InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has appointed Ibrahim Inad as its Director of Sales.

Before joining the recently-opened first InterContinental resort in the Maldives, Inad had been working as the Director of Sales at Milaidhoo Island Maldives.

Inad brings over 15 years of experience in the Maldives tourism and hospitality industry.

From humble beginnings as a Food and Beverage Supervisor at the iconic Huvafen Fushi Maldives, Inad joined Velaa Private Island Maldives in 2013 as a Sales and Reservation Coordinator. He worked his way up to serve as a Sales and Marketing Executive, Sales Manager, and finally as the Director of Sales at one of the most popular ultra-luxury resorts in the Maldives, before joining Milaidhoo Island Maldives early this year.

Inad holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Travel Services Management from Taylor’s University, Malaysia.

Situated on the picturesque island of Maamunagau at the southern tip of Raa atoll, the InterContinental Maldives is surrounded by a stunning natural lagoon and is a 35-minute seaplane flight from the Maldives’ main Velana International Airport. Guests arriving on flights after 3.30pm will be escorted to the Domestic Terminal for a 20-minute domestic flight to Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport followed by a 35-minute speedboat ride to the resort.

The InterContinental Maldives’ 81 luxuriously appointed beach, lagoon and overwater villas and residences offer a new level of InterContinental experience, with contemporary Maldivian design, unobstructed views of breath-taking ocean panoramas and each equipped with their own private terrace and pool.

As the first and only all-Club InterContinental Resort, resort guests can experience personalised touches and complimentary benefits throughout the island; breakfast, afternoon tea and refreshments, and evening digestives at The Retreat, an adults-only enclave with its private bar and its own infinity pool at the water’s edge. Standing at this pool’s periphery, a favourite drink in hand, whilst watching the glistening ocean’s expanse meet the horizon.

The resort features six restaurants; from Mediterranean tapas amidst 360-degree vistas at The Lighthouse, to sea-to-table South Asian inspired dining at The Fish Market and a fusion of cross-continental flavours at Café Umi, guests can expect organic, local and sustainable ingredients in thoughtfully curated ambiances.

Inspired by the ethereality of the water and transformational power of crisp island air, AVI Spa by is designed to recharge the soul by awakening the senses. Guests can rejuvenate in one of six overwater treatment villas, each harnessing the psychology of natural light and sound play to send them into a deep state of relaxation.

With a captivating array of wildlife just on the doorstep, Planet Trekkers is a youngster’s paradise for discovering the deep wonders of the Indian Ocean. Through games, arts and crafts and mini expeditions, budding marine biologists and curious explorers from ages 4-12 can connect with the magic of the island whilst making brilliant friendships.

Underwater adventures, festive performances and Christmas activities set against a stunning backdrop of the Indian Ocean await guests of Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Angsana Ihuru this year.

Island festivities

The festive celebration will begin with the decorating and lighting of Christmas trees on December 22. Christmas Eve will be traditional with a small twist as Santa will arrive by boat instead of sleigh on the 24th, followed by lively Christmas carols whilst guests enjoy cocktails and canapés.

On the morning of 25th, Santa and his divers will visit the Rannamaari Wreck to check out the resident guitar fish and other marine creatures.

Fun activities will commence at Banyan Tree beach such as festive games, Zumba session and beach volleyball every day before the sunset. Live arts with local market experience and t-shirt painting are available for the crafty and the much anticipated activity ‘Swim Across the Channel,’ an 890-metre swim between the two islands will also take place.

Guests are encouraged to come as they are for the New Year’s Eve, even barefoot if they prefer but they can dress up and get that perfect Instagram-worthy Christmas shot on the specially designed festive photo booth.

New Year’s Eve at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru will be for those who seek laid back celebration under the stars. The resident acoustic band will serenade guests throughout the evening until the countdown.

For guests who prefer to dance their night away and welcome the New Year under twirling disco lights, they can head over to Angsana Ihuru and show their moves on the dance floor during the DJ performance.

‘Tis the season for the kiddies

A series of fun activities awaits for the kids!

The little ones can try kids-yoga on the beach, coral planting, or bracelet making from recycled fishing nets. For something a little more festive, kids can decorate their own gingerbread man or create Christmas cards using recycled paper.

Activity highlights

Those who seek tranquility can retreat to Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and be rejuvenated by the time-honoured treatments at Banyan Tree Spa. Guests can reconnect to nature by meditations and yoga classes led by the resorts’ inhouse Yoga instructor.

A romantic cruise on the Indian Ocean during the Christmas or New Year’s Eve is also a one-of-a-kind festive experience.

A team of experienced dive instructors will offer the most wonderful underwater adventures to divers and non-divers alike. Divers can meet the resident guitarfish, batfish and moray eels of the legendary Rannamaari Wreck whilst beginners can explore Angsana Ihuru’s vibrant house reef. For non-swimmers, swimming lessons or guided snorkelling can be arranged.

Guests can visit the Marine Lab to participate in conservation activities such as coral planting, citizen science snorkelling and Marine Talk.

For something a little extra, in case the northeast wind blows a little bit stronger, guests can expect a kiteboarding show from the resorts’ kite surfers including one of Maldives’ finest, Ahmed ‘Hambe’ Hamdhan.

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru opened its door in 1995 and is the first international chain resort in the Maldives. With just 48 pool villas dotting around the island, privacy and relaxation can easily be attained. The resort has a restaurant, bar, PADI Gold Palm five-star resort dive centre and a Banyan Tree Spa. It is also home to the Banyan Tree Maldives Marine Lab, the first of its kind to be funded and built on a private resort, where guests can learn about marine conservation and partake in the many sustainability activities on offer including coral planting, reef cleaning and daily stingray feeding sessions.

Angsana Ihuru is surrounded by one of the most vibrant and well preserved coral house reefs in the Maldives. The resort has 45 villas, a restaurant and a bar, a PADI Gold Palm five-star resort dive centre and an Angsana Spa.

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Angsana Ihuru are located in North Male Atoll, just 25 minutes away by speedboat from the airport. The two resorts are just five minutes by boat away from each other.

Kuredu Resort Maldives has introduced three new excursions.

