Hotelier Maldives, the premier publication for the Maldives’ hospitality industry, has announced the second edition of the Hotelier Maldives Awards, presented by @bestbuymaldives (BBM).
The 2025 awards announcement was made at Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024, held on September 19 at CROSSROADS Maldives.
Building on the success of the inaugural awards, held in April 2024, the 2025 edition will feature four additional categories: Watersports, Diving, Airport Representative, and Resort Manager, recognising even more professionals who contribute to the Maldives’ tourism and hospitality sectors.
The Hotelier Maldives Awards, presented by BBM, were first launched in 2024, drawing widespread interest from across the industry. In its debut year, the awards attracted over 300 nominations and garnered 100,000 votes from the public. These numbers reflect the growing recognition of the awards as a prestigious platform to celebrate excellence and outstanding achievements within the hospitality sector.
Learn more: hoteliermaldives.com/hotelier-maldives-awards-2025-announced-with-new-categories
In a panel discussion hosted by Hotelier Maldives during the recent GM Forum, experts from across the hospitality industry came together to discuss how the Maldives can leverage its unique selling points (USPs) to remain a competitive and aspirational destination in the global market.
The panel, moderated by Aishath Ihuma, Director of Business Development at Reollo Investments Pvt. Ltd., included Ibrahim Inad, Director of Sales and Marketing at Oaga Resorts; Alexander Treager, General Manager at SAii Lagoon Maldives; Andrew Jansson, General Manager at Centara Mirage; and Rajesh Mehta, Chief Business Officer at Ooredoo Maldives. Their insights provide a clear roadmap for how the Maldives can continue to attract luxury travellers, all while addressing the evolving needs of guests and resorts alike.
A shout-out to our speakers, presenters, panelists and moderators for the insightful discussions. A big thank you to our sponsors and partners for making this event a success:
@ooredoomaldives - Digital Partner & Title Sponsor
@bestbuymaldives (BBM) - Silver Sponsor
@dhivehiinsurance - Silver Sponsor
@fuelsuppliesmv - Silver Sponsor
@macl.aero - Silver Sponsor
@mantaair - Aviation Partner
@cocacolamaldives (MAWC) - Beverage Partner
@elenaspacompany - Wellness Partner
@souvenirmarine - Transport Partner
@printlabmv - Printing Partner
@crossroadsmaldives - Venue Partner
@lightsoutmv - Coverage Partner
Associate Sponsors: @aliainvestmentspvtltd, @villahakathaofficial, @gage.maldives, @wyntronix_innovations, @uniformsunlimited_ , and @spaceylon.mv .
Learn more at: hoteliermaldives.com
In his presentation at the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024, Mohamed Mihad, Chief Commercial Officer at Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), highlighted the critical role of Velana International Airport (@velanaairport) in supporting and driving tourism in the Maldives. His speech, titled “Velana International Airport (VIA) and Tourism Development,” provided valuable insights into how the airport’s infrastructure and operations are closely intertwined with the growth and development of the tourism sector, and how future collaborations between the two sectors can enhance the Maldives’ position as a global tourist destination.
Mihad began by reflecting on the historical developments of VIA, providing a timeline of the airport’s growth alongside the evolution of tourism in the Maldives. He recalled the establishment of the first runway in 1964 and the arrival of the first tourist in 1972, marking the beginning of a new era for the Maldives. The construction of the first significant runway in 1976 enabled the Maldives to cater to growing international demand, a trend that has continued in tandem with the development of tourism.
A shout-out to our speakers, presenters, panelists and moderators for the insightful discussions. A big thank you to our sponsors and partners for making this event a success:
@ooredoomaldives - Digital Partner & Title Sponsor
@bestbuymaldives (BBM) - Silver Sponsor
@dhivehiinsurance - Silver Sponsor
@fuelsuppliesmv - Silver Sponsor
@macl.aero - Silver Sponsor
@mantaair - Aviation Partner
@cocacolamaldives (MAWC) - Beverage Partner
@elenaspacompany - Wellness Partner
@souvenirmarine - Transport Partner
@printlabmv - Printing Partner
@crossroadsmaldives - Venue Partner
@lightsoutmv - Coverage Partner
Associate Sponsors: @aliainvestmentspvtltd, @villahakathaofficial, @gage.maldives, @wyntronix_innovations, @uniformsunlimited_, and @spaceylon.mv.
Learn more at: hoteliermaldives.com
At the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024, Mohamed Jailam, CEO and Managing Director of @javaabumv and Co-Founder of @dhivehigpt , delivered a presentation titled “How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Will Revolutionise Travel.” His talk centred on how AI is already transforming various sectors, and the potential it holds for revolutionising the travel and hospitality industry.
To help the audience grasp the core of artificial intelligence, Jailam explained neural networks, drawing a comparison to the human brain. He used a simple analogy: how a neural network can distinguish between pictures of cats and dogs by processing and classifying images based on large sets of labeled data. AI, he emphasised, is essentially the result of vast amounts of training data and can be applied to multiple areas of business—from predicting sales to understanding customer behaviour.
