The Maldives is preparing to welcome travel and tourism leaders from across the region for the World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2026, powered by Bank of Maldives. The ceremony will take place at CROSSROADS Maldives on Sunday, 27 September 2026, coinciding with World Tourism Day.

The evening will bring together leading travel, tourism and hospitality brands from across Asia, Oceania and the Indian Ocean to celebrate excellence across a wide range of categories, including hotels, resorts, airlines, tour operators, destinations and tourism attractions.

Located just 15 minutes by boat from Velana International Airport, CROSSROADS Maldives is the first and only multi-island integrated lifestyle destination in the Maldives. Designed in the spirit of an island community, the destination draws inspiration from the Maldives’ history as an ancient trading hub connecting Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Graham Cooke, Founder and President of World Travel Awards, said: “We are delighted to bring together the leading lights of the travel and tourism sector from across Asia, Oceania and the Indian Ocean at CROSSROADS Maldives. The Maldives is one of the world’s most aspirational destinations, combining remarkable natural beauty with exceptional hospitality and a commitment to sustainable tourism. Staging the ceremony on World Tourism Day makes this an especially meaningful occasion in which to celebrate the organisations and destinations raising the benchmark for excellence. I look forward to welcoming our guests for what promises to be a memorable evening.”

Abdulla Yasir, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Visit Maldives Corporation, said: “We are tremendously proud to bring the World Travel Awards back to the Maldives. The Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2026 will allow us to showcase not only the natural beauty and hospitality that define the Maldives experience, but also our enduring commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism. We look forward to welcoming industry leaders to our shores and sharing with them the warmth, culture and wonder that make the Maldives truly one of a kind.”

The event forms part of World Travel Awards’ Grand Tour 2026, a global search for the finest travel and tourism organisations. Following the Africa Gala Ceremony in Zanzibar and the Middle East Gala Ceremony in Dubai, the Grand Tour continues with regional ceremonies in Jamaica and Montenegro before culminating in the Grand Final in Tanzania.

The World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2026 is hosted by the Maldives as Official Host Destination and Visit Maldives Corporation as Official Host, with Bank of Maldives as Platinum Sponsor and CROSSROADS Maldives as Host Partner. The event is also supported by Ooredoo as Digital Partner; Print Lab as Print Partner; Allied Insurance as Insurance Partner; Velana International Airport as Aviation Partner; Jalboot as Transportation Partner; Event Maldives as Event Partner; Maldivian as Local Airline Partner; STO Energy as Energy Partner; Ana’s Salon & Spa as Beauty and Makeup Partner; and Rogue by Naju as Styling Partner.