Maldives has won the World's Leading Destination at World Travel Awards for a third consecutive year.

Before the third win in 2022, the island nation secured its first title beginning from 2020 for the first time and the second and second title in 2021. 

The award was presented at the 29th World Travel Awards' final gala celebration, which took place in Muscat, the capital of Oman, on Friday night. On behalf of the Maldives, the award was accepted by the Minister of Tourism, Dr Abdulla Mausoom, and the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), Thoyyib Mohamed.

The Maldives competed with 18 other popular tourist destinations for the title; Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dubai, Greece, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, United States and Vietnam.

The island nation wins the award for the third consecutive year as the country celebrates the 50th anniversary of its tourism industry this year. 

MMPRC won the title of World's Leading Tourism Board while Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) took home the title of World's Leading Seaplane Operator at tonight's WTA final gala celebration.

The Maldives gained the title of the World's Leading Destination for the past two years despite the challenges given by the global Covid-19 pandemic thanks to the sheer force of will, the labour of love, and dedication of the Maldivian tourist industry, according to an earlier statement announcing the candidacy.

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. World Travel Awards is regarded as the tourism and hospitality Oscars.