Business
Maldives Travel Awards: telling stories, recognising change
When Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) embarked on the task of creating a platform to recognise the players in the Maldives’ tourism industry, it was an altogether different story. New investments, tightly controlled and directed by the government, were made mostly by a handful of seasoned local and foreign hoteliers. Growth was impressive and return on investment was unmatched. But for travellers, accommodation options were limited to luxury resorts that cost tens of thousands of dollars for a night’s stay.
Fast forward five years, and the Maldives’ tourism industry has inevitably evolved. A plethora of new properties has come into play with the backing of a combination of local and international entrepreneurs and seasoned hoteliers. Dozens have forayed into new and untapped segments of the market, greatly expanding the scope of an industry that was previously exclusive to luxury tourism. Tourist arrivals have crossed the one million milestone and is on course to reach an ambitious target of 1.5 million.
It was against this backdrop that MATATO decided to branch out its Maldives Travel Awards into three editions. This year, the brand will see a People’s Edition, which recognises successful pioneers and long serving individuals in the tourism industry, a Guesthouse Edition, which celebrates the outstanding performance of the up and coming guesthouse sector, and the Grand Gala Night, which is exclusive for winners in the categories for resorts, airlines and liveaboards.
“We have seen the whole thing [Maldives Travel Awards] evolve, and we are very proud to say that we have three different editions this year simply because one night is not enough to recognise the entire spectrum of tourism products in the Maldives,” Abdulla Ghiyas Riyaz, MATATO’s President, said, in an exclusive interview with Maldives Insider.
Telling stories
For the first time ever, the Maldives Travel Awards will see an edition dedicated for the extraordinary personalities in the tourism and hospitality industry. From pioneers of the industry to successful hoteliers and to long-serving professionals, this is their chance to finally get their stories heard by everyone in the Maldives and beyond.
The edition, titled Maldives Travel Awards – People’s Edition, will select 10 outstanding individuals through a rigorous vetting process, which includes two key steps; filing their nomination by submitting their CV and personal statement and filling up a questionnaire, and personal interviews by a panel of expert judges.
The People’s Edition, which will take place as a gala ceremony during the Maldives’ first ever travel trade show Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) in July, will be special in more than one way. This is where hard working individuals in the industry will finally be given the recognition they deserve and have their stories told. The journey taken by the 10 individuals receiving the award will be documented through a dedicated video profile and shown at the gala night, which will also be live broadcasted on state TV.
Tourism minister Moosa Zameer (R) confers the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Maldives Travel Awards 2016 gala night. PHOTO/ AVAS
“These are the real people behind the success of the industry as a whole. For instance, someone who has been working in a resort for 40 years at the front office or in F&B who would otherwise not get the recognition,” Giyas said.
“In the past as well we have been recognising people, but we wanted to give the recognition to more and more people, especially to those who actually work day and night to run a property. We wanted to really bring forward their stories.”
Recognising change
Maldives, known world over for its upmarket tourism industry, has resorts in the hundreds spread across the archipelago. The some 120 resorts in the country offer unmatched luxury in the form of private islands, overwater villas, and revolutionary additions such as undersea restaurants, wine cellars, spas and clubs. These concepts developed and championed by the Maldives have served as a benchmark for luxury tourism around the world and have inspired a brand new ‘Maldives-themed’ resorts in the Middle East and the Caribbean.
Despite the Maldives’ brand being synonymous with luxury tourism, the industry has in recent years expanded to introduce more affordable segments, including guesthouses, to cater to a new generation of travellers. Some 300 guesthouses have started operations over the past five years as the number of travellers — backpackers, millennials and budget travellers — that choose to stay in budget accommodations such as guesthouses increases year over year.
Tourism minister Moosa Zameer (C) and MATATO president Ghiyas (R) attend the Maldives Travel Awards gala night 2016. PHOTO/ ASAD PHOTOGRAPHY
These new travel trends and changes in the industry led to the creation of another edition of the Maldives Travel Awards; the Guesthouse Edition. Hosted as part of the Maldives Guesthouses Conference in September, this edition will have 25 categories. From design and architecture to F&B and operations, this edition of the Maldives Travel Awards will honour the best in budget accommodations in the Maldives.
