Agoda, one of the fastest-growing online travel booking platform, signed an associate partnership with Maldives Border Miles, the world’s first destination loyalty program for tourists.
The online signing ceremony was honored by Controller General of Maldives Immigration, Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Hussain, along with Deputy Minister of Tourism, Dr. Naushad Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer of Agoda Company Pte. Ltd., Mr. John Brown, Deputy Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation, Mrs. Neesha Shahid, Director of Global Government Affairs of Agoda Company Pte. Ltd., Mr. Daniel Gelfer and the Country Manager of Agoda Company Pte. Ltd. to the Maldives, Mr. Mohamed Amaan.
Agoda has grown from its humble beginnings as an e-commerce start-up in Singapore in 2005 to a global network of over 2.5 million properties in more than 200 countries and territories, providing travelers with easy access to a diverse selection of accommodations to suit all budgets and travel occasions. Additionally, in 2019, Agoda included flights, airport transfers, and packages to help make travel more convenient.
This partnership between the Maldives Border Miles and Agoda aims to increase the benefits to the members and the partners of the Maldives Border Miles program. Hence, Agoda will be sharing their expertise for the development and will also facilitate to promote the partners of the program on their global network. The good news to the members is that, Agoda will use their best-in-class technology and provide exclusive savings to Maldives Border Miles members when they book the hotel through Agoda.
Speaking at the online signing ceremony, Controller General of Maldives Immigration, Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Hussain highlighted about the surprising growth of the members. As such, he stated that it is expected to have 50,000 members of Maldives Border Miles in the next couple of days, which was far more than expected during the very first year. He also thanked for the guidance of President, H.E. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Furthermore, Controller General emphasized on the assistance provided by the Minister of Tourism, H.E. Dr. Abdulla Mausoom and Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation, Mr. Thoyyib Mohamed, during the development phase of the program.
In the opening remarks by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Dr. Naushad Mohamed, he highlighted how COVID-19 affected the tourism sector of the Maldives. Highlighting about the program, he said that the Maldives Border Miles is the first of its kind in the world, and an additional reason to attract tourists by rewarding them for choosing to stay in the Maldives. Furthermore, he thanked Agoda for their commitment to become an associate partner and playing a crucial role in facilitating a high volume of tourist to explore Maldives through Agoda.
Addressing in the ceremony, CEO of Agoda Company Pte. Ltd., Mr. John Brown, praised the innovative idea of Maldives Border Miles. He said that, “From my perspective, I have seen COVID-19 bring many different people together, and when I look in to travel in particular, the way that governments have been working together with companies like Agoda; the way that Agoda has been working with suppliers; and the way that we’re all working together with customers, we’ve really come together in an unprecedented way to get through the crisis, and to deliver innovative solutions”. Expressing specifically about the Maldives Border Miles, Mr. Brown stated that, “I’m very optimistic about innovation and the benefit that it’s going to bring in particular to the Maldives”.
Since the program commenced on 1st of January 2021, a total of 26 properties has signed as partners, providing a vast array of rewards to its members. As such, starting from discounted services, members are now eligible for free VIP services as well.
The program has been capturing spotlight among the tourists arriving to the Maldives recently. With more than 50,000 members at present, Maldives Border Miles is another reason why Maldives could be the best holiday destination in the world.
