Soneva has announced a special offer for the upcoming Eid al-Adha holidays, inviting GCC residents to celebrate the joyous occasion in Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in Maldives.

With Eid al-Adha falling in August this year and coinciding with school summer holidays, it is the perfect time to plan a family getaway. Head to one of two Soneva properties in the Maldives, where exclusive discounted rates on villa accommodations plus other great benefits are offered, from August 1 until August 31. Guests can also enjoy complimentary experiences such as spa treatments and a cooking class with a visiting chef.

To make the celebration even more memorable, Soneva has created a five-day programme full of captivating experiences.

From August 11-15, guests can join an array of activities specially tailored for Eid visitors. Glide through the azure waters on a search for playful dolphins on the Sunset Dolphin Safari, join the Sunrise Breakfast Fishing cruise and catch the days meal whilst appreciating the calming ocean scenery, savour a Middle Eastern Culinary Voyage, search for magnificent rays on the Manta Snorkelling excursion or spend the day at a secluded private sandbank with the Robinson Crusoe Picnic. Soneva is known for its fine dining, with two Michelin-starred chefs on site during this period, from Japan and France.

In addition, each of the properties will host a bespoke culinary journey to celebrate the festivities. The Eid Food Journey will have guests embark on an epicurean tour of surprise culinary venues.

At Soneva Fushi, start the evening with drinks on its sandbank, with live drumming from traditional Boduberu performers. Whet your appetite with a cold mezze selection at at the resort’s overwater bar, then try your luck at the popular ring shooting game en route to the biggest banyan tree for hot mezze and local band, Shan & Huyam.

Pick up an authentic Lebanese pide at the flatbread station, or sample a mouth-watering kofta, courtesy of Chef Loc, serenaded by talented musician Ali Hisan’s feel-good tunes.

Make a final stop at Mihiree Mithaa, with live music and a delectable array of main courses and desserts prepared by the resort’s master chefs, from a sizzling barbecue and succulent lamb Casbah station, to hand-crafted desserts, artisan chocolates and the finest cheeses from around the world.

World-leading luxury resort operator Soneva runs two resorts in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani.

In 1995, the award-winning luxury resort Soneva Fushi set the standard for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways in the Maldives. Located in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Soneva Fushi pairs Robinson Crusoe fantasy with intelligent luxury.

Sixty-two private villas with their own stretch of beach are hidden among dense foliage within touching distance of a pristine coral reef. Intuitive service is provided by Mr./Ms. Friday butlers.

Highlights include the open-air Cinema Paradiso, counting Saturn’s rings in the high-tech Observatory, the home-made chocolate and ice cream rooms, five hundred wines to choose from, six different restaurants and countless destination dining options. In November 2015, Soneva launched a floating villa concept, Soneva in Aqua, a treasure trove children’s Den and a multi-purpose facility encompasses a glass gallery, boutique and studio where guests can learn the art of glass blowing.

If the experiences are magical, the philosophy is simple: No news, no shoes. No pretensions either.

Opened in December 2016, Soneva Jani is Soneva’s newest property and the world-leading luxury hotel group’s second resort in the Maldives.

Soneva Jani is located on the island of Medhufaru within a 5.6 kilometre lagoon in the Noonu atoll, and has uninterrupted ocean views in all directions. The lagoon is 35 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport and one hour by speedboat from Soneva Fushi.

Meaning ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit, Soneva Jani currently comprises 24 overwater villas and one island villa, with additional villas to be built in phase two. Five islands encircle the lagoon, each one with soft white sands and covered in rich tropical vegetation. Four of the five islands will remain untouched, making Soneva Jani the lowest density development in the Maldives. The overwater villas are spaced across the expansive lagoon, offering privacy and extensive views over the Maldives’ turquoise waters. The island villas will be tucked into the lush greenery, providing the ultimate privacy, and all within steps of the beach.

Soneva Jani’s main guest facilities are located at The Gathering, the heart of the overwater villas. This dramatic three story structure is home to the main dining outlets, in addition to the Soneva Spa, library, retail area and wine cellar. It is located next to the Maldives’ first overwater Observatory.

Facilities on the island include the overwater Cinema Paradiso, the Eco Centro Waste-to-Wealth centre, organic gardens, tennis courts, water sports champa and Zuhair’s Beach on a desert island in the lagoon.

For more information about the offers, visit www.soneva.com  or  email reservations@soneva.com.

Kandolhu Maldives has appointed David Napier as its Executive Chef.

Hailing from the renowned wine country of Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand, it comes as no surprise that Chef David is extremely passionate about both food and wine. His most recent ventures saw him as owner of a food and wine consultancy, with prior co-ownership of an acclaimed ‘Chef Hat’-awarded restaurant in Christchurch — all accomplished at a very young age.

Chef David’s recent stints also include the Mandarin Oriental and Berkeley Hotel in London, where he had the opportunity to hone his skills alongside the teams at Michelin-starred establishments like Heston Blumenthal’s ‘Dinner by Heston Blumenthal’ and ‘Marcus’ by Marcus Wareing.

“This pedigree, along with standout wine knowledge are sure to lend invaluable insights to the Kandolhu experience for future guests, allowing us to build on our already fabulous culinary offerings – and raise the bar even higher,” the resort said, in an announcement.

“Join us in congratulating David on his new appointment! And stay tuned for new menus, concepts, and other delicious updates!”

Ringed by an intricate yet stunning coral garden teeming with colourful reef fish, Kandolhu is a patch of paradise hidden in the North Ari Atoll and accessible by a 25-minute scenic seaplane flight. A member of the Small Luxury Hotels, Kandolhu is cleverly arranged to offer maximum privacy yet all within the space of only 200 square metres. The resort offers just 30 villas in five different styles — Jacuzzi Beach Villas, Pool Villas, Duplex Pool Villas, Ocean Villas and Ocean Pool Villas — that feature local architecture with modern interiors.

Kandolhu is home to five gourmet restaurants, boasting the highest restaurant-to-room ratio in the Maldives. The ambience and menu of each restaurant varies greatly: be entertained with a live show in Banzai, the Japanese teppanyaki, delight in an array of fresh seafood on offer in Sea Grill, sit back and gaze at the sparkling Indian Ocean from the Market or enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner in Olive with modern Mediterranean dishes on the card.

The intimate island resort has a spa, and offers a range of recreational activities, including diving, snorkelling, water sports and excursions.

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has announced the global launch of #MyShangriLa photography contest.

The six-month contest aims to give new meaning to ‘Shangri-La’ — a memorable, magical moment that catches people by surprise and delights with joy. Guests, travellers and beyond are invited to capture and share their unique Shangri-La moment.

“Shangri-La is both a feeling as well as a place. It’s about an unexpected moment of happiness which can happen to anyone at anytime, anywhere,” Anthony Wong, Executive Vice President Brands at Shangri-La, was quoted in a statement, as saying.

“We taste it at our favourite table. We hear it in a child’s laughter. We discover it in our travels. And it’s different for each one of us. In our hotels and resorts, we strive to go the extra mile to connect our guests with their own Shangri-La through our thoughtful service that comes from the heart.”

