure experiences across its interconnected islands. They added that the event provides an opportunity to welcome leading figures from the global travel industry to the Maldives.
The Maldives last hosted the World Travel Awards in 2017 and has since continued to receive international recognition for excellence in tourism, including its standing as the “World’s Leading Destination.” The country’s ongoing success has been closely tied to its focus on high-quality hospitality and sustainable tourism practices.
Visit Maldives representatives noted that hosting the ceremony once again offers a platform to showcase the nation’s natural environment alongside its commitment to responsible tourism development. The event is expected to reinforce the Maldives’ position as a destination where natural beauty, cultural heritage, and world-class hospitality come together.
