Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB) has officially opened applications today for the MIB Guesthouse Awards.
The awards were established by MIB to recognize the contributions of guesthouses within the Maldivian tourism sector, particularly those operating on inhabited islands, and to encourage their continued growth and excellence.
According to MIB, this initiative serves as a platform to celebrate the achievements of stakeholders in the guesthouse industry—a vital component of the Maldivian economy—while enhancing their visibility on an international scale.
The bank further noted that the awards aim to elevate service standards across the sector and foster a healthy, competitive environment for businesses to thrive.
Crowe Maldives Advisory has been appointed to conduct the evaluation process independently. MIB stated that specific criteria have been established for each category to ensure a fair and transparent selection process.
To ensure equitable competition among establishments of varying scales, the awards are divided into two tiers: Tier 1 for guesthouses 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 Ministry of Tourism.
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 maintain an active listing on an internationally recognized online travel platform.
Candidates for individual awards must be Maldivian citizens and must not have any conflicts 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 and possess a minimum of 50 operational guesthouse rooms.
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 tourism professionals, and a special award for the most outstanding island.
The date for the official awards ceremony will be announced at a later time.
