World Travel Awards alights in the Maldives ahead of Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2017

World Travel Awards (WTA) has touched down in the Maldives, as the finishing touches are put together in preparation of the Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2017.

The prestigious event will take place this Saturday (8th July) at the five star Sun Aqua Vilu Reef, with hospitality leaders from across the region expected to attend to discover who among them has been voted the pinnacle of the travel industry.

Maldivian Idol hosts Moosa Waseem and Aminath Lamha Latheef – two of the most familiar faces on Maldivian television – will compere the event, which will also allow attendees to get in touch with authentic Maldivian culture through traditional dances such as Bandiya and Maafathi. The main act for the evening will be performed by the legendary Maldivian singer Unoosha.

Speaking ahead of the event, WTA President and Founder Graham Cooke, said: “It will be our pleasure to welcome guests to Sun Aqua Vilu Reef. With just days to go until the event, we are putting the finishing touches in place and we look forward to greeting all our guests at what is a wonderful resort in a picturesque tourist hotspot.”

Sun Aqua Vilu Reef offers 103 luxurious rooms and suites – all of which come with deep soaking tubs, complimentary Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service.

Beyond the bedrooms, guest can indulge in a signature spice-scented scrub at the spa or borrow a book to read while soaking up the sun on the pristine beach.

When night falls, sample one of Sun Aqua Vilu Reef’s restaurants serving a range of international cuisine, before enjoying a sundowner cocktail while listening to DJ spun tunes.

Evgenia Boyankova, Group Director of Business Development at Sun Siyam Resorts, added: “We are getting ready for World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony with great excitement.

“Myself and the team look forward to welcoming the participants to our boutique resort where Maldivian hospitality, culture and luxury is unrivalled, this Saturday.”

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year, World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.

World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.

A full list of nominees for the World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2017 can be seen at: www.worldtravelawards.com/nominees/2017/indian-ocean

World Travel Awards celebrates its 24th anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade.

Attended by senior executives from major travel companies, operators, destinations, WTA events are universally respected as providing established, top-level networking opportunities, regionally and globally.

The brand aims to celebrate those organisations who push the boundaries of industry excellence.

Excitement builds ahead of World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2017

Excitement is building for this year’s World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2017 as the travel industry’s leading awards programme makes its final preparations for the prestigious event, which is taking place on Saturday 8th July in the Maldives.

The five star Sun Aqua Vilu Reef will welcome hospitality leaders from across the region, as they gather to see who among them has been voted the pinnacle of the travel industry.

The glittering event will kick off with a cocktail reception at 7pm while the gala ceremony and dinner commence at 8 pm and will, this year, be compèred by Maldivian Idol hosts Moosa Waseem and Aminath Lamha Latheef – two of the most familiar faces on Maldivian television.

World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2017 will also allow attendees to get in touch with authentic Maldivian culture through traditional dances such as Bandiya and Maafathi. The main act for the evening will be performed by the legendary Maldivian singer Unoosha.

Looking ahead to the Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2017, World Travel Awards President and Founder Graham Cooke, said: “It will be our pleasure to welcome guests to Sun Aqua Vilu Reef. With just a two and half weeks to go until the event, we are putting the finishing touches in place and I look forward to greeting all our guests at a wonderful resort in a picturesque tourist hotspot.”

Evgenia Boyankova, Group Director of Business Development at Sun Siyam Resorts, added: “We love hosting world class events! It’s always been a thrill that brings a lot of fun and enjoyment to our guests. We are getting ready for World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony with great excitement. Myself and the team look forward to welcoming the participants to our boutique resort, where Maldivian hospitality, culture and luxury is unrivalled.”

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year, World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.

World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.

For more information about World Travel Awards, please visit the official website: www.worldtravelawards.com

World Travel Awards 2016; In The Heavenly Tropical Bliss Which Is The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives

WORLD’S LEADING WATER VILLA RESORT 2016

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS TOURISM PIONEER (HOTELS & RESORTS) 2016

WORLD’S LEADING DIVE DESTINATION/ WORLD’S BEST SPA DESTINATION/ WORLD’S LEADING BEACH DESTINATION

The gala event for World Travel Awards 2016 was held, under a starry sky complimented by sand beneath and the sound of the waves grazing the shores of The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives, on the 2nd of December. It brought together the world winners on a wonderful setting on the beach, with a grand dinner and thrilling entertainment showcasing the best of the Maldives.

