Maldives named Indian Ocean’s leading destination for 2026
Island nation also wins regional honors for green tourism, diving and honeymoons as tourism sector marks 54 years
MALÉ, Maldives (MNTV) — Maldives has been named the Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination for 2026, adding another major tourism honor as the island nation seeks to maintain its position as one of the world’s most prominent luxury and nature-based travel destinations.
The country also won regional awards for Leading Green Destination, Leading Dive Destination and Leading Honeymoon Destination at the World Travel Awards ceremony held in Maldives on Sunday, which coincided with World Tourism Day.
Visit Maldives Corporation, the country’s national tourism promotion body, was named Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist Board. More than 15 Maldivian tourism and hospitality businesses also received awards across categories covering resorts, aviation, diving, luxury hospitality and destination management.
The recognition comes during the 54th year of tourism in Maldives, where the industry has grown from just two resorts opening in 1972 into the mainstay of the archipelago’s economy and its most important connection to international markets.
Tourism Minister Mohamed Ameen said the industry had become the “backbone” of the Maldivian economy while creating economic opportunities and connecting the geographically dispersed island nation with the rest of the world.
Tourism is particularly significant for Maldives because of its geography. The country consists of roughly 1,200 coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, and its resort-island model has allowed tourism to develop into a major source of foreign currency, employment and government revenue.
Sunday’s awards extend a strong run for Maldives at the World Travel Awards. The country was named World’s Leading Destination for six consecutive years between 2020 and 2025 and previously won the Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination title for five consecutive years from 2020 through 2024.
The green tourism award also comes as Maldives confronts the environmental pressures accompanying both climate change and a tourism industry heavily dependent on its marine ecosystems, coral reefs and beaches. The low-lying country is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, coastal erosion and damage to coral ecosystems.
The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to recognize achievements across the international travel, tourism and hospitality industries.
This year’s Asia, Oceania and Indian Ocean regional ceremony brought representatives from more than 40 countries to Maldives, marking the event’s return to the country after a decade.
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