Travel & Tour World: Maldives Set to Shine as World Travel Awards 2026 Gala Expands to CROSSROADS Maldives

The Maldives is gearing up to command global attention in the travel and hospitality industry as the World Travel Awards (WTA) confirms a significantly enlarged Gala Ceremony for 2026. Scheduled for 27 September 2026 — globally observed as World Tourism Day — the prestigious event will mark a milestone in the awards’ history by uniting winners from across Asia, Oceania, the Pacific, Australasia, and the Indian Ocean under one roof for the very first time.

A Landmark Venue at the Heart of the Indian Ocean

The ceremony will be staged at CROSSROADS Maldives, widely recognised as the first and only multi-island integrated lifestyle destination in the country. Situated merely 15 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the destination has been conceptualised around the spirit of a self-contained island community. Its architectural and cultural identity draws heavily from the Maldives’ historical legacy as an ancient maritime trading hub that once connected Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. This layered heritage positions CROSSROADS Maldives as far more than a luxury resort — it represents a living narrative of the nation’s place in world history.

Expanded Scope Puts Asia-Pacific Tourism on Centre Stage

What makes the 2026 WTA Gala Ceremony particularly significant is the sheer breadth of its expanded regional scope. By consolidating winners from dozens of markets spanning the Indian Ocean, Asia, and Oceania into a single event, the World Travel Awards is reinforcing the collective strength and influence of this tourism corridor. The region has long been regarded as one of the most rapidly evolving in global travel, driven by surging visitor numbers, sustainable tourism initiatives, and world-class hospitality infrastructure. Hosting such an event on World Tourism Day adds a deeper layer of symbolic weight to the occasion, aligning commercial recognition with a globally celebrated milestone for the industry.