Nominations open for South Asian Travel Awards 2026
Nominations have opened for the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, inviting travel and hospitality brands and professionals across the region to compete for recognition in one of South Asia’s leading tourism award programmes.
Marking its tenth year since its launch in 2016, SATA has established itself as a regional platform recognising performance, innovation and leadership in the travel and tourism industry. The awards cover participants from Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and India.
For the 2026 edition, the organisers have introduced two new individual award categories: Outstanding Chef and Outstanding Young Hotelier (Under 40 Years). The additions are intended to highlight culinary achievement and emerging leadership within the hospitality sector, reflecting changing industry priorities.
SATA is endorsed by a range of regional and international tourism bodies, including the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Visit Maldives Corporation, Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators, Nepal Tourism Board, and several industry associations from Sri Lanka, India, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Organisers said the broad institutional support reflects the awards’ credibility and evaluation standards.
Over the past decade, SATA has been hosted in destinations across South Asia, including Sri Lanka, Nepal, India and the Maldives. The annual ceremony has become a regular event on the regional tourism calendar, bringing together hotel executives, tour operators, tourism officials and media.
Winners are selected through a structured assessment process conducted by a panel of industry professionals, covering a wide range of categories such as South Asia’s Best New Hotel, Leading Riverfront Hotel, Leading Palace Hotel and Leading Designer Hotel.
In addition to recognising performance, SATA aims to provide a platform for networking and collaboration among tourism stakeholders, supporting the region’s international positioning as a travel destination.
Nominations for SATA 2026 are open until 25 April 2026. Submissions can be made online through the official SATA website.
