Maldives has been crowned the best spa destination in the world.

At the red-carpet gala ceremony of the 2018 World Spa Awards at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort on October 26, the Maldives won the ‘World’s Best Spa Destination’ title for the second time — first being at the inaugural awards in 2016.

During the star-studded event at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, the Maldives also secured the regional ‘Indian Ocean’s Best Spa Destination’ award.

Maldives has consecutively maintained the Indian Ocean’s Best Spa Destination title for the past three years, since the World Spa Awards was founded. In 2016, Maldives also won the World’s Best Spa Destination award.

“Winning these awards will indeed enhance the image of the destination as a high profile luxury destination. Furthermore, winning of the awards indicates the visitors’ love and confidence towards the Maldives,” Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) said, in a statement.

Spa and relaxation are one of the main segments of Maldives tourism and the destination is popular for the world’s top spas.

Maldives had the world’s first underwater spa open at Huvafen Fushi resort in 2004. This addition to the spa segment of the destination took the spa industry to another level.

World Spa Awards serves to celebrate and reward spa industry excellence through an annual awards programme. World Spa Awards is the sister event of World Travel Awards, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.