Featured
Maldives wins four regional World Travel Awards titles, crowned Indian Ocean’s leading destination
Maldives has won 4 prestigious awards in the Indian Ocean category in World Travel Awards – the most prestigious honours programme in global travel and tourism, established in 1993 and recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.
The awards won by Maldives this year include:
- Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination 2021
- Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination 2021
- Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination 2021
Along with the awards listed above, Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation has been awarded the Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist Board 2021.
On winning the Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination Award and the Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist Board 2021 for MMPRC, Thoyyib Mohamed, the Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation stated, “We are extremely proud to win the Indian Ocean Leading Destination Award from the World Travel Awards. It is a testament to all the hard work, effort, and the dedication of all in the Maldives tourism and travel trade, and I congratulate all stakeholders of the industry for this great achievement.”
“Furthermore, it is a special honor and a matter of great pride that MMPRC has been selected as the Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist Board 2021. I congratulate our team at MMPRC. This is a great reward for the team, for the hard work and dedication they have shown during the extremely challenging times during the last one and half years. Thank you for voting for us. We hope to see you soon in the sunny side of life.”
Despite the tremendous challenges experienced by the tourism industry during the pandemic, this year’s World Travel Awards is a remarkable testament to the love and extraordinary effort of tourists from around the world – World Travel Awards has reported a record number of visitor traffic and engagement from public voters.
This shows that as travel resumes and the tourism sector recovers, the appetite for travel has never been bigger. Tourists are constantly seeking the very best tourism products from across the world.
As Maldives has won four categories, these awards have never been more valuable in the marketing of the island nation as one of the safest and top travel destinations in the world.
The Maldives reopened its borders on 15th July 2020. Since then, we have welcomed 555,494 travellers in 2020 and an impressive 923,146 travellers in 2021 so far. We are on our way to cross the 1 million figure and revive the tourism industry.
These prestigious wins at the 28th World Travel Awards will assist MMPRC in strengthening the brand image and further enhance brand presence globally.
Maldives has secured multiple awards in various categories over the years including the World’s Leading Airport Resort, World’s Leading Beach Destination, World’s Leading Honeymoon Resort, World’s Most Romantic Resort and World’s Leading Luxury Island Resort.
The destination had also won the famed Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination award 13 times within the past 17 years.
Action
Eri Maldives offers accessible reef diving and snorkelling
Eri Maldives is located within the waters of North Malé Atoll and is surrounded by a house reef accessible to both beginner and experienced divers. With four direct reef entry points and shore access, the resort offers opportunities for snorkelling, introductory dives and certified diving.
The house reef supports a range of marine life, including white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, hawksbill turtles, mobula rays and spotted eagle rays, as well as schools of reef fish. The accessibility of the reef allows guests to explore the area over multiple days, providing opportunities to observe marine behaviour and habitats over time.
Turtle encounters
Hawksbill turtles are among the most frequently observed species on the reef. The resort’s dive team has identified 14 individual turtles, each recognised by shell patterns and physical features. These include turtles known as Rosie, Cara and Anna, which have been documented through repeated sightings.
The resort maintains records of these turtles, allowing returning guests to identify individuals over time. Guests may also contribute to this initiative by naming newly identified turtles that have not previously been recorded.
Manta ray season
From December to April, manta rays are known to visit cleaning stations at Bodu Hithi Thila, located approximately one hour by boat from the resort. During this period, ocean conditions support plankton flows that attract mantas to the area, where they can be observed feeding or visiting cleaning stations.
Night diving experiences
Night snorkelling and diving activities provide a different perspective on reef activity. Species such as reef sharks, trevallies, moray eels and nurse sharks become more active after dark, offering guests the opportunity to observe nocturnal marine behaviour.
At Eri Maldives, marine experiences form a central part of the guest offering, with the house reef providing consistent opportunities for exploration. The resort’s dive programme is designed to support repeated interaction with the marine environment, allowing guests to experience a range of underwater activity throughout their stay.
Accommodation is available in studio and beach villa categories, with full board packages offered for direct bookings, subject to availability.
Featured
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives collaborates with Maldivian artist Ahmed Aleem
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives, Autograph Collection has announced a collaboration with Ahmed Aleem Shakoor, who is currently in residence at the resort, introducing a creative element to the guest experience.
Aleem, a self-taught artist, is known for work that combines maritime themes, surrealism and symbolism. His practice spans watercolours, acrylics and mixed media, drawing inspiration from the Maldives’ history and ocean landscapes, often expressed through the use of light, depth and narrative.
During his residency, Aleem is working with the resort to develop a series of artistic and cultural experiences aimed at engaging guests. These include live painting sessions, informal interactions with the artist and workshops designed to encourage creative participation.
The programme forms part of the resort’s wider activities, with offerings such as mini canvas painting, coconut painting and creative art sessions available to guests. In addition, Tales Painted in Sunlight combines elements of Maldivian folklore, storytelling and visual art, providing further insight into local culture.
The collaboration reflects the resort’s approach to incorporating local artistic talent into its programming, while offering guests opportunities to engage with creative activities in a relaxed setting. The residency is designed to allow guests to explore artistic expression as part of their island experience.
As part of its seasonal programme, selected artistic activities are also included in the resort’s Easter offerings, providing additional opportunities for guests to take part in creative experiences during their stay.
Awards
Amilla Maldives wins ‘Most OutThere Initiative’ award for Inclusive Travel
Amilla Maldives has been named a joint winner in the Most OutThere Initiative in Inclusive Travel category at the Experientialist Awards 2026, following a Highly Commended recognition in the same category in 2025.
The Experientialist Awards recognise organisations shaping travel through inclusivity, individuality and design, with the inclusive travel category highlighting initiatives that address not only accessibility, but also how journeys are experienced by guests.
At Amilla Maldives, accessibility is integrated into the overall guest experience. The resort adopts an approach that begins at the planning stage and continues throughout the stay, with a focus on understanding individual guest needs and adapting experiences accordingly.
Aligned with its In Harmony with Purpose philosophy, the resort has introduced a range of measures aimed at improving accessibility. These include villa features designed for ease of use, accessible pathways across the island and adaptive experiences such as inclusive snorkelling and wellness sessions.
As an IncluCare Verified resort, Amilla Maldives continues to develop its offering through feedback and collaboration, with the aim of enhancing inclusivity across its operations.
Commenting on the recognition, Morgan Martinello said the resort remains focused on creating travel experiences that feel natural and accessible. He noted that the continued recognition reflects the resort’s ongoing efforts to improve inclusivity.
The award from OutThere, a platform focused on diversity and inclusion in travel, marks a further step in the resort’s efforts to create accessible and inclusive guest experiences.
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