Hotelier Maldives reveals multi-disciplinary judging panel for 2026 awards

Hotelier Maldives has announced the judging panel for the Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026, bringing together a diverse group of industry professionals with experience spanning hospitality operations, leadership development, culinary arts, destination marketing and industry media.

The judging panel for the 2026 edition comprises:

• Felix Pang Hee Zhong, Group Executive Director of Mamee-Double Decker;
• Neil Shorthouse, a hospitality consultant renowned for his work in leadership development, talent acquisition and training within the luxury hospitality sector;
• Fathimath Umar, Senior Lecturer in Culinary Arts at Villa College and an executive chef;
• Ibrahim Asim, widely known as IB, who brings over two decades of experience in destination marketing;
• Ali Naafiz, Editor of Hotelier Maldives, with extensive experience in public relations, communications and hospitality industry reporting; and
• Kristina Vaneva, a hospitality leader with a background in employee engagement, organisational culture and positive workplace design.

Ibrahim Asim has served on the judging panel since the awards’ inaugural edition in 2024, while Ali Naafiz, Fathimath Umar and Neil Shorthouse also return from the 2025 panel. Felix Pang Hee Zhong and Kristina Vaneva join the panel for the first time, adding expertise in people-centred leadership and workplace experience.

Hotelier Maldives confirmed that the judging panel has already begun reviewing nominations, following the close of submissions on 9 February 2026. The deadline was extended by one week from the original closing date of 2 February in response to requests from resorts across the country.

The 2026 awards programme recorded more than 460 submissions from resorts across the Maldives’ 179 operational properties. Entries were received from a broad range of operators, including local and international resort groups, ultra-luxury properties and resorts representing all market segments, reflecting sustained industry engagement with the awards.

Following the judges’ review, a shortlist of nominees will be compiled and opened for public voting in early March 2026. Voting is scheduled to conclude at the end of March, with the results contributing to the final outcomes in applicable categories.

Presented by Bestbuy Maldives (BBM), the Hotelier Maldives Awards recognise the contributions of resort-based hospitality professionals across both individual and team categories. First launched in 2024, the awards remain the country’s only dedicated programme focused exclusively on recognising professionals working within resort operations.

The Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 gala ceremony is scheduled to take place in mid-April 2026, bringing together hospitality professionals, industry leaders and stakeholders to celebrate excellence across the Maldivian resort sector.