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.
Business
Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024 to host panel on leveraging Maldives’ unique selling points
The Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024, scheduled to take place on September 19 at CROSSROADS Maldives, will include a panel discussion, titled ‘Leveraging the Maldives’ Unique Selling Points.’ This session at the GM Forum, the largest gathering of hospitality professionals in Maldives, will focus on how the Maldives can maintain its position in the competitive luxury travel market by capitalising on its unique attributes.
The panel will be moderated by Aishath Ihuma, Director of Business Development at Reollo Investments. The discussion will feature a diverse group of experienced professionals from the hospitality industry, including:
- Rajesh Mehta, Chief Business Officer of Ooredoo Maldives
- Ibrahim Inad, Director of Sales & Marketing, Oaga Resorts
- Alexander Treager, General Manager of SAii Lagoon
- Andrew Jansson, Cluster General Manager of Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives and Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives
The session aims to address several key questions surrounding the Maldives’ position as a luxury destination. Panelists will discuss what they believe are the top three unique selling points (USPs) of the Maldives, and how the country can differentiate itself from other luxury destinations within the Indian Ocean and beyond.
The discussion will cover marketing strategies for resorts to effectively showcase their unique offerings to attract high-end travellers, including the role of digital marketing. The panelists will share insights into the unique experiences and services that set their respective resorts apart and how they align with the luxury expectations of their clientele.
The session will also explore the challenges faced by resorts in maintaining and promoting their USPs and how the Maldives can overcome these challenges to continue attracting luxury travellers. Looking ahead, the panelists will discuss emerging trends in luxury travel and how the Maldives can adapt to stay ahead of the competition.
The discussion will conclude with closing remarks from the panelists, followed by an interactive Q&A session with the audience. This panel promises to provide valuable insights into how the Maldives can continue to thrive as a premier luxury destination.
This year’s GM Forum, now in its eighth edition, will focus on ‘The Evolving Luxury Landscape’ in the Maldives. Industry leaders will discuss the future of luxury travel, including the new luxury traveller’s psyche, digital marketing, and sustainable practices. Topics will cover private islands, underwater experiences, and the opportunities and challenges faced by hoteliers in the country. The forum will feature diverse panels and interactive sessions, emphasising personalised guest experiences and local cultural integration. It aims to foster active participation and share innovative case studies from the luxury travel industry.
Sponsors and partners of GM Forum 2024 include:
- Ooredoo Maldives: Digital Partner (Title Sponsor)
- Bestbuy Maldives (BBM): Silver Sponsor
- Dhivehi Insurance: Silver Sponsor
- Fuel Supplies Maldives: Silver Sponsor
- Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL): Silver Sponsor
- Manta Air: Aviation Partner
- Male’ Aerated Water Company: Beverage Partner
- Atmosphere Wellness: Wellness Partner
- Souvenir Marine: Transport Partner
- Printlab: Printing Partner
- CROSSROADS Maldives: Venue Partner
- Lights Out: Coverage Partner
- Associate Sponsors: Alia Investments, Villa Hakatha, GAGE, Wyntronix, Uniforms Unlimited and Spa Ceylon Maldives
John Bevan, CEO of dnata Travel Group, will be the keynote speaker at the event.
Etienne Ng, Regional Director for Southeast Asia at Weixin Pay; Malik Mohamed, Director of Business Intelligence at Pulse Hotels & Resorts; Mohamed Jailam, CEO and Managing Director of technology company Javaabu and Co-Founder of DhivehiGPT; and, Mohamed Mihad, Chief Commercial Officer at Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL) will also be featured speakers.
The Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024, scheduled to take place on September 19 at CROSSROADS Maldives, will include a panel discussion titled, ‘Redefining the Luxury Travel Experience.’ The session at the GM Forum, the largest gathering of hospitality professionals in Maldives, will explore the evolving landscape of luxury travel, examining how luxury experiences are being redefined to meet the changing expectations of travellers.
The panel will be moderated by Reena Abdul Wahid, Communications Strategist at the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI). The discussion will feature insights from key figures in the travel sector, including:
- Solah Mohamed, Chief Operating Officer of Crown & Champa Resorts
- Abdulla Ghiyas, Chairman of Visit Maldives and President of the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO)
- Ashwin Handa, Senior Vice President – Operations at Atmosphere Core
- Enver Arslan, Area General Manager at JOALI Maldives and JOALI BEING
The panel will begin by addressing the definition of luxury in today’s travel industry, with a focus on the key elements that distinguish a luxury travel experience from a standard one. The discussion will also cover the latest trends in luxury travel, including how technological advancements are influencing the sector.
Personalisation will be a significant topic, with panellists sharing examples of how their resorts are personalising guest experiences. The discussion will also delve into the alignment of luxury travel with sustainable practices, including initiatives implemented by the resorts to promote sustainability without compromising on luxury.
The challenges in maintaining and enhancing luxury standards will be another critical focus area, particularly in the context of meeting diverse expectations from guests of different cultural backgrounds. The session will conclude with panellists sharing their vision for the future of luxury travel and discussing how the Maldives can continue to position itself as a top luxury travel destination.
