MTA 2016 | SEP/OCT 2016

Maldives Travel Awards 2016

Newsletter Sept/oct 2016 | Published by MVHOTELS

Newsletter | MTA | Sept/Oct 2016

Published By MVHOTELS

State Trading Organization plc and Print Lab Join as Partners for

THE MALDIVES TRAVEL AWARDS The Maldives Travel Awards has been held with the support of many partners including Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, Public Service Media, Hotel Jen and Bandos Maldives. The Maldives Travel Awards 2016 has been recently joined by STO and Print Lab as partners.

Print Lab Creative is a large format digital printing facility owned by Tropical Investments Pvt. Ltd, serving Government Organizations, Public & Private Companies in Male’ and in local islands since 2009.

State Trading Organization or STO can trace its origins back to the 1960’s and is one of the oldest and biggest companies in the country.

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Newsletter | MTA | Sept/Oct 2016

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The Maldives Travel Awards 2016 Open for Online and SMS Voting The Maldives Travel Awards 2016 has been opened for the public to cast their votes through SMS and Online Voting from the 19th of September to 15th November 2016.

During this period, locals can cast their votes through SMS messaging. This opportunity is open for both Dhiraagu and Ooredoo customers. Online voting is available for Maldivians during this time period as well. However, foreigners can only vote through the online voting system and cannot vote by SMS for the awards.

To cast your vote online please visit the official Maldives Travel Awards Website (www.travelawards.mv) To cast your votes through SMS text please type: MTA"PROPERTY CODE""CATEGORY CODE" and send to 5005.

Both Dhiraagu and Ooredoo customers can enter their votes through this method.

Property Codes and Category Codes will be available from the Maldives Travel Awards website.

SMS and Online Voting Open

/maldivestravelawards

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@TravelAwardsMV

@maldivestravelawards

Newsletter | MTA | Sept/Oct 2016

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Ibrahim Nasir International Airport Maldives Travel Awards Dedicated Sponsor for five years Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) is all set for the future. The Maldivian government has planned an ambitious project to revolutionize INIA into a world class airport. Development plans for the upcoming years include a passenger terminal, run way, fuel farm, fuel hydrant system, cargo terminal and a new apron.

Apart from these, some projects have already been completed, notably the development of the north apron on December 2015 and runway resurfacing on March 2016.

New International Passenger Terminal Building at INIA The new international passenger terminal building will have an increased built-up area of more than 90,000 square meters, accommodating up to 7.5 million international passengers. Further developments include aero boarding bridges, state-of-the-art baggage handling systems and will host a range of F&B outlets as well as spaces for Retail, Lounges and other services.

New Runway at INIA The new Code-F runway with 3400 meters in length and 60 meters in width will be constructed 190 meters offset from the existing runway. As a result, INIA will be able to accommodate A380 Aircrafts which is the largest in commercial operations today. Upon completion, Instrument Landing Systems will be installed on both sides of the runway with ICAO category 1 Approach Lights leading to shorter turnaround time.

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New Fuel Farm and New Fuel Hydrant System at INIA Located away from the operations area at the north west of INIA the new fuel storage will be approximately 37,000m2, which is roughly 3 times the size of the current fuel farm. With this development our fuel farm will host 45 million liters of Jet A1 fuel, 1 million liters of Diesel and 0.1 million liters of petrol.

Along with new fuel storage expansion, there will be fuel hydrant systems installed at INIA improving safety and shortening service time for the airlines.

New Cargo Terminal at INIA A brand new cargo terminal with an expanded area of 18,000 square meters will be connected to the western side harbor, with loading and unloading cranes installed.

This facility will increase efficiency, administrative capacity and more importantly storage capacity to more than 120,000 tons of air-cargo per year.

New Apron for aircraft parking at INIA Currently, the airport island’s North West apron is operational and has the capacity for 4 widebody aircrafts or 8 narrow-body aircrafts. In the future with the expansion of the main apron our capacity will grow up to 12 wide body stands. Furthermore, the new apron configuration will have aero bridges and parking provision for Code-F type aircrafts such as A380, which is the largest in commercial operations today. Further expansion of the apron to the east side is scheduled to be underway and it will have additional stands for 4 wide-body aircrafts plus 8 narrow body aircrafts.

Newsletter | MTA | Sept/Oct 2016

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Meet the Devoted Judges of

Maldives Travel Awards 2016 Dr. Mariyam Waseema Dr. Waseema has worked previously in the State Trading Organization Plc and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Maldives Sports Corporation as well as a consultant for Maldives Getaways, a PR and Marketing company prominent in the Maldives. She had her thesis based on increasing the image and competitiveness of Maldives as a destination, titles as ‘Enhancing the Destination Image and Competitiveness of the Maldives for a Sustainable Tourism Industry’.

She has taken an active role in projects such as the Study on Maldives Domestic tourism,carried out by the Ministry of Tourism to understand and measure the current status and potential of domestic tourism in the Maldives for the sustainable development of the sector.

Dr. Waseema is a highly skilled professional in the industry of tourism and her leadership qualities combined with her intellect and experience in the field will bring an additional quality for this years’ awards.

Aminath Shaanee Aminath Shaanee has had a passion for the culinary field from a very young age. She travelled around the world from a young age, basking in the knowledge of professionals through her educational ventures in Sri Lanka, Australia and the United States of America.

