Nominations for the prestigious South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2025 are now officially open. Celebrating excellence in the travel and hospitality industry across South Asia, SATA is regarded as the foremost accolade in the region.
First inaugurated in 2016, SATA has seen a significant rise in prominence and stature, now entering its ninth edition. This year's gala awards event is scheduled to take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Nominations are open until 15 March, with applications accepted through the official SATA website.
Building on the success of previous years, the last awards ceremony was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, where the Maldives earned accolades in 30 categories, including the highly coveted Visitors' Choice 'Leading Beach Destination' award. Additionally, the Maldives secured 15 gold awards and 14 silver awards, with the majority going to hotels, resorts, tour operators, and travel agents. Overall, last year’s awards recognised excellence across 144 categories, comprising 55 gold awards and 93 silver awards. According to the organisers, over 400 applicants were nominated for the awards.
The SATA Awards are highly competitive, attracting tourism stakeholders from the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and India, all vying for top honours. Since its inception, SATA has recognised outstanding organisations and individuals in a variety of categories, including hotels, resorts, tour operators, and travel agents.
Each year, winners are selected by a panel of expert judges and industry professionals in a diverse range of categories, including South Asia’s Best New Hotel, Leading Riverfront Hotel, and Leading Designer Hotel. The grand awards ceremony is a highlight on the South Asian travel and tourism calendar, attracting top executives, industry professionals, and travel enthusiasts from across the region.
Beyond recognising excellence, the awards also serve as an essential networking hub, offering invaluable opportunities for industry stakeholders to connect, exchange insights, and explore emerging trends in travel and tourism.