Business

Maldives Travel Awards celebrates best of guesthouse tourism

Published

7 years ago

October 31, 2017

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

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

Kaani Beach Hotel

Location: Maafushi, South Male Atoll

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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Business

Redefining corporate retreats at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives

Published

2 days ago

April 20, 2025

m@ldives

MICE travel is undergoing a sea change—quite literally. No longer limited to traditional conference rooms and structured schedules, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) are now about creating moments that inspire, rejuvenate, and bring teams closer together. At Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, the boundaries between business and leisure blur, offering a setting that transforms work into a pleasure.

Just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Malé, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is the ideal destination for teams looking to escape the expected. Here, brainstorming sessions take place on powder-soft beaches, where the rhythmic waves set the pace for new ideas. Mornings might begin with yoga by the ocean, followed by strategy meetings in open-air pavilions. Afternoons invite collaborative workshops under swaying palms or team-building activities that include snorkelling, paddleboarding, or even a friendly beach volleyball match.

Dining at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives elevates every corporate event with fresh, sea-to-table cuisine, designed to fuel both body and mind. From curated group dinners under star-streaked skies to themed private banquets, every meal becomes an experience in itself. For those looking to celebrate milestones or reward top performers, the resort’s scenic locations offer the perfect backdrop for gala evenings or intimate cocktail gatherings.

Accommodation blends comfort with elegance, offering ocean-view suites and beachside retreats that allow participants to rest, recharge, and return with a fresh perspective. Despite the remote charm, connectivity is never an issue—seamless Wi-Fi and business-friendly amenities ensure that productivity doesn’t pause, even in paradise.

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives turns corporate travel into something memorable. Whether it’s a leadership retreat, a high-level conference, or an incentive escape, the resort offers a canvas for events that leave lasting impressions. Here, business goals are pursued in harmony with nature, creativity flows effortlessly, and the line between work and well-being fades.

Let your next MICE experience be more than a meeting—make it a journey worth sharing.

Business

Visit Maldives presents cultural, food festival to celebrate 2025

Published

4 months ago

December 31, 2024

m@ldives

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/ Visit Maldives) has announced the ‘Maldives Culture and Food Festival’, a two-day extravaganza showcasing the Maldivian cuisine, local arts and craft, and entertainment.

The festival will take place at Central Park, Hulhumale’, on New Year’s Eve, December 31st, 2024, and continue into New Year’s Day, January 1st, 2025, offering a unique and immersive experience for locals and tourists alike.

This exciting initiative by MMPRC is a collaborative effort involving key partners such as the Ministry of Tourism (MOT), Housing Development Corporation (HDC), MyHulhumale’, Business Center Corporation (BCC), Male’ City Council, Waste Management Corporation Limited (WAMCO), the Maldives Police Service, Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), Public Service Media (PSM), Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Dhiraagu, Ooredoo, Manta Air, Maldivian, Ace Travels, and Gulf Air. It promises a dynamic programme filled with performances, activities, and food stalls. Attendees will have the opportunity to savour authentic Maldivian dishes, explore traditional arts and crafts, and witness captivating cultural performances.

On December 31st, the festivities will begin at 20:00 with doors opening to the public. A spectacular drone show will be held, depicting a tourist’s journey through the beautiful Maldives. The evening will continue with captivating cultural performances including Boduberu performances, and “Dhafi Negun”. A New Year’s Eve countdown will also take place, culminating in a dazzling fireworks display to welcome 2025.

The celebrations will continue on January 1st 2025 from 16:00 to 22:00, with the festival reopening and featuring food and arts and crafts stalls. A range of family-friendly activities will be available, including a police and fire truck showcase, a climbing wall, a bounce house, and a Transformers display. Additionally, the festival will feature energetic Boduberu performances and an exciting Roboman showcase.

“MMPRC is proud to present the first Maldives Culture and Food Festival,” said Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and MD of MMPRC. “This event is a key initiative to celebrate the achievements of the Maldives in 2024 and to promote the diverse cultural heritage of the Maldives while providing a memorable experience for locals and visitors. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the Maldivian spirit as we bid farewell to 2024 and welcome the new year.”

Business

Barcelo Nasandhura Malé to open in Q1 2025

Published

5 months ago

December 7, 2024

m@ldives

Barcelo Nasandhura Malé, the Maldives’ newest luxury destination, is set to open its doors in Q1 2025.

Located on the site of the former Nasandhura Palace Hotel, the property will become the largest hotel in the capital, Malé. With 136 elegantly designed rooms, including 95 with stunning ocean views, and 116 luxurious serviced apartments, Barcelo Nasandhura Malé promises a unique blend of sophistication, comfort, and convenience in the heart of this vibrant city.

Operated by the renowned Spanish hotel chain Barcelo Group, the hotel represents a significant expansion of the brand’s presence in the Maldives and beyond. Barcelo Group, known for its exceptional resorts, recently opened Barcelo Whale Lagoon Maldives in South Ari Atoll in August 2024, further solidifying its growing portfolio in the region. In addition to its Maldivian properties, Barcelo Group manages a range of high-profile hotels across the UAE, Thailand, and several European countries.

Barcelo Nasandhura Malé will feature an array of premium facilities, including four upscale dining outlets, a rooftop shisha bar, an oceanfront pool, a state-of-the-art gym, and a luxurious spa. The hotel will also boast 1,034 square meters of versatile MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) space, making it an ideal venue for corporate events and gatherings.

While some serviced apartments were initially intended for residential use, they will now be available for daily rental, offering guests enhanced flexibility and a wider range of accommodation options. Originally scheduled to open on December 1, 2024, the opening has been slightly delayed due to minor construction work. However, the team remains committed to ensuring Barcelo Nasandhura Malé is ready to welcome its first guests in Q1 2025.

Barcelo Hotel Group, awarded World’s Leading Hotel Management Company 2023 by the World Travel Awards, is the second-largest hotel chain in Spain and ranks among the 30 largest globally in terms of the number of rooms. Founded in 1931, this family-run organisation operates 280 four- and five-star city and holiday hotels, offering more than 62,000 rooms across 25 countries. The group markets its hotels under four distinct brands, each focused on providing diverse and memorable travel experiences.

Renowned for its commitment to excellence and sustainability, Barcelo Hotel Group delivers exceptional stays, seamlessly blending luxury, comfort, and environmental responsibility.