Four tourism industry veterans have been honored for their long service at the Hotelier Maldives Awards 2025.
Hotelier Maldives Awards 2025 by Hotelier Maldives was held at Barceló Nasandhura on Saturday night.
Four industry veterans were bestowed ‘Dedicated Service’ award during the ceremony, honoring their sustained contribution and commitment to the tourism sector.
They are:
Mohamed Hashim, Housekeeping Manager at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives
Mohamed Fuad, Engineering Manager at Bandos Maldives
Hussain Manikfaan, Restaurant Manager at Coco Bodu Hithi (retired in 2025 after 50 years of service)
Ali Rasheed Adam, Director of Sales and Marketing at Villa Resorts
All four recipients represent a unique path within the hospitality industry.
Mohamed Hashim started his professional journey as a gardener and gradually advanced through various departments—including Food & Beverage, Marine Operations, and Housekeeping—at Kandooma. Over his 38-year tenure, his versatility and leadership have demonstrated a comprehensive grasp of resort operations and internal processes.
Mohamed Fuad has dedicated over 40 years to Bandos Maldives, beginning in 1979 as a powerhouse driver. With a strong background in engineering, he climbed the ranks to become Engineering Manager in 2001. Under his guidance, the resort underwent significant infrastructural upgrades, with Fuad playing a crucial role in managing essential back-of-house functions that enhance the guest experience.
Hussain Manikfaan concluded a remarkable 50-year career this year. He began in the 1970s working in launch operations before moving into Food & Beverage roles at resorts including Kurumba Maldives, Lohifushi, and Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu. His final role was restaurant manager at Coco Bodu Hithi. Throughout his career, he played a part in the evolution of Maldivian tourism from its early stages to international recognition.
Ali Rasheed Adam entered the hospitality industry in 1992 as a software developer, initially focused on creating the Villa Group’s reservation system. His responsibilities later expanded into sales and marketing, where he helped open key tourism markets such as China and India. He also contributed to the development of local destination management firms and is currently leading Villa Resorts’ transformation under the Blue Ocean Shift strategy.
The Hotelier Maldives Awards 2025 marked the second edition of the annual awards program – the only recognition awarded to tourism professionals in Maldives.
The award is aimed at celebrating individuals whose careers have contributed to the long-term growth of the tourism and hospitality industry in the Maldives.
This year’s edition saw over 450 nominations and a staggering 600,000 votes cast by the public for the shortlisted nominees.
Other awards presented during the ceremony include individual awards recognised a wide array of roles, from front-of-house to back-of-house, underscoring the collaborative effort required for a resort's success. It also incudes awards celebrating outstanding teams and initiatives, recognizing that excellence is a collective effort, the awards also celebrated outstanding teams and initiatives.
Speaking during the ceremony, Finance Minister Moosa Zameer, who was the chief guest, emphasized the importance of investing in human resources to develop the tourism industry.
He emphasized that the tourism industry has remained the backbone of the Maldivian economy thanks to the unwavering dedication of industry professionals.
While acknowledging the significance of design and infrastructure, the Minister emphasized that the true essence of a tourist's experience lies in the talent, culture, and leadership that drive the industry.
He noted that the government is actively working to create an environment where private businesses can flourish and have access to greater opportunities. To achieve this, he emphasized the importance of continued investment from the business community.