Maldives has secured the prestigious Indian Ocean's Leading Destination 2022 title, at the Africa and Indian Ocean Gala ceremony of World Travel Awards.

The Africa and Indian Ocean Gala ceremony of World Travel Awards was held on 15th October in Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Kenya.

The Gala ceremony saw Maldives securing three other key awards, including the Indian Ocean's Leading Destination 2022 title. As such, the Maldives won Indian Ocean's Leading Beach Destination and Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination titles.

Additionally, the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation secured the title of Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist Board.

MMPRC highlights that these awards are of special significance for all who work in the tourism industry, as these prestigious awards have been won, during this festive year in which Maldives is celebrating the 50-year Golden Jubilee of Tourism.

Deemed the Oscars of the global tourism sector, the World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to recognize, reward, and celebrate distinguished destinations across all key sectors and segments of the travel trade, tourism, and hospitality industries.

The World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the benchmark of industry excellence.

In addition to these awards, Maldives has also been nominated for four prestigious titles in the 29th WTA’s ‘World’s Leading Category'.

As such, the Maldives has been nominated for the most prestigious title at the 29th Annual World Travel Awards (WTA) - World's Leading Destination - for the third year in a row.

The Maldives successfully secured the title of the World's Leading Destination in 2020 and 2021, making this a potential 'hat-trick' win as the country mark 50 years since the inception of tourism in the Maldives.

WTA's World's Leading Destination title is the most distinguished in the annual programme, which itself is renowned as the most prestigious and comprehensive award in the global travel industry.

The Maldives won this title the past two years, despite the difficulties posed by the global pandemic, through the sheer will, hard work, and dedication of our tourism industry.

Winning this award a third year in a row, especially during the country's Golden Jubilee Year of Tourism, would not only fortify the nation’s place as a tourism hotspot, but also as a leader in the global travel trade. The Maldives winning the title of World’s Leading Destination again this year is something that the country can be proud of, as this is the first time the country may win such a prestigious tourism title for three consecutive years. 

The Maldives has also been nominated for the World's Leading Island Destination and World's Most Romantic Destination.

Additionally, the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) has been nominated for the title of the World's Leading Tourist Board.

The efforts of MMPRC and the Maldives tourism industry have yielded several awards and accolades over the past years.

Voting for the titles of WTA is now open and will close on 20th October 2022.

The voting links for the four titles are below: