Hotel Jen Malé Maldives named “Leading Business Hotel” at MTA 2016 for the fourth consecutive year

Hotel Jen Malé Maldives celebrates with great pleasure its win of the “Leading Business Hotel” award at the MATATO Maldives travel Awards held at Olhuveli Beach Resort and Spa on November 20, 2016.

Celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, the MATATO Maldives Travel Awards is regarded as the most prestigious and comprehensive awards programme for the Maldives’ travel and tourism industry. It covers a series of countdown shows and, a full day travel conference with international travel institutions, entrepreneurs and executives from all over the tourism industry, all under one roof to celebrate and discuss opportunities, challenges and innovative ways to further the Maldives’ travel industry. The main event is a gala award night which follows the conference.

The hotel would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every member of the staff for their continued contributions and loyal support to Hotel Jen, Malé, Maldives and its followers who helped clinch this prestigious accolade by voting in the MATATO Travel Awards 2016.

As a leading business hotel, in Male the capital city of the Maldives, the hotel will continue to build and maintain integrity and set benchmarks in service delivery within a highly competitive industry. Hotel Jen Malé, Maldives would like to intrigue guests by letting them experience the best during their stay in a “leading business hotel”, thus making the hotel their first preference for their future stays.

As such, the hotel’s focus has been on strengthening the training and development of its associates to promote world-class levels of productivity, develop leadership and skills and capabilities in view of creating a pipeline of talent to ensure the highest standards of excellence which are consistent with Jen’s unique brand of style and service delivery.

Hotel Jen Malé, Maldives comprises 117 rooms, ranging from Deluxe Room, Deluxe Ocean View Rooms and Executive Rooms. The hotel is ideally situated amidst the bustling government, business and shopping precinct with easy access to the city’s main commercial centre, as well as to the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport via a seven-minute speedboat ride. Hotel Jen Malé Maldives is the ultimate destination for business or pleasure and an ideal place to relax and revive before an onward journey to the Maldives’ exotic islands.

The hotel’s highlights includes an open-air rooftop restaurant boasting the highest dining peak in the Maldives, with unparalleled vistas of the city alongside an infinity pool that offers a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean; The Lime, an all-day dining restaurant on the first floor that is renowned for its international cuisine, including, delightful flavours of Indian, Chinese, Malaysian and Sri Lankan dinner buffets; and the recently opened Jen’s Kitchen, a Grab & Go concept restaurant on the lobby level which soon became one of the most popular eateries in the city. In addition, Hotel Jen houses two meeting rooms, a ballroom that offers the perfect setting for prestigious social events and large conferences, a 24-hours gym and the famous Aristo Spa, where guests can indulge in a massage to wind down the day.

“I am very excited, happy and so proud of my team. A big thanks to our guests and all who recognise the commitment and quality of service we deliver everyday” said Rahim Flynn, the hotel’s general manager. This is the fourth consecutive year that this Shangri-La property has accepted the “Leading Business Hotel” award at the MATATO Maldives Travel Awards.

Sun Siyam Resorts wins prestigious accolades at the Maldives Travel Awards 2016

Leading Wellness & Spa Resort – The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Maldives

Most Supportive Resort – Sun Siyam Resorts

Lifetime Achievement Recognition – Mr Ahmed Siyam Mohamed

The Gala Event for Maldives Travel Awards was held amidst the perfect venue of Olhuveli Beach & Spa Maldives. Leading Wellness & Spa Resort was won by The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Maldives. Most Supportive Resort was won by Sun Siyam Resorts. The much-deserved Lifetime Achievement Recognition was attained by Hon FDr. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, Chairman & Managing Director of Sun Siyam Group.

Sun Siyam Resorts wins prestigious accolades at the Maldives Travel Awards 2016

“Pleasure! Fun! Style! Maldivian Travel Awards 2016 at Olhuveli Beach and Spa Maldives collected top people of the industry.  Four awards for Sun Siyam Group proved our efforts are recognized. Show must go on! And motivate us all to keep high standards in events and hospitality till we meet again for the awards next year.” said Evgenia Boyankova, Group Director of Business Development, Sun Siyam Resorts.

At the majestic Gala Award Ceremony with the perfect ambiance, held on the 20th of November 2016; amongst prominent government and industry leaders, print and broadcast media the awards for Leading Wellness & Spa Resort, Most Supportive Resort and Lifetime Achievement Recognition was declared.

Sun Siyam Resorts wins prestigious accolades at the Maldives Travel Awards 2016

Maldives Travel Awards was established in 2012 by MATATO, Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators, recognized as the leading travel association in the Maldives. Their aim being to encourage and raise the standard of overall service within our tourism industry. Thus, the awards are presented to nominees in different categories based on standard and various sectors.

