New Spanish band MANTRA has unveiled their first song, with a music video filmed at Jumeirah Vittaveli in Maldives.

The video for MANTRA’s debut song, No Te Eperaba, was filmed during the band’s stay at the luxury resort last year.

During their stay in August, the band also gave an exclusive unplugged performance for in-house guests of the resort.

MANTRA is made up of three incredibly talented musicians, Paula Perez, Carlos Marco, and Carlos Weinberg.

Weinberg has visited Jumeirah Vittaveli before and recorded his hit songs, Like This and La Verdad, on the island.

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, whilst 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 complete the offering.

Nominations have been opened for the fifth edition of South Asian Travel Awards (SATA).

Nominations are being accepted until February 29. Relevant properties and services can submit their nomination via the official website.

This year, SATA has added nine new categories, increasing the total number of categories open for nominations to 52.

Visitors’ Choice and Special Recognition Awards will also be given during the SATA 2020 gala, to be held in the Maldives.

However, details of the gala date and venue, as well as the evaluation process are yet to be disclosed.

Launched in 2016 by Maldives based event management company Highrise, SATA has been endorsed by all the major regional tourism authorities and organisations.

SATA is the first ever regional travel awards endorsed by multi-national associations, providing the tourism sector of the South Asian region with recognition towards their facilities and service excellence. It aims to encourage and raise service standards in the region’s tourism industry.

Over the past four years, the SATA gala had been held twice in Sri Lanka, and once each in the Maldives and India.

Maldives has kicked off an outdoor marketing campaign in the three largest cities of China, the top source market for the island nation’s tourism industry.

Carried out in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai, this campaign is aimed at promoting the Maldives as the most desired tourist destination for the Chinese.

During this campaign, 2,000 LED screens at Beijing’s biggest office buildings and five LED screens at Guangzhou’s five biggest shopping malls will showcase the unique aspects of the Maldives through videos advertisements.

Unique experiences available for tourists in Maldives will also be featured on seven LED screens at Shanghai’s busiest metro station, which is used by over 150,000 passengers daily.

In addition to this campaign, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) will participate in two travel trade fairs and conduct two roadshows in China throughout the year. Digital media campaigns along with press and celebrity familiarisation trips exclusive for the Chinese market will also be organised in the coming months.

Last year, various activities, including fairs, roadshows and familiarisation trips were conducted in the Chinese market. These activities were complemented by digital media campaigns carried out on China’s biggest social media platforms, WeChat and Weibo.

In 2019, a total of 284,372 tourists arrived in the Maldives from China, which retained its position as the number one market in terms of tourist arrivals to the Maldives.

As a new year gets underway, a new chapter begins for the Gili Lankanfushi story that highlights healthy dining curated by Executive Chef Harinath ‘Hari’ Govindaraj.

Having the vision to present guests with healthy diet options fueled by a light and fresh meal, Chef Hari has introduced the “Hari’s Super Foods” menu at the resort’s Overwater Bar during lunchtime.

Inspired by the popular Buddha Bowl for vegetarians and the growing interest in a plant-based diet, Chef Hari aims to provide healthier and lighter meal options for guests. Hari’s Super Foods menu offers a selection of five different healthy bowls: Exotic, Local, Spicy & Spices, Roasted Veggies, and Greens.

Each bowl presents few ingredients from our organic garden, a variety of bread, grains, nuts, seeds and unique dressing to compliment the dish, along with an option to top the dish with a protein item such as poached eggs, seared tuna belly, and seared beef fillet for meat lovers.

Epicureans who are adventurous with food may consider the existing Gili Vegan Experience. A refreshing bespoke experience in our organic garden, and an opportunity to get up close and personal with Chef Hari to learn more about the plant-based diet and its endless possibilities using different ingredients.

The vegan experience is not only interactive dining with the chef, but also an opportunity to taste different combination of ingredients you may not have discovered before as well as to understand that the vegan experience is for everyone, not just vegans and vegetarians.

