Business

Maldives Travel Awards Guesthouse Edition set for spectacular show in Maafushi island

Published

7 years ago

October 29, 2017

Maafushi island is all set to host a spectacular celebration of the Maldives booming guesthouse industry as the first ever dedicated Guesthouse Edition of the Maldives Travel Awards will be held on Monday with 96 nominees and 250 invitees.

The event, titled Dhiraagu Presents Maldives Travel Awards Guesthouse Edition, will take place Monday evening in Maafushi, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of guesthouse tourism in the Maldives. The event will be attended by 250 invitees.

Awards will be presented in 12 categories, for which 96 parties have been nominated:

Leading Guesthouse

Kaani
Arena Beach
Hotel UI Inn
Serene sky Guesthouse
Velana Beach
Plumeria Sea View
Crystal Sands Hotel
TME Retreats Dhigura

Leading Food and Beverage Guesthouse

Plumeria Sea View
Crystal Sands Hotel
Arena
Velana Beach
Kaani
Season Paradise
Hotel 78
Castle Inn

Leading Guesthouse / Diving and Water Sports

iTouch Blue and Venus Villa
Maafushi Dive
Active Maldives Private Limited
Rasdhoo Dive Club
Rasdhoo Dive Lodge
Beach Stay Maldives
Shamar Guesthouse and Dive
Kalhu Muraka Guesthouse

Leading Eco-Friendly Guesthouse

TME Retreats Dhigurah
Beachwood Hotel and Spa
Canopus Retreats
Island Way Etos
Season Paradise
Coconut Tree Hulhuvilla Beach
Salt Beach
Serene Sky Guesthouse

Leading Business Guesthouse

Lonuveli Hotel
Airport Beach
Hotel UI Inn
Ocean Grand
Clear Sky Inn Hulhumale
Coconut Tree Hulhuvila Beach
Eureka Airport Inn
Azoush Tourist Guesthouse

Leading Heritage Guesthouse

Ariston Dhangethi Inn
Local Island Inn
Vashafaru Inn
Lagoon View Maldives
Banyan Villa
Hiyaa Ilaa
Mirian Sky Hotel
Jupiter Sunrise Lodge

Leading Adventure Guesthouse

Manta Inn
Asia Inn Villa Retreat
Detour Beach View
Reveries Diving Village
Boutique Beach All-Inclusive Diving Hotel
Batuta Maldives Surf View Guesthouse
Stingray Beach Inn
Rasdhoo Dive Club

Most Innovative Guesthouse Concept

Velana Beach
Season Paradise
Shallow Lagoon
Tropical Village
Casa Mia Maldives
Masaaree Boutique Hotel
White Shell Island Hotel and Spa
Airport Beach

Leading Guesthouse Brand

Kaani
Arena Beach
Hotel UI Inn
Plumeria Hotel and Resorts Private Limited
WhiteShell Island Hotel and Spa
Serene Sky Guest Maldives
LVIS Blancura Hotel

Leading Transport Service Provider

iCom
Nasru Speed
Nevi Speed

Leading Guesthouse Island

Maafushi
Thoddoo
Rasdhoo
Dhigurah
Keyodhoo
Felidhoo
Hangnaameedhoo
Bodufolhudhoo

Leading Beach Island

Fulidhoo
Dhigurah
Thoddoo
Vashafaru
Dharavandho
Thinadhoo
Dhangethi
Kelaa

Nominees were evaluated and shortlisted to five contenders in each category based on their rating on TripAdvisor, which accounts for 40 percent of the total score. Shortlisted properties were then announced and featured for popular vote, which accounts for the remaining 60 percent of the final score.

“More than 70,000 votes are registered for Maldives Travel Awards Guesthouse Edition 2017, when the final day of voting closed on 27th September 2017. 32000 votes were registered online and another fifty thousand people voted through SMS,” a statement issued by MATATO read.

Additionally, MATATO will give recognitions in three categories, including Leading Business Development Partner for the Guesthouse Industry, Newcomer of the Year and Most Supportive Guesthouse.

Introduced this year, the Guesthouse Edition builds on the recognitions awarded to guesthouses by MATATO as part of the Maldives Travel Awards, and celebrates the outstanding performance of the guesthouse sector.

Maldives, known world over for its upmarket tourism industry, has resorts in the hundreds spread across the archipelago. The industry has in recent years expanded to introduce more affordable segments, including guesthouses and liveaboards. Some 330 guesthouses have started operations over the past five years as the number of travellers that choose to stay in guesthouses rise.

