South Asian Travel Awards 2023 Concludes Successfully
The 7th edition of South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2023 held at Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway, India on October 09 – 10th has been successfully concluded.
SATA is an annual event that recognizes and celebrates excellence in the travel and tourism industry across South Asia. This year, the evaluation sessions were conducted in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, with a panel of international jury members.
Honorable Minister of Tourism, Maldives, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom along with other travel, tourism and hospitality stakeholders and entrepreneurs from Maldives and South Asia participated in the event.
Speaking at the event, President of SATA, Mr. Ismail Hameed stated that “South Asian countries represented in SATA have the best to offer in the world. Each of you have made South Asian countries into desire destinations in travel industry and acknowledge particularly Mr. Janah of HRIM from Maldives who has contributed for the development and bringing up luxury properties to Maldives and the region. Contributions from industry prisoners from respective nations has made a huge difference for the lives of people in our countries and tourism today is a big revenue source for the people”.
SATA has been endorsed by over 18 International and government agencies for its work to elevate tourism and hospitality in the region.
- Association of Professionals in Tourism (APT),
- Association of Tourism Trade Organizations, India (ATTOI),
- Association of Travel Agents (ATA),
- Colombo Chamber of Commerce (CCC),
- Confederation of Accredited Tour Operators (CATO),
- Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL),
- Hotel and Restaurant Association of Bhutan (HRAB),
- Kerala Hotel General Manager Club (KHGMC),
- National Boating Association of Maldives (NBAM),
- Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO),
- Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation (MMPRC),
- Nepal Tourism Board (NTB),
- Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO),
- The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL),
- Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN)
- Bangladesh International Hotel Association (BIHA),
- The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO)
- Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI)
- Incredible India
The partners for SATA 2023 showcased their commitment to support the travel and tourism industry in South Asia. Gulf Craft, as the Platinum Partner. The Hawks Pvt Ltd and Velana International Airport were unveiled as the Gold Partners. Allied Insurance Company of the Maldives was the Insurance Partner. Assotech Realty and Bizspokewas the Silver Partners and Crowe Maldives was the Auditing Partner.
SATA Opportunity and Conversation event was supported by Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation(MMPRC), as a Destination Partner. Hospitality Partners from South Asia were; Maagiri Hotel, Maldives, Mandarina Colombo, Sri lanka, Hyatt Place Kathmandu, Nepal, The Westin Dhaka, Bangladesh and Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway, India.
The SATA is one of the most prestigious awards in the travel and tourism industry in South Asia, with winners being selected by a panel of experts and industry professionals. The awards are given in variety of categories, including Best Domestic Destination, Best International Destination, Best Adventure Destination, and Best Emerging Destination.
SATA not only recognizes the achievements of the winners but also serves as a platform to showcase the latest trends and developments in the travel and tourism industry in South Asia. The event included networking opportunities that provide a valuable opportunity for industry professionals to share ideas and insights.