From July 15, 2019 to January 10, 2020, participants are invited to share images of what their Shangri-La looks like on Instagram with #MyShangriLa and @shangrilahotels, and on Weibo with hashtag #我的香格里拉#, @香格里拉酒店集团 or upload them on www.shangri-la.com/myshangrila. It can be that special occasion, or moment; or simply a feeling of pure joy and happiness. Photos must be taken at one of Shangri-La’s hotels, resorts or destinations where its properties are situated.

Shangri-La will be giving away delightful prizes including 10,000 Golden Circle Award Points each month to celebrate the most heartwarming, unexpected moments of joy. As the ultimate grand prize, one winner who shares the most inspiring #MyShangriLa moment will be awarded a two-night getaway inclusive of flights to one of 10 Shangri-La destinations of their choice:

1. Shangri-La Hotel, Qinhuangdao
2. Shangri-La Resort, Shangri-La, Diqing
3. Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai
4. Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka
5. Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa, Kota Kinabalu
6. Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore
7. Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei
8. Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Muscat
9. Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul
10. Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto

Shangri-La Hotels and Resort, an iconic flagship brand of the Shangri-La Group, currently operates over 80 deluxe hotels and resorts with a room inventory of over 35,000. The group’s award-winning Golden Circle loyalty programme extends to all properties of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts worldwide.

Shangri-La runs Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa Maldives in Maldives.

A private hideaway, in a world of its own, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa is the perfect setting for couples, with its secluded location as part of the Maldives southernmost atoll.

For the ultimate luxury experience, Villa Muthee, is the epitome of tropical refinement. The presidential villa nestles in its own luxurious environment with its private walkway entrance, a spacious deck with a private infinity pool and direct access to the ocean, a separate living room, yoga pavilion and even its own spa treatment room to let guests relax without leaving the villa.

Beyond Villa Muthee, the resort offers an extensive choice of accommodation, such as the unique Tree House Villas, Perched on stilts among the emerald green treetops, the villas offer intimate settings with marvellous views of the ocean and a large deck with its own private infinity pool. For true ocean lovers, the Water Villas, positioned over the lagoon, offer the perfect seascape for those who cannot resist slipping into the aquamarine waters teeming with tropical marine life. These open and airy villas come with overwater hammocks for languorous lounging.

The resort offers many options for water adventurers, such as turtle-quest snorkelling, diving to a unique shipwreck site, surfing with half a dozen great wave setups or parasailing for a bird’s eye view of the island. Tropical ‘havenists’ will also find their own piece of paradise in the unique flora and fauna that can be explored while cycling around Villingili’s jungle and coastal pathways or while playing on the only golf course in the Maldives. Couples can also enjoy a range of cultural experiences like no other in the Maldives, with guided tours of the neighbouring islands of Addu atoll, visits to the local farms and samplings of Maldivian cuisine.

The brightest gem in the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean, Villingili island is a haven for those seeking true romance. As if it was meant to be, the resort is located in the heart-shaped Addu atoll, just a five-minute boat ride away from Gan International Airport.

Shangri-La Group also runs a city hotel in Maldives capital Male under its Hotel Jen brand.

Velana International Airport on Wednesday marked the opening of a new apron at the Maldives main airport.

The apron, built on the southwestern side of the airport island of Hulhule, marked its opening with the arrival of flagship carrier Maldivian’s flight from Bangkok Wednesday morning. The Airbus A330 aircraft was given a water salute as it approached the apron for parking.

The 70,000 sqm apron has three Code E Multiple Aircraft Ramp System (MARS) stands, two dedicated Code E stands and one dedicated Code C stand. It has a combined capacity to accommodate either five wide body aircraft and one narrow body aircraft or two wide body aircraft with seven narrow body aircraft at a time.

Test operations were carried out at the apron last month, demonstrating the manoeuvrability of aircraft and ground handling equipment to comply with ICAO safety requirements.

State owned airport operator Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) is also building another new apron at the eastern side of the airport island. This 60,000 sqm apron will feature four MARS stands, which can accommodate either four wide body aircraft or eight narrow body aircraft at a time.

In addition to the minor improvements, a USD 800 million mega project has been launched to expand and upgrade the main Velana International Airport. The project involves building a brand new runway, an international passenger terminal and a seaplane terminal as well as other support facilities, including a fuel farm that can store 45 million litres and a 120,000 tonne cargo facility.

USD 570 million of the USD 800 million needed for the project have been raised from international financiers, especially Arab funding agencies. It includes a USD 100 million loan from Saudi Fund for Development, a USD 50 million loan from Kuwait Fund, a USD 50 million loan from OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and a USD 50 million loan from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.

China EXIM Bank also granted a loan of USD 400 million for the new runway, which was contracted to Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) of China. The new runway is set to come into operation later this year.

MACL had also invested USD 50 million from its own funds.

The airport is a key infrastructure that supports the Maldives multi-billion dollar tourism industry. Expansion of the airport is expected to boost tourist arrivals to the island nation as it aims to attract at least two million tourists by 2020.

Renowned for its one-of-a-kind dining experiences, Soneva is inviting guests to meet the Tastemakers – the dedicated, international line-up of skilled chefs and sommeliers who create culinary magic every day at Soneva’s world-leading luxury resorts in Maldives.

Premiering on July 16 and running until early December, the new Tastemakers film series will introduce members of the talented food and beverage teams across Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani as well as Soneva Kiri in Thailand. It offers a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into everyday life in Soneva’s bustling kitchens, as well as a fascinating insight into each Tastemakers’ personal journey, cooking style and gastronomic philosophy.

What makes a Soneva dinner an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime? It is a combination of the passion of some of the world’s best chefs and sommeliers working hand-in-hand with expert gardeners, fishermen and suppliers who provide the finest and freshest ingredients available.

Meet the Tastemakers – the individuals who together create a unique and unexpected dining experience that will take your breath away.

Chef Benz is the Thai chef named after her father’s favourite brand of car. Discovered by Soneva founders Sonu and Eva, Chef Benz’s unmatched ability to craft exquisite Thai dishes from even the humblest local ingredients has earned her a reputation as one of the country’s most innovative cooking talents.

Discover the intricate craftsmanship of guest chef Kenji Gyoten, scheduled to grace the kitchens of Soneva Fushi throughout 2019 and 2020. Renowned for mastering the ancient hontaegashi hand-flipping technique, he is the youngest Michelin-starred sushi chef in Japan, and one of only four Japanese chefs to be awarded a coveted three Michelin stars. Watching Chef Gyoten prepare sushi is comparable to a choreographed dance. The result is sushi that is so complex and so sophisticated it is a truly rare culinary experience.

From Soneva Fushi, find out more about one of the resort’s most-loved characters. Wearing a smile brighter than the morning sun, Sira has been serving up breakfast at Mihiree Mitha for more than two decades, and is famed for his mouth-watering hoppers, a breakfast treat from his Sri Lankan homeland.

