Maldives Nominated for World’s Leading Sustainable Destination 2026 as Voting Closes Today

The Maldives sustainable destination bid has reached its final day. The island nation has been nominated for World’s Leading Sustainable Destination 2026 at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, and voting closes today, 21 October 2026.

Visit Maldives Corporation, the country’s tourism promotion body, has called on the global travel community — travellers, tourism industry partners, local businesses, travel professionals and supporters around the world — to vote for the Maldives and back its bid for the international title.

The nomination recognises the Maldives’ efforts to advance sustainable tourism while protecting its natural environment and supporting the communities and businesses that form the country’s tourism industry. As a destination built around its marine environment and island ecosystems, the Maldives says sustainability remains closely connected to the long-term development of its tourism.

Maldives sustainable destination bid: the competition

The Maldives faces four fellow nominees in the World’s Leading Sustainable Destination 2026 category: the City of Dubrovnik, Diriyah: The City of Earth, Dubai and Serengeti National Park. The winner will be decided by the awards’ global vote.

The World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards were launched in 2023 under the World Travel Awards portfolio. They recognise destinations and organisations demonstrating leadership in environmental, social and economic sustainability across the travel and hospitality industry.

Voting is open through the awards’ official platform, where supporters register for a free account or sign in, find the World’s Leading Sustainable Destination 2026 category and select the Maldives. New users verify their email address before casting a vote.

A record of green recognition

The nomination adds to a growing list of international honours for the Maldives. The destination has been named the Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Destination for three consecutive years, from 2024 to 2026, demonstrating continued international recognition of its sustainability efforts.

It has also received prominent regional recognition as the Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination, Leading Dive Destination and Leading Honeymoon Destination, reflecting the breadth of its tourism offering.

The timing matters for island destinations. Tourism in the Maldives depends directly on healthy reefs, clean lagoons and stable shores, so the case for sustainability is not only environmental — it is the foundation of the industry itself and of the livelihoods connected to it.

Why the vote matters beyond one title

Awards such as these shape where travellers choose to go and what they expect when they arrive. For the Maldives, a win would put its marine conservation, community-based tourism and low-impact island experiences in front of a global audience at a moment when island nations are pressing for stronger climate action.

For travellers, the nomination is also a practical guide: it highlights destinations that are working to balance visitor numbers with environmental protection, local participation and education — the same principles behind sustainable coastal and island tourism worldwide.

Read more climate news in our climate section.

Key facts

• Maldives nominated for World’s Leading Sustainable Destination 2026 at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards.
• Voting closes today, 21 October 2026, through the awards’ official voting platform.
• Fellow nominees: City of Dubrovnik, Diriyah: The City of Earth, Dubai and Serengeti National Park.
• Maldives named Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Destination for three consecutive years, 2024 to 2026.
• World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards launched in 2023 under the World Travel Awards portfolio.

Frequently asked questions

What are the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards?

They are international awards launched in 2023 under the World Travel Awards portfolio. They recognise destinations and organisations demonstrating leadership in environmental, social and economic sustainability across the travel and hospitality industry.

Who else is nominated for World’s Leading Sustainable Destination 2026?

Alongside the Maldives, the nominees are the City of Dubrovnik, Diriyah: The City of Earth, Dubai and Serengeti National Park, according to the awards’ official nominees list.

When does voting close?

Voting closes on 21 October 2026. Supporters vote through the awards’ official platform by registering for a free account or signing in, finding the World’s Leading Sustainable Destination 2026 category and selecting the Maldives.

Why is the Maldives considered a strong sustainable destination?

The Maldives has been named the Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Destination for three consecutive years, from 2024 to 2026. Its tourism is built around its marine environment and island ecosystems, and its sustainability work is presented as protecting nature while supporting the communities and businesses in tourism.

What does sustainable tourism mean for an island nation like the Maldives?

It means developing tourism so that growth delivers long-term economic and social benefits while safeguarding the environment for future generations — protecting reefs, lagoons and shores on which both nature and livelihoods depend.

Source: Visit Maldives Corporation announcement, 12 October 2026, confirmed by MMTV, Hotelier Maldives and Maaldif, and the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards official nominees list.