The 8th Edition of the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2024 culminated in a vibrant celebration in Kathmandu, with winners announced during a prestigious Gala & Awards ceremony held at Aloft Kathmandu Thamel on Friday, September 20, 2024.

This year’s event attracted significant participation from key players within the hospitality industry, representing a diverse array of sectors including hotels, resorts, airlines, lounges, travel agents, and cruise lines. The SATA is endorsed by over 18 tourism organizations and bodies across the region, underscoring its credibility and significance in the travel sector.

With over 400 nominations submitted for this edition, competition was notably fierce. The event was honored by the presence of the Honorable Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr. Badri Prasad Pandey, along with Mr. Deepak Joshi, CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). Board members of NTB and prominent figures from Nepal's travel industry also attended, contributing to a grand celebration of excellence in South Asian hospitality. SATA 2024 was held in Kathmandu with the support of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN). 

The SATA awards recognize not only outstanding service and innovation within 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. Additionally, the special awards known as “Faces of South Asia” were posthumously presented to Late Ms. Ambica Shrestha, as well as Mr. Karna Sakya and Mr. Md Shakawath Hossain, honoring their remarkable contributions to the South Asian tourism industry.