MIB to open applications for 2026 Guesthouse Awards on July 15

Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB) will open applications for the MIB Guesthouse Awards 2026 on July 15, the bank said, after announcing the eligibility criteria for the program.

MIB said the awards recognize local tourism operators, guesthouses, individuals, and islands across the Maldives. The bank described it as the only award of its kind currently offered in the country, aimed at promoting the local tourism sector growing in the islands.

According to MIB, Crowe Maldives Advisory will conduct the evaluation independently. The Guesthouse Association also endorses the awards.

MIB said it has set specific criteria for each category to keep the selection process fair and transparent. To keep competition fair between properties of different sizes, guesthouse awards are split into two tiers. Tier 1 covers guesthouses with up to 10 rooms. Tier 2 covers guesthouses with 11 rooms or more.

Guesthouses applying must be legally registered under the Companies Act and hold a valid operating licence issued by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. Applicants must submit a tax clearance certificate, proof of pension payments, and documents confirming compliance with the Employment Act.

The bank said applicants must have operated continuously for at least 12 months up to the date of application and must still be operating. Each must also hold an active listing on an internationally recognized online travel platform such as Booking.com, Airbnb, Agoda, or TripAdvisor.

For individual awards, applicants must be Maldivian citizens with no conflict of interest with MIB or Crowe Maldives Advisory, the bank said.

Islands applying for the "Guesthouse Tourism Champion Island Award" must be carrying out sustainable work to promote tourism at the island level. MIB said such islands must have a total of at least 50 operating guesthouse rooms at the time of application.

The awards will be given across three categories. These are eight awards for guesthouses in each tier, three individual awards for people working in the tourism sector, and one award for the most outstanding island.

MIB said the date of the awards ceremony will be announced later through its official media channels. The bank urged eligible parties to prepare the required documents in advance.