Business
Voting begins for World Travel Awards Indian Ocean nominees
World Travel Awards (WTA) has announced the nominees and opened voting for its Indian Ocean regional segment.
Set to take place at the Durban International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) in South Africa on October 6, the red-carpet Africa and Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony will gather hospitality leaders from across the region to see who amongst them has been voted the best in the business.
As voting continues until August 19, Maldives is vying for the coveted titles of Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination, Indian Ocean’s Leading Cruise Destination, Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination, Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination, Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Destination and Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination.
Maldives flagship carrier Maldivian is competing for the titles of Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline – Business Class, Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline – Economy Class, Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline, Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline Brand and Indian Ocean’s Leading Cabin Crew, while Trans Maldivian Airport is vying for the award of Indian Ocean’s Leading Seaplane Operator.
Meanwhile, Maldives main Velana International Airport has been nominated for the award of Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport.
Several Maldivian resorts and hotels have also been nominated for prestigious awards, including:
- Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Resort:
– Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives
– LUX* South Ari Atoll
– One&Only Reethi Rah - Indian Ocean’s Leading Boutique Hotel:
– COMO Cocoa Island
– Naladhu Private Island Maldives - Indian Ocean’s Leading Boutique Hotel Brand:
– Coco Collection - Indian Ocean’s Leading Culinary Hotel:
– Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
– JA Manafaru
– One&Only Reethi Rah - Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Resort:
– Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort
– Bandos Maldives
– Constance Moofushi
– Komandoo Island Resort and Spa
– OBLU By Atmosphere at Helengeli
– Vakarufalhi Island Resort - Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort:
– Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort
– Kanuhura Maldives
– Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives
– Lily Beach Resort and Spa
– Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort and Spa
– Soneva Fushi
– The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives - Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Resort:
– Gili Lankanfushi
– Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa
– Six Senses Laamu - Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort:
– Cheval Blanc Randheli
– COMO Cocoa Island
– JA Manafaru
– The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort - Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel:
– Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
– LUX* South Ari Atoll - Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel Residences:
– Gili Lankanfushi
– Velaa Private Island Maldives - Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel Suite:
– Extreme WOW Ocean Haven at W Maldives
– Royal Island Suite at JA Manafaru
– The Rehendi Presidential Suite at Taj Exotica Resort and Spa - Indian Ocean’s Leading Leisure Hotel:
– Anantara Veli Maldives Resort
– Hulhule Island Hotel
– Soneva Fushi - Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa:
– Baros Residence and Baros Maldives
– Grand Sunset Residence and One&Only Reethi Rah
– The Royal Residence and Jumeirah Vittaveli - Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Island Resort:
– Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah
– Jumeirah Vittaveli
– The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
– Velaa Private Island Maldives - Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Resort:
– Ayada Maldives
– Baros Maldives
– Cheval Blanc Randheli
– Dhevanafushi Maldives Luxury Resort Managed by AccorHotels
– Gili Lankanfushi
– Huvafen Fushi Maldives
– Milaidhoo Island Maldives
– OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo - Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Villa Resort:
– Cheval Blanc Randheli
– Jumeirah Vittaveli
– Velaa Private Island Maldives - Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Water Villa:
– Escape Water Villa at Coco Bodu Hithi
– Extreme WOW Ocean Haven at W Maldives
– Grand Water Villa at One&Only Reethi Rah
– Laamu Water Villa at Six Senses Laamu
– Ocean Suites at Paradise Island Resort and Spa
– Two-Bedroom Ocean Pavilion at Huvafen Fushi Maldives - Indian Ocean’s Leading MICE Hotel:
– Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives
– Hulhule Island Hotel
– Kurumba Maldives
– Paradise Island Resort and Spa - Indian Ocean’s Leading New Resort:
– Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi
– Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives
– Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort - Indian Ocean’s Leading Private Island Resort:
– Coco Privé Private Island Maldives
– COMO Cocoa Island, Maldives
– Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah
– Velaa Private Island Maldives - Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort:
– Amari Havodda Maldives
– Baros Maldives
– Cheval Blanc Randheli
– Coco Bodu Hithi
– Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
– Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
– Gili Lankanfushi
– Huvafen Fushi Maldives
– JA Manafaru
– Taj Exotica Resort and Spa
– The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives
– W Maldives - Indian Ocean’s Leading Villa Resort:
– Amari Havodda Maldives
– Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
– Angsana Velavaru
– Cheval Blanc Randheli
– Coco Bodu Hithi
– Hurawalhi Maldives - Indian Ocean’s Leading Water Villa Resort:
– Adaaran Prestige Water Villas Maldives
– Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort
– Baros Maldives
– Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
– Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
– Sun Aqua Vilu Reef - Indian Ocean’s Most Romantic Resort:
– Baros Maldives
– Coco Bodu Hithi
– Taj Exotica Resort and Spa
Maldives based travel agencies and tour operators are also competing for several awards: Diethlam Travel Maldives for Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination Management Company; Get Into Maldives Travels, Intour Maldives and Vermillion International Maldives for Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator; and Get Into Maldives Travels, Simply Maldives and Vermillion International Maldives for Indian Ocean’s Leading Travel Agency.
World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.
Each year, World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.
World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.
Business
BBM renews as Title Partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards under multi-year agreement
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.
Business
Feydhoo Hall opens at dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives as new event space
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.
Business
BBM expands retail presence with new Hulhumalé outlet
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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