Published . Category: Destination News. Zaha Travels Editorial Team.
The World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2026 will take place at CROSSROADS Maldives on 27 September 2026, bringing leading travel, tourism and hospitality brands to the Maldives on World Tourism Day. The expanded regional ceremony will recognise destinations, tourism boards, airlines, hotels, resorts, tour operators and attractions from across Asia, Oceania and the Indian Ocean.
The Maldives enters the ceremony with six national-level nominations, while individual Maldivian resorts are shortlisted across numerous property categories. For travellers, the nominations offer a useful starting point for discovering recognised resorts. However, awards should be considered alongside location, transfer method, villa quality, dining, house reef, family facilities and overall value before choosing where to stay.
Results status: Winners had not been announced when this article was published on 27 September 2026. The official programme begins with a networking reception at 17:30, followed by the gala dinner and ceremony at 18:30. This article should be updated after the results are confirmed.
What are the World Travel Awards?
Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards, commonly known as WTA, recognises travel and tourism organisations across country, regional and world categories. Its programme covers major sectors of the industry, including destinations, tourism boards, airlines, hotels, resorts, tour operators and visitor attractions.
WTA uses a voting process rather than an independent judging panel. Votes are cast by consumers and qualified travel-industry professionals. A standard consumer vote carries a weighting of one, while a vote from a verified travel professional carries a weighting of two. WTA states that votes are internally audited to validate individual submissions.
That distinction matters for travellers. A WTA nomination or award is a recognised industry and consumer-voted credential, but it should not be treated as proof that one resort is automatically the best option for every guest. The most suitable Maldives resort still depends on the traveller's needs, budget and preferred island experience.
World Travel Awards 2026 at CROSSROADS Maldives
The Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony is being held at CROSSROADS Maldives, approximately 15 minutes by boat from Velana International Airport. CROSSROADS is the Maldives' first integrated multi-island lifestyle destination and includes three resorts: SAii Lagoon Maldives, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives and SO/ Maldives.
The ceremony expands what was originally announced as an Indian Ocean event by bringing together winners and nominees from markets across Asia, the Pacific, Australasia and the Indian Ocean. Senior representatives from hotels and resorts, tourism boards, government institutions, hospitality groups, travel-trade media, airlines and aviation companies from more than 40 countries are expected to attend.
The Maldives last hosted a World Travel Awards ceremony in 2017. Its return nine years later, on World Tourism Day, gives the destination an opportunity to present its hospitality sector to a concentrated international travel audience.
Bank of Maldives sponsorship and destination leadership
Bank of Maldives joined the ceremony as Platinum Title Sponsor through an agreement signed by Visit Maldives Corporation CEO and Managing Director Abdulla Yasir and Bank of Maldives CEO and Managing Director Mohamed Shareef. The partnership was announced on 25 September 2026.
Visit Maldives described the sponsorship as part of the preparations to host the international event and as an opportunity for Bank of Maldives to strengthen its engagement with tourism and hospitality businesses. CROSSROADS Maldives is the Host Partner, while the wider event is supported by organisations representing aviation, transport, insurance, telecommunications, energy, events and styling.
Abdulla Yasir was appointed to lead Visit Maldives Corporation on 26 August 2026. Speaking ahead of the ceremony, he said the event would showcase both the Maldives' hospitality and its commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism.
Where the Maldives ceremony fits into the WTA Grand Tour 2026
The Maldives ceremony forms part of the World Travel Awards Grand Tour 2026. The regional programme began with ceremonies in Zanzibar and Dubai, continues through the Maldives, Jamaica and Montenegro, and concludes with the Grand Final in Tanzania.
Being part of the wider Grand Tour gives the Maldives ceremony additional international visibility and places the destination alongside other regional host locations within one global awards programme.
The Maldives' six World Travel Awards nominations for 2026
At destination level, the Maldives is nominated in six Indian Ocean categories:
- Indian Ocean's Leading Destination 2026
- Indian Ocean's Leading Beach Destination 2026
- Indian Ocean's Leading Dive Destination 2026
- Indian Ocean's Leading Green Destination 2026
- Indian Ocean's Leading Honeymoon Destination 2026
- Indian Ocean's Leading Tourist Board 2026, for Visit Maldives Corporation
The nomination for Indian Ocean's Leading Destination is the Maldives' seventh consecutive nomination in that category. The country has also received repeated WTA recognition across destination, beach, diving, honeymoon, sustainability and tourism-board categories between 2019 and 2025.
These national nominations matter beyond the ceremony itself. They reinforce the diversity of the Maldives tourism offering, from beaches and diving to honeymoons and sustainability, while giving travel professionals recognised themes around which to position the destination.
Maldives' Leading Luxury Resort 2026 nominees
Eleven resorts are nominated for Maldives' Leading Luxury Resort 2026:
- Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort
- Cheval Blanc Randheli
- Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
- Constance Halaveli
- Jumeirah Olhahali Island
- JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa
- One&Only Reethi Rah
- SO/ Maldives
- The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives
- The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
- The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort enters the 2026 ceremony with the strongest recent record in this category, having won every year from 2018 through 2025. That eight-year run makes the 2026 result especially notable, whether the resort extends its record or another nominee takes the title.