Overall, the South Asian Travel Awards play a crucial role in promoting the travel and tourism industry in South Asia and recognizing the contributions of the organizations that drive its success.
Winners of SATA 2023 are:
| PROPERTY | CATEGORY | REGION | GOLD / SILVER |
| Best Dives Private Limited | Leading Adventure / Sports Tour Operator | Maldives | SILVER |
| Ceylon Extreme Adventure Pvt. Ltd. | Leading Adventure / Sports Tour Operator | Sri Lanka | GOLD |
| Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden | Leading Airport Hotel | Bangladesh | SILVER |
| Hyatt Regency Kathmandu | Leading Airport Hotel | Nepal | SILVER |
| Vivanta Colombo Airport Garden, Sri Lanka. | Leading Airport Hotel | Sri Lanka | SILVER |
| Kochi Marriott Hotel | Leading Airport Hotel | India (South) | GOLD |
| SUN SIYAM IRU FUSHI | Leading All-inclusive Resort | Maldives | GOLD |
| SAYEMAN BEACH RESORT | Leading Beach Resort | Bangladesh | SILVER |
| ROCKHOLM AT THE LIGHTHOUSE BEACH, KOVALAM | Leading Beach Resort | India (South) | SILVER |
| Taj Bentota Resort & Spa | Leading Beach Resort | Sri Lanka | SILVER |
| Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences | Leading Beach Resort | Maldives | GOLD |
| HANSA – A Premium Residence | Leading Boutique Hotel/Resort | Bangladesh | SILVER |
| Hotel The Kabo | Leading Boutique Hotel/Resort | India (North) | SILVER |
| Isola Di Cocco By Citrine | Leading Boutique Hotel/Resort | India (South) | SILVER |
| Reveries Maldives | Leading Boutique Hotel/Resort | Maldives | SILVER |
| Hotel Heritage | Leading Boutique Hotel/Resort | Nepal | SILVER |
| Taru Villas: The Long House | Leading Boutique Hotel/Resort | Sri Lanka | GOLD |
| Ramada encore by wyndham statue of unity | Leading Budget Hotel | India (North) | SILVER |
| Mount Princess Hotel | Leading Budget Hotel | Nepal | SILVER |
| ACCORD CHROME | Leading Budget Hotel | India (South) | GOLD |
| Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka | Leading Business Hotel | Bangladesh | SILVER |
| Hyatt Regency Delhi | Leading Business Hotel | India (North) | SILVER |
| JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar | Leading Business Hotel | India (South) | SILVER |
| Maagiri Hotel | Leading Business Hotel | Maldives | SILVER |
| Aloft Kathmandu Thamel | Leading Business Hotel | Nepal | SILVER |
| Shangri-La Colombo | Leading Business Hotel | Sri Lanka | GOLD |
| Kuku Grand | Leading City Hotel | Bhutan | SILVER |
| Uday Suites Garden Hotel | Leading City Hotel | India (South) | SILVER |
| Hotel Himalaya | Leading City Hotel | Nepal | SILVER |
| Mandarina Colombo | Leading City Hotel | Sri Lanka | GOLD |
| InterContinental Dhaka | Leading Convention Center | Bangladesh | SILVER |
| Uday Palace Convention Centre | Leading Convention Center | India (South) | GOLD |
| Maldives Holiday Collections Pvt Ltd | Leading Cruising Travel agent | Maldives | SILVER |
| Aitken Spence Travels | Leading Cruising Travel agent | Sri Lanka | GOLD |
| The Pema by Realm | Leading Designer Hotel/Resort | Bhutan | SILVER |
| MOUNTAIN CLUB RESORT | Leading Designer Hotel/Resort | India (South) | SILVER |
| Heritance Tea Factory | Leading Designer Hotel/Resort | Sri Lanka | SILVER |
| Cocoon Maldives | Leading Designer Hotel/Resort | Maldives | GOLD |
| Bizcon Holidays | Leading Destination Promoter | Bangladesh | SILVER |
| KERALA ARTS AND CRAFTS VILLAGE | Leading Destination Promoter | India (South) | SILVER |
| Rapid Adventures | Leading Destination Promoter | Sri Lanka | GOLD |
| Dive Point Maldives | Leading Dive Center / Brand | Maldives | GOLD |
| Adaaran Select Meedhupparu | Leading Dive Resort | Maldives | GOLD |
| Golden Tulip The Grand Mark-Dhaka | Leading Eco-Friendly Resort | Bangladesh | SILVER |
| RKPO Green Resort (Gangtey) | Leading Eco-Friendly Resort | Bhutan | SILVER |
| Harvest Fresh Farms | Leading Eco-Friendly Resort | India (South) | SILVER |
| Summer Island Maldives | Leading Eco-Friendly Resort | Maldives | SILVER |
