The final and highly anticipated leg of the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026 evaluations has officially commenced at the Hulhule Island Hotel (HIH) in the Maldives, marking the home stretch of a rigorous regional vetting process.
The evaluation tour kicked off in early June and has successfully completed extensive rounds across major South Asian hubs, including Colombo, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Kathmandu, Paro, and Dhaka. This final evaluation phase in the Maldives is scheduled to conclude on July 7, 2026, finalizing the scores for the region’s finest in hospitality and travel.
Celebrating a Decade of Excellence: The 10th Edition
This year marks a historic milestone for the prestigious platform as it celebrates its 10th Anniversary Edition. Since its inception, SATA has grown into the most coveted regional travel endorsement, recognized by premier hospitality brands across South Asia.
The grand finale of this landmark edition, the SATA 2026 Gala and Awards Ceremony is scheduled to take place from October 7 to 8, 2026, in the Maldives, bringing the region’s top travel executives, hoteliers, and industry pioneers back to where the tourism magic happens.
Over the past decade, the SATA Gala has traveled to some of the most iconic destinations across South Asia, reflecting the rich diversity of the region’s tourism landscape:
Mount Lavinia (Sri Lanka)
Addu City (Maldives)
Mumbai (India)
Galle (Sri Lanka)
Bengaluru (India)
Virtual edition
North Male’ Atoll (Maldives)
Kathmandu (Nepal)
Colombo (Sri Lanka) – 2025 Edition
As the final evaluations wrap up this week at Hulhule Island Hotel, anticipation is building for the landmark 10th edition. We look forward to welcoming the brightest stars of South Asian hospitality to the Maldives this October to celebrate ten years of elevating regional standards.
With the evaluation panel finalizing their reviews over the coming days, the stage is set for an extraordinary celebration of resilience, innovation, and world-class service in South Asian tourism.