Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has opened nomination for the Maldives Travel Awards – Guesthouse Edition.
MATATO said any guesthouse in operation for at least a year can send in completed application forms by September 10 via email or the official website. Nominations will be accepted from travel agents, travel organisations and registered travel businesses in Maldives, it added.
Nominations are open for 12 categories, including:
- Leading Guesthouse
- Leading Food and Beverage Guesthouse
- Leading Guesthouse / Diving and Water Sports
- Leading Eco-Friendly Guesthouse
- Leading Business Guesthouse
- Leading Heritage Guesthouse
- Leading Adventure Guesthouse
- Most Innovative Guesthouse Concept
- Leading Guesthouse Brand
- Leading Transport Service Provider
- Leading Guesthouse Island
- Leading Beach Island
Additionally, MATATO will award recognitions in three categories, including:
- Leading Business Development Partner for the Guesthouse Industry
- Newcomer of the Year
- Most Supportive Guesthouse
According to MATATO, nominees will be evaluated and shortlisted to five contenders in each category based on their rating on TripAdvisor, which accounts for 40 percent of the total score. Shortlisted properties will then be announced and featured for popular vote, which accounts for the remaining 60 percent of the final score, it said.
Introduced this year, the Guesthouse Edition builds on the recognitions awarded to guesthouses by MATATO as part of the Maldives Travel Awards and celebrates the outstanding performance of the guesthouse sector.
The Guesthouse Edition will be hosted during October 2017.
Maldives, known over the world for its upmarket tourism industry, has resorts in the hundreds spread across the archipelago. The industry has in recent years expanded to introduce more affordable segments, including guesthouses and liveaboards. Some 330 guesthouses have started operations over the past five years as the number of travellers that choose to stay in guesthouses rise.
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.
