The Maldives has cemented its status as the world’s premier holiday hotspot after being crowned World’s Leading Destination 2025 for the sixth consecutive year and World’s Leading Green Destination 2025 for the second year running at the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony held at Exhibition World Bahrain.
The double victory delivers a historic “six in a row” for the Maldives brand, sending a powerful signal of confidence from the global tourism industry and travelling public at a time when the island nation is on track for a record breaking year. Visitor arrivals passed the two million mark earlier than in any previous year, and the country is firmly positioned to reach its national target of 2.3 million tourists by the end of 2025.
Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards are widely regarded as the highest honour in global tourism, with winners selected through international voting by industry professionals and the public. The Maldives saw off competition from leading destinations such as Dubai, Indonesia, Spain and Vietnam to retain the world title again in 2025, underscoring the strength and resilience of its appeal in a crowded marketplace.
The renewed recognition as World’s Leading Green Destination underlines the Maldives commitment to sustainable tourism, environmental stewardship and the protection of fragile coral reef and marine ecosystems that underpin its luxury offering. The title reflects years of investment in eco friendly resort concepts, responsible marine experiences and policy level initiatives designed to balance growth with conservation.
This year’s global accolades cap a coordinated international marketing push by Visit Maldives Corporation, the state owned agency that promotes the destination worldwide under the “Maldives, The Sunny Side of Life”. Throughout 2025, Visit Maldives rolled out major ambassador programmes, high impact digital campaigns, targeted roadshows and co branded partnerships across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America, while also launching the new 2026 “Ocean Nation” theme to keep the brand fresh and forward looking.
In addition to the two world titles, the Maldives secured three key regional honours at the 2025 awards, further broadening its tourism portfolio. The country was named Indian Ocean’s Best MICE Destination 2025, Malé was recognised as Indian Ocean’s Best Incentive Destination 2025, and VisitMaldives.com won Indian Ocean’s Best Tourism Authority Website 2025. These wins signal the Maldives growing strength in meetings and incentives, urban tourism and digitally enhanced visitor engagement, alongside its traditional reputation for high end leisure travel.
Several Maldivian operators and properties also shone on the global stage, with Trans Maldivian Airways and leading luxury resorts among those taking home world level honours in their respective categories. Their success highlights the depth of quality across the country’s aviation, transport and resort infrastructure, which together deliver the seamless island experience that travellers associate with the Maldives.
The latest results build on earlier regional victories in 2025, when the Maldives won Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination and Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Destination, reinforcing its dual position as both a premium luxury retreat and a standard bearer for sustainable tourism in the region.
Visit Maldives Corporation emphasises that these achievements are the product of collective effort across the tourism ecosystem, from resorts, guesthouses and liveaboards to local communities, service providers and government stakeholders. The back to back honours at the World Travel Awards confirm that the Maldives continues to set the benchmark for global island tourism, and demonstrate the impact of sustained, year round promotion and strong public private partnership in keeping the destination at the top of traveller wish lists worldwide.