Guests can now add the following to their holiday itinerary:

• Innahura snorkelling safari: A two-day trip onboard a fibre boat. Snorkel a variety of reefs in the Lhaviyani atoll and spend a night at the picturesque and easy-going Innahura Maldives Resort in the pristine south-east corner of the atoll.
• Luxury sunset cruise: Enjoy a beautiful sunset with your loved one onboard a sailing yacht whilst indulging in a glass of sparkling wine and fruit.
• Sunset snorkelling: Explore one of the reefs close to Kuredu as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean. A great time of the day to be snorkelling!

These, as well as all other activities can be booked directly through the Kuredu App (available on the App Store and Google Play) or through its the desktop version, my.kuredu.com. You can start building your itinerary as soon as you’re booking for the resort is confirmed.

If it’s your friends or family holidaying at Kuredu and you’re kind enough to send them a little gift to make their stay even more special, Kuredu Gifts will be of great help to do that as it allows you to purchase value vouchers that are credited towards guests’ final bill. As simple as that!

Located on a 1,800 metre by 325 metre remote island in the northern atoll of Lhaviyani, Kuredu is accessible by a 35-minute scenic seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport. This 4.5-star resort has 383 rooms, including beach and water villas, making it the second largest resort in the Maldives.

The island boasts a dive and snorkel centre, a water sports centre, a spa, golf and tennis courses, a kids’ club, and an extensive choice of restaurants and bars. Kuredu guests can also dine in 5.8 Undersea Restaurant at the neighbouring Hurawalhi Maldives resort.

Maldives has been crowned world’s leading beach destination.

The award was presented at the World Travel Awards 2019 Grand Gala, held at Royal Opera House in Omani capital of Muscat on November 28.

The Maldives beat Cancun and Riviera Maya in Mexico, Diani Beach in Kenya, Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, Máncora in Peru, Maui in Hawaii (US), Miami Beach in Florida (US), Peloponnese in Greece, Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi (UAE), Santa Monica in California (US), The Algarve in Portugal, and Turks & Caicos Islands, as well as Jamaica, Philippines and Thailand, to win the prestigious award.

The Maldives was nominated in six other categories as well: World’s Leading Destination, World’s Leading Dive Destination, World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination, World’s Leading Island Destination, World’s Leading Tourist Board and World’s Most Romantic Destination.

The destination was also recognised in several categories — Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination, Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination and Indian Ocean’s leading Dive Destination — at the regional level World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, held in June.

The Maldives has won several prominent awards at each edition of the World Travel Awards.

In 2018, the Maldives won the award for the World’s Leading Dive Destination. The country also secured several regional awards, including Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination, Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination and Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination.

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year, World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region. World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.

South Palm Resort Maldives, a brand new resort developed on the uninhabited island of Ismehela Hera in the southernmost Addu atoll, has opened.

The resort welcomed its first guests on Sunday.

South Palm Resort Maldives is accessible by a short 10-minute speedboat ride from Gan International Airport in Addu. The resort offers accommodation in 130 rooms of six categories: Sunrise Villa, Palm Villa, Beach Villa, Family Villa, Water Villa and Overwater Pool Villa.

The resort’s all-day dining Banyan Restaurant allows guests to experience the creativity and warmth of international cuisine in a romantic setting, whilst the Kanduolhi Bar offers grilled seafood, premium steaks or set menus in a private setting. At Moodhu Bar, guests can chill to the next level with nightly entertainment.

The Kurumba Spa at South Palm Resort is a sanctuary for the senses, overlooking the clear blue ocean. It features the first-ever ‘floating spa rooms’ in Maldives for sessions of personal rejuvenation.

Southern Maldives Divers, the PADI five-star dive centre at South Palm Resort, offers guests the chance to explore the remote waters of Addu. Amazing dive sites are close by and an abundance of manta rays can be seen year round.

Owned and operated by Maldives-based South Palm Maldives Pvt Ltd, the four-star resort is being developed in three phases, with the first phase covering the first batch of rooms along with a restaurant, two bars and a spa. The second phase will bring the total number of rooms to 240, whilst the third phase involves linking the adjoining Kedevaahera island via a causeway and developing more water villas.

Development of a tourist resort on the island of Ismehela Hera has long been planned out with the project making headlines as recently as 2015 when the government announced that it was in talks with two foreign investors that had expressed interest in developing the island. Then tourism minster Moosa Zameer told local journalists at the time that the resort would have at least 600 beds.

The announcement was followed by the launch of Ismehela Hera Integrated Resort Development Project on April 28, 2015. No progress, however, was made.

Meanwhile, government had revealed in 2017 that a local company had won the bid for the island and had paid the acquisition cost.

The latest initiative to develop Ismehela Hera is part of a new push to develop tourism in the southernmost Addu. Government has separately launched a project to develop 3,000 beds in Addu to cater to backpackers and budget travellers.

Maldives, known world over for its upmarket tourism industry, has resorts in the hundreds spread across the archipelago. The industry has in recent years expanded to introduce more affordable segments, including guesthouses and liveaboards.

Despite several new resort developments and a boom in guesthouse tourism in the Maldives, Addu as a whole has lagged behind for years in attracting tourism-related investments. The relatively large atoll, which has unique geographical features compared to other parts of the island nation, is home to only two of the some 140 tourist resorts in the Maldives; Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, and Canareef Resort Maldives.

However, tourism in the south has recently received a much needed boost from the launch of direct flights to Gan International Airport by SriLankan Airlines.

Neighbouring Sri Lanka’s flagship carrier, which is particularly popular amongst tourists who travel to the Maldives from Europe, currently operates six weekly flights to Gan from Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo.

Maldives main airport has set a new record on runway movements in a single day, Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL) has announced.

In an announcement, the state-owned airport operator said 226 runway movements took place at Velana International Airport on Sunday. A total of 102 international, 121 domestic and three ad-hoc movements were recorded on the day, it added.

The previous record was 219 runway movements in February.

Velana International Airport has set several new records over the year.

The airport witnessed a record number of flight movements in December 2018, whilst a record 83 private jets were welcomed by the airport in the last week of 2018 as celebrities and travellers from around the world flocked to the island nation for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The country’s main water aerodrome at Velana International Airport also handled a record 531 seaplane departures and arrivals in February.

A newly developed runway at the airport was inaugurated in September 2018, but it has yet to be used for flight operations.

Meanwhile, construction of a new international passenger terminal resumed in June.

Designing and construction of the new 80,000 sqft passenger terminal, which is expected to cater to at least seven million passengers per annum, has been contracted to the Saudi Binladin Group. The project is expected to complete in May 2022.

