Voting opens for MATATO Travel Awards 2015

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Online voting has opened for the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators’ (MATATO) Maldives Travel Awards 2015.

 Briefing the local media at a press conferenceDomestic Airport, Leading International Hotel/ Resort Brand, Leading Local Hotel/Resort Brand and Leading Private Island Resort.

 Munaz revealed that MTV India anchor Nikhil Chinapa will be returning to host the 2015 award show.

 The fourth annual edition of the MATATO Travel Awards will take place in two segments, he noted.

 The first event or the special edition will be hosted at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Dubai on May 5 to coincide with the Arabian Travel Market.

 The second event or grand finale is due to take place at the Coco Palm Bodu Hithi Resort in the Maldives in September, Munaz revealed.

 The online voting accounts for 40% of the marks for selecting winners whilst evaluation by a professional panel of judges accounts for 60% of the marks.

 The criteria are based on quality of facilities and service excellence whilst the size of a property is not taken into consideration either during the nomination or voting process.

 Participants were allowed to self-nominate or were nominated by guests, travel agents, or tour operators. Previous winners were automatically nominated.

 The deadline for online voting is April 10.

 In 2012, MATATO enlisted High Rise as the event manager and organisers of the travel awards for a period of three years.

 According to MATATO, the awards aim to “encourage and raise service standards within the Maldivian tourism industry.”

 Last year’s winners included Huvafen Fushi Resort as leading luxury resort, Taj Exotica as the most romantic travel destination, and LUX* Maldives as the leading family resort.

 Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb presented the awards at a gala ceremony on Kurumba Maldives Resort.

 MATATO was founded in 2006 and currently represents more than 50 travel agents and tour operators in the Maldives.

 Online voting is open at www.travelawards.mv

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