South Asian travel leaders gathered in the Maldives this week to celebrate a decade of regional tourism achievements during the 10th edition of the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA). The event, held at Barceló Nasandhura Malé, combined industry discussions with a gala ceremony that recognized excellence across destinations, hospitality businesses, and aviation sectors.
Connect & Conversations: Industry Dialogue
On October 7, the SATA Connect & Conversations programme opened with a session titled “Beyond the Horizon: The Future of Tourism, Transport & Investment in the Maldives.” Panelists included Mohammed Hussein Alshaali, Chairman and Co-Founder of Gulf Craft; Abdulla Ghiyas Riyaz, Chairperson of Visit Maldives Corporation; and Jasim Janah, Group CEO of Hotels & Resorts Investment Maldives.
The second panel, “Redefining Leadership, Luxury and the Guest Experience,” featured Ugyen Dorji of the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Bhutan; Enric Reina Canitrot of Barceló Nasandhura Malé; Nazoomi Azhar of Cinnamon Grand Colombo; and VK Karthi of Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan. A third session focused on “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” with Abdulla Yasir, Managing Director and CEO of Visit Maldives Corporation, serving as a panelist alongside hospitality marketing consultant Amal Goonetilleke, Tek Mahat Bahadhur of the Hotel Association of Nepal, and Jyoti Mayal of the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council.
The programme also included presentations by Suran De Silva of Allied Insurance Company of the Maldives and Captain C. R. Rejith of Gulf Craft Maldives. Discussions addressed destination development, hospitality standards, and technology adoption.
Recognising Excellence
The awards gala on October 8 presented 52 Gold and 98 Silver Awards across categories spanning Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Mohamed Solih, Chairman of Damas Company, received the Face of South Asia Award. Aitken Spence Travels won Leading Travel Agent – Inbound, while Classic Travel won Leading Travel Agent – Outbound.
Leading Airport Hotel went to Taj Cochin International Airport in Kerala, and Nüwa at City of Dreams Sri Lanka secured Leading Designer Hotel/Resort. Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort took Leading Luxury Resort, and Galle Face Hotel received Leading Heritage Hotel/Resort. South Asia’s Best New Hotel/Resort was Newburgh Ella, The Tea Factory, while Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya won Leading Wellness & Spa Hotel/Resort.
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Leading Wedding Hotel/Resort was Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort Dhulikhel, Amaya Hills in Kandy won Leading Hill Resort/Hotel, and President in Mumbai, IHCL SeleQtions received Leading F&B Hotel/Resort. ELE|NA was named Leading Wellness & Spa Brand.
Visitors’ Choice Awards included SriLankan Airlines as Leading International Airline, the Maldives as Leading Adventure Destination, Bhutan as Leading Heritage Destination, and Sri Lanka as Leading Wellness Destination. Maldivian won Leading Tourist Transport Provider (Airline), and Trans Maldivian Airways won Leading Tourist Transport Provider (Seaplane).
SATA 2026 introduced two categories for individual achievement. Gayani Punchihewa of Cinnamon Grand Colombo received the Gold Award for Outstanding Young Hotelier (Under 40 years), and Rohit Sangwan of The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, was recognized as Outstanding Chef. Siraj Ali Waseem of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, Alamgir Hossain of Platinum Grand by SHELTECH, Abhiram Menon of Hilton Bangalore Embassy Golflinks, and Nazoomi Azhar of Cinnamon Grand Colombo were named South Asia’s Best General Managers.
Awards Highlight Diverse Hospitality Offerings
The awards ceremony recognized excellence across various hospitality segments, including luxury, heritage, wellness, and weddings. These categories showcased the wide range of products available to travel professionals creating specialized itineraries in South Asia.
Individual Recognition and Regional Partnerships
Visit Maldives Corporation acted as the Destination Partner, with Barceló Nasandhura as the Host Hotel and Gulf Craft Maldives as the Platinum Partner. The event also garnered support from various sectors, including hospitality, aviation, insurance, and media.
By merging industry discussions with award presentations, SATA 2026 showcased the region’s diverse tourism offerings and hospitality talent. As SATA commemorates its first decade, the 2026 edition highlights the significance of regional cooperation in celebrating achievements and shaping South Asian tourism’s future. This edition emphasizes how collaboration among countries enhances the region’s appeal as a premier travel destination.