Sri Lanka won the Visitors’ Choice Award for Leading Wellness Destination at the 10th South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, held in Malé on 8 October 2026. The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Maldives, M. Rizvi Hassen, received the award at the ceremony, which brought together tourism and hospitality industry representatives from across South Asia.
Sri Lanka’s recognition as a Leading Wellness Destination reflects its rich heritage of Ayurveda and traditional healing practices, as well as its diverse natural landscapes and wellness experiences, which continue to attract visitors from around the world.
SATA brings together tourism industry stakeholders from six South Asian countries: Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The awards recognise achievements across a broad range of sectors, including hotels, resorts, travel agencies, tour operators, airlines and other tourism-related organisations. The initiative is endorsed by regional tourism bodies and supported by more than 18 endorsing organisations.
The 2026 ceremony marked another milestone in SATA’s regional journey, with the Maldives hosting the event at Barceló Nasandhura Malé. Previous editions have been hosted in destinations including Sri Lanka, India, the Maldives and Nepal, reflecting the awards’ regional reach and commitment to recognising excellence across South Asia.
The 2026 awards attracted more than two million online votes, alongside jury evaluations conducted across seven cities by a multinational panel of judges. The awards process combines public participation with professional assessment to recognise excellence and achievements across the tourism and hospitality industries. According to the organisers, participation and the receipt of awards and badges are free of charge, with recipients recognised on merit.
Established in 2016, the South Asian Travel Awards is a regional initiative founded by Mr. Ismail Hameed, President of SATA. Over the years, SATA has evolved into a recognised platform for celebrating excellence in travel, tourism and hospitality, with representatives across participating destinations.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
Maldives
15 October 2026
