Nominations for the Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 have officially closed after receiving more than 460 submissions from resorts across the Maldives, underscoring the sustained engagement and professional excellence within the country’s hospitality sector. The nominations period concluded at 11:59 pm on 9 February, following a one-week extension granted by organisers in response to requests from several resorts seeking additional time to finalise their entries. The extended window enabled participating properties to complete their submissions through the official online portal, ensuring broad and inclusive representation from across the industry.
Submissions were received from a diverse cross-section of the Maldives’ 179 active resort properties, encompassing both locally owned establishments and internationally recognised resort brands. Properties spanning various market segments, from boutique luxury retreats to large-scale integrated resorts, participated in the process, demonstrating the depth and diversity of the Maldivian tourism landscape. Each nomination was formally supported by endorsement letters issued by the respective resort’s General Manager or Human Resources department, reinforcing the credibility of the entries and the professional standing of the nominees.
Presented by Bestbuy Maldives, the awards programme is dedicated to recognising the contributions of resort-based hospitality professionals. Since its introduction in 2024, the Hotelier Maldives Awards have established themselves as the country’s only awards initiative focused exclusively on individuals and teams working within resort operations. By highlighting operational excellence across departments such as guest services, culinary arts, engineering, housekeeping, recreation, and management, the programme reflects the collaborative effort required to maintain the Maldives’ position as one of the world’s leading island destinations.
The 2026 edition marks the most comprehensive cycle of the awards to date, with the introduction of additional team-based categories complementing the existing individual honours. This expansion acknowledges the collective performance that underpins successful resort operations, recognising that seamless guest experiences are shaped not only by individual leadership but also by cohesive teamwork and consistent service standards. The broader category framework has encouraged increased participation, contributing to this year’s record number of nominations.
Organisers have confirmed that the judging panel for the 2026 awards will be announced shortly. Once appointed, the panel will undertake a structured review process to assess and shortlist eligible nominations. Following the shortlisting stage, selected candidates will be presented for public voting, which is scheduled to commence in early March. The public voting phase is expected to generate strong engagement from across the hospitality community and beyond, offering an opportunity for guests, colleagues and industry partners to support professionals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and performance.
The awards ceremony is planned for mid-April and is anticipated to bring together hospitality professionals, industry leaders and stakeholders from across the Maldives. The event will serve as a platform to celebrate achievement, encourage knowledge-sharing and reinforce the Maldives’ reputation for service excellence in global tourism. Further details regarding the judging process, public voting mechanisms and the event programme are expected to be released in the coming weeks, as anticipation builds for one of the industry’s most anticipated annual gatherings.
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