“For the past five years, we have seen the whole sector of guesthouses really sprung up. So instead of having just three awards for guesthouses, we thought of having a separate edition dedicated for this important sector,” Giyas explained.
“Maldives Travel Awards is all about encouraging people and that’s what we aim to achieve through this edition as well.”
Crossing borders, building confidence
MATATO first experimented with taking the Maldives Travel Awards brand out of the Maldives and into the international arena two years back. A special edition was held at Dusit Thani Dubai in 2015 in parallel with the Arabian Travel Market (ATM). But it did not receive the traction the organisation had hoped for simply because there were numerous similar events taking place throughout the course of Middle East’s biggest travel trade show.
MATATO President Ghiyas (R-2) and a winner pose for a photo at the Maldives Travel Awards Special Edition held in Dubai in 2015. PHOTO/ MATATO
MATATO has since dropped the special edition. But the Maldives Travel Awards will cross the shores of the Maldives this year as well, albeit rather differently. All the events, including the three editions of the Maldives Travel Awards and the Maldives Travel Conference, which takes place a day before the grand gala with the participation of local and international experts, will be geographically restricted to the Maldives. The brand will, however, have an unprecedented level of backing of international experts and organisations, making it a truly global brand.
“Year on year, we are trying to add to the credentials of this award. Every year, we reach out to some of the best talent available locally for our judging panel. This year, we are reaching out to a lot of international judges. We have already spoken to PATA [Pacific Asia Tourism Association], UNWTO [United Nations World Tourism Organisation] and TTG Asia to get experts from these international organisations and publications to take part in our judging panel,” Giyas said.
“This year, we are also getting more media involved. We already have the local media on board, but we need to reach out to the international media in order to widen our audience. That’s why we are trying very hard to get international media involved this year.”
The international backing helps Maldives Travel Awards stand out in a global industry not short of award brands. There is the British Travel Awards, South Asian Travel Awards, and the “Oscars” of the travel industry, the World Travel Awards — all of which rely heavily on online voting. Maldives Travel Awards, on the other hand, depends largely on the score given by its expert judges, who travel to each and every property nominated for site inspections.
“Nobody else does this. You won’t understand product A and product B by simply looking at photos and material available on the internet. Today, you can run bots on the internet and generate votes. So we wanted to create a brand which is trusted by everyone in the industry and which serves as an example for similar products in the world,” Giyas said.
MATATO’s efforts to build confidence and trust in Maldives Travel Awards have reaped the benefit too; resorts and hotels are widely using this recognition in their marketing and promotional materials. MATATO, on its part, has taken new and improved steps to deliver on its promise. The organisation representing local travel agents and tour operators is promoting the winners at the many international travel trade shows and fairs it participates, including Matka Nordic Travel Fair, Riyadh Travel Fair, South Asia Travel and Trade Exhibition (SATTE) and WTM Connect Asia.
It’s not an easy task to create and expand a brand that is so closely linked to suppliers of a multi-billion dollar industry, especially for a non-profit organisation that solely depends on subscription fees, advertisements and donations for funding. But MATATO has done the impossible; the organisation has built an international brand trusted by an ever more competitive industry and has maintained its glory for five consecutive years.
But for Giyas, “there is so much to do [in order] to elevate the brand to what we want it to be.” MATATO is taking on that challenging task, starting with this year’s changes.
Coca-Cola Maldives is turning up the excitement with the launch of its 2026 football campaign, bringing fans across the country a season packed with prizes, shared moments and exciting ways to celebrate the game together.
As the build-up to the FIFA World Cup 2026 begins, Coca-Cola Maldives is inviting consumers to join in the fun with a campaign built around everything that makes football special: the anticipation, the matchday thrill, the watch parties, the celebrations and the memories made along the way.
From March to May, consumers in the Maldives will have the chance to take part in the Coca-Cola Maldives FIFA World Cup 2026 promotion, with weekly prizes, branded merchandise and a grand prize experience linked to one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
As part of the campaign, Coca-Cola Maldives is rolling out the UTC Promo from March 21 to May 24, giving consumers even more ways to be part of the football excitement. Special promotional packs will feature a unique code either under the cap or under the tab, depending on the product format. For 500ml, 1.25L and 2L PET bottles, codes will appear under the special Golden Caps on Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta Orange and Fanta Strawberry. For 330ml cans, codes will appear under the tab on Coca-Cola. Consumers can enter by sending the code via SMS to 2626 for the chance to win a range of prizes throughout the campaign period.
