The Maldives has been awarded the “World’s Leading Dive Destination” and “Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination” at the World Travel Awards 2006.

The Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Dr. Mahamood Shougee accepted the Awards on behalf of the Maldivian tourism industry at this year’s World Travel Awards held at the Beaches in Turks & Caicos on 20th September.

In addition, in the Regional category Hilton Maldives Resort and Spa won the “Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort” award and Soneva Gili Resort and Spa won the “Indian Ocean’s Leading Spa Resort” award.

In the national category of World Travel Awards, Coco Palm Resort and Spa won the “Maldives’ Leading Hotel” award; Soneva Fushi Resort and Spa won the “Maldives’ Leading Resort” award and Hilton Maldives Resort and Spa won the “Maldives Leading Resort Award”.

The Maldives received these prestigious awards after receiving the highest number of votes in the respective categories among thousands of online voters from travel agencies in over 200 countries worldwide.

The World Travel Awards has become the Oscar equivalent of the global tourism industry since its establishment in 1993. This distinguished endorsement of the Maldivian tourism product by the World Travel Awards further accentuates the uniqueness of the Maldives a destination consisting of 1,190 natural coral islands, unspoiled white sandy beaches, and pristine waters of all hues of blue.

Seoul, 11 June 2006 – Maldives has received The Best Tourism Publicity Award by the Korean Tourism Association at the 19th Korea World Travel Fair held in Seoul from 8 to 11 June 2006.

The Maldives exhibited at this fair as part of MTPB’s initiative to increase in-bound tourism from South Korea and to build solid partnerships with the Korean travel trade companies.

The secluded nature of the Maldives, with its unique coral coral islands and crystal clear waters accompanied by its world class services make it a demanding long haul island destination for the expanding South Korean outbound leisure market.

The Maldives welcomed 4,948 South Korean visitors from January to May this year. This is an increase of 25 percent compared to the same period of 2004.

Singapore Airlines has been awarded the prestigious Pacific Asia Travel Association’s Grand Award in the Marketing category for its Singapore Airlines Recovery initiatives – Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bali; and for the second year running, the Gold Award in the Marketing, Carrier (International-Air) category for the Singapore Airlines Boarding Pass Privileges Programme 2006.

Following the tsunami in December 2004, Singapore Airlines acted quickly in initiating an extensive tourism recovery programme in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The Airline worked with the respective national tourism organizations and leading hotels to revive travel to these two countries. Singapore Airlines flew travel agents and journalists from different parts of the world to the tsunami stricken countries in order to show them the natural beauty of the resorts in countries like the Maldives and restore confidence in travel to these destinations.

Readers of publications in Indonesia, Ireland, Germany and China have also given accolades to the Airline. Readers of DestinAsian, a leading luxury travel and lifestyle magazine based in Jakarta, have voted Singapore Airlines as the Best Airline in its Readers’ Choice Awards. The Airline also secured top place in the Best First Class, Best Business Class, Best Economy Class, Best Inflight Entertainment and Best Frequent Flyer Programme categories.

Readers of Business Traveller Germany have also rated Singapore Airlines the Best Airline to Asia and Asia Pacific (Overall), Best Airline for Cabin Crew, Best Airline for Service on the Ground, Best Airline for Cabin Appearance, and Best Airline for Catering. Similarly, the Irish Travel Trade News named the Airline the Best Airline to Asia and Australasia while the Dutch Travel News awarded Singapore Airlines the Best Long Haul Carrier in 2005 title.