Sun Siyam Resorts wins prestigious accolades at the Maldives Travel Awards 2016

Set amongst a lush tropical island Olhuveli Beach & Spa Maldives is nestled at the tip of South Male’ Atoll. 45 minutes away by speedboat it is the ideal escape from everyday life, offering delightful cuisines to leisure activities for all. The 164 villas showcase a mix of modern yet traditional elements made perfect by the stunning views of the turquoise lagoons and the Indian Ocean.

Sun Siyam Resorts wins prestigious accolades at the Maldives Travel Awards 2016

Sun Siyam Resorts wins prestigious accolades at the Maldives Travel Awards 2016

Sun Siyam Resorts wins prestigious accolades at the Maldives Travel Awards 2016

Sun Siyam Resorts wins prestigious accolades at the Maldives Travel Awards 2016

Sun Siyam Resorts wins prestigious accolades at the Maldives Travel Awards 2016

Sun Siyam Resorts wins prestigious accolades at the Maldives Travel Awards 2016

Sun Siyam Resorts wins prestigious accolades at the Maldives Travel Awards 2016

Winners of Maldives Travel Awards 2016

The Gala Event for Maldives Travel Awards 2016 was held at Olhuveli Beach & Spa Maldives on the 20th of November 2016. The chief guest for the Gala Event was the Minister of Tourism Mr Moosa Zameer. The “Lifetime achievement Award” was awarded to Hon. Dr Ahmed Siyam
Mohamed for his contribution to the Tourism Industry and the country as a whole.

Winners List:

Judged Categories

Scores are calculated by presentation to judges panel, on-site inspections and popular votes
(online & SMS)

1- Leading Private Island : Velaa Private Island
2- Leading Luxury Resort : Conrad Maldives Rangali
3- Most Romantic Resort : Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
4- Leading Beach Resort : Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
5- Leading Designer Resort : Velaa Private Island
6- Leading All Inclusive Resort : Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
7- Leading Family Resort : Bandos Maldives
8- Leading Resort : Conrad Maldives Rangali
9- Leading Eco Resort : Sun Island Resort & Spa
10- Leading Dive Resort : Bandos Maldives
11- Leading Surf Resort : Anantara Dhigu
12- Leading Wellness & Spa Resort : The Sun Siyam Irufushi
13- Leading Meeting & Conference Resort : Bandos Maldives
14- Leading Local Hotel/Resort Brand : Bandos Maldives
15- Leading International Hotel/Resort Brand : Conrad Maldives Rangali
16- Leading Wellness & Spa Brand/Chain : Araamu Spa
17- Leading Human Resource Management : Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
18- Leading CSR Program : Soneva Fushi Resort
19- Leading Airport/City Hotel : Hulhule Island Hotel
20- Leading Guest House : Reveries Diving Village
21- Leading Business Hotel : Hotel Jen by Shangri-La
22- Leading Liveaboard : Voyages Gurahali
23- Leading Liveaboard Brand : Carpe Diem Maldives
24- Leading Dive School/Centre : Dive Oceanus
25- Leading Activity/Water Sports Centre : Active Water Sports Maafushi
26- Leading Innovation in Guest House Design : Reveries Diving Village
27- Leading Travel Website : ICOM Tours
28- Leading Domestic Transport Provider : ICOM Tours
29- Leading Airport Lounge : Leeli Lounge

By Popular Vote

Scores are calculated based on the votes cast only through our online website and SMS.

30- Leading Domestic Airline : Villa Air, Flyme
31- Leading Low Cost Carrier : Fly Dubai
32- Leading International Airline : Srilankan Airlines
33- Leading Guest House Island : Maafushi Council

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Think Advertising – 332 2222/7972091
20th November 2016

MALDIVES TRAVEL CONFERENCE TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, 19th NOVEMBER

Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators, MATATO will be launching the First Edition of Maldives Travel Conference, on 19th November 2016.

Over a period of four decades, Maldives has successfully established an exemplary tourism industry that is popular worldwide and merits of which copied across the globe. And we believe its time, as world’s leading island destination, Maldives took the initiative to take a place at the forefront of international tourism dialogue. The purpose of this conference is to establish an International Platform in Maldives, to bring together forefront international travel institutions, entrepreneurs and executives under one roof, to have a leading and effective dialogue, about opportunities, challenges, and innovations in the travel industry.

MATATO is inviting significantly insightful line up of speakers for the conference, representing some of the leading executives and pioneers from local and international tourism community. The conference will be attended 150 travel professionals (leading hoteliers, travel executives and representatives from key stakeholders) and media.

Hosted in Bandos Island Resort, Maldives Travel Conference, will feature four key topics.