Discover endless dining options from popular themed nights to bespoke destination dining experiences; the Gili culinary team is ready with their health and wellness menus.

The Maldives’ much-loved eco-resort Gili Lankanfushi reopened in December, following an inspired renovation of the resort.

Located in the languid waters of the North Male Atoll, just a 20-minute speedboat ride from the Velana International Airport, Gili Lankanfushi is the ultimate place to get away from the world.

The 45 refurbished villas offer open-air living spaces, roof terraces and private decks with direct access to the lagoon below, and there is the addition of new private pools to the enhanced Residence and Villa suites for extra seclusion.

The vast 1,700m2 Private Reserve – the largest overwater villa in the world – is located 500m from the main island and offers four vast bedrooms in addition to a private open-air cinema, spoiling spa, air-conditioned gymnasium, infinity pool and two-storey waterslide, directly into the lagoon.

Honouring its laid-back philosophy and rustic chic aesthetic, the island remains an intimate and sustainable paradise for the barefoot luxury traveller, with a new design concept and wellness programmes to further enrich the soulful guest experience.

Game changing domestic airline Manta Air, in partnership with Sky Guys, has announced a special promotion with a giveaway of two free tandem jumps for the upcoming Skydive Maldives event.

One lucky winner will stand the chance to win two free tandem jumps along with return tickets by Manta Air, the official travel partner of Skydive Maldives event.

To enter the contest, interested participants must like Manta Air and Skydive Maldives Facebook page and tag a friend whom they want to take with them in their competition promotion post.

The contest runs from January 13-30, with the winner to be announced on January 31.

Tandem skydive is the most popular way for first-time jumpers to experience the thrill of the sport of skydiving. Through the tandem programme, you will be jumping with highly-experienced instructors using a parachute system specially built for two. The harness is connected to your instructor’s from start to finish.

The Skydive Maldives event, happening from February 1-24 in the island of Kooddoo in Gaafu Alif atoll, will feature over 300 licenced skydivers from 20 different countries taking part in over 5000 jumps. The participating skydivers will jump from nearly 10,000 feet, followed by a three to five minute scenic and peaceful canopy flight over the drop zone.

In addition to Manta Air and Sky Guys Pvt Ltd, the event is supported by Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort, as well as Association of Sky Sports Maldives, and Tsunami Skydivers.

LUX* South Ari Atoll on Monday made a donation of USD 14,000 to local shelters for disadvantaged children.

The donations include USD 7,000 to the Children’s Home shelter in Villimale, a suburb of capital Male, and another USD 7,000 to Fiyavathi shelter in Hulhumale, a satellite town of the capital city.

During a ceremony held at the resort Monday morning, Jonas Amstad, the General Manager at LUX* South Ari Atoll, officially handed over the donations to gender and social services minister Shidhatha Shareef.

Speaking at the ceremony, Amstad highlighted the efforts made by his resort to support local communities.

“We’re guests here. It’s our responsibility to help the surrounding local communities, especially marginalised and disadvantaged communities, in every way we can. We take this responsibility very seriously,” he said.

Minister Shareef expressed her gratitude to the management and staff of LUX* South Ari Atoll as well as parent company LUX* Hotels and Resorts, and assured that the donations will be used for the welfare and care of the children at the shelters.

“These donations will definitely put a smile on the faces of our children,” she said.

According to LUX* South Ari Atoll, the funds will be used to purchase essential supplies needed by the children housed at the Children’s Home and Fiyavathi.

These donations are part of the resort’s annual ‘Tree of Wishes’ charity drive, which encourages guests to make contributions for the local communities throughout the year. The proceeds are collected at the end of the year and donated to a local organisation involved in community work.

Since the inception of the campaign four years ago, the resort had been donating the proceeds to the Maldivian Thalassaemia Society each year. A total of USD 21,000 had been donated to the organisation over the past three years.

