DUBAI – Emirates has once again been recognized for its role in the development of tourism in the Maldives.
The world’s largest international airline was awarded the President’s Gold Medal for Tourism at a ceremony held on 3 October to mark the idyllic archipelago’s National Tourism Day.
As part of the Maldives Ministry of Tourism’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, Emirates received the prestigious recognition for ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Maldives Tourism’, recognizing its 35 years of service to the country and flying to and from Malé since 1987.
This is the second prestigious award that Emirates has received in the past three months in recognition of its role in the development of tourism in the Maldives.
In July, Emirates was awarded the ‘MATI 50 Years of Tourism Award’ by the Maldives Association of Tourism Industries (MATI), the oldest tourism-related association in the Maldives.
The President’s Gold Medal for Tourism aims to recognize individuals and institutions that have contributed to the development of the country’s tourism industry over the years.
In 2021, Emirates signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maldives Ministry of Tourism, renewing its long-term partnership with the Maldives. The agreement reaffirms the airline’s commitment to the Maldives and outlines various initiatives to boost trade and tourism in the country. Recognized as the top airline in the Maldives in terms of passenger numbers, Emirates carried 265,000 passengers in one year alone and supported the country’s remarkable tourism recovery following the lifting of COVID-19-related travel restrictions.
Over the past 35 years, Emirates has played an integral role in the socio-economic development of the Maldives and has consistently contributed to the development of tourism, the backbone of its economy. The award-winning international airline launched services to Male on 27 May 1987 and has since operated more than 29,000 flights to and from the Maldives covering approximately 135 million kilometers and carrying 8.5 million passengers .
Today, Emirates operates 28 weekly flights between Dubai and the Maldives, connecting travelers and exporters to a network of more than 140 passenger and cargo destinations. Additionally, Emirates offers daily services between Male and Colombo. Emirates has restored more than 90% of its pre-COVID route network, offering connections across six continents.
