The Maldives is vying for the title of World’s Leading Sustainable Destination 2026 at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA), with the public invited to cast their votes before the deadline on 21 October 2026.
Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) has called on travellers, tourism stakeholders and supporters around the world to back the Maldives in the competition, citing the country’s commitment to developing sustainable tourism, safeguarding its natural environment and creating benefits for local communities and businesses.
As a tourism-dependent nation surrounded by rich marine biodiversity and delicate island ecosystems, environmental conservation remains central to the Maldives’ tourism development strategy. The nomination highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen sustainability across the industry while preserving the natural assets that make the country a leading international holiday destination.
The Maldives has secured several major tourism accolades in recent years. These include the title of Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Destination for three consecutive years, from 2024 to 2026. The country has also received recognition as the Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination, Leading Dive Destination and Leading Honeymoon Destination.
Established in 2023 as part of the World Travel Awards portfolio, the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards celebrates destinations and organisations that demonstrate leadership in environmental protection, social responsibility and economic sustainability within the global travel and hospitality sector.
The Maldives faces competition in the 2026 category from several international destinations, including the City of Dubrovnik, Diriyah: The City of Earth, Dubai and Serengeti National Park.
Voting will remain open until 21 October 2026, and supporters can participate through the official WSTHA website. Voters must register for a free account or sign in to an existing account. First-time users are required to verify their email addresses before selecting the Maldives in the World’s Leading Sustainable Destination 2026 category.
