Leading tourism industries honoured during 8th SATA Award in Kathmandu

The 8th edition of the South Asia Travel Award (SATA) 2024 culminated amidst a vibrant celebration in Kathmandu with winners announced during a prestigious Gala and Award ceremony organized at Aloft Hotel at Thamel, Kathmandu on Friday, September 20, 2024.

The SATA is endorsed by over 18 tourism organizations and bodies across the region underscoring its credibility and significance in the travel sector.

With around 400 nominations submitted for this edition, competition was notably tough. The event was graced by Nepal’s Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey along with CEO of Nepal Tourism Deepak Joshi, according to a press release issued by SATA Nepal.

“SATA awards recognize not only outstanding service and innovation with the hospitality sector but also foster a spirit of healthy competition and collaboration among industry stakeholders.”

In this year’s event, winners were named in a remarkable 51 GOld and 93 Silver categories. Nepal was acknowledged as the Leading Heritage Destination, while the Maldives claimed the title of Leading Beach Destination. Similarly, the special awards known as “Faces of South Asia” were posthumously presented to late Ms. Ambica Shestha as well as Karna Sakya and MD Shakawath Hossain (Bangladesh), honouring their remarkable contributions to the South Asian tourism industry, according to the release.

“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, we can achieve as we have to a long way to go,” remarked Ismail Hameed, president of SATA.

Taj Lands End and Leela Bharatiya City Bengaluru of India bagged Golds under Leading Business Hotel and Leading Convention Centre categories on the occasion while Kavya Himalayas of Nepal and Radisson Blu Shaka Water Garden of Bangladesh have won Golds under Leading Hill Reort/ Hotel and Leading Airport Hotel categories.

The event was organized at the joint initiatives of Hotel Association of Nepal and Nepal Tourism Board.