| Heritance Kandalama | Leading Eco-Friendly Resort | Sri Lanka | GOLD |
| The Westin Dhaka | Leading F&B Hotel/Resort | Bangladesh | SILVER |
| Taj Palace, New Delhi | Leading F&B Hotel/Resort | India (North) | SILVER |
| Hilton Chennai | Leading F&B Hotel/Resort | India (South) | SILVER |
| LUX* South Ari Atoll | Leading F&B Hotel/Resort | Maldives | SILVER |
| Hyatt Place Kathmandu | Leading F&B Hotel/Resort | Nepal | SILVER |
| Cinnamon Grand Colombo | Leading F&B Hotel/Resort | Sri Lanka | GOLD |
| Ocean Paradise Hotel & Resort | Leading Family Resort | Bangladesh | SILVER |
| Rema resort | Leading Family Resort | Bhutan | SILVER |
| Devi Ratn IHCL SeleQtions | Leading Family Resort | India (North) | SILVER |
| MOUNTAIN CLUB RESORT | Leading Family Resort | India (South) | SILVER |
| Dahlia Boutique Hotel | Leading Family Resort | Nepal | SILVER |
| Shangri-La Hambantota | Leading Family Resort | Sri Lanka | SILVER |
| Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives | Leading Family Resort | Maldives | GOLD |
| Accord Metropolitan | Leading Fine Dining Outlet in Hotel/Resort | India (South) | SILVER |
| You & Me Maldives | Leading Fine Dining Outlet in Hotel/Resort | Maldives | SILVER |
| Sea Pleasure | Leading Floating Luxury Cruise/Safari | Maldives | GOLD |
| Ace Aviation Services Maldives Pvt Ltd | Leading GSA | Maldives | GOLD |
| Hotel Agrabad | Leading Heritage Hotel/Resort | Bangladesh | SILVER |
| Equator Village | Leading Heritage Hotel/Resort | Maldives | SILVER |
| Hotel Heritage | Leading Heritage Hotel/Resort | Nepal | SILVER |
| Fox Resorts Jaffna | Leading Heritage Hotel/Resort | Sri Lanka | SILVER |
| Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur | Leading Heritage Hotel/Resort | India (North) | GOLD |
| Adventure Resorts & Cruises | Leading House Boat | India (South) | SILVER |
| Voyages Maldives | Leading Liveaboard Brand | Maldives | GOLD |
| InterContinental Dhaka | Leading Luxury Hotel/Resort | Bangladesh | SILVER |
| Taj Palace, New Delhi | Leading Luxury Hotel/Resort | India (North) | SILVER |
| Hard Rock Hotel Maldives | Leading Luxury Hotel/Resort | Maldives | SILVER |
| Hyatt Regency Kathmandu | Leading Luxury Hotel/Resort | Nepal | SILVER |
| Heritance Negombo | Leading Luxury Hotel/Resort | Sri Lanka | SILVER |
| Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway | Leading Luxury Hotel/Resort | India (South) | GOLD |
| Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka | Leading Meeting and Conference Hotel/Resort | Bangladesh | SILVER |
| Turyaa Chennai | Leading Meeting and Conference Hotel/Resort | India (South) | SILVER |
| CROSSROADS Maldives | Leading Meeting and Conference Hotel/Resort | Maldives | SILVER |
| View Hotel Siddhartha | Leading Meeting and Conference Hotel/Resort | Nepal | SILVER |
| Taj Samudra Colombo | Leading Meeting and Conference Hotel/Resort | Sri Lanka | SILVER |
| Taj Palace, New Delhi | Leading Meeting and Conference Hotel/Resort | India (North) | GOLD |
| The Palace Luxury Resort | Leading Palace Hotel | Bangladesh | SILVER |
| RAMBAGH PALACE | Leading Palace Hotel | India (North) | GOLD |
| Voyages Maldives | Leading PSA | Maldives | GOLD |
| Aitken Spence Hotels | Leading Resort / Hotel Brand | Maldives | GOLD |
| Momo Inn Park & Resort | Leading Riverfront Hotel/Resort | Bangladesh | SILVER |
| The World Backwaters | Leading Riverfront Hotel/Resort | India (South) | SILVER |
| Cinnamon Citadel Kandy | Leading Riverfront Hotel/Resort | Sri Lanka | SILVER |
| Meghauli Serai, A TAJ Safari | Leading Riverfront Hotel/Resort | Nepal | GOLD |
| AVIA MALDIVES PVT LTD | Leading Supervision Agent (General Aviation Service) | Maldives | SILVER |
| CONTINUUM AVIATION | Leading Supervision Agent (General Aviation Service) | India (North) | GOLD |
| Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives | Leading Surf Hotel/Resort | Maldives | GOLD |
| Trans Maldivian Airways | Leading Tourist Transport Provider (Air) | Maldives | GOLD |