The promotion will run across 330ml cans as well as 500ml, 1.25L and 2L PET bottles, making it easy for consumers to join in whether they are picking up a drink for themselves, sharing with friends, or stocking up for a matchday gathering. With multiple participating brands and pack formats included in the promotion, Coca-Cola Maldives is creating more opportunities for consumers across the country to take part in the campaign and enjoy the football season together.
At the top tier, eight winners will receive an all-expenses-paid experience for two to watch a FIFA World Cup match live, creating a once-in-a-lifetime football moment. Under Tier 2, 60 winners will receive Coca-Cola branded mini-coolers, while 120 winners will take home Coca-Cola branded football-shaped personal coolers. Under Tier 3, 180 winners will receive Coke and FIFA branded footballs, adding even more play and energy to the season.
Adding a live moment to the excitement, the first set of winners will be announced on ICE TV on April 6 at 9pm, with winner announcements continuing every week throughout the promotion. This weekly reveal is set to bring an added sense of anticipation and shared excitement as the campaign unfolds across the Maldives.
The campaign is designed to bring fans closer to the game and make every football moment even more enjoyable. Whether it is watching a match with family at home, catching the action with friends at a café, or picking up a favourite Coca-Cola pack from a neighbourhood store, Coca-Cola Maldives aims to be part of the moments that make football season unforgettable.
“Football has a way of bringing people together like nothing else, and that is what inspired this campaign,” said Mario Perera, Country Head for Sri Lanka and the Maldives. “In the Maldives, the game is enjoyed in such a lively and social way, and Coca-Cola Maldives wanted to create a campaign that feels fun, relevant and easy for people to be part of. It is about celebrating the season, enjoying the experience with others, and giving fans something extra to look forward to.”
Adding to the excitement, Coca-Cola Maldives will also launch collectible country packs in the Maldives from May to July, giving fans the chance to celebrate the global game in a new way. Inspired by some of football’s most recognised nations, these limited-edition packs will bring a colourful and collectible twist to the season.
Across the Maldives, Coca-Cola Maldives will work with retail partners to bring the campaign to life through in-store visibility, promotional touchpoints and selected local activations that capture the spirit of football and community.
“The Maldives is a unique market, and Coca-Cola Maldives wanted this campaign to connect with the way people here enjoy football, together, with energy, and with a real sense of occasion. Coca-Cola Maldives is excited to bring that spirit to life in the months ahead,” added Mario Perera.
This marks the start of Coca-Cola Maldives’ 2026 journey in the market. With more fan moments, more excitement and more ways to join in still to come, Coca-Cola Maldives is looking forward to celebrating the football season with consumers across the country.
Hotelier Maldives has announced Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) as the Title Partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 under a multi-year agreement, reaffirming one of the longest-standing partnerships behind the publication’s flagship hospitality recognition platform.
The 2026 edition marks the third consecutive year that BBM has served as Title Partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards, having supported the event in the same capacity since its launch in 2024. BBM has also backed Hotelier Maldives’ second flagship event, GM Forum, every year since 2023, with 2026 set to mark its fourth year as a Silver Partner of the forum.
The continued partnership reflects a shared commitment to recognising the people behind the Maldives’ tourism industry while supporting platforms that encourage industry dialogue, leadership and professional development.
Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 entered its public voting phase on 15 March 2026, with voting set to remain open for one month. Winners will be announced at the gala ceremony on 26 April 2026 at NIVA Kurumba Maldives.
Commenting on the partnership, Ali Naafiz, Editor of Hotelier Maldives, said: “BBM has been a valued partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards since the very beginning, and we are pleased to formalise this continued support through a multi-year agreement. Their decision to return as Title Partner for a third consecutive year reflects not only the strength of our relationship, but also a shared belief in the importance of recognising the people who drive excellence across the Maldives’ hospitality industry.
