Bangladesh’s hospitality sector received a resounding endorsement on the international stage as several leading local hotels, resorts, and tour operators were honoured at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2025, held at the Cinnamon Grand in Colombo.
The glittering ceremony, widely regarded as one of the region’s most prestigious events in the travel and tourism calendar, brought together top-tier organisations from Sri Lanka, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
A total of 53 Gold Awards and 113 Silver Awards were presented across a range of categories, recognising excellence in service, innovation, and guest experience.
Bangladeshi winners spanned multiple categories, reflecting the country’s growing reputation as a destination of choice for regional and international travellers.
Award Winners from Bangladesh
- Baywatch: South Asia’s Best New Hotel and South Asia’s Leading Beach Resort
- HANSA – A Premium Residence: Leading Designer Hotel/Resort
- Holiday Inn Dhaka City Centre: Leading City Hotel
- Intercontinental Dhaka: Leading Luxury Hotel
- Momo Inn: Leading Family Hotel & Resort and Leading Convention Center Award
- Platinum Grand: Leading Boutique Hotel
- Platinum Residence: Leading City Hotel and Leading Budget Hotel
- Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View: Best Eco-Friendly Hotel
- Radisson Blu Dhaka: Leading Airport Hotel and Leading Meeting & Events
- Sayeman Beach Resort: Leading Wedding Hotel/Resort
- Sayeman Heritage: Leading Heritage Hotel/Resort
- The Palace Luxury Resort: Leading Palace Hotel
- The Peninsula Chittagong: Best CSR Program, Leading F&B Hotel, and Leading Business Hotel
- The Westin Dhaka: Leading Wellness and Spa Hotel/Resort
- Bangladesh Tour Group (BTG): South Asia’s Leading Inbound Travel Agent and Best Promotion Campaign in South Asia
- Travel Classic (Pvt.) Limited: Leading Travel Agent – Outbound
Winning awards in different categories was no easy feat. Each submission underwent a rigorous selection and evaluation process.
The SATA 2025 Awards were presented to organisations that embody excellence in service delivery, innovation, sustainability, leadership, and overall industry impact.
During the evaluation stage, 60 percent of the marks came from the professional judges’ report cards, with the remaining 40 percent from online public voting.
Judges scored submissions based on multiple criteria: service excellence, innovation and improvement, customer satisfaction, sustainability and responsibility, operational excellence and safety, sales and revenue performance, leadership and team development, and industry contribution.
This year, SATA placed particular emphasis on sustainability, cultural authenticity, and digital innovation.
“SATA brings together over 300 delegates from across the South Asian region to celebrate the best of South Asian hospitality brands,” said SATA President Ismail Hameed at a press conference held during the event.
He added that international establishments such as the Taj Mahal Palace, as well as brands from Nepal and Bhutan, which are unique in their own right, took part in this year’s show.
“From travel agents’ associations to hotel associations to tourism boards — all are part of SATA,” Hameed said.
He noted that South Asian destinations hold great tourism potential, offering everything from cool weather and beaches to mountains, heritage, history, culture, food, and delicacies.
Md Mohsin Hoq Himel, Secretary of the Bangladesh International Hotel Association (BIHA), who attended the event, said: “BIHA has been working with the South Asian Travel Awards in Bangladesh.”
Under the overall guidance of Hakim Ali, founder of BIHA, the association has participated in the prestigious event every year, he said.
Through this platform, BIHA aims to highlight the service standards of Bangladesh’s local hotels and resorts, showcasing their uniqueness and distinctiveness alongside other regional hotels, Himel added.
“This year, every Bangladeshi hotel and resort has achieved remarkable positions. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the award winners.”
According to representatives of Bangladesh’s hospitality sector, this international recognition will further advance the country’s tourism and hotel industry in the global market and strengthen Bangladesh’s brand image worldwide, he said.
The first edition of the South Asian Travel Awards began in 2016 and has been organised by Highrise every year since, with the support of multiple associations and tourism bodies from across the South Asian region, according to the SATA website.
The annual search for South Asia’s most outstanding travel organisations spans a month each year from March to April, calling upon industry professionals to name their preferred travel suppliers in the region who have risen above the competition and surpassed expectations, it read.
“The awards programme continues to serve as a platform for nations to come together, not in competition, but in celebration of shared triumphs and brilliance.”
Written by Nibir Ayaan