| CASONS RENT A CAR | Leading Tourist Transport Provider (Land/Sea) | Sri Lanka | SILVER |
| Bangladesh Tour Group – BTG | Leading Travel Agent – Inbound | Bangladesh | SILVER |
| Far Horizon Tours | Leading Travel Agent – Inbound | India (North) | SILVER |
| Capital Travel Maldives | Leading Travel Agent – Inbound | Maldives | SILVER |
| Aitken Spence Travels | Leading Travel Agent – Inbound | Sri Lanka | GOLD |
| INNOGLOBE TRAVEL & TOURS LTD. | Leading Travel Agent – Outbound | Bangladesh | SILVER |
| Smitten Holidays & Travels | Leading Travel Agent – Outbound | India (South) | SILVER |
| DT Travels | Leading Travel Agent – Outbound | Sri Lanka | SILVER |
| Ace Travels Maldives Pvt Ltd | Leading Travel Agent – Outbound | Maldives | GOLD |
| Taj Lakefront, Bhopal | Leading Wedding Hotel/Resort | India (North) | SILVER |
| CROSSROADS Maldives | Leading Wedding Hotel/Resort | Maldives | SILVER |
| Hotel Mechi Crown | Leading Wedding Hotel/Resort | Nepal | SILVER |
| Taj Bentota Resort & Spa | Leading Wedding Hotel/Resort | Sri Lanka | SILVER |
| Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel & Spa | Leading Wedding Hotel/Resort | India (South) | GOLD |
| Rema resort | Leading Wellness and Spa Resort | Bhutan | SILVER |
| THE NATTIKA BEACH AYURVEDA RESORT | Leading Wellness and Spa Resort | India (South) | SILVER |
| The Terraces Resort and Spa | Leading Wellness and Spa Resort | Nepal | SILVER |
| Heritance Ayurveda | Leading Wellness and Spa Resort | Sri Lanka | GOLD |
| Vanya Holiday Resort, By Citrine | Leading Wildlife Lodge, Tented camp | India (South) | SILVER |
| Cinnamon Wild Yala | Leading Wildlife Lodge, Tented camp | Sri Lanka | GOLD |
| CROSSROADS Maldives | Leading Yacht Marina Hotel / Resort | Maldives | GOLD |
| Kumarakom Lake Resort | Most Romantic Resort | India (South) | SILVER |
| You & Me Maldives | Most Romantic Resort | Maldives | SILVER |
| Himalaya Drishya Resort | Most Romantic Resort | Nepal | SILVER |
| The Theva Residency | Most Romantic Resort | Sri Lanka | SILVER |
| Taj Lake Palace , Udaipur | Most Romantic Resort | India (North) | GOLD |
| Platinum Grand By SHELTECH | Nishan Seneviratne Best CSR Programme | Bangladesh | SILVER |
| Dusit Thani Maldives | Nishan Seneviratne Best CSR Programme | Maldives | SILVER |
| Aloft Kathmandu Thamel | Nishan Seneviratne Best CSR Programme | Nepal | SILVER |
| Royal Palms Beach Hotel, Kalutara | Nishan Seneviratne Best CSR Programme | Sri Lanka | GOLD |
| MR. ASHWANI NAYAR | South Asia’s Best GM | Bangladesh | GOLD |
| MR. SHIBIL MALIK | South Asia’s Best GM | India (South) | GOLD |
| MR.BINNYSEBASTIAN | South Asia’s Best GM | Nepal | GOLD |
| MR. REFHAN RAZEEN | South Asia’s Best GM | Sri Lanka | GOLD |
| Grand Sylhet Hotel & Resort | South Asia’s Best New Hotel / Resort | Bangladesh | SILVER |
| Taj Amer | South Asia’s Best New Hotel / Resort | India (North) | SILVER |
| Indimasi Healing Village by Citrine | South Asia’s Best New Hotel / Resort | India (South) | SILVER |
| Taru Villas: Maia | South Asia’s Best New Hotel / Resort | Sri Lanka | GOLD |
| VISITORS CHOICE | ||
| Sri Lankan Airlines | Leading Airline Class – Business Class | GOLD |
| Sri Lankan Airlines | Leading International Airline – South Asia | GOLD |
| Leeli Lounge | Leading Airport Lounge | GOLD |
| MALDIVES | LEADING BEACH DESTINATION | GOLD |
| INDIA | LEADING HERITAGE DESTINATION | GOLD |
| NEPAL | LEADING ADVENTURE DESTINATION | GOLD |
| FACE OF SOUTH ASIA | |||
| Tourism Faces of South Asia | HAKIM ALI | BANGLADESH | COIN |
| Tourism Faces of South Asia | MOHAMED ALI JANAH | MALDIVES | COIN |
| Tourism Faces of South Asia | RAJEEV KOHLI | INDIA | COIN |
| Tourism Faces of South Asia | M U UMAR MANIK | MALDIVES | COIN |
(Total Awards: 92 SATA 2023 – REGIONAL AWARDS – SILVER WINNERS, 43 SATA 2023 – GOLD AWARDS – SOUTH ASIA’S LEADING WINNERS, 6 VISITORS CHOICE AWARDS, TOTAL 142 AWARDS & 4 GOLD COINS)