“BBM has also consistently supported GM Forum over the years, making them one of the most committed partners across our event platforms. We are proud to continue working together as we strengthen both Hotelier Maldives Awards and GM Forum as annual fixtures for the industry.”
AVS Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer of BBM, said: “At BBM, we have always believed that a strong hospitality industry is built by strong people, and Hotelier Maldives Awards provides an important national platform to recognise the professionals whose work often takes place behind the scenes. We are pleased to continue as Title Partner of the awards under this multi-year agreement, while also extending our support to GM Forum for a fourth consecutive year.
“As a company that has grown alongside the Maldives’ hospitality sector, we value opportunities that celebrate talent, encourage professional pride and contribute to the long-term development of the industry. Our continued partnership with Hotelier Maldives reflects that commitment.”
Bestbuy Maldives is one of the country’s leading importers and distributors, serving the hospitality, HORECA and retail sectors with a broad portfolio of international brands. The company positions itself as a partner to the Maldivian hospitality industry, supplying products from around the world across key business verticals including resorts, foodservice and retail.
Hotelier Maldives Awards continues to recognise the contributions of resort-based hospitality professionals across the Maldives, highlighting both individual excellence and team performance. The awards programme remains the country’s only dedicated recognition platform focused on professionals working in resort operations. The current public voting round allows industry stakeholders, colleagues, guests and the wider public to take part in selecting this year’s winners.
The growing list of confirmed partners for Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 includes Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) as Title Partner, Dhiraagu as Platinum Partner, Storm Events as Organising Partner, NIVA, Kurumba Maldives as Host Partner, Souvenir Marine as Transport Partner, ALIA as Associate Sponsor, and Lightsout Studios as Associate Partner. More partners and sponsors will be announced soon.
Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has announced the opening of Feydhoo Hall, a landmark event venue at dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, redefining the possibilities for meetings, celebrations, and destination events in the Maldives.
Designed to bring scale, flexibility, and creativity to island gatherings, Feydhoo Hall represents a bold step forward in positioning the Maldives as a dynamic destination for conferences, weddings, and large-scale social occasions.
Feydhoo Hall offers a versatile event complex designed to accommodate a wide range of gatherings, from corporate meetings and conferences to weddings and social celebrations.
At its core is the 390 sqm Main Hall, capable of hosting:
- Up to 300 guests in theatre-style setup
- Up to 240 guests for dining and banquet-style events
- Up to 200 guests for cocktail-style receptions
- Up to 144 guests in cluster-round configuration
Enhancing the flexibility of the venue are additional dedicated spaces, including:
- A 110 sqm Veranda Terrace, ideal for welcome receptions, breakout sessions, and pre-event gatherings, accommodating up to 100 guests for cocktail-style events.
- A spacious 1,000 sqm Lawn Space, perfect for large-scale outdoor celebrations, destination weddings, and open-air events, accommodating up to 400 guests for cocktail receptions and up to 350 guests for dining setups.
- The 55 sqm Ekugai Meeting Room, designed for smaller meetings and executive sessions, accommodating up to 30 guests in theatre or dining setup and 24 guests in cluster-round format.
Together, these integrated spaces create a seamless indoor-outdoor event experience, allowing planners to design dynamic and personalised event journeys.
True to the dusitD2 brand’s lifestyle-driven philosophy, Feydhoo Hall introduces a fresh approach to meetings and events — where productivity meets creativity in an inspiring island setting.
The venue offers flexible meeting formats designed to suit different event needs, including:
- Half-Day Meeting Package (4 hours) — ideal for focused sessions, executive meetings, and creative workshops.
- Full-Day Meeting Package (8 hours) — designed for immersive conferences, extended workshops, and large-scale corporate gatherings.
These thoughtfully structured packages provide planners with the flexibility to create impactful and seamless experiences, whether hosting intimate strategy sessions or dynamic full-day events.
Located just seven minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives combines accessibility with vibrant lifestyle energy, offering event planners and guests a rare balance between convenience and tropical escape.
With the introduction of Feydhoo Hall, the resort strengthens its position as a versatile destination — not only for leisure travellers but also for international conferences, creative retreats, luxury weddings, and large-scale social celebrations seeking something refreshingly different in the Maldives.
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