Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has opened nomination for the Maldives Travel Awards – Gala Edition.

Launching of nominations for the Gala Edition was celebrated at a corporate evening for sponsors and partners held at Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort on Sunday.

According to MATATO, nominations for the Gala Edition will be accepted by October 15 via online. The 25 categories in eight key areas that are open for nominations include:

1. Beach And Water
   – Leading beach resort
   – Leading dive resort
   – Leading surf resort
   – Leading dive/water sports centre
2. Food And Beverage
   – Leading food and beverage resort
   – Leading food and beverage outlet (bar/restaurant)
3. Wellness And Spa
   – Leading wellness and spa resort
   – Leading wellness and spa brand
4. Product, Service And Experience
   – Leading private island
   – Leading luxury resort
   – Most romantic resort
   – Leading family resort
   – Leading designer resort
   – Leading all-inclusive resort
   – Leading meeting and conference resort
5. Responsible And Sustainable Tourism
   – Leading eco resort
   – Leading CSR programme
   – Leading human resource management
6. Brand Management
   – Leading local hotel/resort brand
   – Leading international hotel/resort brand
7. Liveaboard
   – Leading liveaboard
   – Leading liveaboard brand
8. Airline / Carrier
   – Leading international carrier
   – Leading local carrier
   – Leading low-cost carrier

“… with detailed categories which cover everything from beach to F&B, as well as a wide scope of service experience, brand management and sustainability. This explores the full range of the tourism businesses, and provide a comprehensive look at the most exceptional examples of tourism industry in Maldives,” a statement issued by MATATO read.

In addition to the main categories, MATATO will present five awards to recognise special areas of tourism development and sustainability.

MATATO said winners for the Maldives Travel Awards – Gala Edition would be decided by a collective score based on traveller reviews and popular vote. The winners would be announced at the annual gala to be held at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi resort in November, it added.

In 2016, a record number of 243 nominations were received for the awards, and the grand gala was attended by more than 300 travel professionals representing the leading tourism properties and brands in the Maldives.

“With growing participation of the industry, Maldives Travel Awards is today marked as the premier travel event of the Maldives,” the statement read.

Initiated in 2012 by MATATO, Maldives Travel Awards celebrate and honour the best tourism and hospitality products in the Maldives, while fostering relationships with suppliers and local travel agents. From 20 categories in 2012, the awards have now expanded into three editions totalling 55 categories.

This year, MATATO has for the first time branched out the prestigious awards into three categories; the 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 Gala Edition, which is exclusive for winners in the categories for resorts, airlines and liveaboards.

The non-profit will also combine the Gala Edition with the travel conference happening a day before at Bandos Maldives resort, bringing an international audience of industry experts.

As the first event held under the Maldives Travel Awards brand, Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi hosted the People’s Edition on July 13, where 10 individuals were recognised for their immense contributions to the development of the Maldives tourism industry.

MATATO is now gearing up for the Guesthouse Edition, will be hosted during the Guesthouses Maldives Conference 2017 on September 23.

Photography: Ibrahim Asad