She has a Degree in Culinary Management from the William Angliss Institute in Melbourne, Australia. She has more than 14 years of experience in the culinary industry, having previously working in resorts of repute such as Bandos Maldives and Conrad Maldives as well other various extravagant hotels and resorts in the Maldives and Australia. She currently works at The Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies of the National University of the Maldives.

Having mentored several young stars of the culinary industry today she has been recently elected as an Ex.Com member of the Chef’s Guild Maldives.

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Mr. Mohamed Shinaz Mr. Shinaz has over 15 years of experience in the culinary and hospitality industry having worked at Conrad Rangali Resort and the Regent Seven Seas Cruise where he worked as Sous Chef Pastry.

His educational background consists of a Diploma from the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies and he is also a Graduate from the William Angliss Institute of Tafe, Australia.

Mr. Shinaz is a committed professional in his field. He also works as a part time lecturer at the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies.

Mr. Ibrahim Mahudhee Mr. Mahudhee is an industry expert and spearheads the Maldives Promotional House Ltd. He previously worked for the Anantara Hotels Resorts and Spas as well as the Paradise Holidays Pvt Ltd. Mr. Mahudhee is a graduate of the respected Sunway University of Malaysia and is a highly respected figure in the industry for his work, his experience and vast knowledge of the industry.

Zeenaz Hussain Ms. Zeenaz Hussain is the Dean of the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies (FHTS) of The Maldives National University (MNU). Ms. Zeenaz earned her MA in Human Resource Management from the University of Westminster, UK and completed her BA Honors in European Culinary Arts Management from the IMI in Switzerland.

She underwent industrial training at Kurumba Village and also worked at Paradise Island resort later joining the FHTS in the year 1997, she has fulfilled a number of positions at the faculty including her current role as the Dean of the Faculty. She considers the MATATO Travel Awards to be an important step in recognizing the strides made forward by the Maldivian tourism industry.

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Mohamed Areef Areef spent nearly a decade working in the aviation industry, specializing in Marketing and Development. His last position in the aviation industry was as the head of Sales & Marketing at Etihad Airways Maldives.

With numerous years of professional experience in the hospitality industry as an aviation expert, he started working towards broadening his career into travel and media. He is the founder of MVHOTELS, an internationally recognized hotel media and publishing company. Mr. Areef also participated in the judging panel of Maldives Travel Awards 2015 and has unique eye for the industry.

Dr. Hussain Sunny Umar Sunny is a young, energetic individual who has completed his Bachelors in Business Management from Sunderland UK, Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Ballarat Australia and a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from City University College of Science and Technology, Malaysia.

His DBA thesis was on the development of Islamic Tourism in the Maldives and he has undertaken various experiences and overcome a lot of challenges throughout his career in diverse fields.

He was the first Maldivian to speak at the first Halal Tourism Conference of Europe held in Spain 2014 and one of the judges for the MATATO Travel Awards 2015. He is an expert in Business Development operations which includes seeking new clients, finding new opportunities and managing client relations.

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Mr. Ibrahim Nasreen Mr. Ibrahim Nasreen is a reputed individual in the industry with his previous employment roles as well as his educational background.

He is currently the Director of E-commerce and Marketing at the Public Service Media organization. He also works as a part time lecturer at the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies.

Mr. Nasreen has previously worked in reputable companies such as Think Associates and had his thesis based on Developing the Maldivian Tourism sector and promoting the country as a destination, titled as ‘The Development of Innovative Service Experiences to Maintain the Maldives’ Position as a Luxury Tourist Destination.’ He has been selected as the winner of the 2015 Boeing Masters Student Research Award for his Thesis – The award presented at the 2015 Travel & Tourism Research Association (TTRA) Annual International Conference in Portland, Oregon, USA. Also, he has received the JCI Maldives awards 2016 for “Ten Outstanding Young Persons” for Academic leadership and accomplishment.

Mr. Nasreen is a committed individual who will bring a whole new and fresh perspective into the Maldives Travel Awards 2016.

Mr. Ibrahim Asim (IB) Mr. Ibrahim Asim has been serving the Maldivian government since 1993. In his long public service career, he has spent over 22 years in the tourism industry serving in senior roles at the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Tourism Promotion and MMPRC. During his long career Mr. Asim has earned respect among industry colleagues and is well known among tourism and travel industry leaders locally and internationally Mr. Asim has served in important roles such as leading the Maldives Government Tourist Information Office in Germany. He has also been instrumental in implementing a wide range of projects, events and technical activities with UNWTO on behalf of Maldives government.

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Newsletter | MTA | Sept/Oct 2016

Published By MVHOTELS

Maldives Travel Awards on an

International Platform

Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators or MATATO has taken an active part at the exhibition to promote and increase the popularity of Maldives amongst the rising Indian market by taking part at the Bharat International Tourism Bazaar in India. Other than that, the MATATO team that participated in the BITB also promoted the soon-to-be held Maldives Travel Awards at the fair. Giving information on the awards on a wide scale and providing newsletters and articles including brochures at the BITB. The Indian market is a rising one for the Maldives and its potential as a market was once again very clear at the BITB with MATATO gaining a wide audience for their stall.

BITB is the biggest international travel fair to be held in India and MATATO’s presence in the fair will bring huge benefits and exposure to the awards on an international level.

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Newsletter | MTA | Sept/Oct 2016

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