Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal has expressed hope for Maldives to secure at least 15 awards at the World Travel Awards (WTA) next year. He shared this ambition during a ceremony held at Velana International Airport (VIA) to celebrate the Maldives’ victories at this year’s prestigious event.
The Maldives secured accolades in nine categories at this year’s WTA, including the highly coveted World's Leading Destination Award for the fifth consecutive year and the World's Leading Green Destination Award for the first time.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Faisal commended the collective effort of the tourism industry, attributing the awards to the dedication and hard work of all stakeholders.
“Our goal is to win 15 or even 20 awards next year,” the Minister stated, reflecting the optimism and drive within the sector.
The Minister also underscored the pivotal role of the national airline, Maldivian, in the tourism sector. He envisioned the airline promoting Maldives on its aircraft by showcasing “Visit Maldives” branding and flying to the country’s top tourist destinations.
Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) Ibrahim Shiuree highlighted the organisation’s plans to expand its marketing efforts next year. Shiuree announced initiatives to explore diverse markets, including sports tourism, health tourism, film tourism, and education tourism, to attract a wider range of visitors.
The event also marked the reinstallation of the World's Leading Destination Monument at VIA, commemorating the Maldives' 2024 achievements.