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World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2026 Returns to the Maldives
The World Travel Awards (WTA) has announced that the Maldives will host the Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2026, with travel industry leaders from across the region gathering for a prestigious VIP reception on 27 September 2026, coinciding with World Tourism Day.
The ceremony marks the return of the Indian Ocean leg of the World Travel Awards Grand Tour, an annual series of red-carpet events staged across different continents. The decision reflects the Maldives’ continued strength as a global tourism leader, particularly in the areas of luxury travel, sustainability and experiential hospitality.
Located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is one of the world’s most recognisable luxury island destinations, welcoming more than a million international visitors annually. Known for its overwater villas, coral atolls and ultra-luxury private island resorts, the country has become a benchmark for sustainable tourism and high-end hospitality experiences.
Travellers visiting the islands often prepare in advance with essentials such as a international travel eSIM for seamless connectivity and a secure travel VPN to protect their internet connections.
Maldives Recognised as a Global Tourism Leader
According to Graham Cooke, Founder of the World Travel Awards, hosting the ceremony in the Maldives carries special significance.
“It is an incredible honour to host our Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2026 in the Maldives – and what better occasion than World Tourism Day to celebrate the very best of our industry. The Maldives continues to set the global standard for luxury and sustainable tourism, and I look forward to welcoming travel leaders from across the Indian Ocean to experience the extraordinary magic of these remarkable islands.”
The Maldives previously hosted the VIP ceremony in 2017. Since then, the nation has continued to secure top honours at the World Travel Awards for sustainability and hospitality excellence, including the prestigious title of “World’s Leading Destination.”
Bringing the gala ceremony back to the archipelago recognises the country’s achievements while reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most influential tourism destinations.
Visit Maldives Week to Celebrate World Tourism Day
To mark the occasion, Visit Maldives will organise a comprehensive “Visit Maldives Week”, aligned with World Tourism Day celebrations.
The programme will feature:
- High-level tourism industry forums
- Thought-leadership discussions on responsible tourism and innovation
- Familiarisation trips for international media and industry partners
- Networking events connecting global tourism stakeholders
The initiative aims to further strengthen international visibility for the Maldives while bringing together tourism leaders in one of the world’s most iconic island destinations.
Ibrahim Shiuree, Managing Director of Visit Maldives, said the country is proud to welcome the global travel community.
“We are tremendously proud to bring the World Travel Awards back to the Maldives. The 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.”
A Major Event for the Indian Ocean Travel Industry
The World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2026 is expected to become one of the region’s most important tourism gatherings of the year.
Government ministers, tourism boards, hospitality executives and international media will attend the event, celebrating excellence across destinations, hotels, airlines and travel operators.
Hosting the ceremony on World Tourism Day underscores the World Travel Awards’ mission to elevate the global tourism industry and recognise the organisations that continue to raise standards for travellers worldwide.
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