Addu Citys Equator Village has been confirmed as the official venue for the South Asian Travel Awards 2017 Gala event.

 According to the Organizer High Rise Maldives, SATA 2017 Gala will be on 27th of October and will be held as a festival. The SATA festival will comprise of 3 major events. The second and third event, SATA Gala and SATA Celebration to be held on 28 October.

 The 2017 edition has been scheduled to take place in the Southern Most atoll of Maldives passing the zero degree Equator at Addu City. The official host of SATA 2017 is Equator Village.

 Speaking at the ceremony, founder of SATA concept and event organizer, Ismail Hameed stated that their decision to host the event in Addu city is to help bring development to the region. He also added that the event is going to have a positive impact on Maldivian Tourism.

Addu atoll is home to the Gan International Airport, which is the only international airport apart from Velana International airport. Located in the island of Gan In Addu Airport, Equator village is accommodated with 78 spacious garden view bungalows. Complimented with a restaurant, The Serena spa, poolside bar, and a large swimming pool overlooking the vast ocean. The village offers variety of activities including squash, table tennis, tennis etc.

 With over 450 nominations for 34 categories from 10 segments. SATA received over 450 nominations from Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, India and Nepal for the 2017 edition. Properties and services nominated for SATA competed in 39 major categories. Silver titles are honored for the best from each destination and Gold are awarded for Regions best.

 SATA has earlier announced the partners of this years edition, including:

Platinum Partner: Ooredoo Maldives

Gold Partner: Hawks Private Limited and Gan International Airport

Exclusive insurance partner: Allied Insurance

Silver Partner: Coca Cola, Asia Forwarding, Everest Carpets, Stage Core and Grape Expectation

Hospitality Partner for Maldives: Champa Central Hotel

Hospitality Partner for South India: The Chancery Pavilion

Hospitality Partner for North India: Udman Hotels and Resorts by Ferns N Petals

Hospitality Partner for Sri Lanka: Ramada Hotel

Hospitality Partner for Nepal: Hotel Mulberry

Travel Media Partner: Maldives Insider, The Islandchief and Travel World Online

Online Media Partner: Sun Online

TV Partner: Maldives TV

Travel Partner: MVHotels

Videography Partner: Visual Beams from NERN Private Limited

Photography Partner: Digital Studio

Auditing Partner: Crowe Horwath Maldives

 Travel for all international nominees are coordinated by Inner Maldives Holidays (PSA of Sri Lankan Airlines) and accommodations coordinated by One Tours Company for the Gala Participants.

 Launched last year by Maldives-based event management company Highrise, SATA has been endorsed by regional tourism authorities and organizations, including the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Sri Lanka (FCCISL), Colombo Chamber of Commerce (CCC), Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO), Confederation of Associated Tour Operators (India), Association of Travel Agents (ATA) Maldives, Association of Travel and Tour Operators India (ATTOI), Association of Professionals in Tourism (APT, India), Kerala Hotel General Managers Club (KHGMC), Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Liveaboard Association of Maldives (LAM).

 SATA is the first ever regional travel awards endorsed by multinational associations, providing the tourism sector of the South Asian region with recognition towards their facilities and service excellence. It aims to encourage and raise service standards in the regions tourism industry.