Maldives' Leading Water Villa Resort 2026 nominees
Eight resorts are nominated for Maldives' Leading Water Villa Resort 2026:
- Angsana Velavaru
- Baglioni Maldives
- Baros Maldives
- Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
- Jumeirah Olhahali Island
- The Standard Maldives
- Velaa Private Island
- Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Angsana Velavaru is the defending winner after receiving the title in 2025. Previous winners in this category have included Baros Maldives, Jumeirah Olhahali Island and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa.
World Travel Awards Maldives 2026 results
Pre-ceremony update: The winners had not been announced at the time of publication. Once the official results are released, add a concise answer-first summary here, followed by a table covering the Maldives' national wins and the main resort-category winners.
How Zaha Travels evaluates an award-nominated Maldives resort
Award recognition can help travellers create an initial shortlist, but it does not identify the right island on its own. Zaha Travels evaluates how a resort fits the actual traveller, not simply how many awards appear beside its name.
Location and transfer
A nearby speedboat resort may suit a short holiday, while a seaplane or domestic-flight transfer can open access to more remote atolls and different marine environments.
Villa and island style
Some travellers want direct beach access, while others prioritise an overwater villa, private pool, sunset view, larger island or intimate atmosphere.
Dining and meal plans
The number of restaurants matters less than whether the available cuisine, meal plan and beverage inclusions match the guest's preferences and budget.
Reef and experiences
House-reef access, diving, watersports, excursions, spa experiences and marine life vary significantly between islands.
Families, couples and privacy
A celebrated romantic resort may not suit a family requiring a strong kids' club, while a lively family island may not provide the privacy sought by honeymooners.
Total holiday value
Transfers, taxes, meal-plan coverage, child policies and paid activities can materially change the real cost beyond the advertised room rate.
Our Maldives-based travel experts compare these practical details with the traveller's dates, budget and priorities. We can check suitable properties available through Zaha Travels, including options handled through contracted arrangements or on request, and coordinate accommodation and resort transfers.
Travellers can also explore Zaha Travels' destination collection, browse Maldives experiences, learn how our planning process works, or share their requirements through our Maldives trip-planning form.
What is confirmed and what is not yet known
| Confirmed before the ceremony | Awaiting official results |
|---|---|
| The ceremony takes place at CROSSROADS Maldives on 27 September 2026. | The winners of the six national-level Maldives categories. |
| The gala dinner and ceremony is scheduled to begin at 18:30. | The winners of Maldives' resort-level categories. |
| Bank of Maldives is the Platinum Title Sponsor. | Whether The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort extends its luxury-resort winning streak. |
| Voting for the relevant regional categories closed on 7 August 2026. | Which nominated resorts will gain new 2026 award recognition. |
What the awards mean when planning a Maldives holiday
World Travel Awards nominations can introduce travellers to resorts with established reputations and strong industry visibility. They are particularly useful for discovering properties within a category, such as luxury resorts or water-villa resorts.
However, the eventual winner is not automatically the best choice for every holiday. A traveller staying for four nights may prioritise a convenient transfer, while a couple planning a longer honeymoon may prefer a remote atoll, a larger villa and greater privacy. Families may give more weight to room occupancy, children's dining, childcare and activities than to a resort's position in a luxury category.
The most useful approach is to treat the awards as one reference point and then compare the shortlisted properties against the details that will shape the actual stay. That is where destination knowledge and personalised planning become more valuable than a general ranking.
Frequently asked questions
When is the World Travel Awards ceremony in the Maldives?
The World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony takes place on 27 September 2026 at CROSSROADS Maldives. The networking reception begins at 17:30, followed by the gala dinner and ceremony at 18:30.
Where is the World Travel Awards Maldives 2026 ceremony being held?
It is being held at CROSSROADS Maldives, an integrated multi-island destination approximately 15 minutes by boat from Velana International Airport.
Have the World Travel Awards Maldives 2026 winners been announced?
They had not been announced when this article was published on 27 September 2026. Official results are expected during the gala ceremony and should be confirmed through World Travel Awards or Visit Maldives.
How are World Travel Awards winners selected?
Winners are selected through online voting by consumers and qualified travel-industry professionals. A standard vote has a weighting of one, while a verified travel professional's vote has a weighting of two.
How many categories is the Maldives nominated in?
The Maldives is nominated in six national-level Indian Ocean categories. Individual Maldives resorts are also nominated across numerous property-level categories.
Which resorts are nominated for Maldives' Leading Luxury Resort 2026?
There are 11 nominees, including Anantara Dhigu, Cheval Blanc Randheli, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Constance Halaveli, Jumeirah Olhahali Island, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, One&Only Reethi Rah, SO/ Maldives, The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, and The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort.
Which resort won Maldives' Leading Luxury Resort in 2025?
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort won Maldives' Leading Luxury Resort in 2025 and has held the title every year from 2018 through 2025.
Which resort won Maldives' Leading Water Villa Resort in 2025?
Angsana Velavaru won Maldives' Leading Water Villa Resort in 2025.
Should I choose a Maldives resort because it won an award?
An award can be a useful sign of recognition, but it should not be the only deciding factor. Compare the resort's location, transfer, villas, dining, reef, facilities, guest profile and total cost with your own holiday priorities.
Considering one of the nominated Maldives resorts?
Tell us your dates, budget and preferred experience. Our Maldives-based travel experts can compare suitable nominated properties with other strong alternatives, explain the differences that matter and check the booking options available through Zaha Travels.
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