Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB) has introduced the "Guesthouse Tourism Champion Island Award" as a special category for the upcoming "MIB Guesthouse Awards 2026."
This prestigious accolade is designed to recognize islands that demonstrate exceptional leadership in expanding and sustaining tourism at a community level, moving beyond the recognition of individual guesthouses. The application process for this award is currently underway.
Islands vying for the Tourism Champion title will be evaluated based on the collaborative efforts of local councils, residents, and businesses. Key criteria include destination marketing initiatives, infrastructure development, environmental conservation efforts, and the ability to maintain a safe and welcoming atmosphere for tourists.
According to MIB, islands applying for the "Guesthouse Tourism Champion Island Award" must have a minimum of 50 operational guesthouse rooms at the time of application.
The MIB Guesthouse Awards will present a total of 12 awards across three main categories:
- 8 awards for guesthouses
- 3 awards for individuals working within the tourism sector
- 1 island award for the most outstanding local tourism hub
To ensure a fair and transparent evaluation process, Crowe Maldives Advisory has been appointed as the independent third-party auditor.
MIB stated that the objective of these awards is to elevate the standards of local tourism in the Maldives, encourage innovative and sustainable practices, and celebrate the essence of authentic Maldivian hospitality.
The deadline for applications is October 31. Interested parties can submit their entries through the official portal at mib.com.mv/guesthouseaward.