A shout-out to our speakers, presenters, panelists and moderators for the insightful discussions. A big thank you to our sponsors and partners for making this event a success:
@ooredoomaldives - Digital Partner & Title Sponsor
@bestbuymaldives (BBM) - Silver Sponsor
@dhivehiinsurance - Silver Sponsor
@fuelsuppliesmv - Silver Sponsor
@macl.aero - Silver Sponsor
@mantaair - Aviation Partner
@cocacolamaldives (MAWC) - Beverage Partner
@elenaspacompany - Wellness Partner
@souvenirmarine - Transport Partner
@printlabmv - Printing Partner
@crossroadsmaldives - Venue Partner
@lightsoutmv - Coverage Partner
Associate Sponsors: @aliainvestmentspvtltd, @villahakathaofficial, @gage.maldives, @wyntronix_innovations, @uniformsunlimited_, and @spaceylon.mv.
Learn more at: hoteliermaldives.com
At the recently-concluded Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024, Etienne Ng, Regional Director for Southeast Asia at Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay), delivered a presentation on the evolving trends of Chinese travellers and the crucial role of digital payments in the hospitality industry. The session offered attendees a deep dive into how WeChat, one of the most popular apps in China, influences travel spending patterns and enhances guest experiences through digital solutions.
Etienne Ng opened his session by engaging the audience with an informal poll, asking if they had ever used WeChat, a Chinese super app with over 1.2 billion users. He highlighted the app’s evolution from a simple messaging platform to an all-encompassing ecosystem that integrates messaging, social media, and digital payments—transforming everyday activities for millions of users.
“Think of WeChat as a super app that does everything,” Etienne Ng explained, comparing the seamless Chinese mobile experience to the more fragmented app usage seen in other parts of the world. WeChat’s diverse functionalities, from business communication to social media and payments, form the backbone of daily life for many Chinese, making it an essential tool for reaching Chinese travellers.
A shout-out to our speakers, presenters, panelists and moderators for the insightful discussions. A big thank you to our sponsors and partners for making this event a success:
@ooredoomaldives - Digital Partner & Title Sponsor
@bestbuymaldives (BBM) - Silver Sponsor
@dhivehiinsurance - Silver Sponsor
@fuelsuppliesmv - Silver Sponsor
@macl.aero - Silver Sponsor
@mantaair - Aviation Partner
@cocacolamaldives (MAWC) - Beverage Partner
@elenaspacompany - Wellness Partner
@souvenirmarine - Transport Partner
@printlabmv - Printing Partner
@crossroadsmaldives - Venue Partner
@lightsoutmv - Coverage Partner
Associate Sponsors: @aliainvestmentspvtltd, @villahakathaofficial, @gage.maldives, @wyntronix_innovations, @uniformsunlimited_ , a
In a presentation at the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024, Rajesh Mehta, Chief Business Officer of @ooredoomaldives, emphasised the transformative role of managed solutions in enhancing hospitality efficiency. The event marked the eighth edition of the forum and Mehta’s fourth appearance, where he outlined the importance of centralised ICT infrastructure for resorts.
Mehta opened his presentation by highlighting Ooredoo’s extensive footprint, which spans 10 markets and serves over 151 million customers. He noted that the Maldives’ tourism industry is intrinsically linked to the country’s global appeal as a luxury destination, contributing significantly to the digital economy.
“Today, we are not just a telecom provider; we are positioning ourselves as a digital service provider,” Mehta stated. He underscored the need for resorts to adapt to an evolving digital landscape, where guests expect seamless connectivity and enhanced experiences.
A shout-out to our speakers, presenters, panelists and moderators for the insightful discussions. A big thank you to our sponsors and partners for making this event a success:
@ooredoomaldives - Digital Partner & Title Sponsor
@bestbuymaldives (BBM) - Silver Sponsor
@dhivehiinsurance - Silver Sponsor
@fuelsuppliesmv - Silver Sponsor
@macl.aero - Silver Sponsor
@mantaair - Aviation Partner
@cocacolamaldives (MAWC) - Beverage Partner
@elenaspacompany - Wellness Partner
@souvenirmarine - Transport Partner
@printlabmv - Printing Partner
@crossroadsmaldives - Venue Partner
@lightsoutmv - Coverage Partner
Associate Sponsors: @aliainvestmentspvtltd, @villahakathaofficial, @gage.maldives, @wyntronix_innovations, @uniformsunlimited_, and @spaceylon.mv.
Learn more at: hoteliermaldives.com
At the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024, Malik Mohamed, Director of Business Intelligence at @pulseresorts, delivered a presentation on the vital role of business intelligence (BI) and revenue optimisation in the evolving tourism industry of the Maldives. He highlighted how leveraging data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and predictive tools can unlock substantial revenue potential and create a competitive edge in the luxury hospitality market.
During his presentation, Malik emphasised the shift from traditional intuition-based decision-making to data-driven strategies, which he believes are essential for future success. He stressed, “So far, our approach in making business decisions has been a lot of intuition and very little data has been used or analysed.” However, with the right tools and frameworks, he noted that businesses could now harness vast amounts of data to gain insights that optimise both operations and revenue streams.
