Maldives Crowned ‘Leading Adventure Destination’ at SATA 2025

The Maldives reaffirmed its standing as a tourism powerhouse after clinching 36 awards at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2025, held on Friday, September 20, at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Sri Lanka. Among the highlights was the Maldives being named Leading Adventure Destination through the Visitors’ Choice Award, a recognition that reflects the nation’s growing success in diversifying its tourism beyond luxury and leisure.

In total, the Maldives secured 16 Gold and 19 Silver Awards across a range of categories, showcasing the depth and strength of its tourism industry. For Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC), the victory in adventure tourism marks a key milestone, validating years of strategic work to expand the country’s offerings into areas such as diving, surfing, water sports, and local island experiences.

The awards ceremony was accompanied by the SATA Connect & Conversation panel on “Collective Efforts in Tourism,” where VMC CEO and MD Ibrahim Shiuree represented the Maldives alongside regional industry leaders. Shiuree emphasized the Maldives’ growing focus on sustainability and inclusivity, highlighting that guesthouses now account for around 24% of the nation’s total bed capacity, welcoming more than 300,000 visitors in 2025 alone.

He outlined efforts to empower local communities through sourcing local produce and handicrafts, expanding training for youth and women, and promoting cultural tourism to preserve Maldivian identity. “Tourism growth must be inclusive, sustainable, and regionally connected, ensuring local communities and South Asia as a whole benefit from shared success,” Shiuree said.

He also pointed to stronger regional collaboration as a priority, citing a new MoU with Malaysia on joint marketing and eco-tourism, the development of twin-country travel packages with Sri Lanka and India, and initiatives to boost regional air connectivity.

The Maldives’ achievements at SATA 2025 not only celebrate its excellence in hospitality but also underline its evolution into a multidimensional destination—one that balances luxury with adventure, and global appeal with local inclusion.