The Maldives has solidified its status as the pre-eminent global tourism powerhouse by clinching the title of World’s Leading Destination 2025 for the sixth year in succession and World’s Leading Green Destination 2025 for the second consecutive time at the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony in Exhibition World Bahrain.
Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards are universally regarded as the ultimate accolade within the international travel and tourism sector. The honours recognise outstanding achievement across every segment of the industry and are decided through votes cast by travel professionals worldwide and the general public.
Securing World’s Leading Destination for six consecutive years represents an unprecedented milestone for the Maldives, demonstrating the country’s enduring consistency, powerful brand recognition, and unbroken international allure. The repeat victory as World’s Leading Green Destination underscores the nation’s steadfast dedication to environmental protection, responsible tourism practices, and the preservation of its vulnerable marine environments.
These prestigious accolades arrive amid an exceptional year for Maldivian tourism. International arrivals surpassed the two-million mark earlier than in any prior year, placing the destination comfortably on course to meet the official goal of 2.3 million visitors by the close of 2025. Robust growth has been driven by comprehensive global marketing strategies, influential partnerships, broader trade outreach, and heightened visibility in core source markets.
Throughout 2025, Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) orchestrated an extensive array of worldwide promotional activities that reinforced the country’s dominant position. Initiatives encompassed high-profile ambassador schemes, expansive digital marketing drives, focused roadshows, joint branding collaborations, and the introduction of the 2026 “Ocean Nation” campaign theme. The Maldives further elevated its profile through prominent participation in major international travel exhibitions and effective joint-marketing programmes with partners in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America.
Beyond the two flagship global titles, the Maldives collected three additional regional awards this year:
- Indian Ocean’s Best MICE Destination 2025: Maldives
- Indian Ocean’s Best Incentive Destination 2025: Malé
- Indian Ocean’s Best Tourism Authority Website 2025: VisitMaldives.com
These regional honours illustrate the broadening scope of the Maldives’ tourism offerings, now encompassing meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), incentive travel, city-based experiences in the capital, and advanced digital visitor interaction.
The Maldives’ triumphs at the World Travel Awards stem from the combined commitment of the entire tourism sector, local populations, government bodies, and the international travel trade. The results cement the country’s standing as a premier luxury destination while validating the impact of sustained, year-round promotional work conducted by VMC and its industry collaborators.