The Maldives has been nominated for six distinguished accolades in the Indian Ocean category of the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2026. These nominations further solidify the nation’s standing as a premier global tourism destination and underscore its unwavering commitment to excellence in hospitality and sustainability.

As the industry enters the voting phase, the Maldives invites residents, industry stakeholders, international trade partners, and travel enthusiasts worldwide to cast their votes. Support from the global community is vital in maintaining the Maldives’ legacy of excellence on the international stage.

The 2026 Nominations

The Maldives has been shortlisted for the following 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 

Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards is the most prestigious honours programme in the global travel and tourism industry. Recognised worldwide as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence, the WTA serves to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.

The Maldives has a storied history with the World Travel Awards, consistently securing top honours over the past several years. Notable previous wins include:

Additionally, Maldives has won World’s Leading Green Destination in 2024 & 2025 and World’s Leading Destination consecutively in the past 6 years from 2019 - 2025. Receiving these nominations remains a significant milestone for the nation, especially as the global tourism industry continues to evolve. These accolades serve as a testament to the hard work of the tourism sector and the enduring appeal of the Maldives' natural beauty and world-class service.

How to Vote

Voting is now open to the public and travel industry professionals. The Maldives encourages all supporters to register and cast their votes via the official World Travel Awards website. Direct voting links by category: • 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 

Voting Deadline: 7th August 2026 Official Website: www.worldtravelawards.com/vote

The World Travel Awards has also announced that CROSSROADS Maldives will serve as the host venue for its Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony on 27 September 2026. The multi-island leisure and lifestyle destination, located just 15 minutes by boat from Velana International Airport, will welcome travel industry leaders from across the region for the VIP reception.