Four tourism veterans honored for dedicated service at Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026

Four long-serving tourism professionals have been honored with the Dedicated Service Awards at the Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026.

Presented by Bestbuy Maldives (BBM), the third edition of the annual Hotelier Maldives Awards took place on Sunday night at NIVA Kurumba Maldives.

This year’s Dedicated Service Awards - which honors individuals whose careers have made a lasting contribution to the development of the Maldivian tourism industry – went to Adam Saeed of Bandos Maldives, Mohamed Waheed of Equator Village, Mohamed Naeem of Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, and Abdul Samad Ibrahim of Club Med Maldives.

Ali Naafiz, the editor of Hotelier Maldives said that the four honorees represent dedication, professionalism and service that have supported resorts, teams and communities across the country.

“Their contribution goes beyond their own workplaces and forms part of the wider story of Maldivian tourism,” he added.

Adam Saeed, Bandos Maldives

Adam Saeed was recognized for more than 34 years of service in human resources and administration, and for his continued contribution to workforce management, compliance and operational continuity at Bandos Maldives.

His work has supported the day-to-day functioning of the resort’s HR operations through the handling of documentation, employee processing and compliance procedures. In 2025, he continued to play a central role in managing expatriate employment requirements, including visa coordination and regulatory documentation, helping ensure uninterrupted workforce support.

Known for his reliability, integrity and confidentiality, Adam has remained a steady presence within the organization through periods of operational change and staff movement. His long service and structured approach to HR administration have contributed to employee trust and organizational stability.

Mohamed Waheed, Equator Village

Mohamed Waheed, Resort Manager at Equator Village, was honored for his long career in tourism spanning nearly four decades, as well as his contribution to resort operations and community engagement in Addu.

Waheed began his career in tourism in 1986 as a trainee receptionist at Villingili Beach Resort. Over the years, he developed his skills across front office and resort operations, progressing into management roles. He later worked at Ziyaaraifushi Tourist Resort and remained with the property after it was redeveloped as Summer Island Maldives under Kaimoo Travels and Hotel Services.

He later returned to his home atoll to lead Equator Village in Gan, Addu, where he now serves as one of the country’s few local resort managers. In addition to overseeing resort operations and guest relations, Waheed has also used his experience to encourage younger generations to consider careers in tourism, including through visits to local schools. His career reflects the growth of Maldivian tourism from its early years to the present day.

Mohamed Naeem, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru

Mohamed Naeem, who retired at the end of 2025 as Deputy General Manager of Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, was recognized for a career that spanned four decades and for his role in shaping resort operations, staff welfare and industry standards in the Maldives.

His journey on Vabbinfaru began in the 1980s. Naeem was part of a period that saw the resort influence broader practices across the tourism industry, including sustainability, wellness, staff welfare and equal opportunity in the workplace.

He reflected on the company’s early emphasis on caring for associates, respecting Maldivian culture and investing in people. He also noted Banyan Tree’s role in introducing practices that later became more widely adopted in the industry, including structured leave systems, staff development measures and a strong focus on sustainability. His retirement coincided with the resort’s 30th anniversary under Banyan Tree, marking the conclusion of a career closely linked to the development of Maldivian hospitality.

Abdul Samad Ibrahim, Club Med Maldives

Abdul Samad Ibrahim, General Affairs Manager at Club Med Kani, was honored for more than four decades of continuous service in the tourism sector and for a career that has been closely associated with the growth of the Club Med brand in the Maldives.

He joined the tourism industry in December 1980 at Medhufinolhu, now known as One&Only Reethi Rah, as Cashier cum Assistant Manager. He later worked at Thulhagiri as Receptionist cum Cashier before joining Club Med Farukolhufushi in December 1983 as Personnel Manager. He has remained with Club Med since then, and now serves as General Affairs Manager at Club Med Kani.

Over the years, Abdul Samad has received several awards in recognition of his service, including the Best Service Award from Club Med France in 1990, the Long Service Award from Club Med Maldives in 2013, and the Honoree Award from Club Med China in 2014. He has also received recognition from the Government of Maldives for his contribution to the tourism industry.

Hotelier Maldives said the Dedicated Service Awards reflect the publication’s commitment to recognizing those whose long-term efforts have supported the growth and continuity of the country’s tourism sector.

In addition to the Dedicated Service Awards, Hotelier Maldives also presented 23 individual and 12 team awards during Sunday’s gala.