Maldives has been crowned World's Leading Destination for the third year in a row at the World Travel Awards 2022.
The island nation was crowned the title for the third consecutive time at an event held on Friday evening, November 11, at Al Bustan Palace, Oman.
In addition to landing the most prestigious title of the awarding event, Maldives won multiple other accolades at World Travel Awards' 2022 edition. The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) Thoyyib Mohamed and Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom accepted the awards on behalf of the Maldives.
Maldives beat out 18 other countries for the event's most prestigious title, including Dubai, Portugal, Indonesia and Greece among them. The island nation also nabbed World's Leading Tourist Board this year, marking the first time Maldives has secured this award. MMPRC competed against 28 other prominent tourism boards including Incredible India, Tourism Australia and Visit England to name a few.
"This accomplishment is a testament to the popularity and vibrancy of the Maldives as a tourist destination. The industry's achievements throughout the past three years reflect the resilience of the Maldives tourism industry amidst any crisis - and that united, we can achieve anything," Maldives Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom said, speaking at the ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, MMPRC CEO Thoyyib Mohamed said, "It is truly an honor to win the prestigious title of World's Leading Destination for the third year in a row. This year is our Golden Jubilee of Tourism in the Maldives, and I couldn't have asked for a better achievement to mark 50 years of welcoming visitors to our shores."
Moreover, Thoyyib further thanked the Maldives government for its continued guidance, and support from industry partners for their holistic support.
"This is also the first year that MMPRC, also known as Visit Maldives, secured the title of the World's Leading Tourist Board. It feels like an affirmation of the hard work of our team over these past few years, pushing through the toughest global crises of recent times" Thoyyib added further.
Tourism pioneer, and one of the most prominent figures in the industry Mr. Hussein Afeef commented on the success achieved by Maldives at WTA 2022. He had congratulated all tourism industry stakeholders, organizations and every citizen of the country for the success. He particularly thanked MMPRC for its continued efforts to broaden tourism marketing efforts of the Maldives internationally.
Earlier, during the WTA Africa and Indian Ocean Gala ceremony held in Nairobi, Kenya, Maldives had won multiple accolades under the Indian Ocean category. The country won three awards under this category, including;
- Indian Ocean's Leading Destination Award
- Indian Ocean's Leading Beach Destination Award
- Indian Ocean's Leading Dive Destination Award
Additionally, several Maldivian properties won various awards under the Indian Ocean categories, which include;
- Leading Resort: Vakkaru Maldives
- Leading Luxury Island Resort: Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi
- Leading New Resort: Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali
- Leading Private Island Resort: Velaa Private Island
- Leading Villa Resort: Grand Park Kodhipparu
- Leading All-Inclusive Resort: Constance Moofushi
- Leading Water Villa Resort: Four Seasons Kuda Huraa
- Leading Boutique Resort: Fushifaru Maldives
- Most Romantic Resort: Baros Maldives
- Leading Dive Resort: Constance Moofushi
- Leading Family Resort: Kurumba Maldives
- Leading Honeymoon Resort: JA Manafaru
- Leading Hotel: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
- Leading Hotel Suite: Vakkaru Over Water Residence, Vakkaru Maldives
- Leading Leisure Hotel: Anantara Veli
- Leading Luxury Hotel Villa: John Jacob Astor Estate, St. Regis Vommuli
Maldives first secured the World's Leading Destination title in 2020, amidst one of the worst global pandemic outbreaks in recent history. With improved tourism activities, and surge in tourist arrivals, Maldives bagged the title a second time in 2021.
World Travel Awards, regarded as the most decorated and prestigious of travel and tourism awards globally, was founded in 1993.
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