The South Asian Travel Awards (SATA), the region’s most prestigious platform recognizing excellence in travel, tourism, and hospitality, celebrated its 9th edition with a spectacular Grand Gala Ceremony at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Sri Lanka. The event brought together the who’s who of South Asia’s tourism industry, honoring leaders, organizations, and destinations that continue to shape and elevate the region’s global presence.
Nepal’s Nandini Lahe-Thapa Honored with “Tourism Faces of the Year 2025”
In a proud moment for Nepal, Ms. Nandini Lahe-Thapa, Retired Senior Director of the Nepal Tourism Board, was awarded the prestigious “Tourism Faces of the Year 2025” award. Her decades-long contributions toward advancing tourism policies, promoting Nepal as a global destination, and strengthening cross-border collaboration were highly praised.
Lahe-Thapa joined an esteemed list of awardees in this category, including Jyoti Mayal, Former President of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI); Mohamed Waheeduddeen, Chairman of Bandos Island Resort, Maldives; and Deshamanya D. Harry S. Jayawardena, Chairman Emeritus of Aitken Spence PLC, Sri Lanka. Their recognition highlighted how visionary leadership continues to guide South Asia’s tourism and hospitality landscape forward.
A Night of Recognition and Inspiration
The 2025 SATA Grand Gala was more than just an award ceremony—it was a celebration of regional unity and cultural pride. Against the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s rich heritage, the event welcomed eminent tourism authorities, industry leaders, and global partners, creating a platform to exchange ideas and reinforce South Asia’s reputation as a world-class tourism hub.
A total of 53 Gold Award winners and 113 Silver Award winners were honored across diverse categories. These awards recognized not only operational excellence but also the resilience, adaptability, and innovation demonstrated by the tourism industry in the face of recent global and regional challenges.
Visitors’ Choice Awards: The Voice of Global Travelers
One of the most anticipated moments of the evening was the announcement of the Visitors’ Choice Awards, reflecting the preferences of global travelers who have experienced South Asia firsthand.
- Leading Adventure Destination: Maldives
- Leading Heritage Destination: Bhutan
- Leading MICE Destination: Sri Lanka
- Leading Wellness Destination: Sri Lanka
These recognitions underscored the diversity and specialization of South Asia’s destinations, from adventure-filled islands and heritage-rich kingdoms to conference tourism and holistic wellness retreats.
Celebrating South Asia’s Best in Hospitality and Aviation
The Gold Awards this year shone a spotlight on excellence in the hospitality, aviation, and travel sectors.
- Leading Travel Agent (Inbound): Aitken Spence Travels, Sri Lanka
- Leading Travel Agent (Outbound): Hayleys Travels Pvt Ltd, Sri Lanka
- Best General Managers:
- Ahmed Zahir (Angsana Velavaru, Maldives)
- Digvijay Singh (Conrad Bengaluru, India)
- Karthi VK (Holiday Inn Express Kathmandu Naxal, Nepal)
- Khagendra Dahal (Hotel Tashi Yid-Wong Grand, Bhutan)
- Kamal Munasinghe (Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Sri Lanka)
This category particularly highlighted how leadership and management excellence drive service standards across the region.
Luxury and Heritage Recognized
SATA 2025 also celebrated outstanding properties that have set benchmarks in luxury, romance, heritage, and innovation:
- Leading Luxury Resort: The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
- Leading Luxury Hotel: Shangri-La Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Most Romantic Resort: You & Me Maldives
- Leading Heritage Hotel/Resort: Zhiwaling Heritage, Bhutan
- Best New Hotel/Resort: Hilton Kathmandu, Nepal
- Leading All-Inclusive Resort: Heritance Aarah, Maldives
- Leading Wellness & Spa Resort: Heritance Ayurveda, Sri Lanka
These winners represented a blend of architectural excellence, personalized service, and cultural authenticity, reinforcing South Asia’s reputation for offering world-class experiences.
Aviation and Transport Leaders Honored
Aviation and transport providers also received due recognition for their role in boosting connectivity and accessibility across the region:
- Leading International Airline: SriLankan Airlines
- Leading Tourist Transport Provider (Air): Trans Maldivian Airways Pvt. Ltd, Maldives
These awards emphasized the importance of efficient transport services in enhancing the overall tourism experience.
SATA’s Legacy of Regional Unity
Since its inception in 2016, the South Asian Travel Awards have become one of the most influential brands in the region, endorsed by leading regional and international tourism bodies. Unlike competitive industry awards, SATA fosters an environment of shared celebration, where countries come together to highlight their collective strengths.
By honoring diverse achievements, ranging from small-scale operators to large hotel chains—SATA continues to provide visibility to both established brands and emerging players, ensuring the tourism landscape remains vibrant and inclusive.
South Asia’s Tourism Spirit
The 9th edition of SATA was not just about recognizing excellence but also about reaffirming the resilience and unity of South Asia’s tourism industry. From Nepal’s Himalayan adventures and Bhutan’s cultural treasures to the Maldives’ luxury resorts, India’s diverse hospitality, and Sri Lanka’s wellness and heritage, the awards demonstrated the collective power of the region in competing on a global stage.
With tourism playing a pivotal role in economic recovery post-pandemic and amidst political uncertainties, the recognitions at SATA 2025 served as both a tribute to industry leaders and a beacon of hope for the future of South Asian tourism.