“This year, we decided to change our strategy. From now on, we’ll be working closely with the gender and social services ministry each year to identify the organisation or cause that requires the funds the most. The proceeds collected during the course of the year will then be given to that particular organisation,” Hussain Afeef, the Regional Director of Training, Development and Quality Assurance at LUX* Resorts, said.

LUX* South Ari Atoll is one of two resorts in Maldives run by Mauritius-based LUX* Resorts.

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.

Germany’s 104.6 RTL radio station has begun hosting its live morning show at Heritance Aarah in Maldives.

Until January 31, the Arno und die Morgencrew (translated as, Arno and the Morning Crew) show will go live every morning from Heritance Aarah. These special editions of the show features a complimentary Maldives holiday giveaway.

Arno und die Morgencrew airs from 5-10am on weekdays. The Berlin-based hit radio station airs a special edition of the show from 8-10am on Saturdays to recap the week.

The premium all-inclusive resort of Heritance Aarah is the newest addition to the Aitken Spence Hotels portfolio after opening its doors to guests earlier last year.

Located in Raa atoll and accessible from Velana International Airport via a 40-minute seaplane flight, Heritance Aarah boasts 150 villas, six restaurants, five bars, a PADI dive centre and the first of its kind IASO Medi Spa. The resort also provides guests with a range of excursions and curated experiences to choose from.

In addition to Heritance Aarah, the Sri Lankan conglomerate runs five resorts in the Maldives under its Adaaran brand of hotels: Adaaran Club Rannalhi, Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi and Adaaran Prestige Vadoo.

Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has introduced dual membership opportunity for its members, with membership to the new PATA Maldives Chapter.

Under this programme, existing MATATO members can now apply to be members of the PATA Maldives Chapter. New membership applicants will have the option to take dual membership at the time of registration.

Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for profit association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its member organisations, comprising 95 government, state and city tourism bodies, 25 international airlines and airports, 108 hospitality organisations, 72 educational institutions, and hundreds of travel industry companies in Asia Pacific and beyond.

In 2019, MATATO was officially assigned to lead the PATA Maldives Chapter.

PATA chapters are established throughout the world to assist in the fulfilment of the objectives of the association at a grass roots level. They are local community organisations of travel industry professionals who join in a cooperative endeavour within the framework of PATA to develop travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific area.

Currently, there are 43 PATA chapters around the world assisting local travel industry communities.

“We are delighted to introduce PATA Chapter opportunities for MATATO members, and for other travel businesses and institutes that are interested to be part of and benefit from one of the largest travel platforms in the world,” Abdulla Suood, President of MATATO, was quoted in a statement, as saying.

“We are able to relay this opportunity as a result of our continued partnership with PATA, and we continue to seek such collaborations with international organisations and institutes that will benefit and contribute to growth of our members. PATA Maldives Chapter membership will give our members to be part of large network of travel businesses in addition to having access to programmes and insights and publications offered by PATA.”

Thousands of travel professionals belong to the local PATA chapters worldwide. The chapters organise travel industry training and business development events.

Their grassroots activism underpins PATA’s membership in Uniting Travel, a coalition of the world’s major travel and tourism organisations dedicated to ensuring that the sector speaks with one voice and acts in unison on the major issues. The union comprises ACI, CLIA, IATA, ICAO, WEF, UNWTO and the WTTC.

A PATA chapter member receives discounts on events, research and publications.

Heritance Aarah has announced a special offer to kick start the new year.

Under the Aarah 2020 offer, guests are eligible to receive 20 per cent discount from the best rate available. Additional 10 per cent can be availed by signing up to the resort’s membership programme.

The offer has a flexible cancellation policy, and is applicable for all Beach Villas and Ocean Villas. The resort’s Premium All-Inclusive Package is included in the offer.