The new terminal, which costs USD 350 million, is part of a USD 800 million mega project to expand and upgrade the main Velana International Airport. The project also involves building the brand new runway 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.

Two is always better than one! Sun Aqua sister properties, Vilu Reef and Iru Veli are offering the cross experience between the two stunning properties.

Guests booking their stay at either of the resorts will have the opportunity to explore the other.

Sun Aqua brand is a visionary creation from Sun Siyam Resorts, one of the most forward-thinking and dynamic hospitality companies in the Maldives. The existing three properties in the Sun Aqua portfolio include Sun Aqua Vilu Reef and Sun Aqua Iru Veli in the Maldives, and Sun Aqua Pasikudah in Sri Lanka.

Sun Aqua Vilu Reef is a palm fringed paradise-like island located in Dhaalu atoll, a mere 35-minute seaplane flight away from the main Velana International Airport.

Hidden amongst the foliage are 62 shell shaped bungalows with lava-stone pools, whirlpool bathtubs, private sundecks and day swing beds. A further 41 Water Villas complete the accommodation offering with a select few even hiding inviting overwater hammocks.

Guests can be selective at Sun Aqua Vilu Reef and explore the spice and warmth of home style Maldivian cuisine, feast on gourmet organic and free-range produce grown on the resort’s private farm island, sink their teeth into freshly caught, barbecued seafood or dine under the stars with private dining experiences.

A major focus, the Sun Aqua Spa at the Sun Aqua Vilu Reef consists of six private treatment pavilions each with open air flower baths, open showers, a hydrotherapy area and double treatment beds. On offer is also a salon, manicure/pedicure and a beautiful relaxation area.

Encompassing the Five Element Theory — Wood, Fire, Metal, Earth and Water — the spa will offer a lengthy menu of Ayurvedic wellness rituals, pampering beauty therapies and massage techniques from around the world. It also offers a selection of signature therapies to help renew body and mind, including a rich scrub of coconut or coffee, a herbal Udavarthanam detox or a relaxing, fragrant flower bath.

Located just a short speedboat ride away from Sun Aqua Vilu Reef is Sun Aqua Iru Veli, the latest addition to the Sun Aqua portfolio. Across the lagoon and along the beach, a variety of 125 overwater and beachfront villas offers total seclusion in open spaces.

Each of the suites reflects the island’s unspoilt beauty, individually-decorated in natural tones and local artworks. Spacious, contemporary bathrooms reveal ocean views. Take your pick from decadently private couples’ or family suites with interconnecting spaces for the whole crew to rest, relax and recharge.

All suites have private freshwater swimming pools and sunbathing areas with complimentary minibars (wine, beers, soft drinks) replenished daily.

The Sun Aqua boutique-style all-inclusive experience means you will enjoy the freshest, global fusion fare, from international favourites and mouth-watering Maldivian curries to seafood straight from the ocean and classic dishes with a difference.

Dine à deux on the beach, enjoy a fine dining experience in one of the three restaurants or keep it low key with family dinner in the privacy of your suite or room service – private dining is offered anywhere!

Sun Aqua Iru Veli has its own wine cellar and a mixologist will create sundowners you will never forget and a wide selection of unlimited alcoholic drinks.

COMO Cocoa Island, the multi-award-winning Maldivian private island resort in South Male Atoll, is set to reopen to guests on January 9, 2020 after a substantial renovation.

The island — a 40-minute speedboat ride from the main Velana International Airport — had previously belonged to a German photographer called Eric Klemm. Since the 1970s, Klemm had let the palms grow. The wild hibiscus was thriving. The lagoon was so healthy, its waters were favored as a breeding nursery by the islands’ marine life.

The resort’s 2019 renovation emphasises the island’s natural elegance, whilst giving guests even more space and time to focus on their wellbeing.

A third of the private island is occupied by COMO Shambhala Retreat. Facilities are spread out to maximise feelings of privacy and quiet, with hammocks and swings strung from trees. There are only four treatment rooms, two of which have been expanded to accommodate couples. The size of each treatment room, and its positioning amongst the palms, not only give a profound feeling of indulgence but allow therapists to fulfil the Retreat’s full- and half-day multi-treatment paths without moving guests from one room to another.

A new pilates studio has been added. The yoga studio, which sits in an elevated position to take in the 360-degree lagoon views, is open-sided to allow for the natural flow of sea breezes. The hydrotherapy pool is now amongst the most significant such facilities in the Maldives, and is used for specialised water-based treatments, including joint-mobilising massage and injury-free exercise.

The Retreat’s spa manager, with the company since 2002, will continue to design every guest programme from the moment of arrival. This is made possible by the intimate size of the resort: just 34 overwater villas, all of which have been recast top-to-bottom with clean-lined, contemporary interiors by Singapore-based Lekker Architects.

Natural materials have been used throughout: kajan thatch roofing, Maldivian coral-rock walls, and wood. The clean-lined, light-soaked aesthetic makes for meditative spaces to relax, sleep and recover.

Some rooms have pools; all have platforms from which you can step directly into the lagoon. Every accommodation is supplied with COMO Shambhala’s aromatherapy-based, parabens-free body, bath and hair products.

To complement the wellness experience, COMO Shambhala Cuisine is available on all menus, allowing guests to pursue vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, nutritionally-rich and additive-free wellness diets during their stay. COMO Shambhala wellness juices, infusions and teas are also available for in-room dining.

Other dining options at the resort’s easy-going Ufaa restaurant include Mediterranean, Indian and Maldivian cuisines, including excellent local seafood.

Physical activities to complement the more meditative heart of the resort’s COMO Shambhala Retreat will continue to be available through Cocoa’s on-island, PADI-certified dive centre in one of the world’s most highly regarded dive spots. Reef diving, wreck diving, UV night snorkelling and whale shark expeditions are all on offer, alongside complimentary water sports including kayaking, paddle-boarding, and snorkelling. The gym has also been substantially improved.

When it opened in 2002, Cocoa Island became COMO’s first private island in the Maldives. In 2014, the company expanded into Thaa atoll with the opening of COMO Maalifushi. This is a much larger, family-oriented resort, and the first five-star property in this more remote area, which is a 60-minute seaplane flight from the main international airport.

Maldives has exhibited at the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) in Cannes, France for the first in years.

