- 5
- Destination and tourist-board World nominations
- 6
- World's Leading Destination wins in a row, 2020–2025
- 30 Oct
- Voting closes, midnight UK time
- 12 Dec
- Grand Final in Tanzania, where winners are announced
Information checked 25 October 2026. Voting dates and event arrangements remain subject to WTA updates.
The Maldives' five World nominations for 2026
Visit Maldives announced four destination nominations and one tourist-board nomination for the World round. The corresponding Indian Ocean titles were won in September. These are separate awards: a regional win is not a World-level win.
| World category | Nominee | Indian Ocean title in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| World's Leading Destination | Maldives | Won |
| World's Leading Dive Destination | Maldives | Won |
| World's Leading Green Destination | Maldives | Won |
| World's Leading Honeymoon Destination | Maldives | Won |
| World's Leading Tourist Board | Visit Maldives Corporation | Won |
The Maldives is defending six consecutive World’s Leading Destination wins (2020–2025) and the World’s Leading Green Destination title, which it won in 2024 and 2025.
Five does not mean every Maldives nomination. This table covers the destination and tourist board. Individual properties also appear in the official World nominees list. For example, Baros Maldives is nominated for World’s Leading Water Villa Resort. A nomination is not an award win.
Six titles in a row: the Maldives' World record
The official award history lists the Maldives as World’s Leading Destination in each year from 2020 through 2025. A win in 2026 would extend that run to seven consecutive years. As of 25 October, it remains a nominee; the World winner has not yet been announced.
That sustained recognition gives travellers a useful starting point. For us at Zaha Travels, the next question is practical: which island, room and transfer arrangement best suit the holiday you want?
How to vote before 30 October
You can participate through the official WTA voting portal, subject to its voting terms. New accounts need email verification.
- Go to worldtravelawards.com/vote and register, or log in if you already have an account.
- Verify your email. Click the link in the confirmation email before you can vote.
- Choose the "World" region. The regional votes closed earlier in the year.
- Find each category in the list above. Nominees appear in alphabetical order.
- Vote for the Maldives in the four destination categories, and for Visit Maldives Corporation as World's Leading Tourist Board.
Vote on the official WTA website ↗
From Indian Ocean winners to the World stage
The 2026 calendar includes regional ceremonies followed by a Grand Final for the World awards. The official event schedule lists the following dates and destinations; WTA notes that these may change.
| Date | Ceremony | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 28 August | Africa | Zanzibar, Tanzania |
| 13 September | Middle East | United Arab Emirates |
| 27 September | Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean | CROSSROADS Maldives |
| 11 October | Caribbean & The Americas | Jamaica |
| 17 October | Europe | Kotor, Montenegro |
| 12 December | Grand Final (World winners) | Tanzania |
The Maldives hosted the Indian Ocean ceremony this year and won all five of its national titles there. Our ceremony preview covers the event, and our results article lists the resort winners. In the World round the Maldives competes against destinations nominated from every other region.
What the titles mean for your Maldives holiday
A destination award tells you the Maldives is consistently popular with travellers and the travel trade. It does not pick a resort for you, and the right island still depends on your dates, budget and flights.
- A vote-based award is a reputation signal. WTA uses public and verified travel-industry votes. It is not a substitute for checking a property’s facilities, service and suitability for your stay.
- Destination titles cover the whole country. The Maldives ranges from guesthouses on local islands to private-island villas, so match the island to your trip.
- Look beyond the category name. A destination-level green award does not certify every resort’s environmental performance. If sustainability matters to you, ask about the individual property’s current certifications and practices.
- Check the complete holiday plan. Ask us to review the transfer arrangements alongside your international flights, the room category, meal-plan inclusions and the total package price.
Tell us whether your priority is snorkelling, quiet time together, family facilities or a particular villa style. We can help you understand the options at resorts we work with and confirm the arrangements for your dates before you book.
Frequently asked questions
When does voting close for the World Travel Awards 2026?
At midnight UK time on 30 October 2026. World voting opened on 6 October.
When are the 2026 World winners announced?
The Grand Final is scheduled for 12 December 2026 in Tanzania. Check WTA’s event page for any changes.
How many times has the Maldives won World's Leading Destination?
Six times in a row, every year from 2020 to 2025. A win in 2026 would make it seven.
What is the Maldives nominated for in 2026?
World's Leading Destination, Dive Destination, Green Destination and Honeymoon Destination, with Visit Maldives Corporation nominated for World's Leading Tourist Board.
Who can vote?
Travellers and travel professionals can register through WTA and verify their email address, subject to WTA’s voting terms. Approved industry accounts carry double weighting.
Did the Maldives already win in 2026?
It won five Indian Ocean (regional) titles on 27 September. The World titles are decided separately and announced on 12 December.
Are Maldives resorts nominated at World level?
Yes. The official World list includes Maldives properties in individual resort categories. The five nominations discussed above refer only to the destination and tourist board, not the full list of properties.
