The South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) and Tourism Summit 2026 commenced in Malé with a day of industry discussions, leadership insights and business networking, bringing together tourism stakeholders from across South Asia. Hosted at the Ari Ballroom of Barceló Nasandhura Malé, the opening-day programme, titled Connect & Conversations, explored opportunities for regional collaboration, investment, hospitality innovation and technology-driven tourism.
The proceedings began with registration at 9.30 am, followed by opening remarks from Suraj Khan, Vice-President (India) of SATA. Abdulla Ghiyas Riyaz, Chairman of Visit Maldives Corporation, welcomed the delegates, while Sameer Yoonus, Vice-President (Sri Lanka) of SATA, presented certificates to representatives.
Highlighting the region’s collective tourism potential, Ghiyas emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to international marketing and destination promotion. He noted that South Asia’s diverse range of experiences, from adventure and cultural exploration to luxury and leisure, positions the region to cater to travellers across generations.
With experience-led travel gaining prominence in the post-pandemic era, he called for greater cooperation among South Asian destinations to showcase the region as a compelling, unified tourism proposition to the global market.
Three panel discussions formed the centrepiece of the summit, each followed by a question-and-answer session with the media. The discussions were moderated by Dinushka Chandrasena, Editor of Travel Talk Asia, Director of Skål International Asia and Director of the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance.
The opening panel, Beyond the Horizon: The Future of Tourism, Transport & Investment in the Maldives, examined the prospects for tourism development, connectivity and investment in the island nation. The speakers were Mohammed Hussein Alshaali, Chairman and Co-Founder of Gulf Craft, and Jasim Janah, Group Chief Executive Officer of Hotels & Resorts Investment Maldives.
Leadership, luxury and evolving traveller expectations took centre stage in the second session, Redefining Leadership, Luxury and the Guest Experience. The panel brought together Ugyen Dorji, Vice-Chairman of the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Bhutan; Enric Reina Canitrot, Hotel Manager of Barceló Nasandhura Malé; Nazoomi Azhar, General Manager of Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Sri Lanka; and VK Karthi, General Manager of Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan, Bangladesh.
The third discussion, Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism, focused on the growing influence of digital tools and artificial intelligence on destination marketing and tourism operations. Contributors included Abdulla Yasir, Managing Director and CEO of Visit Maldives Corporation; Amal Goonetilleke, Consultant Hospitality Marketing for Sri Lanka and Maldives; Tek Mahat Bahadhur, CEO of the Hotel Association of Nepal; and Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson of the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council.
Industry presentations by Suran De Silva, Chief Commercial Officer of Allied Insurance Company of the Maldives, and Captain C. R. Rejith, General Manager of Gulf Craft Maldives, added further perspectives to the programme.
Alongside the discussions, a business-to-business meeting provided a platform for tourism companies and service providers from South Asia to present their offerings and engage with buyers from the SAARC region. The interactions opened avenues for commercial partnerships, product development and stronger trade connections across regional markets.
The day’s proceedings concluded with the presentation of certificates to partners and media representatives by Tuan Vaffoor, Vice-President (Sri Lanka) of SATA. Delegates then continued their conversations during an informal tea and coffee networking session.
The two-day event will culminate in the SATA Gala Evening, celebrating outstanding achievements among the region’s travel, tourism and hospitality organisations and professionals.
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