“Escape to Heritance Aarah… Wake up in paradise to the sound of the sea, dive amidst exotic underwater marvels and dine under a majestic star-studded sky over one of the finest Maldives luxury resorts,” an announcement by the resort read.

The premium all-inclusive resort of Heritance Aarah is the newest addition to the Aitken Spence Hotels portfolio after opening its doors to guests earlier last year.

Located in Raa atoll and accessible from Velana International Airport via a 40-minute seaplane flight, Heritance Aarah boasts 150 villas, six restaurants, five bars, a PADI dive centre and the first of its kind IASO Medi Spa. The resort also provides guests with a range of excursions and curated experiences to choose from.

In addition to Heritance Aarah, the Sri Lankan conglomerate runs five resorts in the Maldives under its Adaaran brand of hotels: Adaaran Club Rannalhi, Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi and Adaaran Prestige Vadoo.

Sister resorts, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo, have organised a special charity event to support disadvantaged children in the local community, as part of AccorHotels’ Solidarity Week 2019 actions.

On December 10, seven women from Pullman Maldives Maamutaa and two from Mercure Maldives Kooddoo stood as ambassadors for the Children’s Home shelter in Villimale, a suburb of capital Male.

The ‘Ms. Heartist 2019, Pageant for a Cause’ event saw the ambassadors selling raffle tickets worth USD 6,630.

The funds were donated to the Children’s Home shelter through in-kind and cash contributions.

“Our team was able to share the things that the centre requested, such as beds and mattresses, TV’s, washing machines and cash donations, and more importantly, the time spent and the interactions during the visit was truly memorable and heart warming,” a statement issued by the talent and culture team of the sister resorts read.

“We believe that the children are the most vulnerable members of our society and if we deprive them from their basic needs, it will affect their physical, mental, emotional and social growth as young citizens. It will affect us as well.”

Since 2008, Solidarity Week has grown within AccorHotels properties and headquarters around the world. Each year, over the course of a week in December, it encourages employees to participate in charity initiatives, providing a practical response to the needs expressed by local organisations.

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.

Brennia Kottefaru, a brand-new luxury island resort in Maldives, has opened its shores to guests.

As part of its soft opening, the five-star resort began welcoming guests on Wednesday, before the grand opening in March.

Brennia Kottefaru, sprawled in the waters of the northern Raa atoll, awaits your arrival to whisk you off to this surreal world of your own. A world of exquisite tastes and flavours. A world of endless gratification.

With 190 villas in 10 categories, Brennia Kottefaru offers timeless luxury with authentic and indulgent interiors. Relish the taste of delicious and diverse cuisines at its restaurants and sip exclusive cocktails by the pool as you watch the sky fade from vivid blue to the many shades of a sunset.

Soak up Maldivian culture and enjoy an exclusive collection of over 1,000 art pieces by renowned local artists exhibited at the Art Gallery. Get your blood pumping with the resort’s health and fitness offerings, and pamper yourself at the spa with the indulgent massages and beauty treatments it has to offer.

Lastly, explore the underwater beauty of Raa atoll and absorb some salt, an essential part of the Maldivian experience. Come celebrate the passion for living well at Brennia Kottefaru, with its authentic experiences designed for every discerning guest.

Vakkaru Maldives has launched refurbished villas.

The renovation includes facility upgrades to the existing beach bungalows, two bedroom beach villas and overwater family villas by adding outdoor whirlpools and private swimming pools.

Completed in December, the Beach Bungalows have been relaunched as the Beach Spa Pool Villas that features a 16sqm outdoor whirlpool.

A total of 24 Beach Villas, which were previously available as interconnecting Two-Bedroom beach villas, have been relaunched as 12 units of Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villas with a 24sqm swimming pool and extended beachfront terrace providing ample space for guests to relax and unwind.

The Overwater Family Villas have been relaunched as Overwater Family Pool Villas, featuring a 24sqm private infinity pool overlooking the turquoise lagoon.

