It has been decided to hold the "World Travel Awards" (WTA) in the Maldives this year, with Crossroads Maldives designated as the official venue for the ceremony.

This marks the first time the awards will be hosted in the Maldives following a nine year break.

Scheduled to take place on September 27 this year, the event is timed to coincide with World Tourism Day. This edition of the award ceremony is slated to select winners from the Asia and Oceania regions, in addition to the Indian Ocean.

Crossroads Maldives is a prominent integrated destination in the Maldives, located a 15-minute speedboat ride away from Velana International Airport (VIA). The destination features three distinct resorts, including SAii Lagoon Maldives, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, and SO/ Maldives, alongside world-class dining and entertainment services.

WTA Founder Graham Cooke stated that Crossroads is an innovative destination that showcases the future of the travel and tourism industry.

Visit Maldives Managing Director Ibrahim Shiuree said that the award ceremony will pave the way to showcase the Maldives' natural beauty, its renowned hospitality toward tourists, and its ongoing efforts toward sustainable tourism to global leaders.

Crossroads General Manager Alexander Traeger stated that hosting such an event in the Maldives, which currently maintains its title as the world's most popular destination, represents a major advancement achieved by the country in the tourism sector.