Chef Sobah is proud of his Maldivian heritage. He is known for putting his own contemporary twist on Maldivian recipes handed down by his mother and grandmother. His original restaurant, Sobah’s, located on a deserted island near Soneva Fushi was the first resort restaurant in the Maldives to exclusively offer Maldivian delicacies. Chef Sobah now delights diners at Out of the Blue by Sobah with modern Japanese fare using fish caught fresh from the ocean that day.

Chef David knew the first time that he walked through the doors of a professional kitchen that he had found his place. From an early age he set his sights on working in the best kitchens in the world. To this day, he claims to have never worked a day in his life – his kitchen is his home and cooking is his passion.

Chef Priyantha is head chef at The Crab Shack at Soneva Jani, possibly the most romantic restaurant in the world. He grew up on a diet of lagoon crabs in Sri Lanka and now serves a menu inspired by the family recipes of Soneva chefs.

“Tell me who you are and I’ll tell you what you drink.”

Take a voyage of wine discovery with Soneva sommeliers whose expertise covers the globe and the rich history of wine.

Join Chef Ansari and his team as they take you on a gastronomical journey around the world. The menu provides a guide but the real magic happens when the chefs and guests meet, allowing the chefs to use their creativity and passion to produce a meal that will be remembered forever.

Chef Jenefer grew up foraging around her rural home in the Philippines. Her sense of adventure has never left her and now she uses her knowledge of botany and her skills as a chef to present plant-based dishes that look like works of art.

From humble beginnings, Chef Ravi used his wits and his charm to persuade those around him to teach him to cook. He has since worked in some of the best restaurants in the world. Visiting his restaurant Down to Earth is like walking into a family home where you will be greeted with a smile, a warm welcome and exquisite food cooked from the heart.

Chef Kichii Okabe blends Japanese tradition with an informality and playfulness that charms his guests. A Japanese grand master chef with a Michelin star heritage, he is on a mission to make people happy, and he knows good food makes people happy.

World-leading luxury resort operator Soneva runs two resorts in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani.

In 1995, the award-winning luxury resort Soneva Fushi set the standard for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways in the Maldives. Located in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Soneva Fushi pairs Robinson Crusoe fantasy with intelligent luxury.

Sixty-two private villas with their own stretch of beach are hidden among dense foliage within touching distance of a pristine coral reef. Intuitive service is provided by Mr./Ms. Friday butlers.

Highlights include the open-air Cinema Paradiso, counting Saturn’s rings in the high-tech Observatory, the home-made chocolate and ice cream rooms, five hundred wines to choose from, six different restaurants and countless destination dining options. In November 2015, Soneva launched a floating villa concept, Soneva in Aqua, a treasure trove children’s Den and a multi-purpose facility encompasses a glass gallery, boutique and studio where guests can learn the art of glass blowing.

If the experiences are magical, the philosophy is simple: No news, no shoes. No pretensions either.

Opened in December 2016, Soneva Jani is Soneva’s newest property and the world-leading luxury hotel group’s second resort in the Maldives.

Soneva Jani is located on the island of Medhufaru within a 5.6 kilometre lagoon in the Noonu atoll, and has uninterrupted ocean views in all directions. The lagoon is 35 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport and one hour by speedboat from Soneva Fushi.

Meaning ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit, Soneva Jani currently comprises 24 overwater villas and one island villa, with additional villas to be built in phase two. Five islands encircle the lagoon, each one with soft white sands and covered in rich tropical vegetation. Four of the five islands will remain untouched, making Soneva Jani the lowest density development in the Maldives. The overwater villas are spaced across the expansive lagoon, offering privacy and extensive views over the Maldives’ turquoise waters. The island villas will be tucked into the lush greenery, providing the ultimate privacy, and all within steps of the beach.

Soneva Jani’s main guest facilities are located at The Gathering, the heart of the overwater villas. This dramatic three story structure is home to the main dining outlets, in addition to the Soneva Spa, library, retail area and wine cellar. It is located next to the Maldives’ first overwater Observatory.

Facilities on the island include the overwater Cinema Paradiso, the Eco Centro Waste-to-Wealth centre, organic gardens, tennis courts, water sports champa and Zuhair’s Beach on a desert island in the lagoon.

To discover more about these chefs and to watch the rest of Soneva’s Tastemaker series, visit https://www.soneva.com/the-tastemakers/

Niyama Private Islands Maldives has announced the return of two Michelin-starred chef Heiko Nader, who will be making his fourth guest appearance at the resort’s signature Edge restaurant.

For one night only, on July 20, Nader will serve up an exclusive five-course tasting menu paired with wine. Nader’s innovative flavour combinations are modern and light, and features dishes including lobster with melon and green curry as well as tangerine and agave with aji amarillo.

Hailing from Germany, Nader is the founding force behind The Restaurant at the Dolder Grand on Lake Zurich, where he was awarded two Michelin stars. The restaurant was also awarded 18 Gault Millau points in 2012, when Nader was named ‘Most Improved Chef of the Year’.

Niyama offers its guests haute cuisine in settings across two islands. Asian avant-garde in a treetop setting, Champagne breakfasts six meters below the ocean’s surface, tribal cuisine in the jungle and modern fine dining located half a kilometre from shore at signature restaurant, Edge.

Niyama offers more than a luxury retreat in the Maldives. Going beyond conventional concepts of lavish accommodation, sumptuous cuisines, and lavish services, Niyama presents every visitor with myriad opportunities to create their own exceptional island experience.

With twin islands Play and Chill, Niyama offers you the true luxury of choice, with everything expected from an island resort and so much more.

Chill is true to its name. You can discover new depths of relaxation at the Drift Spa, or take in a movie under the stars at the outdoor cinema. Just off the coast, enjoy a fine dining experience at Edge accessible only by speedboat, while Subsix invites you the world’s finest underwater seafood restaurant and night club.

Play provides delightful diversions for those looking for more active pursuits. On the water, you can kayak around the islands or discover why Niyama is amongst the hottest surfing destinations. Bicyclists can explore the island at their own pace, perhaps lured by the aromas from the chef’s spice gardens.

For more information, visit niyama.com or email reservations@niyama.com

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is in Maldives for a family getaway.

Photos circulating on social media show Khan and his wife Gauri Khan along with their three children at the Maldives main Velana International Airport Thursday morning.

The Khan family reportedly travelled to Jumeirah Vittaveli resort for their vacation.

Located a short 20-minute ride on board a luxurious motorised catamaran from the main Velana International Airport, Jumeirah Vittaveli offers unmatched diversity, subtle luxury and personalised exploration, whether you are seeking a romantic getaway or an exotic destination for your family.

