Champa Mohamed Moosa and Champa Hussain Afeef have been awarded the Face of South Asia Award at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) for their significant contributions to the tourism sector.
SATA Vice President Suraj Khan highlighted the transformative changes in the tourism industry since its inception in the Maldives in the early 1970s, emphasizing the critical role played by Moosa and Afeef during this evolution. He recalled the numerous challenges faced at the beginning, including limited resources and difficulties in transportation and infrastructure.
Khan praised the Champa brothers for building a robust company that has expanded its reach both nationally and internationally. Their portfolio encompasses not only tourism and hospitality but also agriculture, fisheries, real estate, water production, and financial services.
Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) Ibrahim Shiuri emphasized the significance of the Champa brothers' contributions to launching tourism in the Maldives, stating that their pioneering work nearly 50 years ago serves as a valuable lesson. He underscored that the benefits enjoyed in the current tourism sector are a direct result of their efforts.
The SATA Awards, one of South Asia's most prestigious tourism accolades, recognized the Champa brothers alongside three other recipients—two from Nepal and one from Bangladesh—at the 2024 ceremony held in Kathmandu. This year marked the 8th edition of the SATA Awards, during which the Maldives received 16 gold and 14 silver awards across various categories.