The Maldives will host the 2026 Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony of the World Travel Awards, marking the event’s return to the country after more than a decade.
Visit Maldives confirmed that the ceremony will take place on 27 September 2026, coinciding with World Tourism Day. The alignment is expected to lend additional significance to the occasion, positioning it as a focal point of global tourism celebrations.
Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards are widely regarded within the industry as a benchmark of excellence. Now in its 33rd year, the awards recognise achievements across key sectors of travel and tourism, including destinations, airlines, hotels, resorts, cruise operators and travel service providers. Winners are determined through votes cast by travel professionals, industry leaders and consumers worldwide.
Each year, the awards programme conducts a series of regional gala ceremonies as part of its Grand Tour, culminating in a global final. The Indian Ocean Gala highlights leading destinations and hospitality brands across the region, and its return to the Maldives is seen as a reflection of the country’s sustained prominence in high-end and experiential travel.
The Maldives last hosted the ceremony more than ten years ago. Since then, the island nation has secured a series of top distinctions at the awards, including repeated recognition as the Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination. It also holds the record for winning the title of World’s Leading Destination for six consecutive years — an achievement frequently cited by tourism officials as evidence of the country’s enduring appeal.
To coincide with the gala, Visit Maldives plans to organise a week-long programme of events around World Tourism Day. Branded as “Visit Maldives Week”, the initiative will include industry forums, discussions on sustainable tourism and innovation, media engagements, familiarisation trips and cultural showcases.
Officials say the programme is intended to enhance international visibility for the Maldives while bringing together global tourism leaders and partners in one of the world’s most tourism-dependent economies.
Tourism remains the cornerstone of the Maldivian economy, contributing the largest share of foreign exchange earnings and employment. Hosting the World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala on World Tourism Day is expected to reinforce the country’s positioning as a leading luxury and sustainability-focused destination, at a time when competition among Indian Ocean tourism markets continues to intensify.
Visit Maldives said the event would serve both as a celebration of industry achievements and as an opportunity to outline the next phase of growth for the sector