The 8th Edition of the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2024 concluded successfully in Kathmandu, celebrating regional tourism excellence with a vibrant Gala & Awards ceremony held at Aloft Kathmandu Thamel on Friday, September 20th.
This year’s edition drew strong participation from across the hospitality and tourism sectors, including prominent representatives from hotels, resorts, airlines, lounges, travel agencies, and cruise operators. Endorsed by more than 18 regional tourism bodies, SATA continues to uphold its reputation as one of South Asia’s most credible and influential industry platforms.
SATA 2024 attracted over 400 nominations, marking a highly competitive year. The ceremony was graced by the Honorable Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Mr. Badri Prasad Pandey, alongside Mr. Deepak Joshi, CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). Members of the NTB board, tourism leaders, and prominent figures from Nepal’s travel industry were also in attendance. The event was hosted with the support of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN).
Recognizing excellence and inspiring innovation within the hospitality and tourism ecosystem, SATA honours outstanding service standards while fostering healthy competition and collaboration across the region.
This year’s awards celebrated winners across 51 Gold and 93 Silver categories. Notable recognitions included Nepal as the Leading Heritage Destination and the Maldives as the Leading Beach Destination. The prestigious “Faces of South Asia” honour was presented posthumously to Late Ms. Ambica Shrestha, Mr. Karna Sakya, and Mr. MD Shakawath Hossain for their remarkable contributions to South Asian tourism.
SATA 2024’s partners reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the region’s tourism landscape. Gulf Craft served as the Platinum Partner, while The Hawks, Velana International Airport, and Hotels and Resorts Investment Maldives (HARIM) supported as Gold Partners. Allied Insurance Company of the Maldives joined as Insurance Partner, with Resort Life Travels and Bizspoke as Silver Partners. Core tourism partnerships included NTB and HAN, with Aloft Kathmandu Thamel and The Malla Hotel serving as Official Hosting Partners.
Esteemed hospitality partners also supported the event, including Mandarina Colombo (Sri Lanka); Sheraton Grand Bangalore at Brigade Gateway (India); Akama Hotel and Hyatt Place, Kathmandu (Nepal); Zhiwaling Heritage (Bhutan); and Manhattan Business Hotel (Maldives).
In his address, SATA President Mr. Ismail Hameed underscored the power of regional unity, stating, “We need to stick together in promoting the region. SATA has reached here by working together. The industry has the world to offer within this region, and we can achieve much more as we still have a long way to go.”
More than an awards ceremony, SATA serves as an influential platform for networking, dialogue, and collaboration. By recognizing excellence, encouraging innovation, and strengthening cross-border partnerships, SATA remains instrumental in shaping a thriving and sustainable tourism future for South Asia-ensuring the region continues to shine as a compelling destination for global travellers.
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