The 3,500 square metre Royal Residence can accommodate 14 people, with prices from USD 35,000 per night. This lavish private retreat comprises private beach, dedicated restaurant, spa, two swimming pools, an overwater sundeck, jetty, chef, butler and golf buggy chauffeur. Guests can enjoy a private yacht transfer to the residence and spacious accommodation, which comprises the main Sanctuary, two Guest Villas and a double-storey guest house. An abundance of lounge and seating spaces provide the opportunity to spend quality time together. Each stay at the Royal Residence comes with a host of benefits such as daily evening canapes and champagne, personal fitness trainer as well as wellness consultant and 24-hour resident butler service. Wellness treatments can be enjoyed in the private Talise spa room inside the Sanctuary complex.

In addition to the Royal Residence, Jumeirah Vittaveli comprises 89 villas and suites each with their own swimming pool and direct access to the beach or lagoon. The private and spacious villas are available with one or two bedrooms making them the ideal accommodation for both families and couples.

Guests can enhance their romantic escape and stay at the picturesque Private Ocean Retreats, an indulgent hideaway with a loft-style bedroom upstairs, overwater hammocks, private infinity pool and full outdoor daybed. The villas are freestanding in the lagoon ensuring maximum privacy while only a two-minute ride on board the complimentary boat service from the main island. The Private Ocean Retreats are designed to offer all the resort services, from in-villa dining and yoga on a open air deck to an indulgent couple’s massage.

For the evenings, guests have the choice of a culinary journey through India in the resort’s signature restaurant Swarna, or an overwater fine dining experience featuring French cuisine at Fenesse.

The Talise spa at Jumeirah Vittaveli has been named Best Luxury Wellness Spa in Maldives by the World Travel Awards in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Treatments at the spa are inspired by concepts of light and space connecting with the purity and vibration of ingredients. The team produces their own island made 100 percent pure coconut oil, which is used in treatments and available as a take-home souvenir. The garden and overwater treatment rooms provide romantic spaces for couples who wish to enjoy blissful relaxation, while the spa menu also includes dedicated Mother-Daughter and Father-Son pampering sessions.

Jumeirah Vittaveli offers romantic escapes as well as a variety of land and water-based activities, including the destination’s first ice rink, a PADI Dive base, water sports centre, six restaurants and bars, and two lounges. An underground tasting room and a wine library will open soon.

Khan began his career with appearances in several television series in the late 1980s. He made his Bollywood debut in 1992 with Deewana. Early in his career, Khan was recognised for portraying villainous roles in the films Darr (1993), Baazigar (1993) and Anjaam (1994).

He then rose to prominence after starring in a series of romantic films, including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Mohabbatein (2000) and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… (2001). Khan earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of an alcoholic in Devdas (2002), a NASA scientist in Swades (2004), a hockey coach in Chak De! India (2007) and a man with Asperger syndrome in My Name Is Khan (2010). His highest-grossing films include the romantic comedy Chennai Express (2013), the heist comedy Happy New Year (2014), the action film Dilwale (2015), and the crime film Raees (2017).

Khan is a frequent television presenter and stage show performer. The media often label him as “Brand SRK” because of his many endorsement and entrepreneurship ventures. He is also regularly featured in listings of the most influential people in Indian culture, and in 2008, Newsweek named him one of their 50 most powerful people in the world.

Maldives is amongst the most sought after destinations by high profile personalities and celebrity travellers from around the world.

Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio and American TV personality Paris Hilton have partied in the Maldives. The likes of English singer and television presenter Rochelle Humes and her husband Marvin, and British TV personality Billie Faiers have all declared the Maldives as their favourite part of the world for a relaxing getaway. Another British singer Perrie Edwards and English actress Millie Mackintosh have also fell in love with the white sands, turquoise waters and the blue skies of the Maldives.

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has brought in a team of journalists from China and South Korea, as part of its series of familiarisation trips to promote the Maldives.

The South Korean media group that was in the Maldives from July 10-16  stayed at Kandima Maldives, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, and Summer Island Maldives. The team consisted of journalists from leading travel and lifestyle magazines in South Korea, including Style Magazine, Ab Road Magazine, The BC Magazine and Esquire Magazine.

Meanwhile, the Chinese media group arrived in the Maldives Wednesday evening via Singapore Airlines, as part of a collaborative promotional campaign launched by MMPRC and Singapore Airlines in May.

From July 16-21, the group will stay at Grand Park Koddhipparu Maldives, Shangri-La’s Villingilli Resort & Spa, and Velassaru Maldives. The group comprises of representatives from leading travel and lifestyle magazines in China, including Travel+Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Marie Claire, Shanghai Quanzi and Zaker.

Both teams are being given the chance to see the underwater beauty of Maldives, experience the local way of life through sightseeing, taste local cuisine, and take on locally popular adventures and activities such as sailing a traditional Maldivian dhoni as well as pole and line fishing.

“MMPRC believes our marketing efforts through this series of FAM Trips will help further promote Maldives to a wider audience from these markets,” a statement issued by MMPRC read.

China, the single biggest source market, accounts for 15.5 per cent of total tourist arrivals to the Maldives in the first five months of the year. Tourist arrivals from China is on a steady increase, with figures recorded at 116,282 in the January-May period — an increase of 11.2 per cent compared to the same period last year.

South Korea, ranked as the 12th highest performing market, accounts for 1.9 per cent of total arrivals in the January-May period.

MMPRC kicked off the series of familiarisation trips in April, starting with a team of Indian journalists and bloggers. The official tourism promotion entity has so far brought in teams from the UK as well as countries from Eastern Europe.

Fantasy Pvt Ltd, the leading wholesale and retail supplier of high-end food products in Maldives, has hosted its first ever dedicated trade event, bringing in some of the most celebrated chefs in the world for epic culinary demonstrations.

Organised jointly by Fantasy and its Australian partner Sepia International, the “2019 Fantasy and Sepia Trade Days” took place from July 15-17 at Kurumba Maldives. It was inaugurated by tourism minister Ali Waheed.

“We are delighted to host a dedicated event for our products for the first time. An exclusive event of this nature allows us to give more prominence to our products and to better connect with our existing and potential customers. We are thrilled by the great turnout and response received from the attendees,” Ibrahim Rasheed, the owner of Fantasy, told Maldives Insider during the event.

“We are always on the look out for innovative ways to maintain our position as the market leader in the distribution of high-end food products to resorts. This event is one of those initiatives undertaken by our team and we hope this will become one of the most prestigious events in the Maldivian culinary scene.”

During the three-day event, chefs, purchasing managers and other officials from hotels and resorts in the Maldives had the opportunity to explore the wide variety of food products distributed by Fantasy. The products on display included some of the most well-known brands amongst chefs around the world such as Elle & Vire, Rougié, Callebaut, Valrhona, Komplet, Stagioni, Pidy and more.

The Fantasy and Sepia Trade Days also brought in the biggest collection of the world’s best Master Chefs to the Maldives. Attendees had the unique chance to meet and learn from some of the world’s best Master Chefs in a daily schedule of tastings, demonstrations and Master Classes.

• Master Chef Fabrice Prochasson: MOF (1996), President of the Académie Culinaire de France
• Master Pastry Chef Angelo Musa: MOF (2007), World Pastry Champion (2003) and Best Craftsman of France
• Master Chef Ludovic Chesnay: Pastry instructor at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute and Culinary Adviser at Elle & Vire International
• Master Chef Pascal Rio has 33 years of experiences under his belt in French Pastry and Gastronomy. He has conducted professional pastry classes in 22 countries and is a well sought after consultant.

