World Travel Awards 2024: Maldives Triumphs Across Categories

The World Travel Awards 2024 celebrated outstanding achievements in the global travel and tourism industry. Among the notable winners, the Maldives stood out, taking home prestigious titles across multiple categories. The Maldives’ diverse luxury resorts, remarkable hospitality, and environmental commitment were recognized on the world stage. Here’s a look at the winners from the Maldives in the World Travel Awards 2024.

World Winners 2024

World’s Leading Destination 2024 – Maldives
World’s Leading Green Destination 2024 – Maldives
World’s Leading Luxury Honeymoon Resort 2024 – Vakkaru Maldives
World’s Leading Luxury Island Resort 2024 – The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
World’s Leading Seaplane Operator 2024 – Trans Maldivian Airways
World’s Leading Water Resort 2024 – Emerald Maldives Resort and Spa
World’s Leading Private Island Resort 2024 – Velaa Private Island Maldives
World’s Leading Airport Resort 2024 – Hulhule Island Hotel, Maldives
World’s Leading Boutique Airport Hotel 2024 – JEN Maldives Male’ by Shangri-La

Indian Ocean Winners 2024

Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination 2024 – Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Destination 2024 – Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination 2024 – Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport Hotel 2024 – Equator Village, Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination 2024 – Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Boutique Resort 2024 – COMO Cocoa Island, Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Resort 2024 – Bandos Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort 2024 – Vakkaru Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Resort 2024 – The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort 2024 – Kurumba Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Resort 2024 – Alila Kothaifaru Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort 2024 – JA Manafaru Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Island Resort 2024 – Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa 2024 – Velaa Private Residence @ Velaa Private Island
Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator 2024 – Get Into Maldives Travels
Indian Ocean’s Leading Seaplane Operator 2024 – Trans Maldivian Airways
Indian Ocean’s Leading Travel Agency 2024 – Simply Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Leading Villa Resort 2024 – OZEN Life Maadhoo
Indian Ocean’s Leading Water Villa Resort 2024 – Sun Siyam Vilu Reef Maldives
Indian Ocean’s Most Romantic Resort 2024 – Coco Bodu Hithi Maldives

Maldives Winners 2024

Maldives’ Leading Destination Management Company 2024 – Get Into Maldives Travels
Maldives’ Leading Resort 2024 – VARU by Atmosphere
Maldives’ Leading Luxury Resort 2024 – The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
Maldives’ Leading Luxury Island Resort 2024 – Cheval Blanc Randheli
Maldives’ Leading Water Villa Resort 2024 – Baros Maldives
Maldives’ Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2024 – Lily Beach Resort & Spa
Maldives’ Leading Beach Resort 2024 – Diamonds Thudufushi
Maldives’ Leading Boutique Resort 2024 – Huvafen Fushi Maldives
Maldives’ Leading Family Resort 2024 – Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives
Maldives’ Leading Green Resort 2024 – Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu
Maldives’ Leading Honeymoon Resort 2024 – Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa
Maldives’ Leading Hotel Suite 2024 – The Vakkaru Over Water Residence @ Vakkaru Maldives
Maldives’ Leading Luxury Hotel Villa 2024 – Royal RESERVE @ OZEN RESERVE Bolifushi
Maldives’ Leading Luxury Tour Operator 2024 – Get Into Maldives Travels
Maldives’ Leading Luxury Villa Resort 2024 – Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa
Maldives’ Leading Tour Operator 2024 – Alpha Maldives
Maldives’ Leading Travel Agency 2024 – Travel Connection Maldives
Maldives’ Leading Villa Resort 2024 – Constance Halaveli

The Maldives Continuing Excellence

The Maldives once again proved its dominance in the global travel and tourism sector at the World Travel Awards 2024. With the country taking home top honors in multiple categories, it is clear that the Maldives continues to set the standard for luxury, sustainability, and unparalleled hospitality. From the stunning resorts to its dedication to green practices, the Maldives is not just a destination; it is a symbol of excellence in the world of travel.

Why Close the World’s Busiest International Airport?

The answer lies 45 kilometers south in the desert sands of Dubai South, where Dubai is building a new mega-airport. Al Maktoum International, already partially operational, will become the world’s largest airport. When completed, it will feature five runways, 400 aircraft gates, and the capacity to handle 260 million passengers each year.

Unlike DXB, which dense neighborhoods in Garhoud and Al Qusais confine, DWC gives Dubai room to grow. In contrast, the new site offers scalability and flexibility. The project doesn’t just expand the city’s capacity—it reimagines it. Sleek architecture, cutting-edge technology, and integrated logistics with nearby Jebel Ali Port will ultimately deliver a smoother, more efficient experience for travelers and cargo alike.

Dubai isn’t just chasing numbers; rather, it’s planning for longevity. DXB, built in 1960, continues to age. Its infrastructure nears the end of its useful life. Keeping it operational would force the city to invest billions just to preserve the status quo. Dubai chooses a clean slate.

What Will Happen to the Land?

By closing DXB, Dubai unlocks a massive piece of prime real estate in its urban core. While officials haven’t announced exact redevelopment plans, they’ve opened the door to limitless possibilities. Think residential neighborhoods, parks, commercial centers—a brand-new district rising where runways once lay.

In fact, this transformation reflects the evolution seen in other global cities. Hong Kong, for instance, turned its former Kai Tak Airport into a thriving urban hub. Dubai plans to do the same—only on a larger scale.

When Is This Happening?

The shift won’t happen overnight. Dubai expects the transition to unfold over multiple decades. The first new terminal at Al Maktoum will open in 2032, and officials aim for full capacity between the late 2030s and the 2050s. Until then, DXB will keep serving passengers as Dubai phases in the move to DWC—starting with cargo and low-cost carriers, followed by flagship airlines like Emirates.

Travelers flying to and from Dubai will experience business as usual, for now. But the city has already set the change in motion, and soon, its skyline and story will look very different.

The Bigger Picture

Dubai has never hesitated to reinvent itself. It has transformed from sand dunes to skyscrapers, from a sleepy fishing village into a global metropolis. The closure of DXB doesn’t mark a loss; it signals a pivot. This moment reflects Dubai’s faith in the future, its bold planning, and its relentless drive to build bigger and better.

Unlike most cities, which adapt to their airports, Dubai is flipping the script. The city isn’t just designing an airport for tomorrow; it’s designing an entire city around it.

Maldives Triumphs Across Categories at World Travel Awards 2024

World Winners 2024

Indian Ocean Winners 2024

Maldives Winners 2024

The Maldives Continuing Excellence

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