The Maldives nabbed top accolades as Africa & Indian Ocean winners of the 2022 World Travel Awards (WTA) were announced on 15 October at a Gala ceremony held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi.
The Maldives won the ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination’ and ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination’ titles as well as the award for ‘Indian Ocean’s Best Spa Destination’. The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) won the award for ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist Board’.
“It is 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,” the MMPRC said.
Some 400 VIP guests, industry figureheads and media from 25 countries attended the WTA’s comeback event.
“WTA had the privilege of recognising the region’s leading lights as the industry marked its triumphant return in style. As stellar examples of tourism excellence, our winners have helped to once again raise the bar,” Graham Cooke, Founder of the WTA said.
‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Wedding Destination’ went to Mauritius, while ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination’ was won by Seychelles.
The Maldives’ Velana International Airport won the award for ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport’ with Hulhule’ Island Hotel bagging the award for Leading Airport Hotel.
Local travel agencies won top honours in the Indian Ocean category including Get Into Maldives Travel (‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator’), Simply Maldives (‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Travel Agency’).
Trans Maldivian Airways won the award for Indian’s Ocean’s Leading Seaplane Operator.
The hotly contested category for ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading New Resort’ went to Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island, while the award for ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Island Resort’ was awarded to Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi; and ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort’ was won by Vakkaru Maldives.
Several Maldives resorts also won awards in the Indian Ocean category:
Indian Ocean’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort – Constance Moofushi
Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Resort – Constance Moofushi
Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort – Kurumba Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Boutique Hotel – Fushifaru Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort – JA Manafaru
Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel – Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel Suite – The Vakkaru Overwater Residence at Vakkaru Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort – Vakkaru Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Leisure Hotel – Anantara Veli Maldives Resort
Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa – John Jacob Astor Estate at The St.Regis Vommuli Resort
Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Resort – The St.Regis Vommuli Resort
Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Island Resort – Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Indian Ocean’s Leading New Resort – Jumeirah Maldives Ohahali Island
Indian Ocean’s Leading Private Island Resort – Velaa Private Island
Indian Ocean’s Leading Villa resort – The Grand Park Kodhipparu
Indian Ocean’s Leading Water Villa Resort – Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
Indian Ocean’s Most Romantic Resort – Baros Maldives
Here are the winners of the Maldives category:
Maldives’ Leading All-Inclusive Resort – Lily Beach Resort & Spa
Maldives’ Leading Beach Resort – Diamonds Thudufushi
Maldives’ Leading Boutique Resort – Fushifaru Maldives
Maldives’ Leading Destination Management Company – Get Into Maldives Travels
Maldives’ Leading Family Resort – Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives
Maldives’ Leading Green Resort – Sun Island Resort & Spa
Maldives’ Leading Honeymoon Resort – JA Manafaru Maldives
Maldives’ Leading Hotel Suite – The Vakkaru Overwater Residence at Vakkaru Maldives
Maldives’ Leading Luxury Hotel Villa – John Jacob Astor Estate at The St.Regis Vommuli Resort
Maldives’ Leading Luxury Island Resort – Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Maldives’ Leading Luxury Resort – The St.Regis Vommuli Resort
Maldives’ Leading Luxury Tour operator – Premier Maldives
Maldives’ Leading Luxury Villa Resort – Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa
Maldives’ Leading Resort – Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa
Maldives’ Leading Tour Operator – Get into Maldives Travels
Maldives’ Leading Travel Agency – Travel Connection Maldives
Maldives’ Leading Villa Resort – Constance Halaveli Maldives
Maldives’ Leading Water Villa Resort – Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa
The Maldives has also been nominated for several prestigious awards in the WTA’s ‘World’s Leading Category’ including the ‘World’s Leading Island Destination’, and the ‘World’s Most Romantic Destination’, and the most prestigious ‘World’s Leading Destination’ for the third consecutive year.
The Maldives won the title of World’s Leading Destination for the last two years. The MMPRC has been nominated for the title of the World’s Leading Tourist Board as well.
The Grand Final Gala Ceremony will be held in Oman on 11 November.
The World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to recognise, reward, and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. The brand is recognised globally as the benchmark of industry excellence.
Click here for the full list of winners.
