Hotelier Maldives Awards, the only national tourism employee awards, recognises industry talent
Hotelier Maldives on Sunday night announced the winners of Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026, presented by Bestbuy Maldives (BBM), at a gala ceremony held at NIVA Kurumba Maldives.
Now in its third edition, the annual awards recognise individuals, teams and programmes across the tourism industry, and remain the only awards in the Maldives dedicated to recognising the talent and contribution of resort employees. This year’s ceremony brought together hoteliers, industry partners and tourism stakeholders to celebrate achievement across resort operations, guest services, leadership, sustainability, training and commercial performance.
Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 was presented by Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) as Title Sponsor. Other sponsors and partners included Platinum Sponsors Dhiraagu, STO Energy and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL); Banking Partner Bank of Maldives (BML); Beverage Partner Male’ Aerated Water Company (MAWC); Associate Sponsors ALIA and Metalsigns; Transport Partner Souvenir Marine; Organising Partner Storm Events; Associate Partners SESSION by OOFI, Lightsout Studios, Blue N White and Maldives Insider; and Broadcast Partner Maldives TV.
Ali Naafiz, Editor of Hotelier Maldives, said the awards continue to highlight the people and teams whose work drives the Maldives tourism industry every day.
“Hotelier Maldives Awards was created to recognise the individuals, teams and programmes that play a central role in the success of our tourism industry. The 2026 winners reflect the depth of talent, commitment and professionalism present across resorts and hospitality businesses in the Maldives. We congratulate all of this year’s winners and nominees for their contribution to the industry,” he said.
The winners of Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 are:
Wellness Personality of the Year
Mayuree Khamnonmuang, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives and Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives
Mayuree was recognised for her long-standing contribution to spa and wellness operations, including her role in three spa pre-openings, her progression into cluster assistant spa manager, and her work in training team members and supporting revenue growth through targeted spa initiatives.
Concierge/Guest Services Personality of the Year
Aminath Malsa Shiyam, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
Malsa was honoured for her role in shaping guest relations operations at the resort, leading service recovery, guest recognition, team coordination and personalised guest journeys, while also contributing to hospitality education and mentoring.
Housekeeper of the Year
Ahmed Fazeen, One&Only Reethi Rah
Fazeen was recognised for rising from the resort’s pre-opening team to Executive Housekeeper and for leading a department that achieved 100% scores in both Forbes Travel Guide and LQA housekeeping audits, alongside staff development and team recognition across Kerzner properties.
IT Personality of the Year
Abdulkader Anwar, Kandima Maldives
Anwar received the award for strengthening IT infrastructure, improving cybersecurity and risk management, and supporting the development of local IT talent while maintaining reliable systems and operational support across the resort.
Engineer of the Year
Hussain Hameed, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives
Known as “Chief”, Hussain was recognised for leading the engineering function through planned maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, cost control, sustainability initiatives and community support, while maintaining operational reliability in a demanding island environment.
Landscaper of the Year
Abdulla Ibrahim, Sun Siyam Olhuveli
Abdulla was honoured for reshaping the resort landscape with native and climate-suitable planting, improving guest spaces and walkability, and introducing environmentally conscious practices such as repurposing seagrass into natural fertiliser.
Security Officer of the Year
Yaugoob Ishag, OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi & OBLU SELECT Lobigili
Yaugoob was recognised for nearly two decades of work in safety and security, including leadership across multiple resort departments and his role in integrating resort security with guest service delivery.
HR & Training Personality of the Year
Mohamed Hussain Shihab, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
Shihab received the award for his strategic HR leadership across IHG Maldives properties, his work in compliance, colleague engagement and succession planning, and his wider contribution to developing hospitality talent in the Maldives.
Aviator of the Year
Shazeen Mansoor, Manta Air
Captain Shazeen was recognised for his role in flight training, safety and quality oversight, CORSIA compliance, and his contribution to Manta Air’s operational standards, backed by nearly 20 years of aviation experience.
Mariner of the Year
Abdul Muhaimin Adam, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives
Abdul Muhaimin was honoured for his work in safe and timely marine transfers, front office and transport coordination, VIP guest handling and coaching junior team members in marine safety and service standards.
Procurement Personality of the Year
Ali Shareef, Angsana Velavaru
Ali Shareef received the award for overseeing full procurement operations at the resort, managing major CAPEX procurement, strengthening internal controls and improving audit and compliance performance.
Finance Personality of the Year
Mahmoud Matar, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Mahmoud was recognised for strengthening financial governance, automating operational and financial reporting, and supporting profitability through value-driven financial management.
Sales Personality of the Year
Thaaif Ahmed, Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort
Thaaif received the award for driving room revenue growth, expanding the resort’s global distribution network, building market visibility and launching sports-based brand initiatives that generated commercial and PR value.