In the closing segment, panellists will offer advice to emerging luxury travel destinations looking to establish themselves in the market. They will also explore how industry stakeholders can collaborate to elevate the overall luxury travel experience in the Maldives. The session will include a Q&A segment, allowing the audience to engage with the panellists.
This year’s GM Forum, now in its eighth edition, will focus on ‘The Evolving Luxury Landscape’ in the Maldives. Industry leaders will discuss the future of luxury travel, including the new luxury traveller’s psyche, digital marketing, and sustainable practices. Topics will cover private islands, underwater experiences, and the opportunities and challenges faced by hoteliers in the country. The forum will feature diverse panels and interactive sessions, emphasising personalised guest experiences and local cultural integration. It aims to foster active participation and share innovative case studies from the luxury travel industry.
Sponsors and partners of GM Forum 2024 include:
- Ooredoo Maldives: Digital Partner (Title Sponsor)
- Bestbuy Maldives (BBM): Silver Sponsor
- Dhivehi Insurance: Silver Sponsor
- Fuel Supplies Maldives: Silver Sponsor
- Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL): Silver Sponsor
- Manta Air: Aviation Partner
- Male’ Aerated Water Company: Beverage Partner
- Atmosphere Wellness: Wellness Partner
- Souvenir Marine: Transport Partner
- Printlab: Printing Partner
- CROSSROADS Maldives: Venue Partner
- Lights Out: Coverage Partner
- Associate Sponsors: Alia Investments, Villa Hakatha, GAGE, Wyntronix, Uniforms Unlimited and Spa Ceylon Maldives
John Bevan, CEO of dnata Travel Group, will be the keynote speaker at the event.
Etienne Ng, Regional Director for Southeast Asia at Weixin Pay; Malik Mohamed, Director of Business Intelligence at Pulse Hotels & Resorts; Mohamed Jailam, CEO and Managing Director of technology company Javaabu and Co-Founder of DhivehiGPT; and, Mohamed Mihad, Chief Commercial Officer at Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL) will also be featured speakers.
Business
Rajesh Mehta of Ooredoo to speak on hospitality efficiency at Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024
Rajesh Mehta, Chief Business Officer at Ooredoo Maldives, is set to deliver a presentation at the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024, scheduled to take place on September 19 at CROSSROADS Maldives.
His presentation, titled ‘Managed Solutions: The Future of Hospitality Efficiency,’ will address the role of managed solutions in enhancing operational efficiency within the hospitality industry.
“As the digital partner of the GM Forum 2024, we are excited to share our insights on how managed services are transforming the hospitality industry. In today’s evolving luxury landscape, technology is at the heart of delivering personalised, seamless, and memorable guest experiences. I look forward to discussing how Ooredoo Maldives is empowering hotels and resorts with innovative ICT solutions that drive efficiency and enhance service delivery, setting new standards in luxury travel,” said Rajesh Mehta, Chief Business Officer at Ooredoo Maldives.
Ali Naafiz, Editor of Hotelier Maldives, commented on Mehta’s participation: “Rajesh Mehta’s presentation this year as well will provide valuable insights into how managed solutions can contribute to the efficiency and sustainability of the hospitality sector. The GM Forum continues to be a platform for such important discussions that impact the future of the industry.”
This year’s GM Forum, now in its eighth edition, will focus on ‘The Evolving Luxury Landscape’ in the Maldives. Industry leaders will discuss the future of luxury travel, including the new luxury traveller’s psyche, digital marketing, and sustainable practices. Topics will cover private islands, underwater experiences, and the opportunities and challenges faced by hoteliers in the country. The forum will feature diverse panels and interactive sessions, emphasising personalised guest experiences and local cultural integration. It aims to foster active participation and share innovative case studies from the luxury travel industry.
Sponsors and partners of GM Forum 2024 include:
- Ooredoo Maldives: Digital Partner (Title Sponsor)
- Bestbuy Maldives (BBM): Silver Sponsor
- Dhivehi Insurance: Silver Sponsor
- Fuel Supplies Maldives: Silver Sponsor
- Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL): Silver Sponsor
- Manta Air: Aviation Partner
- Male’ Aerated Water Company: Beverage Partner
- Atmosphere Wellness: Wellness Partner
- Souvenir Marine: Transport Partner
- Printlab: Printing Partner
- CROSSROADS Maldives: Venue Partner
- Lights Out: Coverage Partner
- Associate Sponsors: Alia Investments, Villa Hakatha, GAGE, Wyntronix, Uniforms Unlimited and Spa Ceylon Maldives
John Bevan, CEO of dnata Travel Group, will be the keynote speaker at the event.
Etienne Ng, Regional Director for Southeast Asia at Weixin Pay; Malik Mohamed, Director of Business Intelligence at Pulse Hotels & Resorts; Mohamed Jailam, CEO and Managing Director of technology company Javaabu and Co-Founder of DhivehiGPT; and, Mohamed Mihad, Chief Commercial Officer at Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL) will also be featured speakers.
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