9th South Asian Travel Awards 2025 honours excellence in regional tourism

Leading City Hotel (above 40 rooms) – Shangri La Colombo 

Special Award – Aitken Spence Chairman Emeritus Late Harry S. Jayawardena 

Leading F&B Hotel, Resort The Kingsbury Colombo

Leading Resort/Hotel Brand – Amaya Resorts & Spas 

The South Asian Travel Awards (SATA), the region’s platform celebrating excellence in travel, tourism, and hospitality, marked its 9th edition with a spectacular grand gala hosted at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo. 

This year’s gala brought together distinguished guests, eminent tourism authorities, esteemed partners, and industry leaders from across the region. Against the vibrant backdrop of Sri Lanka’s culture and heritage, the evening celebrated South Asia’s collective spirit of hospitality and innovation.

In a night of recognition and inspiration, 53 Gold Award winners and 113 Silver Award winners were honoured across diverse categories, showcasing the very best of Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. The winners embody not only service excellence and innovation but also the resilience and unity that continue to elevate South Asia’s tourism industry to global prominence.

Since its inception in 2016, SATA has grown into one of the most influential brands in the region, endorsed by leading regional and international tourism bodies. The awards program continues to serve as a platform for nations to come together, not in competition, but in celebration of shared triumphs and brilliance.

A key highlight of the evening was the conferral of the SATA – Faces of South Asia, a tribute to visionary leaders whose lifelong contributions have shaped the region’s tourism and hospitality landscape. This year’s honourees were:

• Late Harry S. Jayawardena – Chairman Emeritus, Aitken Spence PLC, Sri Lanka

The Visitors’ Choice Awards, reflecting the voice of global travellers, were among the most anticipated recognitions of the evening. This year’s winners included:

• Leading MICE Destination – Sri Lanka
• Leading Wellness Destination – Sri Lanka

This year’s Gold Awards honoured the finest in South Asian hospitality, travel, and aviation. Some of the standout winners include:

• Leading Travel Agent – Inbound: Aitken Spence Travels (Sri Lanka)
• Leading Travel Agent – Outbound: Hayleys Travels Ltd. (Sri Lanka)
• South Asia’s Best General Managers: Kamal Munasinghe (Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Sri Lanka)
• Leading Luxury Hotel: Shangri-La Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Leading Wellness & Spa Hotel/Resort: Heritance Ayurveda, Sri Lanka
• Leading International Airline: Sri Lankan Airlines

These awards represent not only operational excellence but also the innovation and cultural richness that define South Asian tourism.

SATA extends heartfelt gratitude to its valued sponsors and partners, whose support has made this celebration of excellence possible:

• Destination Partner: Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA)
• Host Hotel: Cinnamon Grand Colombo
• Airline Partner: SriLankan Airlines
• Hospitality Partners: Mandarina Colombo (Sri Lanka) 

The SATA 2025 Grand Gala was not just a celebration of winners, but a tribute to the entire region’s travel and hospitality fraternity. With shared values of resilience, creativity, and unity, South Asia continues to strengthen its position on the global tourism map. As the curtain falls on another memorable edition, SATA reaffirms its commitment to recognizing excellence and inspiring growth in the years ahead.

Pix by Shehan Gunasekera