“It’s good to be back in the Maldives. I was here 20 years back for my vacation and it’s good to come back here in my professional capacity. So much has changed over the years and I’m happy to see tourism flourishing and Maldivians being involved in the industry,” Chef Angelo Muso said.

“The event was well-organised and well-received. I hope to see more events of this nature in the Maldives.”

Established in 1988 by Ibrahim Rasheed, Fantasy has become synonymous with quality and has been serving the Maldivian hospitality industry for the past 30 years with a well-managed and professional team. Today, Fantasy supplies to nearly all the high-end tourist resorts in the Maldives such as Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, One&Only Reethi Rah, Anantara Maldives, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives, Soneva and W Maldives amongst others.

The company takes pride in being the trusted leader in the market, sourcing the very best food products from across the globe and supplying them to its customers in the finest condition. Its distribution network is supported with cold storages, warehouses and a fleet of temperature-controlled vehicles — another first in the Maldives.

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has represented the Maldives brand at the prestigious Celtic Manor Resort’s Celebrity Cup 2019.

MMPRC sponsored the gala dinner and drinks reception during the event in South Wales in the United Kingdom from July 13-14, marking the first time a tourism brand has got involved in this prestigious golf event.

The Maldives branding was prevalent across the event, culminating in a charity raffle that featured a five-night holiday package to the Maldives. The prize, which was sponsored by local resort brand Coco Collection, includes three nights’ stay at the four-star Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu in Baa atoll and two nights’ stay at the five-star Coco Bodu Hithi in North Male Atoll.

Celtic Manor Resort’s annual Celebrity Cup sees some of the biggest names in sport and show business, in a thrilling clash between teams representing Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland. Stars teeing up at this year’s competition included singer Brian McFadden, actor James Nesbitt, TV presenter Gethin Jones, rugby player Mike Tindall, and entrepreneur and TV star Peter Jones.

Based on tourist arrival figures for the first five months of the year, UK ranks as the fifth highest performing source market with a market share of 7.7 per cent of total tourist arrivals to the Maldives. Arrivals from the UK during the January-May period stood at 57,647 — an increase of 12.9 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Bollywood actress Malaika Arora is back in Maldives.

The actor and reality TV judge arrived in Maldives Friday afternoon and travelled to The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort in the central Baa atoll.

Going by the video snippets she and her team have been sharing on their Instagram stories, looks like the diva is in the Maldives for a photoshoot.

With a combination of 70 superb overwater and island villas, the resort is an idyllic island paradise in the UNESCO Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve. The resort takes inspiration from the “shape of the water”, the marine life of the atoll and the elements of water, sun, and wind. The resort has been designed to maximise environmental sustainability whilst providing a supremely luxurious and tranquil Maldivian escape.

Along with three unique dining experiences, the resort also features Westin’s signature branded spa concept, the Heavenly Spa by Westin with the latest in beauty treatments. The design of the spa area exudes an intimate and serene ambience that allows guests to reflect on their destination, including a spacious treatment suite for two with a Jacuzzi and panoramic ocean views.

Guests can stay active with the 24-hour WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio sprawled across two levels that features weight machines, free weights, and cardio equipment that faces personal flat-screen televisions; and outdoor pool and recreation ground with tennis, volleyball, basketball options.

Designed to cater to the way modern families travel, the Westin Family Kids Club® offers reimagined family experiences that are tied back to the brand’s wellness positioning for young guests between the ages of 4-12 years. Some of the activities includes nature walks, family-style runs and water activities.

Directly from the beach, guests can explore the house reef with colourful corals and be surrounded by thousands of tropical fish. Miriandhoo is a turtle sanctuary, and guests can easily and often see turtles nesting along the white beaches. Reef sharks, lion fish, manta rays and often whale sharks all reside in the Baa atoll. The stunning experience of the underwater world can be explored while snorkelling, diving, fishing and parasailing.

Additional on-site facilities of the resort include a PADI dive centre and a boutique store.

Malaika had vacationed in the Maldives in March as well.

Malaika is most famous for her dancing in the songs Chaiyya Chaiyya (1998), Gur Naalo Ishq Mitha (1998), Maahi Ve (2002), Kaal Dhamaal (2005) and Munni Badnaam Hui (2010). She turned into a film producer in 2008 with her former husband Arbaaz Khan. Their company Arbaaz Khan Productions has released films like Dabangg (2010) and Dabangg 2 (2012).

Maldives is amongst the most sought after destinations by high profile personalities and celebrity travellers from around the world.

Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio and American TV personality Paris Hilton have partied in the Maldives. The likes of English singer and television presenter Rochelle Humes and her husband Marvin, and British TV personality Billie Faiers have all declared the Maldives as their favourite part of the world for a relaxing getaway. Another British singer Perrie Edwards and English actress Millie Mackintosh have also fell in love with the white sands, turquoise waters and the blue skies of the Maldives.

US-based Universal Aviation and Inner Maldives Holidays has celebrated the official grand opening of their joint venture business aviation ground support location, Universal Aviation Maldives.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Maagiri Hotel in Maldives capital Male Thursday afternoon. It was attended by clients, partners and local officials.

“The Maldives area popular but potentially challenging destination for our clients, so it was important for us to identify a partner in Inner Maldives that will not only reduce our customers’ risk and stress on the ground but provide them with an unforgettable experience through pro-active trip management, versus relying solely on third-parties,” Greg Evans, Chairman of Universal, said.

“Universal aviation Maldives will raise the bar for the private jet departure and landing experience so that it matches the luxury experience at local resorts.”

Universal Aviation Maldives is headquartered at the Maldives main Velana International Airport. The location’s main operation is located at the island of Male, but it also provides supervisory services at all airports throughout the Maldives, including Gan International Airport in the southernmost atoll of Addu, Maamigili Airport in central Alif Dhaal atoll, and Hanimaadhoo International Airport in the northern Haa Dhaal atoll.

“Tourism is a major reason for much of the corporate jet aviation traffic to the Maldives,” Abdulla Ghiyas, Managing Director at Universal Aviation Maldives, said.

“Our team members are trained to Universal Aviation’s ground support standards, but are also experts in local tourism and can help arrange discounts for crews on local hotels, air transport, and tours.”

Universal Aviation Maldives is Universal Aviation’s eighth location in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Universal Aviation Maldives will support local business aviation traffic but just as importantly will be a local advocate for the industry in the Maldives,” Charlie Mularski, Senior Vice President for International Operations at Universal said.

“Our team will work closely with the Maldives government to identify opportunities to drive traffic, and improve infrastructure and access while also benefiting the local economy.”

Universal Aviation, the ground support division of Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc., has more than 40 locations in 20 countries, including 19 in the Asia-Pacific region with the addition of Universal Aviation Maldives. The Texas-headquartered company offers products and services including international flight planning and scheduling, weather briefings, fuelling programmes, aircraft ground handling and aviation security.

