The Maldives has earned the title of ‘Best Long-Haul Destination of the Year” at the UK’s Food and Travel Magazine Reader Awards 2022, which was hosted on the 19th of January 2023 at London’s Royal Automobile Club. The Maldives won the title after competing against Canada, Ecuador, Fiji, Japan, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, South Korea, and the Caribbean.

With seven worldwide editions, the UK’s Food and Travel Magazine is one of the world’s top culinary travel publications. Food and Travel Magazine has been published for the past 25 years by Green Pea Publishing ltd. Since its establishment, the Food and Tourism Magazine Reader Awards have been a highlight in the hospitality and travel industries. It honors and recognizes the ‘crème de la crème’ in the tourist sector’s food and beverage business by bestowing prizes in 23 categories, including the top restaurants, chefs, hotels, destinations, tour operators, cruise lines, and airlines.

Throughout the years, the United Kingdom has remained one of the major source markets for the Maldives. With 10,025 arrivals (8.2% market share) as of 22 January 2023, the UK was the third most important source market for the Maldives this year. With 179,309 tourists, the Maldives had an 185.6% rise in visits from the United Kingdom in 2022.