Oscar of world travel trade for Adaaran Prestige Resorts

From L. S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI in Male

Adaaran Prestige Resorts celebrated winning the international travel industry's Oscar as the "Indian Ocean's leading Water Villa Group" at a ceremony held at the Adaaran Prestige Vadoo resort on November 21 under the patronage of Maldivian Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Ahmed Ali Sawad.

ADAARAN Resorts CEO Chethiya Perera receives the Indian Ocean’s leading Water Villa Group Trophy at the World Travel Awards Ceremony held in London.

Aitken Spence PLC Chairman Harry S. Jayawardena receives the trophy from ADAARAN resorts CEO, Chethiya Perera at a special ceremony held at Adaaran Vadoo in Male.

The awards ceremony proper took place at the World Travel awards ceremony held in London on November 7, 2009, during the 2009 World Travel Market.

As well as being acclaimed as "The Indian Ocean's leading water Villa Group, the Adaaran Water Villas at Meedhupparu won an award for the second consecutive year as "The Maldives leading Water Villas.

Chairman Aitken Spence Hotels Ltd. Harry Jayawardena, Vice Chairman Aitken Spence Rajan Brito, ADAARAN resort CEO Chethiya Perera, General Manager Marketing M. U. Lantra along with key Sri Lankan and Male officials, representatives from the travel and tour trade participated in the Male ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, Maldivian Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Ahmed Ali Sawad said that Aitken Spence's contribution towards the Maldivian tourist industry was very significant and it shows by winning this prestigious award. It is also testimony to the high standards and services maintained by Aitken Spence management as well as the staff.

"With the drive and determination of the private sector, the Maldives embarked on a mission to be one of the most sought after tourist destinations," he said.

Aitken Spence Hotel's Chairman Harry Jayawardene said that the World Travel award is a great honour not only to ADAARAN resorts, but to the whole of Maldives.

"We were able to compete with all other resorts in the region," he said.

He further said that this victory was a rare achievement by the Maldives.

"Our achievement was a result of team effort. The evaluating teams which visited Adaaran resort had reported that ADAARAN resort, was the best in South East Asia in all aspects of the tourist industry.

had to take into consideration the other resorts in the Indian Ocean, in countries such as Thailand, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia," Jayawardene said.

Aitken Spence Hotels had invested more than US$150 million on the ADAARAN resort project alone. He was confident of the brighter prospects from the project and as such was determined to proceed with all future plans.