Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has launched the 8th edition of Maldives Travel Awards.

The 2019 edition of Maldives Travel Awards, the most prestigious recognition in the Maldives travel and tourism industry, was launched by MATATO President Abdulla Giyas at a special ceremony at Grand Park Kodhipparu resort on Saturday.

At the ceremony, MATATO signed agreements with their sponsors and partners including the Guesthouse Association of Maldives and Women Entrepreneurs Association as strategic partners, Avas Online as the event’s online media partner, Maldives Insider as travel media partner, and Coca-Cola as beverage partner.

Speaking to journalists, Giyas said that this year’s awards will be the biggest event yet and that they will be working with Trip Advisor and using their scoring standards to award the winners.

MATATO states that the Maldives Travel Awards, first launched in 2012, intends to encourage and stimulate professionalism in the travel industry and the national and international tourism by creating annual event, unique to the destination.