Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB) today announced the eligibility criteria for the MIB Guesthouse Awards 2026, an initiative aimed at fostering the growth of the country’s expanding local tourism sector and recognizing outstanding service providers and guesthouses.
This is the only awards program in the Maldives dedicated to the local island tourism industry. The awards are officially endorsed by the Guesthouse Association of Maldives (GAM).
To ensure an independent evaluation process, MIB has appointed Crowe Maldives Advisory to manage the assessments. The bank stated that specific criteria have been established for each category to maintain a fair and transparent selection process.
To ensure equitable competition between properties of different scales, the guesthouse awards will be divided into two tiers: Tier 1 for properties with up to 10 rooms, and Tier 2 for those with 11 rooms or more.
Eligible guesthouses must be registered under the Maldives Companies Act and hold a valid, current operating license issued by the Tourism Ministry.
Furthermore, applicants are required to submit a tax clearance certificate and documentation verifying compliance with pension and employment laws. Establishments must have been in continuous operation for at least 12 months prior to the application date and must maintain an active listing on an internationally recognized online travel platform.
Candidates for individual awards must be Maldivian citizens and must not have any conflict of interest with MIB or Crowe Maldives. Additionally, islands applying for the "Guesthouse Tourism Champion Island Award" must demonstrate a commitment to sustainable tourism development. MIB noted that eligible islands must have a minimum of 50 guesthouse rooms in operation.
The MIB Guesthouse Awards 2026 will feature a total of three main categories. These include eight awards for guesthouses in each tier, three individual awards for industry professionals, and a special award for the most outstanding tourism island.
Applications are scheduled to open on Wednesday, July 15. The bank stated that the date for the awards ceremony will be announced at a later time. MIB has encouraged eligible parties to begin preparing the necessary documentation in advance of the application period.
