The prestigious South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2018 has successfully concluded in the iconic property, The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai.
Launched in 2016 by Maldives based event management company Highrise, SATA has been the most prestigious award for travel and tourism stakeholders in the South Asia region. The brand is the first of its kind with affiliations from regional associations ensuring the process to be done within a smooth and having a transparent procedure.
Nominations for the third edition of SATA, which consists of 36 categories in 10 segments, closed in April with a record 500 plus nominations from the Maldives, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal and Bhutan. Online voting was carried out via the official website till June 30.
This years Evaluation Process was carried out in Maldives capital Male, Sri Lankan capital Colombo, south Indian City of Bangalore, Indian capital New Delhi, Nepalese capital Kathmandu, and the Bhutanese town of Paro by an all-women jury, which comprises Amal Goonetilleke from Sri Lanka, Rinku Madan from India and Hinna Khalid from Maldives.
Hawks Pvt.Ltd and Allied Insurance of the Maldives signed up as Gold Partners of SATA 2018. Maldives TV was appointed as a Media Partner.UAG Marketing of Sri Lanka and Asian Geographic signed up with SATA as Silver Partners while UNDP signed up as their supporting Partner.
Mookai Hotel from the Maldives, Ramada Colombo from Sri Lanka, The Chancery Pavilion and Udman Hotels & Resorts by Ferns N Petals from India, Hotel Mulberry from Nepal, and Zhiwa Ling Heritage from Bhutan serve as Hospitality Partners of SATA 2018.
Travel World Online, Tourism Mail, Yambhu times, Maldives Insider, The Island Chief, MV Hotels Online, Floating Asia and Maldives TV have been appointed as Media Partners.
The regional recognition brand , SATA is currently endorsed by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry in Sri Lanka (FCCISL), Colombo Chamber of Commerce (CCC), Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation (MMPRC), Confederation of Accredited Tour Operators (India), Association of Travel Agents (ATA) Maldives, Association of Travel & Tour Operators India ( ATTOI), Association of Professional’s in Tourism (APT, India), Kerala Hotel General Managers Club (KHGMC), Nepal Tourism Board ( NTB), Liveaboard Association of Maldives (LAM), India Association of Tour Operators (IATO) and Hotel & Restaurant Association of Bhutan (HRAB)
The Taj Mahal Palace opened in Mumbai, then Bombay, in 1903, giving birth to the country’s first harbour landmark. The flagship hotel of Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces overlooks the majestic Gateway of India. This legendary luxury hotel has played host to kings, dignitaries and eminent personalities from across the globe, and is acknowledged as a world leader in hospitality. Each of the rooms 550 rooms & suites between the palace and tower wing is a striking blend of nostalgic elegance, rich history and modern facilities.
Highrise was formed in 2007 as a graphic design and event management company and quickly expanded into a full-fledged marketing firm operating from Male', Maldives & Colombo, Sri Lanka. Highrise offers comprehensive solutions and holistic approaches to challenges, which have made a significant difference to many well-established organisations.