Ayesha Nurain Janah, the chairperson of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), has lauded the Maldives’ recent triumphs in the tourism sector, as the nation secured multiple accolades at the World Travel Awards 2024. Janah expressed her pride in the nation’s accomplishments, announced at a ceremony held at the Dubai World Trade Center as part of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, underscoring the significance of these awards in bolstering the Maldives’ reputation as a premier tourism destination.
The Maldives was distinguished as the Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination, Leading Honeymoon Destination, Leading Green Destination, and Leading Dive Destination. Janah underscored the significance of these awards, notably the sustainability award, as a source of national pride.
Janah detailed the MMPRC’s extensive efforts to secure votes for the Maldives, which included comprehensive promotional campaigns, effective use of social media platforms, and diligent collaboration with industry stakeholders. With these victories in the Indian Ocean category, the MMPRC is now setting its sights on the World Travel Award’s top global category event later this year, she said.
Janah emphasised that these awards reaffirm the Maldives’ status as the world’s leading destination and are a testament to the relentless efforts of the MMPRC team to promote the Maldives as a premier tourism destination.
The Maldives’ recognition as the Leading Green Destination, a title previously held by Madagascar for seven years, was highlighted by Janah as a significant achievement and a source of pride for all Maldivians. “Without a commitment to sustainable tourism, the industry we take such pride in would not exist,” Janah added.
Janah also underscored the importance of industry-wide collaboration in maintaining these titles and securing further accolades. She highlighted the MMPRC’s efforts to attract over two million visitors this year, in line with the national arrivals target set by the government. As part of these efforts, the MMPRC is planning to host an Arabian roadshow and is in discussions with the Indian government to host a roadshow in India, she revealed.
Since introducing the Indian Ocean category in the World Travel Awards in 2003, the Maldives has achieved remarkable success, winning the Leading Destination award 17 times, the Leading Honeymoon Destination award six times, and the Leading Dive Destination award nine times.
Notably, 2024 marks the first year the Maldives has been recognised as a green destination, underscoring the nation’s commitment to sustainable tourism.