The South Asian Travel Awards announced SATA 2021 in great hope of an
early revival to the hospitality and travel industry. Unfortunately, the
COVID-19 situation did not seem to curb especially in the region. As of now,
almost all the South Asian countries are in lockdown or partially closed for
tourism and leisure travel. As such SATA had to decide on the way forward for
2021.
After careful consideration and deliberation with endorsing partners
and board members, SATA has decided not to go ahead with the 2021 awards citing
the lockdowns, as most properties are still not in full operation.
SATA prays a quick recovery for all infected, and requests all to
comply with the regulations of local health authorities to overcome the
situation. We wish the millions of hospitality service workers a quick return
to service.
South Asian Travel Awards has been recognizing the best of South Asian
travel and hospitality since 2016. The prestigious annual event honors stellar
organizations and individuals with the aim to revive and raise service standards
within the region’s tourism industry. South Asian Travel Awards is endorsed by
16 regional and international bodies for its accredited work, including:
·
Association of
Professionals in Tourism (APT),
·
Association of Tourism
Trade Organizations, India (ATTOI),
·
Association of Travel
Agents (ATA),
·
Colombo Chamber of Commerce
(CCC),
·
Confederation of Accredited
Tour Operators (CATO),
·
Federation of Chambers of
Commerce & Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL),
·
Hotel and Restaurant
Association of Bhutan (HRAB),
·
Kerala Hotel General
Manager Club (KHGMC),
·
National Boating
Association of Maldives (NBAM),
·
Maldives Association of
Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO),
·
Maldives Marketing & PR
Corporation (MMPRC),
·
Nepal Tourism Board (NTB),
·
Sri Lanka Association of Inbound
Tour Operators (SLAITO),
·
The Hotels Association of
Sri Lanka (THASL),
·
Bangladesh International
Hotel Association (BIHA),
·
The Indian Association of
Tour Operators (IATO).
Despite the unprecedented challenges, SATA 2020 was successfully held
virtually. The previous editions were held at Amari Galle, Sri Lanka (2019),
Taj Mahal Palace, India (2018), Equator Village, Maldives (2017) and Mount
Lavinia Hotel, Sri Lanka (2016).