Business
Maldives Travel Awards celebrates best of guesthouse tourism
Maafushi island on Monday hosted a spectacular celebration of the Maldives booming guesthouse industry as the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) held the first ever dedicated Guesthouse Edition of the Maldives Travel Awards at the birthplace of guesthouse tourism in the Maldives.
Over 250 invitees, including guesthouse owners, suppliers and service providers, attended the event, which was officially called Dhiraagu Presents Maldives Travel Awards Guesthouse Edition.
Awards were presented in 12 categories, for which 96 parties were nominated. The winners include:
Leading Guesthouse: Arena Beach Hotel
Location: Maafushi, South Male Atoll
Situated on its own private beach, Arena Beach is a three-storey hotel, which features 50 stylish rooms. Each modern accommodation offers amenities to make your stay cosy and comfortable, while the private beach allows you to explore a variety of leisure activities like snorkelling and diving.
Leading Food and Beverage Guesthouse: Velana Beach
Location: Maafushi, South Male Atoll
Located on the beachfront, Velana Beach offers posh and spacious suites that are fit for families and couples alike. Designed with your comfort in mind, all rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning as well as hot and cold water.
Leading Guesthouse/Diving and Water Sports: Active Dive
Location: Maafushi, South Male Atoll
Winner of Leading Activity/Water Sports Centre title at the Maldives Travel Awards 2016, Active Maldives provides full range of water sports activities and equipment for a number of guesthouses.
Leading Green/Eco-Friendly Guesthouse: TME Retreats Dhigurah
Location: Dhigurah, South Ari Atoll
Winner of Leading Guesthouse title at Maldives Travel Awards 2014, TME Retreats Dhigurah is a three-star stylish beach hotel with all modern conveniences. Designed for maximum privacy, the hotel is located a little away from the village, yet close enough to walk and enjoy the island lifestyle.
Leading Business Guesthouse: Hotel UI Inn
Location: Hulhumale
A 10-minute drive from the main airport, Hotel UI Inn offers spacious rooms with modern facilities. Each floor has a wide balcony, while the top floor comes with a terrace that offers panoramic views of the ocean. Guests can also enjoy several activities, including water sports, diving and excursions.
Leading Heritage Guesthouse: Local Island Inn
Location: Hangnaameedhoo, South Ari Atoll
Offering a unique touch of true Maldivian culture, Local Island Inn offers superior rooms that are comfortable, roomy and elegant. All rooms are fitted with a seating area, while some units have a patio. Guests can also enjoy South African and barbecue cuisine at the in-house restaurant.
Leading Adventure Guesthouse: Reveries Diving Village
Location: Gan, Laamu Atoll
Crowned the Leading Guesthouse at the Maldives Travel Awards 2016, Reveries Diving Village offers the true Maldivian island life experience. In addition to modern rooms and a variety of excursions, the guesthouse offers three dining facilities, an indoor pool, a 24-hour gym and a spa.
Most Innovative Guesthouse Concept: Velana Beach
Location: Maafushi, South Male Atoll
Located on the beachfront, Velana Beach offers posh and spacious suites that are fit for families and couples alike. Designed with your comfort in mind, all rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning as well as hot and cold water.
Leading Guesthouse Brand: Kaani Hotels
Location: Maafushi, South Male Atoll
A beach getaway surrounded by coconut palm trees, Kaani Beach Hotel offers sea view rooms with private balcony. The hotel features a restaurant, which serves buffet breakfast and dinner, as well as a rooftop open air terrace with loungers. A floating bar is also available just two minutes away.
Leading Transport Service Provider: Nevi Speed
Location: Alif Alif Atoll
With its homebase in Alif Alif Atoll, Nevi provides ferry service between capital Male and several islands in the atoll, including Mathiveri, Folhudhoo, Ukulhas and Rasdhoo. Its services, provided using modern speedboats fitted with state-of-the-art technology, are used by several guesthouses.
Leading Guesthouse Island: Maafushi
Location: South Male Atoll
About 30 minutes from capital Male by speedboat, Maafushi is considered the ‘Birthplace of Guesthouse Tourism in the Maldives’. Frequented by a lot of backpackers, the island has a booming guesthouse industry with a variety of affordable hotels and restaurants offering guests a holiday experience with a local touch.
Leading Beach Island: Kelaa
Location: Haa Alif Atoll
A distinct island in the northernmost Maldives atoll of Haa Alif, Kelaa boats a long stretch of powder soft white sand beach, making it the perfect getaway that will make your dream holiday come true.
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.
Additionally, MATATO gave recognitions in three categories, including Leading Business Development Partner for the Guesthouse Industry, Newcomer of the Year and Most Supportive Guesthouse.
Leading Business Development Partner for the Guesthouse Industry: Dhiraagu
Dhiraagu is the leading and the largest provider of telecommunications and digital services in the Maldives, offering a comprehensive range of mobile, internet, data, fixed line and TV services throughout the archipelago. The company offers specialised internet and TV services for the guesthouse industry.
Newcomer of the Year: Veli Vilaa
Location: Dhiffushi, North Male Atoll
Set on its own grounds amidst a well laid out garden and with direct access to a private beach, the luxury bungalow offers four bedrooms featuring twin beds and en-suite bathrooms. The Vilaa comes with its own restaurant, cocktail area and sun deck. An in-house chef is also available.
Most Supportive Guesthouse:
Arena Beach
Location: Maafushi, South Male Atoll
Situated on its own private beach, Arena Beach is a three-storey hotel, which features 50 stylish rooms. Each modern accommodation offers amenities to make your stay cosy and comfortable, while the private beach allows you to explore a variety of leisure activities like snorkelling and diving.
Kaani Beach Hotel
Location: Maafushi, South Male Atoll
A beach getaway surrounded by coconut palm trees, Kaani Beach Hotel offers sea view rooms with private balcony. The hotel features a restaurant, which serves buffet breakfast and dinner, as well as a rooftop open air terrace with loungers. A floating bar is also available just two minutes away.
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.
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.
Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) opened a new wholesale store in Hulhumalé Phase 2 on Monday.
The outlet is located on the ground floor of Lot 20286, Nirolhu Magu, and is intended to improve access to BBM’s imported goods for residents of Hulhumalé Phase 2 and for businesses operating in the area.
According to the company, the opening forms part of its plan to expand services closer to customers in line with population growth in Hulhumalé.
With the opening of the new store, BBM’s full range of imported and distributed products will be available at the Hulhumalé Phase 2 location. These include consumer goods from international brands such as Lifebuoy, Vaseline and Unilever.
The store will also stock wholesale food products from brands including Daily, Cavin’s and Redman.
BBM has supplied goods to resorts, hotels and retail outlets across the Maldives for several years.
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