President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has conferred "The President’s Tourism Gold Awards" to the three pioneers of tourism in the Maldives along with the three former Presidents, Ibrahim Nasir, Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom, and Mohamed Nasheed.

The awards were conferred during the Tourism Golden Year Gala Evening, held at Kurumba Maldives.

The tourism pioneers who were awarded were Chairman of Universal Enterprises, Mohamed Umar Manik, Champa Mohamed Afeef, and Health Minister Ahmed Naseem.

The three were closely involved with the development and opening of Kurumba Maldives, the first tourist resort in the Maldives.

The award was also presented to those who had done outstanding work to promote the country's tourism sector over the last 50 years. The President was also presented with a commemorative plaque by the Minister of Tourism, Dr Abdulla Mausooom.

The Tourism Golden Year Gala evening is the final event hosted by the Ministry of Tourism to commemorate the 50th anniversary of tourism in the Maldives. The purpose of this event was to recognise all those who have contributed to the Maldives' tourism industry's success over the last 50 years.