Importance of Destination Marketing:

Luxury Travel Trends in Maldives Context

Evolving Maldives Tourism Product

Tourism and Perception – Opportunities and Challenges

Each topic for the conference will be dissected by a panel of four industry experts and representatives who will separately share their insight and thoughts on the topic. Following the presentations by the speakers, participants of the conference will also join the discussion through an open discussion with the panel. We have the following international guest speakers confirmed for the Conference from, Pacific Asia Travel Association – PATA, CNN, Tripadvisor and TTG Asia.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Dr. Mario Hardy CEO,

Pacific Asia Travel Association, PATA

Ms. Sonali Chatterjee

Sales Director India & South Asia, CNN International

Prof. Dr. Walter Jamieson FCIP Director

Thammasat University, Thailand

Feizal Samath, Senior Correspondent

TTG Asia

Evgenia Boyankova

Group Director of Business Development, Sun Siyam

Dr Sunny Umar

Chief Operations Ocer, Maldives Getaways

This event will commence at 09:00 am in the morning of 19th November 2016, at Bandos Maldives.

MATATO signs as Associate Partner for Travel Trade Show of Maldives

Maldives Association of Travel Agents & Tour Operators (MATATO) has signed a MOU with Maldives Getaways Pvt Ltd to become an Associate Partner for first international Travel Trade Show of Maldives (TTM).

Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) is the platform that connects the travel trade community of the Maldives to the global network of travel agents easily and instantly. Staged annually in Maldives, TTM will be the leading global event for the luxury travel trade industry of Maldives. It will be a vibrant must attend business-to-business event presenting a diverse range of hoteliers to local & International travel professionals.

TTM aims to facilitate the tourism industry of Maldives to reach the ultimate target of 2 million tourists with over $3.5 billion in receipts by the end of 2020. More than 300 hoteliers, suppliers, related industries and travel professionals from Maldives and abroad are expected to visit TTM to network, negotiate and discover the latest industry opinion and trends in Maldives.

SPEED NETWORKING

Speed networking sessions bring together exhibitors and selected buyers in one-to-one meeting sessions. TTM will arrange meetings for up to 20 minutes to facilitate constructive meetings which will produce results! You can use this time to not only exchange cards and introduce but to brief products and services, discuss prices and even explore ways to work in the future.

The Venue & Dates

TTM 2017 will be held in Dharubaaruge, Male’ Maldives. TTM 2017 will be held in July 2017 from morning till evening, promising two full days of serious business.

Events & Facilities

Travel Talks – These are interactive talk sessions presented by the leading industry stakeholders of Maldives and the international travel market. These stakeholders are renowned professionals, industry experts, specialists and achievers, and research authors of the markets. The sessions will be scheduled in a flow that will not disrupt the meetings, ensuring not only business but a learning experience.

Predesigned state-of-the-art booths – Booths at TTM will be spaced and designed to meet the sole objective of hosting productive meetings. The booths will be equipped with all the necessary equipment and comfortable furniture to ensure the perfect environment.

Business Centre – TTM2017 will feature a comprehensive Business Centre with the perfect environment for buyers and exhibitors to network and hold additional meetings with prospected partners. The centre will include amenities and facilities such as concierge service, printing and photocopying, free Internet and Wi-Fi, luggage storage, phone charging stations, etc.

Meal and Refreshment Zone – The show will feature a trendy full scale meal and refreshment zone serving a rich variety of foods and drinks for the participants.

Photo and Art Gallery – TTM will feature a photo and art gallery that will exhibit the finest works of leading professional photographers and artists related to the travel and tourism world. The gallery will communicate breathtaking tales about Maldives, the history and the future of the tourism industry.

Closing Gala Event – TTM will host a VIP Closing Gala Event to mark the closing celebrations of the event. The Gala Event will feature keynote speakers who are international hospitality veterans; gift exchanging; a classy dinner with rich and exotic Maldivian tastes; live music by leading artists; and of course the opportunity to network with the highest executives, decision makers, and market shapers of the industry.

TTM Magazine – An official magazine of TTM will be published in English with a total of 3000 copies freely distributed at the event & other international travel trade shows. This magazine will include exhibitor profile, visitor profiles, and partner’s profiles and other important information regarding the Maldives as a tourism hub.

EXHIBITOR PROFILES

Resort and Hotels Chains and individual Resorts and Hotels, National and State Government Agencies, Industry Service Providers, Financial Institutions, Business/Luxury Travel Agents and Tour Operators, Destination Marketing and PR Companies, Insurance Companies, Marine and Land Transport Companies, Airlines; and News and Media Corporations.

VISITOR PROFILES

International Business/Luxury Travel Agents and Tour Operators, Destination Marketing and PR Companies, Travel Bloggers, Airlines; and News and Media Corporations.

