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Voting begins for World Travel Awards Indian Ocean nominees

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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.

Events

Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) holds its 34th Annual General Meeting

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The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) held its 34th Annual General Meeting at Kurumba Maldives today, with a total of 100 members in attendance. 

The day’s events began with a welcome address from the Chairman of MATI, Mr. Mohamed Umar, who also presided over the session. The agenda included an address from the Secretary General, Mr. Ahmed Nazeer, the review and approval of the minutes of the 33rd AGM, the review and adoption of the Annual Report and Financial Reports for 2023, the approval of the 2024 budget, the appointment of auditors for 2024, the welcoming of new members and election of executive board members to the two vacant positions (by-election).

In the member discussion session, the following topics were covered: the Government’s aim to reach net-zero emissions by 2023 and renewable energy generation in the Tourism Industry, new terminal of Velana International Airport and developments, employment challenges, the Industrial Relations Act and trade unions, environmental conservation and the significance of creating and executing efficient management plans for protected areas like the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA).

Following the official proceedings, the Minister of Tourism Hon. Ibrahim Faisal and the Minister of Economic Development and Trade Hon. Mohamed Saeed joined the forum. The Ministers provided remarks and engaged in a Member Q&A session. This session provided members with the chance to directly engage with the Ministers and delve into crucial industry topics. The queries focused on the Economic Outlook, forthcoming development plans and  immediate challenges and issues affecting the Tourism Industry.

A video presentation was also showcased that delved into the extensive work undertaken by MATI in 2023. The video also touched upon the Tourism Industry’s performance over the past 5 years, as well as the current and projected human resource capacity of the sector.

In his closing remarks, the Secretary General highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing industry challenges and called for greater unison amongst industry stakeholders, ending with an acknowledgement of the promising start to the year in terms of arrivals.

Executive Board Members elected to the 2 vacant positions (by-election):

  1. Ibrahim Shareef, CEO and Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company Limited
  2. Renato De Olivera, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands and representative of Marriott International
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Business

Unlocking power of travel storytelling at Travel Creators Exchange 2024

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Join us for the Travel Creators Exchange 2024, taking place on February 1, 2024, at the Hotel Jen in Male’, Maldives.

This dynamic event provides a platform for networking and collaboration among Maldives-based travel creators, fostering connections, idea-sharing, and the establishment of lasting partnerships to expand opportunities and monetise content.

Our lineup of distinguished speakers includes:

  • Zihuny Rasheed, Deputy Managing Director of MMPRC, will present on “Power of Digital Storytelling: Collaborative Strategies for Destination Promotion.” MMPRC actively markets the Maldives globally, utilising a comprehensive approach that includes travel trade shows, roadshows, digital marketing, and more.
  • Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director of Kuda Villingili Maldives Resort, brings over 23 years of hospitality industry experience. He will discuss “The Role of Content in Tourism Marketing,” drawing on expertise in revenue, customer service, sales & marketing, and human capital development.
  • Suresh Dissanayake, Assistant Vice President of Sales & Marketing of Heritance Aarah & Adaaran Resorts, with nearly two decades of experience, will shed light on “What does a Sales and Marketing Director Do?” He brings extensive luxury hospitality experience and a proven track record in sales, distribution, and marketing.
  • Vishal Amir Ahmed, a versatile cinematographer and content creator, will explore “Who is a Content Creator.” Currently associated with Various Arts Studio, he specialises in providing multimedia solutions to various clients.

Organised by Maldives Insider, Maldives Virtual Tour, Travel Trade Maldives, and Hotelier Maldives, this collaborative effort aims to empower Maldives-based travel content creators and elevate the Maldives as a premier destination for captivating travel storytelling.

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Events

Acclaimed contemporary artist Ana Pušica explores perpetuality and community at Patina Maldives

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Ana Pušica Kramer, an internationally  acclaimed contemporary artist, joins Patina Maldives for an exclusive  art residency in the now infamous Fari Art Atelier. From January 22 to  February 22, 2024, Ana Pušica will grace the shores of the Fari Islands,  weaving a vibrant narrative of colour and emotion across her larger  than-life canvases. 

Her artistry transcends boundaries, melding abstraction and figuration into awe-inspiring masterpieces. Having exhibited globally, from New York to Beijing, Ana’s paintings are a physical, intuitive act rooted in movement.  Described as a “beautiful fluorescent thunderstorm,” Ana’s art explores light and colour, capturing the energy of life itself. 

The Fari Art Atelier which has previously hosted the likes of Daniel Arsham, Chris Stamp and David Nott, will be transformed into Ana’s studio and gallery showcasing her enthralling artworks—a mesmerising journey through poetry, memory, and the vibrant interplay of colour. Guests at Patina are invited to delve into Ana’s world, where each stroke reveals layers of meaning, evoking sensations of intense lightness and boundless interpretation. 

At Patina Maldives, Ana will immerse herself in a month-long residency, inviting the Patina Malidves community or guests and team to witness her artistic fervour firsthand. Guests will have the rare opportunity not only to observe her creative process but also to engage with and create art alongside this luminary.

Experience artistry at its most exclusive

Art Exhibition
Experience Ana’s captivating exploration of colour and emotion in her spellbinding artworks displayed at the Fari Atelier.

Art Workshops: Message in a Bottle
As part of a collaborative artwork, Ana invites Patina guests to participate in short workshops, actively contributing to the creation of a permanent installation at Patina Maldives.

Open Studio Session
Join Ana for an exclusive open studio session, offering guests a behind the-scenes look at her creative process.

Ana Pušica residency package
Discover a world where creativity knows no bounds as Ana Pušica, the maestro of contemporary art, transforms Patina Maldives into an immersive canvas of inspiration.

Book now to secure your experience.
For more information and reservations, please visit Patina Maldives or contact
reservations.maldives@patinahotels.com

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