An event organised by Reed Exhibitions, ILTM is a luxury show that focuses solely on pre-booked B2B meetings.

As ILTM celebrates its 18th anniversary this year, it promises to be the largest edition ever held, with more than 5,000 expected to visit the trade show. Over 1,880 companies from 80 countries participated in last year’s edition, conducting over 72,000 pre-booked appointments.

During the four-day fair, which began on Monday, 17 officials from 13 companies representing the Maldivian tourism industry are meeting with industry professionals from the lucrative luxury tourism market.

Meanwhile, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) is utilising this platform to explore means to further develop and strengthen the presence of the Maldives in the French luxury market.

The Maldives’ stand showcases colourful displays and light-up boards to accentuate the vibrant natural beauty of the destination. Every co-exhibitor has been allocated a dedicated meeting space, co-branded within the main stand.

ILTM is the second fair in France attended by representatives of the Maldives tourism industry. Maldives participated in IFTM Top Resa earlier this year.

Based on arrival figures from January to October, France is ranked in the seventh position amongst the highest performing markets. The French market accounts for 3.5 per cent of total tourist arrivals to the Maldives in the first 10 months of the year.

LUX* Resorts & Hotels has launched a new Little LUX* Life programme for guests aged 6-14 and their parents, spanning the brand’s Indian Ocean properties, including LUX* North Male Atoll and LUX* South Ari Atoll in Maldives.

The fun-filled programmes, operated through the PLAY kids club and STUDIO 17 teen club, will offer a range of unique and educational activities for children and teenagers alike, with experiences tailored to the creative spirit, the dare devil, the natural inquisitor and the rising sports star.

A Little Creative at LUX* North Male Atoll

At LUX* Resorts’ newest property, LUX* North Male Atoll in the Maldives, families will stay in the newly opened LUX* Beach Retreat, complete with 24-hour butler service, immense rooftop, infinity pool and private stretch of beach.

The five-night A Little Creative programme includes an art class for families at STUDIO 17 or a family photography workshop around the island with the snap-happy experts at the resort’s Photo Fanatics studio to learn how to capture the glistening hues of blue ocean and the sandy white beaches.

Subsequent days will see children immerse themselves in creative activities like coconut boat making classes whilst older children and teens can take part in a DJ spinning classes with local musicians. Families can wind down at the end of the day with an under the stars cinema experience on the roof of their very own villa.

LUX* North Male Atoll is an intimate resort offering a visual feast of nautical forms and tones. It is a next-level resort that sweeps away the thatched-roofed Maldivian footprint of old with a dazzling paradise of penthouse villas and spectacularly designed spaces to play, relax and retreat.

Harnessing the fresh vision of Singapore design house Miaja, each of the 67 double storey residences and rooftop features a private pool blending superyacht panache with a vibrant South Beach pulse with four elegant eateries and two bars. For the first time in the Maldives, each residence is crowned with a magnificent private rooftop relaxing area.

There’s a wealth of ways to relax or raise your game, and the invitations to adventure are endless. Guests will find two swimming pools, a translucent overwater LUX* ME Spa, world-renowned diving, high adrenaline water sports, private yacht voyages, tennis and beach volleyball courts.

A uniquely exclusive paradise retreat — where breezy island living meets jet-set chic — LUX* North Male Atoll is luxury beyond boundaries.

To book: A Little Creative at LUX* North Malé Atoll starts from £10,415 for a family of six including five nights in the LUX* Beach Retreat on a half board basis, an art class or family photography workshop and a family cinema under the stars experience. PLAY Kids Club and STUDIO 17 activities complimentary.

A Little Adventurous at LUX* South Ari Atoll

The five-night A Little Adventurous package at LUX* South Ari Atoll will offer daring children and their families the chance to explore a kaleidoscopic Maldivian water world, including an introduction to diving lesson in the open water for older children; or lagoon snorkelling for those still learning to swim.

The experience will also take families on a whale shark safari to spot the magnificent creatures up close.

Back at the resort, families will enjoy a Master Chef cooking class, before returning to their Family Lagoon Pavilion, set directly on the beach with two bedrooms interconnected with separate entrances and terraces, offering privacy to parents and children alike.

Cutting-edge designer villas and world-class dining can be found only a 30-minute seaplane flight away from the main Velana International Airport, making LUX* South Ari Atoll one of the most exciting resorts in the Maldives.

With 193 private villas dotted at the water’s edge along four kilometres of powder fine beach or perched on stilts above a crystal clear lagoon, these spacious pavilions and villas bring an entirely original vibe of coastal, beach house chic to the Maldives.

Excellent eating and drinking is always a cut above the rest at LUX*, and at LUX* South Ari Atoll, there is authentic South East Asian street food in the Maldives’ only over-the-water gourmet night market and world-class Chinese cuisine at East, along with the Japanese restaurant Umami, which offers live teppanyaki and dazzling selection of sakés.

While the resort has a PADI-certified dive centre, two infinity pools, a floodlit tennis court, a fitness centre and a renowned spa which hosts a wellness concierge and a menu of indulgent treatments, what sets the property apart from its neighbours are surprises, or better known as #ReasonstogoLUX. Designed to create lasting memories for guests, these ‘reasons’ can range from island-roasted coffee in Café LUX* to impromptu movie screenings at cinema paradise and the chance to hang your wishes on the Tree of Wishes.

To book: A Little Adventurous at LUX* South Ari Atoll starts from £5,340 for a family of four including five nights in a Family Lagoon Pavilion on a half board basis, one diving lesson, a whale shark discovery safari and family cooking class.

JA Manafaru Maldives has been crowned world’s leading honeymoon resort.

The award was presented at the World Travel Awards 2019 Grand Gala, held at Royal Opera House in Omani capital of Muscat on November 28.

JA Manafaru was also nominated in two other categories: World’s Leading Hotel Suite and World’s Leading Water Villa Resort.

The resort was earlier recognised with two regional accolades — Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort and Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel Suite — as well as a country-level award for Maldives’ Leading Hotel Suite, at the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, held in June.

Fringed with exquisite powder beaches in pristine, lagoon ringed Haa Alifu Atoll, at the northern tip of the Maldives, the chic tropical hideaway of JA Manafaru features 84 luxurious beachfront and overwater villas and bungalows, each with their own private plunge pool.