A shout-out to our speakers, presenters, panelists and moderators for the insightful discussions. A big thank you to our sponsors and partners for making this event a success:
@ooredoomaldives - Digital Partner & Title Sponsor
@bestbuymaldives (BBM) - Silver Sponsor
@dhivehiinsurance - Silver Sponsor
@fuelsuppliesmv - Silver Sponsor
@macl.aero - Silver Sponsor
@mantaair - Aviation Partner
@cocacolamaldives (MAWC) - Beverage Partner
@elenaspacompany - Wellness Partner
@souvenirmarine - Transport Partner
@printlabmv - Printing Partner
@crossroadsmaldives - Venue Partner
@lightsoutmv - Coverage Partner
Associate Sponsors: @aliainvestmentspvtltd, @villahakathaofficial, @gage.maldives, @wyntronix_innovations, @uniformsunlimited_ , and @spaceylon.mv
Learn more at: hoteliermaldives.com
Tourism Minister calls for boost in occupancy and longer stays to drive Maldives tourism growth - GM Forum 2024
Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal has called on the industry to not only focus on increasing tourist arrivals but also to boost occupancy rates, extend the length of tourist stays, and enhance tourist spending in the Maldives.
Speaking at the GM Forum 2024, Minister Faisal expressed optimism that tourist arrivals in the Maldives would surpass 2 million by the end of the year. He emphasised that this target can only be met through the collaboration of all stakeholders in the tourism sector. The government, he added, aims to increase tourism revenue to $6 billion.
Addressing the forum, Faisal acknowledged the critical role general managers play in the tourism industry. “You [GMs] are at the forefront of tourism. I urge you to contribute towards making this industry more sustainable,” he said, commending the hard work of resort general managers.
A shout-out to our speakers, presenters, panelists and moderators for the insightful discussions. A big thank you to our sponsors and partners for making this event a success:
@ooredoomaldives - Digital Partner & Title Sponsor
@bestbuymaldives (BBM) - Silver Sponsor
@dhivehiinsurance - Silver Sponsor
@fuelsuppliesmv - Silver Sponsor
@macl.aero - Silver Sponsor
@mantaair - Aviation Partner
@cocacolamaldives (MAWC) - Beverage Partner
@elenaspacompany - Wellness Partner
@souvenirmarine - Transport Partner
@printlabmv - Printing Partner
@crossroadsmaldives - Venue Partner
@lightsoutmv - Coverage Partner
Associate Sponsors: @aliainvestmentspvtltd, @villahakathaofficial, @gage.maldives , @wyntronix_innovations , @uniformsunlimited_ , and @spaceylon.mv.
Learn more at: https://hoteliermaldives.com/tourism-minister-calls-for-boost-in-occupancy-and-longer-stays-to-drive-maldives-tourism-growth/
@uniformsunlimited_ has signed an agreement to continue as an Associate Sponsor for the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024. This marks the second consecutive year that Uniforms Unlimited is supporting the event, reaffirming its involvement in the hospitality sector.
Zubin Mehta, Partner of Uniforms Unlimited, stated, “We value our partnership with the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum, which provides a platform for industry professionals to connect and discuss pressing topics. We are pleased to continue our support.”
Learn more: hoteliermaldives.com
@spaceylonmv has signed on as an Associate Sponsor for the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024. The GM Forum, the largest gathering of hospitality professionals in Maldives, will take place on September 19 at CROSSROADS Maldives.
“We are pleased to support the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024 as an Associate Sponsor. The forum provides a valuable platform for industry professionals to come together and share insights that drive the sector forward,” Mohamed Ali, Managing Director, at Spa Ceylon Maldives said.
Learn more: hoteliermaldives.com
@lightsoutmv, a multimedia production company in the Maldives, has renewed its agreement as the Coverage Partner for the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024 for a second year. The company will continue to provide multimedia coverage for the event, which is a key gathering for professionals in the Maldivian hospitality industry.
“Being part of the GM Forum aligns with our vision of supporting industry discussions and showcasing important events. We look forward to continuing our role in capturing the conversations and sharing them with a wider audience,” Shinaah Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer at Lights Out, said.
The GM Forum 2024, set to take place on September 19, 2024, will focus on the theme, ‘The Evolving Luxury Landscape,’ bringing together industry leaders to discuss the future of luxury travel in the Maldives.
Learn more: hoteliermaldives.com
ALIA Investments PVT LTD holds a prominent position in the Maldivian market as the exclusive distributor of Yamaha and Kohler products. The company’s diverse portfolio includes Alia Store Hardware, Alia Sawmill Timber, and Yamaha Service Centres, offering a wide range of products and services that cater to various sectors, including construction, hospitality, and marine.
“Our participation with the renewal of our contract with Hotelier Maldives for the GM Forum this year aligns with our commitment to supporting the growth and development of the hospitality sector in the Maldives. We look forward to contributing to the discussions and networking with industry leaders,” Ahmed Saeed, General Manager of Alia Investments, said.
Learn more: hoteliermaldives.com
