Fuvahmulah City wins MIB’s Champion Island award with MVR 500,000 grant for social development

Fuvahmulah City has won the “Champion Island” award at the first-ever Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB) Guesthouse Awards, securing the top recognition for guesthouse-driven island tourism development.

Along with the award, Fuvahmulah City received MVR 500,000 to implement a social benefit project that supports community-based tourism growth.

The guesthouse awards were held on Thursday.

According to MIB, the Champion Island award was introduced to acknowledge the involvement of the general public, the strength and integrity of island infrastructure, environmental beauty, and the proactive efforts taken to promote and expand guesthouse tourism in a sustainable manner.

Fuvahmulah City Deputy Mayor Mohamed Liraar said the MIB-initiated award will serve as a major incentive for guesthouse operators and those working to advance rural tourism. “It is a great honor for the city to receive this award,” Liraar said.

The award symbolizes the importance of councils and communities working together to achieve sustainable development in the tourism sector.

MIB said the recognition reflects the achievements and innovative work of guesthouse operators, councils, and rural communities across Maldives.