Seven scenic dining destinations provide a culinary journey with traditional Indian Ocean cuisine, international fare and seafood feasts. China’s most renowned chef, Da Dong, brings his Michelin acclaim to White Orchid Asian restaurant with a collaborative menu launched in 2019.

World-class recreational facilities include Calm Spa, a fully equipped dive, water sports and excursion centre, plus a Marine Research Centre to conserve local ecology.

JA Manafaru is one of the Indian Ocean’s most sought-after holiday destinations and a popular choice for both couples and families. ‘Legend’ hotels by Preferred Hotels & Resorts are the ultimate collection of extraordinary properties in the world’s most remarkable destinations and JA Manafaru is the only property selected in the Maldives.

Plastic bags are widely-known and unchallenged: amongst others, they block drainages and cause flooding, choke marine and land animals, and are a blight, particularly on tourism. In addition, the production and distribution of plastic bags contribute significantly to climate change. Because of these negative effects, hundreds of measures have been taken around the world to reduce the use of plastic bags.

Sister resorts, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort, have stepped up their efforts to actively reduce the use of single-use plastic items within both resorts.

The campaign was recently supported by local telecom giant Dhiraagu, which provided 600 reusable bags to the resorts. Following this generous donation, the resorts officially launched their campaign against single-use plastic.

During the launch event, which was attended by Rifath Rasheed from tourism ministry, the resorts’ marine biologist Amandine and culinary director Chef Philippe gave a short, meaningful presentation, titled “Save the Ocean”, to team members. The team eagerly listened and gave their commitment to help the management to make both resorts free from plastic bags and bottles.

The management also assured Rifath that representatives from the resorts will visit neighbouring islands of Villingili and Maamendhoo to create public awareness about preserving the beauty of our ocean.

Through its Planet21 sustainability programme, Accor Group leads a global campaign to preserve our environment. Part of Planet21, is ensuring that we take mandatory actions on being eco-friendly in our daily lives. Pullman Maldives Maamutaa and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort – two out of five Accor properties in Maldives – follow in this approach with their campaign against single-use plastic.

As part of the Planet21 sustainability programme, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort regularly hosts awareness sessions for their team members, so they can help the management in advancing the initiative to reduce plastic waste. The resorts promote simple steps such as brining your own bag for shopping; when a shop wants to give a bag (whether plastic or paper), team members are encouraged to refuse and just put the goods inside the Dhiraagu reusable bag instead.

These steps extend to the recruitment process too; the resorts educate new recruits not to bring any plastic items to the Maldives.

John D. Bendtsen, Area General Manager for Pullman Maldives Maamutaa and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort, said: “This is not an easy job, however with the support and assistance of everyone we can make a huge difference. The single-use plastic ban is expected to cover six single-use plastic items initially including plastic bags, straws, cups, plates, small bottles and certain types of sachets”.

Let’s all be proactive in saving our planet!

Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort, a four-star resort developed on the island of Kooddoo in Gaafu Alif Atoll, boasts 68 stylish and well-appointed villas, comprising 43 overwater villas and 25 beach villas with 20 of them featuring a private swimming pool. Attesting to the Mercure brand promise of an authentic experience, vivid colours and decorative motifs along with warm textures and local design touches are used tastefully throughout the villas in order to create a haven of peace with a strong local character.

Guests are offered several attractive dining options. The all-day dining Alita Restaurant serves Pan-Asian à la carte cuisine and themed buffets, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Vistas, an overwater restaurant and lounge, serves tapas, snacks and handcrafted cocktails, whilst the Alita Pool Bar offers cocktails and light bites with a view.

The resort has several recreational activities and facilities such as the 50-metre lagoon-side swimming pool, fully equipped fitness centre, tennis court, kids’ club and off-island day trips. The marine-themed Suvadiva Spa at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo, meanwhile, offers a range of treatments and therapies for guests in need of relaxation and rejuvenation.

The all-inclusive Pullman Maldives Maamutaa boasts 122 decadent villas, including two exclusive Aqua Villas featuring bedrooms submerged beneath the turquoise waters for a truly memorable experience of the region’s marine life up close.

Guests will never go hungry, as the resort boasts one of the most generous, all-inclusive offers in the Maldives, complete with a variety of culinary delights available at six outlets across the island.

Children and teens are well catered for at Playground and Skillz Sports Centre, with a range of entertaining and educational activities including snooker, table tennis, various board games and a golf simulator. Nature walks, treasure hunts, and outdoor sports are also available for the adventurers at heart to enjoy the natural beauty of the island.

Fitness enthusiasts can start at the resort’s Fit Trail island jogging track with five fitness stations offering a variety of physical trails, or level up with a complete boot-camp Raaveriya Workout experience that kick starts with callisthenics followed by an invigorating run on the beach and a refreshing swim in the lagoon. For complete restoration of the body, mind and soul, choose from a selection of signature facials, body treatments and massage therapies available at the resort’s Spa by Phytomer, which features eight treatment rooms perched over a shallow, white sand lagoon.

Pullman Maldives Maamutaa and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort are located in Gaafu Alif Atoll, a 55-minute domestic flight from Velana International Airport, followed by a short speedboat ride from Kooddoo Airport. The two resorts are just five minutes by boat away from each other.

Emerald Collection has celebrated the official opening of its debut property in Maldives, the Emerald Maldives Resort & SPA.

Emerald Maldives welcomed its first guests on December 4.

A real first in terms of spectacular and unusual design and with an outstanding deluxe all-inclusive offering, guests will be wowed by this exceptional new resort.

Unusual to any private island, Emerald Maldives houses a wraparound reef which means guests are never more than a few footsteps away from an encounter with exotic fish, turtles or manta rays.

The 120-villa resort is located in the Raa atoll, renowned for having some of the most diverse marine life in the world and boasts one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives.

Designed by architect Edward David Poole, each villa exudes contemporary and tropical influences to create modern and unique interiors. From the outside, the villas blend harmoniously with the backdrop of the serene, tropical island and on the inside awaits nothing short of a masterpiece. Poole’s striking design includes enormous sparkling, white marble bathrooms with lavish silver mirrors and colour blocked bedrooms with exotic marine life wall art to compliment.

