4 long-serving hospitality professionals recognised at Hotelier Maldives Awards 2025

Hotelier Maldives presented four special awards for Dedicated Service at the Hotelier Maldives Awards 2025, held Saturday evening at Barceló Nasandhura Malé, recognising individuals whose careers have helped shape the Maldivian hospitality industry. The awards, presented by Bestbuy Maldives (BBM), honoured long-serving professionals for their sustained contribution and commitment to the tourism sector.

The recipients of the Hotelier Maldives Award 2025 for Dedicated Service are:

• Mohamed Hashim, Housekeeping Manager at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives
• Mohamed Fuad, Engineering Manager at Bandos Maldives
• Hussain Manikfaan, Restaurant Manager at Coco Bodu Hithi (retired in 2025 after 50 years of service)
• Ali Rasheed Adam, Director of Sales and Marketing at Villa Resorts

Each awardee represents a unique path within the hospitality industry.

Mohamed Hashim began his career as a gardener and steadily progressed through multiple departments including F&B, Marine Operations, and Housekeeping at Kandooma, where he has now worked for 38 years. His ability to adapt and lead across roles reflects a deep understanding of resort operations and internal systems.

Mohamed Fuad’s career spans more than four decades at Bandos Maldives. Starting in 1979 as a powerhouse driver, Fuad’s technical expertise in engineering saw him rise through the ranks to become Engineering Manager in 2001. Under his leadership, Bandos underwent major infrastructural transformations, with Fuad leading behind-the-scenes operations vital to the guest experience.

Hussain Manikfaan retired this year after a 50-year career that began with launch operations in the 1970s and evolved through F&B roles at resorts such as Kurumba Maldives, Lohifushi, and Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu. His final post was as restaurant manager at Coco Bodu Hithi. Throughout his career, he witnessed and contributed to the transformation of Maldives tourism from its formative years to its current global standing.

Ali Rasheed Adam entered the industry in 1992 as a software developer tasked with building Villa Group’s reservation system. His role expanded into sales and marketing, where he played a pioneering role in establishing key tourism markets such as China and India. He also supported the growth of local destination management companies and is currently overseeing the repositioning of Villa Resorts under its Blue Ocean Shift strategy.

The Hotelier Maldives Awards 2025 marked the second edition of the annual awards programme — the only recognition awarded to tourism professionals in Maldives. These awards aim to celebrate individuals whose careers have contributed to the long-term growth of the tourism and hospitality industry in the Maldives.