Maldives crowned WTA World’s Leading Destination for fourth consecutive year

The Maldives has been crowned as the World's Leading Destination at the 2023 World Travel Awards.

The 2023 WTA Grand Finale was held at Dubai’s most iconic hotel, the Burj Al Arab, on Friday evening.

It marks the fourth consecutive year for the Maldives to receive the prestigious award, amidst fierce competition from 17 acclaimed global destinations, including Dubai, Indonesia, New Zealand, Spain, and Vietnam.

In a statement announcing the accomplishment, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) said the award further solidifies the Maldives' consistent excellence and unmatched charm that distinguishes it as the top destination in the world.

In addition to securing The World’s Leading Destination title, MMPRC was honored as the 2023 World’s Leading Tourist Board, marking the second consecutive year winning the prestigious title.

Meanwhile, Thoyyib Mohamed, MMPRC’s former CEO, received the Special Achievement Award.

Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, the former Maldivian tourism minister, won the title of 2023 Travel Personality of the Year, for his contributions to the travel and tourism industry.

In an interview to Travel News Network, Mausoom dedicated his award to all tourism stakeholders, in the Maldives and abroad.

Meanwhile, the Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) won the title of 2023 World’s Leading Seaplane Operator – marking the seventh consecutive time, and the ninth time overall, that the TMA has won this prestigious title.

The Maldives also received the newly-introduced Global Tourism Resilience Award at the event, given to the five leading destinations and countries for strategically building capacity to recover swiftly and thrive after disruptions.

The Maldives was also nominated as the 2023 World's Leading Beach Destination, World's Leading Dive Destination, World's Leading Honeymoon Destination, World's Leading Island Destination, and World's Most Romantic Destination.

MMPRC said the wins are testament to the Maldives’ exceptional standing in the global tourism landscape and the enduring appeal of the Sunny Side of Life to travelers worldwide.

“This exceptional fourth consecutive win reaffirms the Maldives' commitment to delivering unparalleled experiences, and we extend our gratitude to our visitors, industry partners, and stakeholders whose steadfast support has been pivotal in achieving this milestone,” said the tourism board.

The WTA, established in 1993, is the most prestigious honors program in the global travel and tourism industry, recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.