The Maldives has reinforced its global reputation as a premier tourist destination, winning two major accolades in 2025—Indian Ocean’s Best Spa Destination at the World Spa Awards and Leading Adventure Destination at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA).
At the World Spa Awards, the Maldives secured the title of Indian Ocean’s Best Spa Destination 2025, marking the 10th time it has received this prestigious regional honour. The recognition underscores the country’s reputation for world-class wellness experiences, blending natural beauty, luxury hospitality, and holistic wellbeing. Alongside the national achievement, several Maldivian resorts were recognised in various categories.
The Maldives has an outstanding track record at the World Spa Awards, having twice been named World’s Best Spa Destination—first in 2016 and again in 2018—while consistently holding the title of Indian Ocean’s Best Spa Destination, most recently in 2024 at the 10th Annual World Spa Awards. These repeated successes reflect the destination’s leadership in global wellness tourism, with the country continuing to integrate spa and wellness offerings into luxury resorts, retreats, and cultural experiences for travellers seeking rejuvenation.
Meanwhile, at SATA 2025, held on 20 September in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the Maldives secured an impressive 36 awards, including 16 Gold and 19 Silver Awards across multiple categories. The highlight was winning the coveted Visitors’ Choice Award for Leading Adventure Destination, a significant milestone for Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) as it showcases the success of its strategy to diversify tourism beyond luxury and leisure.
Representing the Maldives at the SATA Connect and Conversation panel was Ibrahim Shiuree, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of VMC. He joined regional industry leaders such as Sanjeev Kumar, President of Voyages Kerala; Taufiq Rahman, Secretary General of the PATA Bangladesh Chapter; and Nandini Lahe-Thapa, Senior Director of Public Relations and Publicity/ Crisis Cell of Nepal Tourism Board. The session, moderated by Ishan Koul of Naaz Hotel Consultants, focused on Collective Efforts in Tourism.
Shiuree highlighted the rapid growth of local island tourism, noting that guesthouses now account for around 24 percent of total bed capacity and have attracted over 300,000 visitors so far in 2025. He emphasised initiatives aimed at empowering local communities by sourcing local produce and handicrafts, providing training for youth and women, and promoting cultural heritage to strengthen Maldivian identity. He also stressed the importance of regional collaboration, citing new eco-tourism initiatives with Malaysia, twin-country packages with Sri Lanka and India, and efforts to improve South Asian air connectivity.
“The growth of tourism must be inclusive, sustainable, and regionally connected, ensuring both local communities and South Asia as a whole benefit from shared success,” said Shiuree.
The dual triumphs at the World Spa Awards and SATA 2025 reaffirm the Maldives’ global standing as a leader in luxury, wellness, and adventure tourism, while highlighting its evolving strategy to remain at the forefront of sustainable and diverse travel experiences.