“This facility upgrade and enhancement is part of our effort to ensure that Vakkaru Maldives continually delivers exceptional guest experience to align with our discerning guests’ expectation. By adding outdoor whirlpools and private pools in the existing beach and over water villas, we want to ensure our guests can indulge and enjoy complete privacy in their own space,” Nicholas Mason, the General Manager at Vakkaru Maldives, was quoted in a statement, as saying.

Vakkaru is also offering a discount of up to 35 per cent off the best available rates. All room bookings include breakfast and dinner, when booking minimum three nights directly on vakkarumaldives.com.

A secluded tropical island resort in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Baa atoll, a scenic 30 minutes north of Velana International Airport by seaplane, Vakkaru Maldives offers guests a holistic approach to unassuming luxury and cherishable experiences as you discover the warmth and affection of its people.

Blessed with timeless ocean views, white sandy beaches and nurtured by nature, the resort boasts an extensive selection of accommodation featuring 113 contemporary beach and overwater villas and suites with Maldivian rustic charms. Indulgent dining choices from across the world are served in six restaurants and bars, as well as a wine cellar, specialising in global cuisine with Maldivian twist, Italian, Japanese, Southeast Asian as well as luxury beach grill.

Engaging experiences abound for everyone, every day at Vakkaru Maldives with a variety of water sports and excursions await at Splash, two tennis courts and a badminton court at the Sports Fields, recreational activities at Coconut Club, Parrotfish Club for children below 12 years of age, 24/7 overwater gymnasium with personal trainer as well as pampering head to toe treatments at Merana Spa.

Vakkaru Maldives has become the latest addition to Global Hotel Alliance’s (GHA) award-winning DISCOVERY loyalty programme under the curated “Ultratravel Collection” that features premium brand of exceptional hotels and resorts from around the world, hand-picked for the most discerning travellers.

For Vakkaru reservations and general information, please visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com.

Radisson Hotels has made key appointments to the sales team of its upcoming hotel in Maldives, the Radisson Blu Resort Maldives.

Ahmed Naufal and Priyanka Teli have been appointed as the Director of Sales and Sales Manager, respectively.

Naufal joins the sales team of the American hotel chain’s debut property in the Maldives from Raffles Maldives Meradhoo, part of French hotel giant AccorHotels, where he served as the Director of Sales. He brings over 12 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, having worked at well-known Maldivian resorts like Baros Maldives.

The Maldivian national holds a Bachelors’ degree in Tourism Management from the Maldives National University.

Naufal will be supported by Priyanka, who had been serving as the Associate Sales and Marketing Manager at Fushifaru Maldives prior to joining the upcoming Radisson resort.

Priyanka began her career in the hospitality industry at JW Marriott Juhu Mumbai, the flagship property for JW Marriott in India, as a Training and Development Coordinator. She then joined ITC Fortune Group, where she shifted her focus onto sales and marketing.

Scheduled to open later this year, the Radisson Blu Resort Maldives is one of the most anticipated new developments in the Maldives, in addition to being the first Radisson Blu resort in the market.

The resort is being developed on the island of Huruelhi in South Ari Atoll, and is accessible by a 30-minute seaplane journey, or a domestic flight from the main Velana International Airport to the Maamigili Airport followed by a 15-minute speedboat ride.

Featuring 128 exclusive villas, including family villas and a premium overwater villa, the new Radisson Blu Resort Maldives is set to strike a balance between stylish contemporary design and a truly Maldivian resort experience with breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean.

Set amidst some of the most amazing coral reefs, the resort’s first-class sea sports and dive centre will offer guests an array of activities, set for adrenaline pumping action. For those seeking to rejuvenate and restore, the yoga pavilion and spa will be the ethos of wellness as moves are practiced in the tranquil surrounds of the island. Dining at the restaurants and bar on the island promise to tantalise even the most discerning palate with unique cuisines and experiences.