World Travel Awards 2016, The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives

World Travel Awards 2016, The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi MaldivesThe Sun Siyam group won the World’s Leading Water Villa Resort for Sun Aqua Vilu Reef Maldives. A praiseworthy accolade as Tourism Pioneer (Hotels & Resorts) was attained by Hon FDr. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, Chairman & Managing Director of Sun Siyam group for his contribution to the tourism industry.

World Travel Awards 2016, The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives

World Travel Awards 2016, The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives
World Travel Awards 2016, The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives

The Maldives as a destination won World’s Leading Dive Destination, World’s Best Spa Destination and World’s Leading Beach Destination.

“World Travel Awards 2016 at The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives was a bedazzling event filled with the top notch people in the perfect setting. Sun Aqua Vilu Reef brought pride to the Sun Siyam group by attaining the accolade; Leading Water Villa Resort. Maldives as a destination won the much deserving awards. They say that a true leader can lead his people to success and we have been blessed with such a leader who was recognized as a tourism pioneer as well” said Evgenia Boyankova, Group Director of Business Development, Sun Siyam Resorts.

World Travel Awards 2016, The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives
Hon FDr. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, Chairman & Managing Director of Sun Siyam Group
World Travel Awards 2016, The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives
Hon. Moosa Zameer, Minister of Tourism

Since World Travel Awards establishment in 1993, its aim has been to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke said: “It has been a real honour to return here to the Maldives, and in particular to bring the Grand Final to The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi for the first time. We have seen the best of international tourism recognized here at the resort tonight. More than 1.1 million votes were cast during our Grand Tour 2016, both from members of the public and from within the hospitality industry, and these voices have been heard. My congratulations to all of our winners this evening and I look forward to greeting many of you next year as we begin our search anew.”

World Travel Awards 2016, The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi MaldivesThe Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is a lush, greenery filled tropical island of the Maldives; located in the heart of Noonu Atoll. From its beaches to its crystal clear turquoise lagoon this idyllic island is a marvel of nature. On offer are an array of 14 restaurants and bars which are a culinary delight, to relax and sunbathe the day away or thrill yourselves with a hands-on adventure like wakeboarding, the choice is entirely yours. It is your home away from home, there is truly something for everyone to revel in.

World Travel Awards 2016, The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi MaldivesFor more information: www.sunsiyam.com

World Travel Awards reveals global hospitality champions in the Maldives

Maldives was recognised by voters from around the globe as the World’s Leading Beach Destination.

HNA Tourism Group shone the spotlight on the rapid development of Chinese hospitality, taking the title of World’s Leading Integrated Tourism Group.

In South America, Ecuador was awarded the trophy for World’s Leading Green Destination.

Frasers Hospitality was honoured with the title of World’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand, while Europcar took the title World’s Leading Green Transport Solution Company.

Partners for the Grand Final 2016 included Sun Siyam Group, Trans Maldivian Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Ooredoo, and St. Petersburg Committee for Tourism Development.

TV5 Monde acted as the World Travel Awards’ Intentional Broadcast Partner.

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective successes within each key geographical region.

World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries, and international print and broadcast media.

Maldives won three prestigious categories for the destination:

  1. World’s Leading Beach Destination 2016
  2. World’s Leading Dive Destination 2016
  3. World’s Best Spa Destination 2016

Additional 9 awards won by the Maldives Tourism Industry:

  1. World’s Leading Airport Resort 2016 – Hulhulé Island Hotel, Maldives
  2. World’s Leading Boutique Cruise 2016 – Four Seasons Explorer, Maldives
  3. World’s Leading Boutique Villa Resort 2016 – AnantaraVeli Maldives Resort
  4. World’s Leading Dive Resort 2016 – Constance Moofushi, Maldives
  5. World’s Leading New Resort 2016 – AaaVeee Nature’s Paradise, Maldives
  6. World’s Leading Private Island Resort 2016 – COMO Cocoa Island, Maldives
  7. World’s Leading Underwater Hotel Restaurant 2016 – Sea @ Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
  8. World’s Leading Water Villa Resort 2016 – The Sun Aqua Vilu Reef
  9. World’s Most Romantic Resort 2016 – Baros Maldives

For more information about World Travel Awards, visit here, or find a complete list of Grand Final 2016 winners here.

