Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has opened nomination for the Maldives Travel Awards Gala Edition 2018.
Launching of nominations for the Gala Edition was celebrated at the annual Iftar hosted by MATATO at Hotel Jen in capital Male on Thursday.
According to MATATO, nominations for the Gala Edition will be accepted by June 30. The 24 awards in eight key categories that are open for nominations include:
- Product and Service
– Leading private island
– Leading luxury resort
– Most romantic resort
– Leading family resort
– Leading designer resort
– Leading meeting and conference resort - Brand Management
– Leading local hotel/resort brand
– Leading international hotel/resort brand - Beach And Water
– Leading beach resort
– Leading dive resort
– Leading surf resort
– Leading dive/water sports centre - Food And Beverage
– Leading food and beverage resort
– Leading food and beverage outlet (bar/restaurant) - Wellness And Spa
– Leading wellness and spa resort
– Leading wellness and spa brand - Responsible Tourism
– Leading eco-resort
– Leading CSR programme
– Leading human resource management - Airlines
– Leading international carrier
– Leading local carrier
– Leading low-cost carrier - Liveaboard
– Leading liveaboard
– Leading liveaboard brand
In addition to the main categories, MATATO will present five awards to recognise special areas of tourism development and sustainability.
MATATO said winners for the Maldives Travel Awards – Gala Edition would be decided by a collective score based on traveller reviews and popular vote. The winners would be announced at the annual gala to be held later this year.
In 2017, Maldives TravelAwards Gala Edition attracted 297 nominations and more than 350,000 votes.
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.
Like last year, MATATO will host three editions: 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.
MATATO will also combine the grand gala with the travel conference happening a day before, bringing an international audience of industry experts.