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), together with partners from the tourism industry, has participated in MATKA 2020.

A total of 11 representatives from seven companies along with the MMPRC officials are participating in the fair being held in the Finnish capital of Helsinki from January 16-19.

In addition to formal meetings with top travel trade professionals, they have the chance to interact with over 900 accredited media representatives from Northern Europe to further develop and strengthen the presence of Maldives in the region.

Maldives is showcased at a 60sqm stand, designed to highlight the natural beauty of the country. It is also complimented by videos featuring different experiences offered by the destination.

Various activities are being hosted at the stand for visitors to experience a bit of ‘Sunny side of Life’.

Visitors are able to take pictures alongside images of the destination and post it on social media to stand a chance to win a free holiday to the Maldives. Traditional snacks are also offered to visitors, giving them a taste of authentic Maldivian flavours.

MATKA is the biggest tourism event in the Northern Europe and Baltic region.

With over 90 countries participating in MATKA, this fair is a platform to reach top travel trade professionals and the most influential decision-makers in the industry. The four-day fair attracts a large number of visitors from around the world.

“MATKA is a great platform to promote Maldives to a prime audience. MMPRC hope to increase the number of tourist arrivals from Northern Europe through MATKA and other various marketing activities focused to this region,” a statement issued by MMPRC read.

In 2019, the Maldives welcomed over 58,000 visitors from Northern Europe.

Catering to the ever-growing number of Vegans worldwide, Mirihi Island Resort has introduced a new vegan cooking class offering, allowing guests to uncover the art of Maldivian vegan cuisine under the basking sun or twinkling stars of the night sky.

Set on the tropical island’s waterfront, foodies can book an individual or group interactive cooking class, which will be led by the resort’s world-class chefs.

Aprons and utensils at the ready, budding chefs will try their hand at cooking and preparing a vast array of delicious vegan courses with a Maldivian twist. Mouth-watering delicacies will include Banbukeo Riha, Baraboa Satani and Dhonkeyo Kajoo.

After whipping up the scrumptious dishes, guests will have the opportunity to sample their own creations in a romantic and gastronomic feast for two.

The cooking classes and expert guidance of the hotel’s chefs will see guests return home with easy-to-make, treasured recipes which they can enjoy for years to come.

The cultural culinary offering can be booked for lunch or dinner and is Mirihi Island’s latest initiative to help guests engage with and learn about the local culture and cuisine.

Located in the South Ari Atoll, Mirihi is an intimate resort with only 37 rooms, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere with friendly staff. Guests will immediately feel at ease in the safe and beautiful environment. With sand covered floors throughout much of the hotel, guests can relax upon arrival where they will be encouraged to abandon their shoes and enjoy their stay barefoot with the powder-soft sand between their toes.

Travellers looking to socialise and meet like-minded people can book sunset sailing trips, whale shark safaris, diving trips, visits to local islands, sessions tasting the most comprehensive selection of fine rum in the whole of the Indian Ocean, and can enjoy complimentary weekly beach cinemas, board games, table tennis, football and more.

Alternatively, guests can enjoy some time away from it all in their private water or beach villa, on a secluded beach or while enjoying a pampering spa treatment.

For more information and bookings, please contact Mirihi Island Resort at info@mirihi.com

Maldives government on Thursday opened public consultations for three tourism related regulations, as part of a review of the legal framework concerning the island nation’s multi-billion-dollar tourism industry.

The three regulations being reviewed include:

• Regulation on Collection of Data for the Compilation of Tourism Statistics (view the existing regulation here)
• Regulation on Fire Safety Measures at Tourist Resorts (view the existing regulation here)
• Regulation on Symbolic Marriages (view the existing regulation here)

Suggestions can be sent to the ministry by January 23.

The government is in the process of formulating a new tourism master plan in a bid to promote sustainable development in the country’s main economic sector.

