Bhutan has won 11 honours at the 2026 South Asian Travel Awards (SATA), including the Best Leading Heritage Destination title for the second consecutive year. The awards were announced during the 10th edition of the regional event, held in the Maldives on October 8. Seven Bhutanese hotels, resorts and hospitality representatives received 10 additional awards across categories recognising heritage, design, sustainability, food and beverage, and leadership.
Among the winners, Kaachi Grand in Paro received awards for Leading City Hotel and Leading Airport Hotel. Zhiwaling Heritage won two Silver awards for design and heritage, while Dhumra Farm Resort in Punakha was recognised for boutique hospitality and eco-friendly practices. Other winners included Hotel Druk in Thimphu, Dawa at Hilltop by Heeton and Le Méridien Paro, Riverfront. Tshering Phuntsho, founder and managing director of Rema Resort, received the Outstanding Young Hotelier award.
Bhutan’s heritage recognition highlights the importance of its historic fortresses, monasteries, traditional architecture and cultural practices to its tourism industry. The awards covered tourism businesses and professionals from Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Organisers said the results were based on international jury assessments, accounting for 60 per cent of the final score, and public voting, contributing the remaining 40 per cent. Meanwhile, discussions are underway for Bhutan to host the 2027 awards, although no date or venue has been confirmed.