World Travel Awards Academy recognises Tourism Pioneers in the Maldives

The World Travel Awards Academy has recognised two global hospitality icons with the title of ‘Tourism Pioneer’ during the Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2016.

The title is a discretionary award, reserved for those few individuals and organisations which can truly be said to have had a transformative impact on global hospitality; those innovators who blaze a trail for others to follow.

Renowned for being one of the most energetic and visionary businessman in the Maldives, Sun Siyam Resorts Chairman and Managing Director, the Honourable Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, was the first recipient this year.

Since the inception of his first company he has carefully developed his business to create a thriving resort chain in less than two decades. Today, he is a well-respected businessman in the country and a much loved philanthropist.

He continues to inspire and guide over 3,000 dedicated and motivated employees and has earned the respect and admiration of all his staff and business partners.

Also honoured with the prestigious title at the Grand Final 2016 was Trans Maldivian Airways and its Chief Executive, Mister A.U.M. Fawzy.

The carrier has played a vital role in the development of tourism in the destination.

Having joined the company he now leads in 1995 as part of the finance team, Fawzy has since climbed up the corporate ladder to become leader of the world’s largest seaplane company.

Under his stewardship the company has gone from flying a handful of passengers each year, to transferring over one million passengers to over 60 partner resorts across the Maldives.

He has without a doubt played a pivotal role in the development of tourism in the Maldives archipelago, with a fleet of 45 aircraft binding the nation together like never before.

The awards were presented during a glittering event at The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi in the Maldives.World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective successes within each key geographical region.

World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries, and international print and broadcast media.

For more information about World Travel Awards, please visit the official website, or find a complete list of Grand Final 2016 winners here.

Left image: Sun Siyam Resorts Chairman, the Honourable Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, centre, collects the trophy from World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke. Download here.

Right image: Trans Maldivian Airways Chief Executive, Mister A.U.M. Fawzy, is recognised by World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke. Download here.

Notes to Editors

About World Travel Awards

World Travel Awards celebrates its 23rd anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade.

Attended by senior executives from major travel companies, operators, destinations, WTA events are universally respected as providing established, top level networking opportunities, regionally and globally.

The brand aims to celebrate those organisations who push the boundaries of industry excellence.

Download the World Travel Awards logo here or find out more here.