All guests stay on deluxe all-inclusive basis, which means when they arrive at Emerald Maldives, everything is taken care of. Deluxe all-inclusive allows guests to dine at any of the four resorts’ restaurants as many times as they wish during their stay. They have unlimited access to the villa mini bar, which is fully stocked daily, enjoy premium spirits and all non-motorised water sports at no additional cost.

When it comes to dining, Emerald covers cuisines from every continent with four fantastic restaurants to choose from and each with their own menu, style, theme and ambience.

Amazonico, the first and only South American restaurant in the Maldives, serves dishes like ceviche with passion fruit dressing and meats and fish from the huge open fire grill, which takes centre stage in this atmospheric restaurant. Nestled in the centre of the island amongst the palm trees, there are red lanterns which are strategically placed to mirror the effect of an open campfire, offering guests an authentic rainforest experience.

Carefully curated by head Chef Aldo Cadu, other culinary highlights include Asiatique’ s live cooking shows in front of the teppanyaki grill and fresh Maldivian lobster at the Beach Club Grill Restaurant. The signature Aqua Restaurant offers barefoot luxury at its finest, and with a variety of cooking stations chefs are able to bring guest’s culinary dreams to life.

Emerald Maldives offers extensive water sports facilities, and some of the best diving in the Maldives at the five-star diving centre where guests can even get their PADI licence.

Spanning 1,500sqm, the resort’s Dolphin Kids Club is one of the largest in the Maldives with its own zip wire that crosses from one side of the island to the other. The club welcomes kids from the age of 3-12 on a complimentary basis.

Home to a sumptuous haven of tranquillity, Emerald SPA, can be found in a secluded corner of the private island, offering a range of Bailnese and Thai treatments across 10 air-conditioned treatment rooms, as well as a Turkish bath, sauna and jacuzzi. ELEMIS treatments are also available for guests seeking a sensory wellness experience with a difference.

Situated on one of the quietest parts of the island, the Yoga Pavilion is the perfect setting to truly switch off and offers breath-taking sunrise yoga sessions.

The resort has also been built with sports and fitness lovers in mind, with two large tennis courts, two paddle courts and an air-conditioned Gym & Sports Centre with a state-of-the-art Technogym. Personal trainers are available to all guests too.

The resort has prioritised sustainability by using long-lasting Langhi Langhi leaves to build the canopies, and solar panels on every villa to power the entire resort’s hot water. In a bid to reduce single-use plastic waste, the resort uses paper straws as well as glass bottles and the island is home to a recyclable water irrigation system and composting facility.

Winners of the 2019 Maldives Travel Awards will be announced at a special gala on December 19, organiser Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) announced Thursday.

Dubbed as the premier travel event in the Maldives, the Maldives Travel Awards gala will see more than 200 travel professionals come together at Crossroads Maldives — the first and largest integrated tourism development in the country — to celebrate the winners in 25 categories of the Gala Edition.

The gala will begin in the evening with a networking reception hosted at Café De Mar for winners in the Guesthouse Edition, followed by the gala dinner where the winners of the Gala Edition and the People’s Edition would be announced.

Maldives Travel Awards celebrates its eighth anniversary this year, with a record number of nominations in all major categories.

This year, the Gala edition features 236 nominations in 28 categories, representing more than 100 registered travel brands in the Maldives. The Guesthouse Edition features 196 nominations in 13 categories.

Winners in both edition are selected based on reviews by travellers and popular vote collected via SMS and an online voting portal. A combined total of over 110,000 votes have been registered.

Meanwhile, contributions to the industry by three travel professionals will be recognised as part of the People’s Edition.

“We are very excited for the upcoming gala event which again marks historic milestones for Maldives Travel Awards. We continue to grow our numbers with more and more properties signing up for the awards making this celebration ever more grand and significant,” MATATO President Abdulla Suood was quoted in a statement, as saying.

Initiated in 2012 by MATATO, the Maldives Travel Awards celebrate and honour the best tourism and hospitality products in the Maldives whilst fostering relationships with suppliers and local travel agents. From 20 categories in 2012, the awards have now expanded into three editions totalling 55 categories.

MATATO hosts three editions: the People’s Edition, which recognises successful pioneers and long serving individuals in the tourism industry, a Guesthouse Edition, which celebrates the outstanding performance of the up and coming guesthouse sector, and the Gala Edition, which is exclusive for winners in the categories for resorts, airlines and liveaboards.

InnSpire, the leading provider of a comprehensive technology suite that helps drive a seamless, world-class guest experience for some of the world’s most iconic hotels and brands, has been selected by Cheval Blanc Randheli to provide its full suite of guest connectivity and digital guest journey solutions across the property.

InnSpire’s award-winning digital solutions work as one to provide guests with full control over their travel experience, from mobile guestroom access to entertainment, TV, Chromecast, temperature-control and lighting, and much more.

InnSpire’s partnership with Cheval Blanc Randheli includes the resort’s guest-facing services, consisting of InnSpire’s mobile app, a connected TV and entertainment experience, an extensive movie library, networking services -all part of a complete solution. Together these tools will allow guests to take full control of their entire journey from start to finish, offering them an unparalleled level of presence, service and guest experience.

“We are delighted to have partnered with InnSpire to create a flawless in-room entertainment environment for our Guests. With access to our extensive media library, full streaming and mirroring capabilities through our immersive connected TV experience, and its user-friendly mobile app, Cheval Blanc Randheli now expands its Art de Recevoir hospitality to every corner of the guest experience,” Nevis Fernando, IT Manager at Cheval Blanc Randheli, was quoted in a statement, as saying.

“The team’s vision and hands-on support have proven precious during the entire installation and on-going maintenance.”

Cheval Blanc Randheli is operated by LVMH Hotel Management. Located in the pristine Noonu atoll, the property consists of 46 beguiling villas, five sumptuous restaurants, and stylish bars, set amidst a backdrop of ivory beaches and crystalline waters.

The property’s Cheval Blanc Spa is located on its own private island, and offers Guerlain treatments.

The family-friendly destination is also home to the Le Carrousel and Le Paddock kids’ and teens’ clubs, providing unfettered access to unforgettable experiences.

Despite being nestled amongst lush exotic scenery in the middle of the Indian Ocean, guests of OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo in the Maldives are treated to some of the best culinary products from around the world.

The latest addition to OZEN’s extensive beverage menu is a selection of Guy Charbaut Champagne from one of France’s finest wine-making regions, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. This region is known worldwide for producing superior quality Terroir Champagne.

