Dr Ahmed Siyam (Sun Siyam) receives the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators's (MATATO) lifetime achievement award alongside 35 other awards.
MATATO Travel Awards are the most prestigious awards given in the Maldivian tourism industry. Sun Siyam resort received the most supportive resort award awarded given by MATATO and it's members.This award is given to the resort which is most helpful to travel agents and tour operators. Tourism Minister Moosa Zameer was the one who handed the award.
Winners of MATATO Travel Awards
- Leading Airport City Hotel Award: Hulhule Island Hotel
- Leading Business Hotel: Hotel Jen
- Leading Guesthouse Award: Reveries Diving Village
- Leading Airport Lounge: Lily Lounge
- Leading F&B outlet, Bar/Restaurant Award: Hulhule Island Hotel
- Leading Innovation in Guesthouse Design Award: Reveries Diving Village
- Leading Guesthouse Island Award: Maafushi Council
- Leading Travel Website: iCom Tours
- Leading Domestic Transport Provider Award: iCom Tours
- Leading Domestic Airline : Villa Air, Flyme
- Leading Low Cost Career Award: Fly Dubai
- Leading International Airline Award: SriLankan Airlines
- Leading Beach Resort Award: Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
- Most Romantic Resort Award: Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
- Leading Luxury Award: Conrad Maldives Rangali Resort
- Leading Private Island: Velaa Resort
- Leading Activity Water Sports Center Award: Active Water Sports
- Leading Live Abroad Brand Award: Diem Maldives
- Leading Live Abroad Award: Voyages Gurahali
- Leading Wellness and Spa Brand/Chain Award: Conrad Maldives Rangali Resort
- Leading Local Hotel and Resort Brand Award: Bandos Island Resort
- Leading Meeting and Conference Resort Award: Bandos Island Resort
- Leading Wellness and Spa Resort Award: The Sun Siyam Irufushi Resort
- Leading Eco Resort Award: Sun Island Resort and Spa
- Leading F&B Resort Award: Conrad Maldives Rangali Resort
- Leading Dive Resort Award: Bandos Island Resort
- Leading Family Resort Award: Bandos Island Resort
- Leading All-Inclusive Resort Award: Centara Grand Island Resort
- Leading Designer Resort Award: Velaa Private Island
- Leading CSR Program Award: Soneva Fushi Resort
- Leading Human Resources Management Award: Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
MATATO President Giyas said while speaking at this event that the MATATO awards are now acknowledged in the international community.
"The international community acknowledges this award now. This is evident by their reports which highlight the MATATO Travel Awards," Giyas said.
Giyas said awards were presented to many winners this year and that this was the year with the most nominees. He informed that they worked with audit firm to further strengthen this years report.
Giyas also noted on the increase in the role played by tour operators and travel agents and said that more jobs are now being opened up in those fields.
Many notable names in the tourism industry took part in this award show, along with Tourism Minister Moosa Zameer and the Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives, Wang Fukang.