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 Grand Gala, which is exclusive for winners in the categories for resorts, airlines and liveaboards.

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.

After the Guesthouse Edition, the Grand Gala will be held in Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi resort in November. Voting for the Grand Gala is now open.

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

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Maldives celebrates arrival of 2024’s 1 millionth tourist

Published

4 weeks ago

June 27, 2024

m@ldives

Maldives on Thursday welcomed the one millionth tourist to visit this year.

The one millionth tourist is a Thai named Sutapa Amonwivat, who arrived from Singapore with her husband and two children. This is her second visit to Maldives.

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and the Ministry of Tourism gave a warm welcome to Sutapa at the Velana International Airport (VIA) Thursday afternoon. She was welcomed at the VIA by tourism minister Ibrahim Faisal, MMPRC Managing Director Ibrahim Shiury and senior officials of various relevant agencies.

After welcoming her with traditional offerings, she was presented with various gifts by the ministry, MMPRC, customs, immigration, Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) and Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA).

Maldives reached one million tourists in June, three weeks earlier than last year. The number of tourists reached one million on July 16, 2023.

Maldives expects to reach 2 million tourists this year.

Business

New air route connects Chongqing to Maldives

Published

1 month ago

June 25, 2024

m@ldives

Chongqing Airlines on Monday began its inaugural flights to Maldives.

The Chongqing-Male route, scheduled three times a week, is expected to strengthen the bonds between China and the Maldives, opening up exciting new opportunities for tourism and cultural exchange.

The inaugural flight was welcomed upon its arrival at Velana International Airport (VIA) in Maldives, where local officials and tourism representatives expressed their enthusiasm for this new development.

“We warmly welcome our friends from China to our beautiful islands. This new connection strengthens our bonds and opens up new opportunities for tourism,” the tourism ministry said on X.

Maldives currently welcomes four airlines from China, including China Eastern, Beijing Capital Airlines, Xiamen Airlines.

In January, Maldives government urged tourism stakeholders in both Maldives and China to ramp up efforts to restore China’s position as the primary source market for Maldives tourism, a status held before the onset of Covid-19.

China, being the largest source market for Maldives tourism before the pandemic, saw a resumption of tourist arrivals from January 2023 after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. In 2023, the Maldives welcomed 187,118 Chinese tourists, marking a significant recovery in numbers. This year, the Maldives has welcomed the most number of tourists from China, with over 107,940 or 11.5 percent of total arrivals by June 12.

Business

CROSSROADS Maldives Introduces Weixin Pay at resorts for seamless guest experience

Published

1 month ago

June 21, 2024

m@ldives

CROSSROADS Maldives has introduced WeChat Pay, widely known as Weixin Pay in China, across its world-class resorts, SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives. This payment option is made available to enhance the convenience and overall experience for guests from China, making their stay in the Maldives more enjoyable and hassle-free.

Understanding the needs of the diverse guests, CROSSROADS Maldives has integrated WeChat Pay into operations, allowing guests from China to easily and securely conduct transactions using a payment method familiar to them. The introduction of WeChat Pay is a testament to CROSSROADS Maldives’ dedication to enhancing guest satisfaction by offering exceptional experiences at every turn. What is also expected through this initiative is that the guests could benefit from better foreign exchange rates, translating to better savings on their expenditures during their stay.

The option is available for guests in-house conveniently at both resorts as well as across the Marina at CROSSROADS Maldives where a wider variety of unparalleled dining and retail experiences are available for all guests. The day visitors from China will also therefore equally benefit from this new introduction at the Maldives’ premier multi-island integrated leisure destination.

SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, is a vibrant tropical escape that offers unique and locally inspired experiences. The resort features spacious rooms and villas, a variety of dining options, and an array of recreational activities designed to cater to the desires of modern travellers. Guests can escape to the island’s SAiisational natural beauty, enjoy water sports, and indulge in spa treatments, all while relishing the personalised service that defines Hilton’s Curio Collection.

Hard Rock Hotel Maldives brings the iconic Hard Rock spirit to the tranquil shores of the Maldives. This family-friendly resort offers a perfect blend of relaxation and entertainment, featuring music-inspired experiences, live performances, and the brand’s signature amenities. With luxurious accommodations, diverse dining options, and a plethora of activities for all ages, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives ensures an unforgettable holiday experience for every guest.