From mid-January, all guests of the five-star luxury OZEN will be able to enjoy Guy Charbaut Champagne Selection Brut and Guy Charbaut Rose Brut – Premier Cru, as part of the generous inclusions within the resort’s luxury all-inclusive Indulgence Plan.

“As part of our ‘Joy of Giving’ ethos, we have chosen to introduce a wonderful new Champagne brand to our already impressive selection of wines available at OZEN: Guy Charbaut,” Venkata Giri, Chief Operating Officer at Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, was quoted in a statement, as saying.

“We want our loyal guests to enjoy only the best Champagne while staying with us – that is the OZEN difference. We will not cut corners when it comes to providing the very best for our guests, who expect and deserve to enjoy top-quality food & beverages.”

The Champagne Selection Brut features notes of mandarin leaves, pine bark and when aired unveils intensely spices and peppered notes. The sensation of freshness and roundness prevails on the palate, perfect as an aperitif.

The Rose Brut – Premier Cru airs intense red fruit notes of raspberry and strawberry, alongside touches of pink grapefruit and blood orange. It pairs remarkably well with fresh and tangy desserts.

The Guy Charbaut vineyard was established by the Charbaut family in 1936, and now into its third generation of winemakers, continues to produce some of the world’s finest-quality Champagne.

The vineyard, consisting of Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay varieties, covers over twenty hectares. The major part extends through the Premiers Crus villages of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Bisseuil and Avenay, with the rest lying in the villages of Viviers-sur-Artaut and Landreville. The exceptional quality of these terroirs favours the production of varietal wines which reveal their unique character. With a steadfast commitment to producing quality Champagne, the Charbaut family produces only a limited quantity of Champagne per year, which is in high demand by wine lovers.

In addition to providing some of the world’s finest Champagne, guests at OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo can enjoy a variety of exclusive foods from Italy, Spain, Germany and France; all of which come from regions that are well-known for producing the highest-quality products.

The OZEN product sourcing team tend to favour small, family-run businesses that have a personal history with their products. Superior quality, authenticity, and sustainability are common to all companies.

Amidst the exotic turquoise hues of South Male Atoll lies the tranquil island of Maadhoo, home to the flagship luxury all-inclusive resort of the popular Indian Ocean hospitality brand Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts.

Having opened its shores to the world in 2016, OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo offers the discerning traveller a uniquely exclusive holiday plan, the Atmosphere Indulgence where guests will experience the ultimate hassle-free beach holiday in the Maldives.

The contemporary design style of the resort’s 90 standalone luxury villas and overall ambience of OZEN complements the naturally blessed surroundings of Maadhoo island.

Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts offers guest-centric resort experiences through unique resort plans, offering guests a range of all-encompassing experiences, with varieties of dining options as well as a number of complimentary amenities and activities that ensure a relaxed, hassle-free holiday experience at each resort, all the while staying true to the brand’s core philosophy: ‘The Joy of Giving’.

Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts had recently opened its fifth property, the five-star VARU by Atmosphere in Maldives.

The opening of VARU by Atmosphere is the start of an ambitious expansion plan of the Indian Ocean hospitality group. With several new properties being added to the existing four-property portfolio, this opening enhances the groups growth within the ‘By Atmosphere’ white-label sub-brand – along with the group’s other sub-brands of OZEN, OBLU and OBLU Select.

Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts’ first property, Atmosphere Kanifushi, opened its doors in December 2013. The group opened its second property, OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli, in November 2015; followed by their flagship ‘Lifestyle Luxury’ sub-brand, OZEN by Atmosphere, in July 2016; OBLU Select at Sangeli in July 2018; and VARU by Atmosphere in October 2019.

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has been named the world’s leading luxury island resort for the third consecutive year.

The latest award was presented at the World Travel Awards 2019 Grand Gala, held at Royal Opera House in Omani capital of Muscat on November 28.

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year, World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region. World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.

The St. Regis Maldives has won the ‘World’s Leading Luxury Island Resort’ title since the resort’s opening in 2017.

This year, The St. Regis Maldives was nominated in four other categories as well: World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa, World’s Leading Luxury Resort, World’s Leading Resort Design, and World’s Leading Hotel Website.

The resort was earlier recognised with two regional accolades — Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa and Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Resort — as well as two country-level awards for Maldives’ Leading Luxury Hotel Villa and Maldives’ Leading Luxury Resort, at the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, held in June.

The St. Regis Maldives is nestled on a private island in the secluded Dhaalu atoll, amidst thriving marine life. Just 40 minutes from the main Velana International Airport by seaplane, guests are transported to a newfound paradise.

Designed with great respect to its natural surroundings, the resort is surrounded by a large house reef and the island is defined by several distinct ecological areas: lagoon, beach coastal and jungle. At The St. Regis Maldives, guests have the luxury of staying in one of the 77 island and overwater villas, shrouded in lush tropical flora, each with a private pool.

There are seven distinct dining venues, including an Asian specialty restaurant, a modern Italian restaurant that features a grand staircase, an underground wine cellar restaurant, a shack style restaurant, a signature overwater bar that rolls out stunning views of dramatic sunset, and a pop-up restaurant in the middle of the resort.

The signature Iridium Spa at The St. Regis Maldives promises a transformative journey in an oasis of tropically inspired sophistication. Alighting atop the scintillating waves of the Indian Ocean, the 1,850-square-metre overwater sanctuary features plush furnishings set against white oak interiors to create an ambience of elegant tranquility.

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa has organised a clean-up on a local island, in a bid to raise public awareness about environmental conservation.

Araigathaa is a beautiful little island about 25 minutes by speedboat from Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa. The island is uninhabited and is often used for picnics by locals, tourists and safari boats.

On November 24, a team of 20 associates travelled to Araigathaa with officials from Parley Maldives. The team collected 170kg of ocean plastics and marine debris.

Plastic materials were separated on site before being transported by Parley Maldives to be recycled and redesigned into reusable products and materials.

“It was a great effort by the team making sure that these materials did not end up back in the ocean,” an announcement by the resort read.

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa has been a certified Parley AIR partner since December 2016.

The Parley AIR programme recognises the urgency in addressing the global threat of marine plastic pollution and is focused in taking action in three main steps: A – avoid plastic wherever possible; I – intercept plastic waste; and, R – Redesign plastic materials, products and methods.

