Abdulla Ghiyas, President of MATATO, named 2018 PATA Face of the Future

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Abdulla Ghiyas, President of the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO), has been named the 2018 PATA Face of the Future. This is the most prestigious honour open to young tourism professionals in the Asia Pacific region.

In a press release, Dr Mario Hardy, CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), said, “I would like to congratulate Abdulla on winning the 2018 PATA Face of the Future award. His clear commitment to the responsible development of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region is highlighted by his more than 10 years of service with MATATO and his many other activities and partnerships in the industry. In addition, his unique experience and insights will be a welcome addition to the Executive Board.”

As the 2018 PATA Face of the Future, Abdulla will have extensive exposure at the PATA Annual Summit 2018 from May 17-20 in Gangneung, Korea (ROK). He will be one of the speakers at the PATA Youth Symposium, be interviewed by BBC World News Presenter & Producer Sharanjit Leyl at the one-day conference and be one of the debaters at the UNWTO/PATA Leaders Debate. Abdulla will also be invited to join the 2018/2019 PATA Executive Board as a non-voting member and observer.

“I am truly overwhelmed and humbled to have been recognised with the prestigious PATA Face of the Future award. This award is for the hard-working team at MATATO and Inner Maldives Holidays, and every dreamer out there for believing that there is always room for thinking bigger, pushing limits and imagining the impossible,” said Abdulla. “Today we are living in an era of ever evolving challenges and changes. The role of youth and students across the globe is being redefined and I believe younger generations can play a vital role in travel and tourism. I look forward to working together with PATA and other travel industry stakeholders to further the role of youth and inspire them in joining this movement.”

MATATO is today considered one of the leading NGO in the Maldives. The association last year organised destination stands and road shows, exhibiting brand Maldives in 14 countries around the world.

Abdulla is also a serial entrepreneur engaged in leading travel businesses and startups. He is the Deputy Managing Director of Inner Maldives Holidays. He is also a Director for Ace Travels Maldives and Spence Maldives. Having 14 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry, Abdulla was the youngest Board Director of the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) from 2014 to 2017. He was also named by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Maldives as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons in Maldives in 2010 for his role in business turnaround in Inner Maldives Holiday. Abdulla also contributes to the Consulate of the Republic of Seychelles to the Maldives as the Deputy.

Abdulla will be moderating a panel discussion on Trends in Destination Marketing at the upcoming Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2018.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]