UTSSOB-coordinated participation highlights the country’s growing hospitality, tourism and service excellence

Desk Report: Bangladesh has secured 22 honours at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, earning regional recognition for its hotels, resorts, travel agencies and hospitality professionals. The achievements highlight the diversity of the country’s tourism industry and its growing capacity to attract attention across South Asia.

The United Tourism Stakeholders Society of Bangladesh (UTSSOB) coordinated the country’s participation in the prestigious regional awards, providing an opportunity for Bangladeshi tourism businesses and professionals to showcase their achievements before a wider South Asian audience.

The awards cover a broad range of categories, including luxury and business hotels, beach resorts, boutique properties, eco-friendly hospitality, fine dining, travel services, corporate social responsibility and professional leadership.

Among the notable achievements, Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan won Gold in the Best Promotion Campaign category, while FARS Hotel & Resorts received Gold as the Leading Budget Hotel. The Peninsula Chittagong earned Gold for the Nishan Seneviratne Best CSR Programme, recognising its work in corporate social responsibility. Alamgir Hossain of Platinum Grand by SHELTECH was named South Asia’s Best General Manager, also receiving Gold.

Hyatt Place Dhaka Uttara was recognised as South Asia’s Best New Hotel/Resort, placing a Dhaka-based property among the region’s award-winning hospitality establishments.

Other Bangladeshi winners included Grand Sylhet Hotel & Resort as Leading Airport Hotel; Sayeman Beach Resort as Leading Beach Hotel/Resort; THE WAY Dhaka as Leading Boutique Hotel; Radisson Blu Water Garden, Dhaka, as Leading Business Hotel; and Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View as Leading City Hotel in the category for properties with more than 40 rooms.

Platinum Residence by SHELTECH received the Leading City Hotel award for properties with fewer than 40 rooms, while HANSA-A Premium Residence was recognised as Leading Designer Hotel/Resort. SKS Inn Resort won in the Leading Eco-Friendly Hotel/Resort category, and The Peninsula Chittagong was also recognised as the Leading F&B Hotel/Resort.

Momo Inn Park & Resort received two honours, being named both Leading Family Hotel/Resort and Leading Wedding Hotel/Resort. The Westin Dhaka was recognised as the Leading Fine Dining Outlet in a Hotel/Resort, while Sayeman Heritage received the Leading Heritage Hotel/Resort award. Baywatch Hotel in Cox’s Bazar was named Leading Luxury Hotel/Resort, and Sayeman received recognition as Leading Resort/Hotel Brand.

In the travel services sector, Bangladesh Tour Group (BTG) was named Leading Travel Agent – Inbound, while Travel Classic (Pvt) Limited won the Leading Travel Agent – Outbound category.

The 22 honours collectively reflect the range of Bangladesh’s tourism and hospitality businesses, from internationally recognised hotel brands in Dhaka and Chattogram to leisure and resort destinations in Sylhet, Cox’s Bazar and Gaibandha.

Speaking about the achievements, HM Hakim Ali, Chair of SATA Bangladesh and President of UTSSOB, said the recognition was a matter of pride for the country’s tourism and hospitality industry.

He said the awards reflected the dedication, professionalism and commitment to excellence demonstrated by Bangladeshi hotels, resorts, travel agencies and tourism professionals.

As Bangladesh continues to strengthen its position as a tourism destination in South Asia, Ali emphasised the importance of regional platforms in showcasing the country’s capabilities, promoting destinations and encouraging higher standards of service and innovation.

He congratulated all the award winners and those who contributed to the achievement, expressing confidence that stronger cooperation among tourism stakeholders, continued investment in service quality and a shared commitment to sustainable tourism would help the country realise its tourism potential and gain wider regional and international recognition.

The awards also draw attention to the importance of professional management, responsible business practices and innovation in building a competitive tourism industry. Recognition in areas such as destination promotion, culinary services, eco-friendly hospitality and corporate social responsibility reflects the expanding range of expectations facing modern tourism businesses.

For Bangladesh, tourism offers opportunities to support employment, entrepreneurship, investment and the growth of small and medium-sized businesses. Hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, transport providers, tour operators and local communities can all benefit when destinations attract more domestic and international visitors.

However, turning regional recognition into long-term economic gains requires sustained efforts to improve service quality, develop tourism infrastructure, strengthen workforce skills and promote the country`s cultural and natural attractions. Effective destination marketing, responsible environmental management and greater cooperation between public and private stakeholders can also help build visitor confidence.

UTSSOB said it seeks to strengthen engagement among tourism stakeholders, promote Bangladesh’s hospitality industry and create opportunities for regional cooperation through its coordination of the country’s participation in SATA 2026.

The organisation congratulated all 22 award-winning entries, describing their achievements as a contribution to enhancing Bangladesh’s reputation as a destination for business, leisure, culture and hospitality.

The South Asian Travel Awards recognition provides a platform for Bangladesh’s tourism industry to showcase its progress while encouraging businesses and professionals to maintain service standards, pursue innovation and work towards more sustainable growth.

As regional competition for tourists and investment continues, the challenge for Bangladesh will be to build on these honours and translate industry recognition into stronger visitor experiences, wider economic opportunities and lasting growth for the country’s tourism sector.