Inner Maldives Holidays is one of the pioneers in launching outbound packages and holidays in the Maldives offering exciting and discounted holidays to Sri Lanka, Dubai, Thailand, Malaysia, Turkey, Jordan, India, Indonesia, Bali, Krabi, Singapore, Hong Kong, Seychelles and many more.

Meeru Island Resort & Spa has defended the HolidayCheck Gold Award.

Meeru is amongst the only three resorts from the Maldives that won the prestigious gold award by German travel company HolidayCheck. The resort also secured the second position in the list of top 10 resorts in the Maldives with a score of 5.8 out of 6.

HolidayCheck Awards, the highly sought after tourism prize given by the largest German speaking travel portal that offers extensive travel know-how, is being conferred for the 13th year to the most popular hotels worldwide.

In order to be nominated, the hotel needs to have a minimum number of reviews during the year of 2017 with a stay in 2018, a recommendation rate of minimum 90 percent from reviews in 2018 and a score of at least five out of six suns on HolidayCheck from reviews in 2018.

Located in the North Male Atoll and accessible by a 55-minute speedboat ride from the Maldives main Velana International Airport, Meeru is one of the largest resorts in the Maldives, offering its guests a variety of facilities and affordable to superior accommodation.

Maldives welcomed a record 1.4 million tourists in 2018, government announced Thursday.

Tourism minister Ali Waheed told journalists that 1,484,274 tourists visited the Maldives in 2018. It was a 6.8 per cent increase from the 1,389,542 tourists that chose to holiday in the Maldives in 2017, he added.

According to figures released by the tourism ministry, tourist demographics remained largely unchanged in 2018, as Europe dominated with a marketshare of 49 percent of the total tourist arrivals, followed by Asia Pacific with a 42 per cent marketshare. Americas secured the third position with a five per cent marketshare, whilst Middle East slid to the fourth with a four per cent marketshare. African countries also contributed one per cent to the total tourist arrivals to the Maldives.

Despite a downturn of 7.6 per cent in arrivals, China retained its position as the Maldives’ single biggest source market with a marketshare of 19.1 per cent (283,116 tourists).

All the other top 10 source markets posted positive growth in arrivals in 2018.

Germany (4.8 per cent growth), the UK (10.2 per cent growth) and Italy (7.1 per cent growth) secured the second, third and fourth position, respectively. Maldives’ closest neighbour India contributed 6.1 per cent to the total arrivals and posted a growth of nine per cent to secure the fifth place, whilst Russia (14.5 per cent growth), France (19.1 per cent growth), the US (9.5 per cent growth) and Japan (2.8 per cent growth) followed on the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth position, respectively. Arrivals from Australia increased by 36.2 per cent, making it the 10th biggest source market to Maldives tourism.

Meanwhile, other factors such as average duration of stay, bed nights and occupancy also posted positive growth in 2018.

Despite major increases in accommodation capacity across all segments, including resorts (up 57 per  cent), guesthouses (17.2 per cent), hotels (27.9 per cent) and safari vessels (9.5 per cent), the average occupancy rate recoded a slight growth of one per cent in 2018 compared to the previous year. The occupancy rate remained at above 60 per cent throughout the year, except for four months during the traditionally off summer season.

Average duration of stay also increased by 0.2 per cent to reach 6.4 days in 2018 compared to the previous year. Total bed nights stood at 9,470,379, which was an increase of 10.2 per cent over 2017.

This positive growth in the tourism industry comes amidst concerns by private organisations representing industry stakeholders such as the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) over the lack of effort and budget to promote the Maldives as a destination.

These concerns come as the world-famous holiday destination struggles to match an increased bed capacity.

Over the past few years, dozens of uninhabited islands have been leased to local and foreign resort developers. Several international brands have entered into the market, increasing the number of resorts to more than 130. That number is set to increase as another 20 resorts are expected to open over the next two years.

Along with the new resort openings come the challenge of increasing demand from budget travellers who choose guesthouses over luxury resorts that the Maldives is known for. The guesthouse sector has rapidly expanded with over 500 guesthouses in operation today.

The previous government announced steps to maintain a structured growth in tourism, including a slowdown in leasing islands for resort development and increased marketing efforts in key markets such as China and the Middle East in order to reach an ambitious target of a record 1.5 million tourist arrivals this year.

Meanwhile, the new government has pledged to ramp up tourism promotion.

Reflecting the new government’s pledge, the state budget for 2019 includes MVR 104,200,000 (USD 6.7 million) for tourism promotion, up from MVR 34,733,333 (USD 2.2 million) this year and the previous year.

Soneva Jani has unveiled the latest addition to its culinary offerings, the Crab Shack.

The 32 cover restaurant and 14 seat bar is located on Soneva Jani’s southwest beach, on the opposite side of the island to Cinema Paradiso, and is comprised of two levels. The ground floor is taken up by the restaurant, kitchen and bar area, with the first floor deck designed especially for guests to relax on tiered daybeds and enjoy the Maldivian sunsets while sipping on rosé wine or other beverages.

The Crab Shack is open for lunch and dinner with an á la carte menu. Upstairs serves only drinks and light snacks. While no local crabs will be on the menu (watch The Mangrove Network video from the Change-Maker Series), Sri Lankan mud crabs, Alaskan crabs and Kamchatka crabs (all Marine Stewardship Council certified) are the highlights. Each day the Crab Shack will only serve one type of crab on a rotating basis. The dishes that can be ordered include chili crab, crab curry (both Thai and Sri Lankan varieties of curry), garlic crab, black pepper crab, Szechuan spicy wok-fried crab, Vietnamese wok-fried crab with tamarind, ginger and black pepper.

The menu is also supplemented with Mediterranean dishes, including marinated sardines, mussels meunière, crab and seafood bouillabaisse (subject to availability), spicy seafood salad, and a ceviche of the day. There will also be a seafood platter that includes soft shell crabs, calamari, scallops and more. This platter can be ordered cold or warm (steamed, wok-fried or barbecued). A number of vegetable based side dishes will also be available, using organic greens from the resort’s gardens. Dishes include broccoli with caramelised garlic and marinated artichokes. When it comes to drinks there will be a focus on rosé and Sauvignon Blanc, while there will also be a selection of red wine.

Guests will get to dine barefoot, with toes in the sand, in line with Soneva’s ‘No News, No Shoes’ ethos. The Crab Shack is open-air, allowing for the cool sea breeze to flow through and uninterrupted views out across the lagoon, towards the sunset.

The design of the restaurant and bar uses reclaimed wood and driftwood timber to offer guests a rustic shack experience, while also giving a nod to how Maldivian’s traditionally built their homes before they had conventional building materials. Diners will sit around repurposed tree trunk logs that incorporate recycled glass plate supports and reclaimed barrels. There is a central communal table, while around this there are tables of four, which can all be rearranged depending on party numbers. The main support pillars are made out of entire tree trunks.

