Over 460 Nominations Signal Growing Industry Momentum for Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026

The Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 have recorded more than 460 nominations from resorts across the country, marking one of the strongest industry responses since the program was first launched and highlighting sustained engagement within the Maldives’ hospitality sector.

Nominations officially closed at 11:59 pm on 9 February following a one-week extension granted by organizers after multiple resorts requested additional time to complete submissions. The extension enabled properties to finalize entries through the official online portal, contributing to what organizers describe as the most extensive nomination cycle to date.

Submissions were received from a broad cross-section of the country’s 179 active resort properties, representing both local and international resort groups as well as luxury, premium and mid-market segments. Each nomination was accompanied by endorsement letters from resort General Managers or Human Resources departments, ensuring that entries reflected institutional backing and internal recognition of professional excellence.

Presented by BestBuy Maldives, the awards program focuses exclusively on recognizing the work of resort-based hospitality professionals, covering both individual contributions and team achievements. Introduced in 2024, the Hotelier Maldives Awards remain the only national platform dedicated solely to honoring operational staff within the resort sector.

The 2026 edition has expanded its scope with the addition of new team-based categories, complementing existing individual awards and reflecting the evolving nature of resort operations where collaborative performance plays a growing role in service delivery and guest experience.

Organizers have confirmed that the judging panel will be announced in the coming days. Once appointed, judges will review all eligible submissions and prepare a shortlist of candidates. Public voting is expected to begin in early March, allowing industry peers and supporters to participate in recognizing outstanding professionals.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for mid-April and is anticipated to bring together hospitality professionals, resort leaders and key industry stakeholders to celebrate achievements across the Maldives’ tourism sector. Further details regarding the judging process, voting procedures and the event program are expected to be released in the weeks ahead.