Maldives named world’s best beach destination at 2025 tourism awards

MALE, Maldives (MNTV) — The Maldives has been crowned the world’s best beach destination at the 2025 World Tourism Awards held in Brussels, reaffirming its standing as a symbol of tropical luxury and sustainable coastal stewardship.

The recognition celebrates the archipelago’s turquoise lagoons, powder-white beaches, and diverse marine ecosystems — long regarded as benchmarks for global beach tourism. The award was received on behalf of President Mohamed Muizzu by former president and special envoy Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan during the ceremony marking the close of the Global Tourism Forum’s annual meeting.

Addressing the audience, Dr Waheed expressed the president’s gratitude and noted that the award represents both a tourism milestone and a call to protect fragile marine environments threatened by climate change and rising sea levels.

The Global Tourism Forum’s 2025 gathering, held under the theme “Redefining Tourism in a Changing World,” brought together leaders, policymakers, and industry executives from across continents to discuss innovation, sustainability, and post-pandemic resilience in the travel sector.

For the Maldives, where tourism contributes more than a quarter of GDP, the accolade underscores the nation’s balancing act between economic growth and environmental preservation. 

The country has invested heavily in coral restoration, renewable energy projects, and eco-certified resorts — measures that have become central to its national tourism identity.

Tourism officials said the recognition will further enhance the Maldives’ global profile as travelers increasingly seek destinations that combine natural beauty with ecological responsibility.