Opened in December 2016, Soneva Jani is Soneva’s newest property and the world-leading luxury hotel group’s second resort in the Maldives.

Soneva Jani is located on the island of Medhufaru within a 5.6 kilometre lagoon in the Noonu atoll, and has uninterrupted ocean views in all directions. The lagoon is 35 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport and one hour by speedboat from Soneva Fushi.

Meaning ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit, Soneva Jani currently comprises 24 overwater villas and one island villa, with additional villas to be built in phase two. Five islands encircle the lagoon, each one with soft white sands and covered in rich tropical vegetation. Four of the five islands will remain untouched, making Soneva Jani the lowest density development in the Maldives. The overwater villas are spaced across the expansive lagoon, offering privacy and extensive views over the Maldives’ turquoise waters. The island villas will be tucked into the lush greenery, providing the ultimate privacy, and all within steps of the beach.

Soneva Jani’s main guest facilities are located at The Gathering, the heart of the overwater villas. This dramatic three story structure is home to the main dining outlets, in addition to the Soneva Spa, library, retail area and wine cellar. It is located next to the Maldives’ first overwater Observatory.

Facilities on the island include the overwater Cinema Paradiso, the Eco Centro Waste-to-Wealth centre, organic gardens, tennis courts, water sports champa and Zuhair’s Beach on a desert island in the lagoon.

Maldives has taken part at the BOOT Fair in Messe Düsseldorf, Germany.

Ten representatives from five different companies from the Maldives tourism industry have travelled to Dusseldorf for the 50th BOOT Fair, which is one of the largest dive and water sports trade fairs in the world.

Over 1,900 exhibitors from 68 countries are showcasing their products in 14 categories at this year’s exhibition. Some 250,000 visitors from 90 nations are expected to visit the fair, which is focused on the motto “360° water sports experience”. This year’s fair will also introduce several interactive activities for visitors including dive experiences, surfing, water sports and electronic sports.

With 99 per cent of territory being water, Maldives has traditionally been a dive destination and continues to attract divers every year. Based on the preliminary findings of the Maldives Visitor Survey conducted in September 2016, 16 per cent of the tourists were motivated to visit the Maldives because of its unique underwater beauty.

Known internationally as one of the world’s best scuba diving destinations, the Maldives has an abundance of dive sites with one thrilling dive opportunity after another. The islands of the Maldives have consistently warm waters with outstanding visibility throughout the year, and consist of exhilarating dive sites such as vibrant thilas, exciting channels, coral-filled overhangs and fascinating wrecks.

“As this is an important aspect of the destination, promoting our underwater beauty is essential and BOOT fair is an ideal platform to reach this segment,” Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) said, in a statement.

“Boot will help us reach to this niche segment of the German market.”

Germany remains the second largest source market for the Maldives tourism industry, with arrival numbers climbing to 117,532 in 2018 from the 112,109 in 2017. It was an increase of 4.8 per cent.

Kuramathi Maldives has defended the HolidayCheck Gold Award.

Kuramathi is amongst the only three resorts from the Maldives that won the prestigious gold award by German travel company HolidayCheck. The resort also secured the third position in the list of top 10 resorts in the Maldives with a score of 5.8 out of 6.

HolidayCheck Awards, the highly sought after tourism prize given by the largest German speaking travel portal that offers extensive travel know-how, is being conferred for the 13th year to the most popular hotels worldwide.

In order to be nominated, the hotel needs to have a minimum number of reviews during the year of 2017 with a stay in 2018, a recommendation rate of minimum 90 percent from reviews in 2018 and a score of at least five out of six suns on HolidayCheck from reviews in 2018.

Kuramathi is one of the first resorts to open in the Maldives and is part of Universal Resorts of Universal Enterprises, a 100 percent Maldivian company and the pioneers of tourism in the Maldives.

An emerald jewel in the turquoise Maldivian waters, Kuramathi is a stunning island retreat with acres of luxuriant vegetation surrounded by spectacular beaches tapering into an endless sandbank. Villas blend contemporary design and nature, and are set on the beach, amongst lush gardens or over water. Four poster beds, open-air bathrooms, rainfall showers or Jacuzzi, large outdoor decks with inviting daybeds or sun loungers, are just some of the creature-comforts enjoyed by guests.

Dining options are diverse with many restaurants, bars and great-value all-inclusive packages, topped off with Maldivian service – welcoming, genuine and friendly.

Anantara Spa at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has announced the addition of new wellness offerings, including a Cocoon Medical Spa, two Ayurveda retreat programmes and a Deluxe Spa Pool Villa.

For guests who wish to maintain a stress free and balanced lifestyle or for those who need inspiration to start a new pathway towards self-healing, Anantara Spa offers a variety of wellness journeys, each custom designed to the guests’ specific needs.

Cocoon Medical Spa

The first upscale medical spa in the Maldives launched in November. Rejuvenate the body from the inside out with innovative new therapies that detoxify and cleanse. Cocoon Medical Spa provides the highest level of aesthetic and wellness treatments performed by a medical professional in a refined over water setting. Cutting-edge therapies can help with weight loss and skin problems to reveal a happier, healthier you.

Senior Aesthetic and Wellness Nurse Nur Laili has been providing hands-on artistry and expertise in the areas of beauty, wellness and anti-aging for over a decade. With a driving passion to help others achieve a higher level of self-confidence, she is devoted to empowering others to look and feel their absolute best.

“We offer state-of-the-art, quality treatments in a luxurious, relaxing setting to help you present your best and most vibrant self, ” Nur was quoted in a statement, as saying.

Nur takes pride in helping her patients achieve their desired results with customised treatment plans and individual attention. Whether guests require a Vitamin IV Infusion after a long flight for an energy boost, or wish to turn back time and erase scars and fine lines through Dermapen Needling, one of the most popular anti-aging treatments in the world, Nur has the expertise and knowledge to formalise a programme specifically tailored to each guest.

Cocoon Medical Spa’s trained staff and highly innovative treatments allows guests to achieve the results they desire without sacrificing the relaxation they deserve.

Ayurvedic Retreat Programmes

The newly devised Ayurveda retreats at Anantara Kihavah feature a tailored combination of treatments and exercise, as well as diet and lifestyle modifications to bring balance to our vital energies – or doshas. Ayurveda, a 5000-year old natural science, teaches us to live with insight and balance and bring about a comprehensive wellness approach into our lifestyles. Heading the Ayurveda team at Kihavah is Kerala native Sharath Ram, an all-round practitioner with over a decade’s experience across South Asia and the Middle East.

Nurture unique wellbeing with a choice of two specialist programmes curated by Sharath – Longevity and Detoxifying. The Longevity programme targets the everyday toxins that overload our liver and immune system, and lead to illnesses and allergies. Whereas the Detoxifying programme is designed to rejuvenate the body, strengthen the immune system and restore a naturally vibrant glow through addressing the damaging effects of modern life stresses.

Whether guests wish to dedicate three, five or seven days to holistic health, each programme is designed to help guests blossom by combining a private lifestyle consultation and therapeutic treatments with restorative yoga, breathing, meditation and herbal steams.

