Maldives wins World's Leading Destination 2020 Award

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After a year filled with uncertainty, there is finally a reason for the Maldives to celebrate. The island nation recently won the prestigious World’s Leading Destination award for 2020, as announced during a virtual ceremony held by World Travel Awards.




Considered a benchmark in the travel industry, World Travel Awards has been honoring excellence in the hotel, airline, and tourism sectors since 1993. While it is a tremendous privilege for a country to be nominated for the awards, winning it is unquestionably a moment to cherish and rejoice.

The Maldives was chosen as the World’s Leading Destination 2020 from a total of 22 finalists that include tourism hotspots such as India, Greece, New Zealand, Portugal, and Sri Lanka. As first-time winners, the award holds tremendous significance for the Maldives. It also shines a much-needed spotlight on its government, tourism board, and people’s continued efforts to make this tropical paradise one of the world’s best island destinations.

But wait, that’s not all.

The Maldives did not just win the World’s Leading Destination 2020 title but was also nominated in several other categories winning regional awards, namely Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination 2020, Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination 2020, and Indian Ocean’s Leading Cruise Destination 2020, a nod towards the country’s multiple liveaboard options which are a unique way to stay in and explore the Maldives.

On an individual level, the Maldives once again rose to the occasion when many of its island resorts were considered the best in their respective categories. Baros Maldives won the World’s Leading Luxury Island Villas 2020 award, whereas JA Manafaru took home the title of the World’s Leading Honeymoon Resort 2020, highlighting the fact that the Maldives is a beloved destination for couples.

Other trophy winners include Trans Maldivian Airway for the World’s Leading Seaplane Operator 2020, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort for the World’s Leading Luxury Island Resort 2020, and Hulhule Island Hotel for the World’s Leading Airport Resort 2020.   

A Dream Destination - Maldives

Still not convinced by all the awards the Maldives bagged in 2020? Debating whether to put it on your bucket list or not?




We’ll make it easier for you by listing some of the main reasons why the Maldives is the leading travel destination of 2020.

Strong tourism industry

Tourism is the Maldives’ most important revenue source and thus forms an integral part of the country’s economic policy. As a result, the island nation has a strong travel industry that sees the government and tourism board work tirelessly with the local people and the resorts to ensure that every visitor arriving in the Maldives has a memorable vacation.

From investing in extensive advertising to strategies that protect the delicate land and marine environment, the Maldives has slowly transformed into a leading travel destination since it first started welcoming travelers in 1972.

Quick with COVID policies

Partly due to necessity and because of quick thinking, the Maldives was able to swiftly regain composure and safely open its borders at the height of COVID-19. While several other countries were still coming to terms with the pandemic’s effect on travel, Maldivian islands started welcoming travelers from across the globe in July 2020.

At the forefront of this decision were concrete COVID guidelines that have kept the pandemic under control in the Maldives. Moreover, the government took extraordinary steps to ensure that every visitor and citizen’s health was given the utmost importance by implementing compulsory testing and restricting inter-island movement while still allowing tourists to indulge in Maldives’ rich natural spoils.

Strategic links with neighbors

Another reason why the Maldives is the leading travel destination in 2020 is because of its healthy ties with neighboring countries. To help restart its tourism sector and also permit cooped up holiday enthusiasts to step out of their homes, Maldives formed a travel bubble with India. This allowed both countries in terms of tourism and trade.

Perfect for Couples and Families - Maldives

“One island one resort”

The exclusivity of the Maldives also lies in its “one island one resort” policy. Before 2020, these resorts presented guests with an out-of-the-way experience, albeit a luxurious one. Secluded beaches, world-class service, and a chance to be one with nature made them dreamy escapes like no other.

In 2020 though, the islands’ individuality helped provide extra safety for both the people working at the resorts and those visiting from overseas. With limited movement and connectivity, the resort islands were easier to manage, providing a source of tension-free relaxation for guests wanting to leave behind the dilemmas of COVID-19 in their respective countries.

Accommodates luxury and budget travel

Maldives’ rise as an international travel location has been exponential over the past decade. At the heart of this is its growing persona as a budget destination.




The luxury resorts and their grand water bungalows captured the fancy of the rich and the famous decades ago. Now though, the inhabited islands of the Maldives are welcoming budget travelers with their pocket-friendly guesthouses, restaurants, and equally beautiful beaches.

Great for couples and families

No longer reserved for honeymooners, the Maldives is also promoting itself as a family holiday spot. There are adult-only resorts and several places that do not allow children. However, most island retreats have facilities for children that include kid’s activities, play centers, and opportunities to mix education with entertainment. 

Activities in Maldives

Loads of exotic excursions

It’s incredible how much you can do during a relaxing island vacation. At first thought, there is no need to leave the comfort of your villa in the morning, where you can take a plunge in a pool or relax on the patio. But you should, because you do not want to miss out on all the exceptional excursions that the Maldives has to offer.

The islands are surrounded by innumerable diving and snorkeling spots where you can swim with manta rays and sharks. Furthermore, there are occasions to surf, paddleboard in the ocean, or lose yourself in the colors and smells of the local markets in Malé. If you thought there’s not much to do in the Maldives, think again, because it didn’t become a leading travel destination just like that.  

Plenty of cultural activities

Traditions and culture are an essential part of life for the Maldivians, who are more than happy to include visitors in their religious and celebratory events. As guests of the country, you can experience the trance-like rhythms of the Bodu Beru dance or visit homes of artisans to see them create colorful handicrafts.

There is also the possibility to wander around the inhabited islands, searching for historical monuments, ranging from beautiful coral stone mosques to the remains of Buddhist stupas

A hub for culinary adventures

An interesting aspect of the Maldives is that food lovers can experiment with distinct culinary themes during their holiday. The resorts typically have fancy restaurants that serve dishes from across the world, often using a mix of both local and imported produce. Besides inimitable dining experiences like picnics on a sandbank, there is also the chance to have a gourmet meal in an unearthly setting, that of an underwater restaurant.

In contrast to the extravagant options on resorts, the Maldivian food on inhabited islands is humble and made with a few select ingredients. Here, you not only get to savor delicious seafood preparations but will also come to appreciate local culinary traditions like that of hedika, bite-sized eats served at most teahouses.

 

Now, there are several other reasons why you should be heading to the Maldives soon. But what’s the fun in telling you everything? With plenty of surprises still awaiting your arrival in the Maldives, the one question that remains is how soon you’ll be walking on the soft sandy shores of the leading travel destination in the world.