Parley Maldives is the Maldives branch of Parley for the Oceans, a global collaboration network with a new approach to environmentalism. The mission of Parley is to end today’s major ocean threats through creativity, collaboration and eco-innovation.

Tucked away from the teeming resorts of the dense northern atolls on a private island in Gaafu Alif Atoll, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa offers easy access to more than 30 pristine dive sites to explore, all filled with rich marine life, including resident turtles and black-tip sharks. Diving enthusiasts will be spoilt at Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa as the resort boasts pristine waters, owing to its ongoing conservation efforts, which include banning motorised water sports and coral reef monitoring.

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa currently features 50 villas — 36 on land and 14 over the ocean. Whether nestled within the island’s tropical greenery or elevated above the water, the villas are steps away from an idyllic beachfront, giving guests direct access to this area or the house reef. All spaces feature floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that lead to a private deck, with some villas inclusive of a private plunge pool.

The resort offers luxurious amenities, a host of recreational activities, and relaxing and rejuvenating treatments.

Since the five-star resort began welcoming guests in 2009, it has undergone several refurbishments to offer guests a rare escape to a barefoot luxury experience. Most recently, it has launched three new luxury villa categories, including the resort’s two-bedroom family villas and villas with deluxe private pools, as well as the Park Sunset Ocean Pool Villas.

Escape the cold winter and come to the sunny Maldives this Christmas and New Year. Situated in the heart of the Indian Ocean and a stone’s throw away from a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, celebrate your festivities this year amongst the unique and rich marine life of manta rays and dolphins, at the recently-opened InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort.

With an exotic spirit of Gypsy Bohemian theme, be prepared to be transported to a magical place this festive season. The InterContinental Maldives resort invites you to come and experience a myriad of activities, entertainment and a whole host of special events happening just for you.

Set across a 1.5km private island, the InterContinental Maldives has a range of delectable dining and party spaces to choose from, including the adults-only enclave The Retreat, or the fun family cluster of Café Umi. Whether it is dining with handpicked festive menus in a stunning manta-sanctuary lagoon or the rip-roaring fun of DJ festive party nights, there really is something for everyone.

The InterContinental Maldives will also be hosting a range of exclusive events, including a fire show, international artistes and performances.

If you are counting down to the New Year with a special someone, the resort has got you covered. You will be romancing the celebrations with dozens of unique experiences such as three-tier afternoon teas, Dining by Design or a wine masterclasses.

“Why not treat your friends or families to a gift voucher this Christmas with a trip to Maldives for that uniquely curated experience in a location they will never forget?” an announcement by the resort read.

“With all these lined up, all that is left for us to do is wish you glad tidings, and we do hope to welcome all of you this year for an unforgettable celebration.”

Situated on the picturesque island of Maamunagau at the southern tip of Raa atoll, the InterContinental Maldives is surrounded by a stunning natural lagoon and is a 35-minute seaplane flight from the Maldives’ main Velana International Airport. Guests arriving on flights after 3.30pm will be escorted to the Domestic Terminal for a 20-minute domestic flight to Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport followed by a 35-minute speedboat ride to the resort.

The InterContinental Maldives’ 81 luxuriously appointed beach, lagoon and overwater villas and residences offer a new level of InterContinental experience, with contemporary Maldivian design, unobstructed views of breath-taking ocean panoramas and each equipped with their own private terrace and pool.

As the first and only all-Club InterContinental Resort, resort guests can experience personalised touches and complimentary benefits throughout the island; breakfast, afternoon tea and refreshments, and evening digestives at The Retreat, an adults-only enclave with its private bar and its own infinity pool at the water’s edge. Standing at this pool’s periphery, a favourite drink in hand, whilst watching the glistening ocean’s expanse meet the horizon.

The resort features six restaurants; from Mediterranean tapas amidst 360-degree vistas at The Lighthouse, to sea-to-table South Asian inspired dining at The Fish Market and a fusion of cross-continental flavours at Café Umi, guests can expect organic, local and sustainable ingredients in thoughtfully curated ambiances.

Inspired by the ethereality of the water and transformational power of crisp island air, AVI Spa by is designed to recharge the soul by awakening the senses. Guests can rejuvenate in one of six overwater treatment villas, each harnessing the psychology of natural light and sound play to send them into a deep state of relaxation.

With a captivating array of wildlife just on the doorstep, Planet Trekkers is a youngster’s paradise for discovering the deep wonders of the Indian Ocean. Through games, arts and crafts and mini expeditions, budding marine biologists and curious explorers from ages 4-12 can connect with the magic of the island whilst making brilliant friendships.

South African Airways has launched additional charter flights to the Maldives, coinciding with the island nation’s tourist peak season.

The third phase of South African Airways’ charters, operated between O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and Gan International Airport in the southernmost Maldives atoll of Addu, began Sunday morning.

A 300-seater Airbus A340 jet is used for the weekly direct charter.

South African Airways became the first long haul international airline to fly to Gan International Airport when the flagship carrier of South Africa first launched its weekly charters during the last holiday season.

The airline operated additional 24 non-stop charter flights to the Maldives from April to October.

The flights are operated under an exclusive charter agreement between South African Airways, Air Tour Operators (ATO) and the Maldives tourism ministry.

Despite several new resort developments and a boom in guesthouse tourism in the Maldives, Addu as a whole has lagged behind for years in attracting tourism-related investments. Up until recently, the relatively large atoll, which has unique geographical features compared to other parts of the island nation, was home to only two of the some 140 tourist resorts in the Maldives; Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, and Canareef Resort Maldives.

South Palm Resort Maldives, a brand new property developed on the uninhabited island of Ismehela Hera, opened early this month.

However, tourism in the south has recently received a much needed boost from the launch of direct flights to Gan International Airport by SriLankan Airlines.

Neighbouring Sri Lanka’s flagship carrier, which is particularly popular amongst tourists who travel to the Maldives from Europe, currently operates six weekly flights to Gan from Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo.

South Africa was once a major source market for the Maldives, but it has declined significantly over the years.

However, tourist arrivals from South Africa are gaining momentum once again, as the Maldives welcomed 7,751 South African tourists in 2018 — a 9.9 per cent increase over the 7,050 in the same period of 2017. Arrivals from the country has also seen an 18.6 per cent growth in the first 10 months of this year to reach 6,970 from the 5,876 in the same period last year.