Sharath offers a private one-on-one consultation to establish guests’ body type in addition to the state of their physical and mental health. Following the consultation, guests will receive a specially recommended combination of treatments and private yoga sessions that have been tailored based on their individual requirements.

Deluxe Spa Pool Villa

Anantara Kihavah reveals an exclusive Deluxe Spa Pool Villa – the first of its kind in the Maldives – that gives travellers the ultimate relaxation spa experience with a dedicated spa therapist and unlimited daily spa treatments.

Deluxe Spa Pool Villa guests will be pampered by the villa’s spa therapist devoted solely to their relaxation and rejuvenation needs. Without leaving the privacy of their villa, guests can now enjoy limitless personalised spa treatments, meditation practices and private water aerobics every day from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm – another first in Kihavah’s expansive repertoire as a luxury leader.

The enhanced villa features an indoor, en-suite spa room. Guests can also enjoy their treatments outside on the private poolside terrace, as they are lulled by the sounds of the ocean. Anantara’s award-winning spa menu offers more than 25 signature treatments for guests to choose from. Consultations with luxury spa experts are provided before arrival ensuring a bespoke experience.

Anantara’s signature treatments are also available including the deep tissue and hot stone massages, reviving facials, and invigorating body scrubs and wraps. Essential manicures and pedicures complete the spa journey.

Following any spa treatment or for refreshment throughout the day, guests are invited to indulge their inner epicure with the exclusive, nourishing Spa Cuisine menu, available in the villa’s private dining sala.

In addition to the en-suite spa room, the upgraded 382sqm Deluxe Spa Pool Villa offers guests a larger 128sqm swimming pool complete with poolside hammock, an expansive outdoor deck and dining sala, lush gardens teeming with indigenous plant life and oceanfront beach access creating their own island oasis escape.

Designed by Maldivian architects Group X Design Associates, Anantara Kihavah offers the luxury of solitude against the world’s most stunning backdrop. Natural materials and motifs inspired by Maldivian heritage fuse to create laid-back luxury. With underwater dining, overwater stargazing, and swimming with mantas and turtles, photo ops abound in dazzling Indian Ocean hues.

Anantara Kihavah is just 35 minutes by seaplane from the main Velana International Airport. Following the scenic flight, guests arrive to a picture-perfect setting surrounded by the jewel-coloured waters and uninhabited islands of the majestic Indian Ocean.

Comprising 74 one-bedroom villas, four two-bedroom residences and a three-bedroom residence, each hideaway boasts large personal infinity-edge pools, dining pavilions, expansive wooden sundecks and ample lounging areas complete with swinging daybeds, hammocks and sun loungers. All villas feature his and hers walk-in wardrobes, rain showers, outdoor showers and over-sized bathtubs big enough for two. Sunken glass bottom bathtubs in the over water villas offer a mesmerising view of the sparkling ocean, both below and beyond the adjacent infinity-edge pool.

Tourism pioneer Mohamed Umar ‘MU’ Maniku has been elected as the chairman of Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) for another term.

MU Maniku, who leads Universal Enterprises, one of the largest conglomerates in the Maldives, was re-elected at the 29th annual general meeting of MATI held at Kurumba Maldives resort on Monday. He has been serving as the chairman of the association for over 30 years.

At the annual gathering, which was attended by 74 members, 15 board members also retained their positions.

Tourism pioneer Hussein ‘Champa’ Afeef and Solah Shihab, who heads leading local travel company Voyages Maldives, were re-elected as the vice chairperson, whilst Ahmed Nazeer from leading local resort developer Crown Company was re-elected as the secretary general and Assad Ali from Driftwood Maldives as the deputy secretary general. Lily Hotels’ Ahmed Hafeez also defended the post of financial controller.

Other board members include Ahmed Siyam Mohamed and Zuleikha Manik from Sun Siyam Resorts, Neena Ahmed from Kaimoo Travels and Hotel Services, Visha Mahir and Iyaz Waheed from Universal Resorts, Ibrahim Noordeen from Crown Company, Ismail Shiyan Qasim and Ibrahim Siyad Qasim from Villa Hotels, and Moosa Solih from Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

As a non-profit established since the introduction of tourism in Maldives, MATI has been at the forefront of almost all travel and tourism related activities and issues in the Maldives for the past three decades. The association coordinates with government and liaise with organisations locally and internationally to solidify member’s services and operations in the tourism sector.

MATI raises its concerns over government policies for the betterment of its members as well as the tourism industry as a whole. The association represents the industry and its employees internationally and locally by attending different seminars, organising and providing research and professional consultation to relevant bodies.

Photo: Mihaaru

Niyama Private Islands Maldives has announced a year-long wellness programme with renowned specialists. 

Starting in January, Niyama Private Islands Maldives’ spa will host an assortment of experienced wellness experts over the course of the next year. The resort’s “Masters of Wellness” programme will bring back past guest experts Jade Wood and David Alessi, as well as several new specialists.

• Dr Rui Pedro Loureiro – Specialising in traditional Chinese medicine, Loureiro used acupuncture and contemporary diagnostic techniques to help guests from January 1 to January 15, 2019.
• Paulo Fernandes – Fernandes will split his time at the resort’s Drift Spa into two parts: one from January 15 to February 15, 2019 and another from March 10 to April 30, 2019. With expertise in nutritional microscopy and naturopathy, Fernandes will help guests reach their goals of sustainable health and fitness.
• Jade Wood – Back by popular demand, Wood will return for over a month, from October 15 to November 22, 2019. She will provide one-on-one yin yoga sessions, craniofacial massages, qigong workshops and meditation classes.
• Dr Gopal Govindasamy – An expert in Ayurveda, wellness and nutrition, Govindasamy will be in residence from December 15, 2019 to January 20, 2020. While at Niyama’s Drift Spa, he will leader yogic detoxes and offer healing massages and Chinese acupuncture sessions.
• Dr David Alessi – In collaboration with Beverly Hills IV Therapy, Alessi will offer non-surgical cosmetic treatments and IV therapy formulations from December 20, 2019 to January 2, 2020.

Niyama offers more than a luxury retreat in the Maldives. Going beyond conventional concepts of lavish accommodation, sumptuous cuisines, and lavish services, Niyama  presents every visitor with myriad opportunities to create their own exceptional island experience.

With twin islands Play and Chill, Niyama offers you the true luxury of choice, with everything expected from an island resort and so much more.

Chill is true to its name. You can discover new depths of relaxation at the Drift Spa, or take in a movie under the stars at the outdoor cinema. Just off the coast, enjoy a fine dining experience at Edge accessible only by speedboat, while Subsix invites you the world’s finest underwater seafood restaurant and night club.

Play provides delightful diversions for those looking for more active pursuits. On the water, you can kayak around the islands or discover why Niyama is amongst the hottest surfing destinations. Bicyclists can explore the island at their own pace, perhaps lured by the aromas from the chef’s spice gardens.