Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) and Bank of Maldives (BML) have partnered for the World Travel Awards (WTA) Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean 2026 Gala Ceremony, with BML joining as the Platinum Title Sponsor of the ceremony to be held in the Maldives on 27 September 2026. 

The sponsorship agreement was signed by Abdulla Yasir, CEO and Managing Director of Visit Maldives Corporation, and Mohamed Shareef, CEO and Managing Director of Bank of Maldives. 

The World Travel Awards returns to the Maldives after a decade, bringing together leading figures from the global tourism and hospitality industry. The ceremony is expected to welcome senior executives from leading hotels and resorts, tourism boards and government institutions, hospitality owners and investors, international travel trade media, and airline and aviation companies from more than 40 countries.

The sponsorship reflects BML’s continued support for the Maldives’ tourism industry and its commitment to supporting major international events hosted in the country. It also provides an opportunity for the Bank to strengthen its engagement with businesses and key stakeholders across the tourism and hospitality sector.

The World Travel Awards is internationally recognised for celebrating excellence across the global travel and tourism industry, bringing together destinations, tourism organisations, hospitality brands and other industry stakeholders. Hosting the Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean 2026 Gala Ceremony in the Maldives provides an opportunity to showcase the destination to an international tourism audience and further strengthen connections across the regional tourism industry.

The sponsorship forms part of Visit Maldives Corporation’s preparations to host the World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean 2026 Gala Ceremony, supporting the delivery of the event and the participation of local businesses in an international tourism gathering hosted in the Maldives.