TOTAL PARTICIPANTS

150 International Travel Agents & local travel agents
100 Resorts/Hotels
50 Partners/Journalists/Bloggers/PR Specialists/Media

For more details, please contact :
+960 3011720 | [email protected] | www.traveltrademaldives.com

MALDIVES TRAVEL AWARDS 2016; deadline extension of application for nominations

Maldives Association of Travel Agents & Tour Operators (MATATO) has extended the deadline of Maldives Travel Awards’ application for nominations till 15th August 2016. During this period, a special focus will be given on encouraging nominations for the new and exciting nomination categories introduced this year targeting local travel markets.

Maldives Travel Awards is a product of MATATO, deemed as the most prestigious and exclusively recognized label in the travel, tourism and hospitality sector of Maldives. While 2016 marks the Travel Awards’ 5th Anniversary, it features nomination categories comprehensively covering all the sectors of the industry. This Award aims at encouraging and raising service standards within the Maldivian tourism industry.

In April 2016, Think Advertising was awarded the exclusive rights to organize and host the Travel Awards for the next 3 years. In the coming weeks, Think Advertising will be communicating further details regarding the event.

MATATO Maldives Travel Awards 2016 Press Release

Maldives Travel Awards by the Maldives Association of Travel Agents & Tour Operators (MATATO) will be organized and hosted by Think Advertising, on 22 May 2016 at Hotel Jen Malé Maldives

The (MATATO) Maldives Travel Awards is a recognized label initiated with the idea of MATATO providing the tourism sector of Maldives with recognition for their facilities and service excellence provided to guests.

Awards are presented to nominees in different categories on various sector and standard basis. The Maldives Travel Awards aim to encourage & raise service standards within the Maldivian Tourism industry.

Award Categories:

Resorts

LEADING LOCAL HOTEL/RESORT BRAND
LEADING FAMILY RESORT
LEADING LUXURY RESORT
LEADING ALL INCLUSIVE RESORT
MOST ROMANTIC RESORT
LEADING F&B RESORT
LEADING SURF RESORT
LEADING DESIGNER RESORT
LEADING DIVE RESORT
LEADING BEACH RESORT
LEADING ACTIVITY / WATER SPORTS CENTRE

Travel / Technology

LEADING MARKETING PROGRAMME
LEADING CSR PROGRAMME

Hotels

LEADING TOURIST GUESTHOUSE ISLAND
LEADING BUSINESS HOTEL

Wellness / Spa

LEADING WELLNESS & SPA RESORT
LEADING WELLNESS & SPA BRAND / CHAIN

Liveaboards

LEADING LIVEABOARD BRAND
LEADING LIVEABOARD

Aviation / Transport

LEADING DOMESTIC TRANSPORT PROVIDER
LEADING DOMESTIC AIRLINE

Dive Centers

LEADING DIVE SCHOOL / CENTER

MATATO Maldives Travel Awards 2016

Maldives Association of Travel Agents & Tour Operators (MATATO) has awarded Think Advertising the rights to organize and host MATATO Maldives Travel Awards. The agreement was signed between MATATO and Think Advertising on 18th April 2016. Mr. Abdulla Ghiyas Riyaz, President of MATATO signed on behalf of MATATO and Mr. Adheel Ismail, CEO of Think Advertising signed on behalf of Think Advertising.

MATATO, established in 2006, is one of the leading organization in the Travel Industry comprising of Travel Agents and Tour Operators. MATATO also represents Resorts, Hotels and Airlines in the Maldives. In addition to the advocating efforts of the organization, MATATO takes part in major international travel exhibitions, publish the annual Travel Guide and also hosts the Maldives Travel Awards. “We are very excited about this new partnership and what Think Advertising will contribute to the awards with their years of experience and expertise. Together we will bring yet another successful edition of the Travel Awards, and the Industry can expect a better show with changes that will retain and elevate the significance of the Awards” – Mr. Abdulla Ghiyas Riyaz, President of MATATO.

Formed in 2005, Think Advertising is the leading advertising and events management company in the Maldives. For the past 11 years, Think Advertising has served a major clientele and hosted the largest events in various industries. “We thank MATATO for entrusting us to organize and host the Award. We also acknowledge and appreciate the efforts from MATATO and the previous organizer to have organized the Award for the past 4 years. We, at Think Advertising ensures MATATO and the industry that we are committed to take the Award to the next level” – Mr. Adheel Ismail, CEO, Think Advertising.

MATATO Maldives Travel Awards was launched in 2012 and the year 2016 marks the 5th Anniversary. The Travel Awards is the most prestigious and highly recognised label in the tourism sector of the Maldives. Coinciding with the Visit Maldives Year 2016, the event will be one of the premium events of the year in the country.

Think Advertising will be organizing and hosting the next Maldives Travel Awards for MATATO in 2016. In the coming weeks, Think Advertising will be communicating the date of the event and notice for nominations and sponsorships.