The 9th edition of the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) concluded with a spectacular Grand Gala at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo, honoring outstanding achievements in tourism and hospitality across the region.
The prestigious event brought together distinguished guests, leading tourism authorities, industry leaders, and partners from Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. With Sri Lanka’s cultural vibrance as the backdrop, the gala celebrated South Asia’s spirit of hospitality, innovation, and resilience.
This year’s ceremony recognized 53 Gold Award winners and 113 Silver Award winners across multiple categories, showcasing the region’s best in travel, hospitality, and aviation. Since its inception in 2016, SATA has grown into one of South Asia’s most respected award platforms, endorsed by both regional and international tourism bodies.
A key highlight was the SATA – Faces of South Asia Awards, which honored visionary leaders for their lifelong contributions to tourism:Ms. Nandini Lahe-Thapa – Retired Senior Director, Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal, Ms. Jyoti Mayal – Former President, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), India, Mr. Mohamed Waheeduddeen – Chairman, Bandos Island Resort, Maldives,
Deshamanya D. Harry S. Jayawardena – Chairman Emeritus, Aitken Spence PLC, Sri Lanka.
The Visitors’ Choice Awards, reflecting the voice of global travelers, were among the most anticipated accolades. The winners included Maldives (Leading Adventure Destination), Bhutan (Leading Heritage Destination), and Sri Lanka (Leading MICE and Wellness Destination).
Among the Gold Award winners, standout honorees were: Aitken Spence Travels (Sri Lanka) – Leading Travel Agent (Inbound),
Hayleys Travels Pvt Ltd (Sri Lanka) – Leading Travel Agent (Outbound), The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands – Leading Luxury Resort, Shangri-La Colombo, Sri Lanka – Leading Luxury Hotel, You & Me Maldives – Most Romantic Resort, Hilton Kathmandu, Nepal – Best New Hotel/Resort, Heritance Ayurveda, Sri Lanka – Leading Wellness & Spa Resort, SriLankan Airlines – Leading International Airline,Trans Maldivian Airways (Maldives) – Leading Tourist Transport Provider (Air)
The event was supported by key partners including the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (Destination Partner), Cinnamon Grand Colombo (Host Hotel), Honda Marine Maldives (Platinum Partner), alongside Gold, Silver, Airline, and Hospitality Partners from across the region.
Speaking on the occasion, organizers emphasized that SATA is more than an awards platform—it is a celebration of unity, resilience, and shared success in South Asia’s tourism industry.
The SATA 2025 Grand Gala was not just about honoring excellence but also about reinforcing South Asia’s position as a leading global tourism hub.
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