About World Travel Awards

World Travel Awards celebrates its 23rd anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade.

Attended by senior executives from major travel companies, operators, destinations, WTA events are universally respected as providing established, top level networking opportunities, regionally and globally.

The brand aims to celebrate those organisations who push the boundaries of industry excellence.

World Travel Awards Grand Final to be held at The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi

The venue of the Grand Final Gala Ceremony has been upgraded to the five-star luxury retreat The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi. As the opportunity has arisen to upgrade the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony, it is set to take place at The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi on the 2nd December 2016.

Unfolding over 52 acres of natural perfection, The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is the perfect venue for the Grand Final 2016 and a world away from the everyday. Reflecting a last minute surge in demand for space at the event, the venue has moved from the smaller Olhuveli Beach & Spa, Maldives, to the larger The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi.

Both are operated by the Sun Siyam Resorts.

World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke said: “It will be our pleasure to welcome guests to The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi. Upgrading to the new, larger venue ahead of the Grand Final 2016 will allow us to welcome a larger delegation from around the world here in the Maldives.”

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire. Each year World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective successes within each key geographical region.

Regional Gala Ceremonies have already taken place in Tanzania, Peru, Italy, Jamaica, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates throughout the year.

World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries, and international print and broadcast media.

Maldives to host the Grand Finale of World Travel Awards 2016

Maldives received the honour of hosting the Grand Finale of the World Travel Awards 2016. As this year marks the 23rd anniversary of the World Travel Awards, the prestigious event is set to take place at Olhuveli Beach Resort & Spa on the 2nd December 2016.

Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as the “Travel industry’s equivalent to the Oscar’s” the World Travel Awards are the most comprehensive and most prestigious awards program in the global travel industry.  The World Travel Award was established back in 1993. Every year the World Travel Awards holds Gala ceremonies for Regional winners and a Grand Finale event is held to award the Global winners. Over the years, the platform has been reputed as the highest level of achievement in the Travel and Tourism Industry. Since then Maldives has won in numerous categories at the World Travel Awards

The Grand Finale of the World Travel Awards will be attended by industry’s key stakeholder, decision makers and gains the attention of the most influential Travel Trade media.

During the World Travel Award 2015 Grand Finale Maldives won the award for the World Leading Beach Destination. For the Grand Finale of 2016 Maldives different resorts and companies have been nominated for the following categories:

As the event day draws closer final preparation are underway at the Olhuveli Beach Resort and Spa.

Kurumba Maldives receives two World Travel Awards in 2016

Kurumba Maldives is proud to announce that they have been awarded two accolades in the 2016 World Travel Awards as follows:

Maldives’ Leading Resort 2016
Indian Ocean’s Leading MICE Hotel 2016

The first award highlights Kurumba as Maldives’ Leading Resort, which is presented to the best 4.5 to high end 5-star resorts. Kurumba Maldives has been revitalising itself with a large investment to enhance the guest experience progressively over the past six years. Combined with these actions, the resort was rebranded under the principle of “Maldives in Full Colour”, which has brought a highly differentiated guest experience with the goal to offer more for its guests than resorts further afield.

The second award, as Indian Ocean’s leading MICE hotel is presented due to the resort being able to successfully host corporate retreats, groups, incentives, meetings and events on its grounds.

The prestigious World Travel Awards have been recognising organisations delivering outstanding customer experiences in travel and tourism for more than 20 years. They have become a key global institution of the industry, stimulating competition and innovation among operators, as well as providing a helpful testimonial for quality to travellers worldwide. The Wall Street Journal is among the many media that have heralded WTA as “the Oscar’s of the travel industry”.

Judit Rosa, Sales & Marketing Manager of Kurumba Maldives commented: “We are thrilled to receive these prestigious symbols of recognition. A key part of these awards is a voting poll and we would like to thank all our loyal guests and key partners for their continuous support. Secondly, as a resort we are always looking to raise our standards and create a unique and thoughtful journey for our guests on a beautiful island setting. We are truly grateful for the positive recognition from our guests.”

For a list of all the awards, please check:

www.worldtravelawards.com/winners/2016/indian-ocean
http://www.kurumba.com/maldives-awards