Marketer of the Year
Canan Karabagli, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
Canan was recognised for leading major brand campaigns, partnerships and local collaborations, while helping elevate the resort’s international recognition across travel and hospitality platforms.
PR and Communications Personality of the Year
Duygu Tartar, JOALI Maldives & JOALI BEING
Duygu received the award for her role in shaping and protecting the JOALI brand, strengthening international positioning, driving major media coverage and leading brand communications across multiple channels and teams.
Chef of the Year and BBM Chairman’s Special Award for Chef of the Year
Christian Christoffer Pedersen, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
Chef Christian was honoured for culinary leadership that improved guest satisfaction, introduced new dining concepts, advanced sustainability-focused menu development and strengthened kitchen culture and team engagement. In addition to Chef of the Year, Christian also received the BBM Chairman’s Special Award in recognition of his broader culinary leadership and impact across the resort’s food offering.
F&B Personality of the Year
Ayaaz Mohamed, One&Only Reethi Rah
Ayaaz was recognised for his leadership across food and beverage operations, contribution to major events and collaborations, strong hygiene and quality audit results, and his focus on team development.
Watersports Personality of the Year
Zaid Ahmed, Royal Island Resort & Spa
Zaid received the award for mentoring watersports staff, expanding product offerings, supporting budget performance and maintaining strong guest satisfaction through training, innovation and service delivery.
Diving Personality of the Year
Mohamed Arzan, Villa Nautica
Arzan was recognised for combining dive operations leadership with marine knowledge, mentoring his team, maintaining service quality and supporting both guest satisfaction and departmental revenue performance.
Airport Representative of the Year
Mohamed Mihad, Amilla Maldives
Mihad was honoured for ensuring smooth airport-to-resort transitions, improving lounge service standards, mentoring team members and maintaining a consistent standard of personalised guest handling.
Young Hotelier of the Year
Aminath Nus-ha Hassan, Cora Cora Maldives
Nus-ha received the award for her contribution to training, engagement and talent development, including leading the resort’s internship programme and supporting local and international interns into hospitality careers.
Resort Manager of the Year
Hassan Saeed, NIVA Dhigali Maldives
Hassan was recognised for operational leadership, people development and community engagement, including structured training initiatives and CSR work with local councils and stakeholders.
GM of the Year
TJ Joulak, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
TJ received the award for sustained business growth, leadership in team engagement and retention, and building a culture that supports talent development and long-term operational performance.
Hotel Team of the Year
JOALI Maldives
JOALI Maldives was recognised for strong cross-department collaboration, year-on-year revenue growth, guest satisfaction gains, repeat business and the team’s contribution to the resort’s global recognition.
Training and Development Programme of the Year
VET by EHL Programme, Patina Maldives, Fari Islands
The programme was honoured for developing local hospitality talent through an 18-month accredited training pathway, graduating 12 students and supporting retention and internal promotion.
CSR Programme of the Year
Fushifaru Maldives and Meyyafushi Maldives
The award recognised the Plastic Aa Nulaa initiative for its contribution to environmental awareness, plastic reduction and community-driven sustainability action.
Sustainability Champion of the Year
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu received the award for embedding sustainability into operations, conservation and guest experience, including a decade-long partnership with Olive Ridley Project and continued work in farm-to-table and low-impact resort practices.
Sales & Marketing Team of the Year
Aitken Spence Hotels, Maldives
The team was recognised for global trade engagement, agent education, large-scale familiarisation programmes and international broadcast partnerships that strengthened destination and resort visibility.
Rooms Division Team of the Year
SO/ Maldives
SO/ Maldives received the award for integrated front office and housekeeping operations, stronger logistics, improved productivity and proactive guest engagement across the rooms division.
HR & Training Team of the Year
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
The team was honoured for structured recruitment, onboarding, training, engagement and inclusion practices, alongside recognition for staff wellbeing, career development and HR contribution.
Engineering Team of the Year
Six Senses Kanuhura
Six Senses Kanuhura received the award for maintaining resort infrastructure, supporting development projects and festive operations, and delivering preventive maintenance in line with sustainability values.
Finance Team of the Year
OZEN LIFE MAADHOO
The finance team was recognised for strong governance, budgeting, forecasting, cost control and financial reporting that supported the resort’s operational and long-term performance.
F&B & Culinary Team of the Year
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands’ team received the award for culinary and service consistency, operational discipline, guest satisfaction and Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star recognition.
Wellness Team of the Year
OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI
The ELE|NA wellness team was honoured for business growth, guest satisfaction, personalised wellness programming and international recognition for wellness and sustainability-focused practices.
Support Team of the Year
Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa
The Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa team received the award for its role in shaping the family guest experience through structured programming, festive event support, guest loyalty and revenue contribution.
Hotelier Maldives said nominations for Hotelier Maldives Awards 2027 are expected to open in early January 2027, with the platform set to return for its fourth edition next year.
For further information: hoteliermaldives.com/awards.
