The very first ‘Abaarana’ Gold Tier of the world’s first destination loyalty program, the Maldives Border Miles has been awarded to tourism pioneer George Corbin and daughter Georgia Corbin.

Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem presented the prestigious Gold Tier to Corbin and his daughter; who is the first ever child tourist Maldives welcomed, during an exclusive event held at the VIP Lounge of Velana International Airport on February 20.

Naseem was also one of the pioneers of Maldives tourism, 50 years back when he first met Corbin, an Italy-based diving tour operator then, at the Embassy of Maldives in Sri Lanka back in 1971. They went on to work together to become the pioneers who put Maldives on the tourism map.

Corbin brought the first group of tourists -mostly divers and journalist- to the Maldives on 16 February 1972. They were to have been mesmerized by the flawless allure of the scatter of islands comprising Maldives and the appeal its crystalline waters had to offer.

The same year, Maldives opened the doors of its first ever resort, Kurumba Village.

Corbin, who has contributed immensely to the Maldives’ tourism industry over the course of the past 50 years, arrived in the Maldives with his daughter on February 15 to participate in some of the events to commemorate the country’s Golden Jubilee of Tourism Year.

As the first ever recipients of the Maldives Border Miles’ Gold Tier, Corbin and his daughter are entitled to the most privileged offers including free VIP services and great discounts from all the partners of the Maldives Border Miles.

Corbin and daughter Georgia were seen off at the Velana international Airport by Deputy Minister of Tourism Assad Riza, Health Minister Naseem and a team from the tourism ministry on Sunday, after a productive six-day visit, where Corbin also met tourism associations.

Maldives Border Miles was initiated by the Maldives Immigration, under which visitors will have the opportunity to earn points each time they cross the border with added points for special occasions. Rules of the loyalty program also note that partners and customers are both eligible to receive points.

Visitors enrolled in the program will proceed up three tiers; starting from bronze, ‘Aida’, silver, ‘Antara’ and gold, ‘Abaarana’, they will be entitled to exclusive benefits.

The program is being carried out by the Ministry of Tourism, jointly by the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

The loyalty program is expected to open multiple doors to the industry, take the country’s tourism to new heights and promote the archipelago nation among zealous travelers.