The latest iteration of the tourism master plan was inaugurated in 2013 and covered the nation’s tourism policy until the end of 2017.

The Fourth Tourism Master Plan targeted infrastructure development and creation of special zones for tourism development. Under the plan, new resorts and guesthouses came into operation, with over 45,000 tourist beds currently in operation across the Maldives.

The upcoming maser plan is set to focus on sustainable development of tourism in the Maldives for the 2020-2025 period.

Maldives has revised its record arrival figures for last year, raising the number of tourists that visited the popular Indian Ocean holiday destination in 2019 from 1.67 million to 1.7 million.

Official figures released by the tourism ministry show that a total of 1,702,831 tourists visited the Maldives in 2019 — a 14.7 per cent increase over 2018. December alone saw 171,292 tourists visiting the country.

The Maldives welcomed 1.4 million tourists 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.

Meanwhile, the government has announced an ambitious target of attracting at least two million tourists to the popular Indian Ocean holiday destination in 2020.

The government aims to attract 2.5 million tourist arrivals per year by the end of its first five-year term in 2023.

To achieve this target, the government had added MVR 50 million (USD 3.23 million) to the annual marketing budget of the tourism ministry.

In the state budget for 2020, the government had allocated MVR 154.2 million (USD 9.98 million) for tourism promotion — up from the MVR 104.2 million (USD 6.7 million) in 2019, and MVR 34.73 million (USD 2.2 million) each in 2018 and 2017.

However, challenges remain as the world-famous holiday destination struggles to match demand with a rapid increase in 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 150. 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.

Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives has promoted Kapil Mathur to the Director of Sales post.

Kapil, who has in-depth knowledge in the field of sales, revenue management and reservations, started his career with The Oberoi, New Delhi, India in front office. He gradually move onto reservations, followed by revenue and finally sales.

Kapil moved to the Maldives 12 years ago, joining Universal Resorts’ reservations department where he served for nearly a decade.

He joined Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives in April 2017 as the Revenue Manager. With his keen interest in sales, he became the resort’s Assistant Director of Sales in January 2019 and was recently promoted to the Director of Sales position with the responsibility to head the resort’s entire sales department.

Located in North Male Atoll and a 30-minute speedboat ride away from the main Velana International Airport, Grand Park Kodhipparu features a collection of 120 villas, including idyllic beachfront pool villas, breathtaking overwater villas and palatial two-bedroom villas. Sixty-five of the 120 villas come with their own private pools and the five two-bedroom suites feature extensive private terraces.

Designed by world-renowned hospitality design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates, the resort showcases sophisticated architecture, state-of-the-art interior, high ceiling of palm fringed roof, and contemporary exterior with Maldives’ traditional influence of wood and rattan, inventive rustic appeal and inviting peaceful atmosphere. Neutral tones, natural fundamentals and spacious social settings balance the unrivalled beauty of the cobalt sea and tranquility.

Grand Park Kodhipparu offers three restaurants and a pool bar, including the overwater Edge restaurant, which offers a wide selection of international culinary creations, Breeze poolside restaurant and bar, which serves lunch and light bites throughout the day followed by inventive cocktails and fine wines in the night, and the FireDOOR speciality restaurant, which offers grilled meats and fish coupled with the finest wines.

Recreational facilities at the resort include an outdoor swimming pool, gymnasium, sunrise yoga deck, wellness centre with spa and salon treatments, water sports and dive centre, children’s activity centre, and specialty shops.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island’s THE MURAKA, the world’s first undersea residence, has been named amongst the most expensive suite in the world.

Elite Traveler listed THE MURAKA amongst the 10 most expensive hotel suites in the world, as part of the publication’s annual Top 100 Suites in the World collection.

A triumph of modern design and technology, THE MURAKA is a two-level structure comprised of space above the sea level and an undersea suite designed for sleeping under the ocean’s surface.

The undersea suite features a king size bedroom, living area, bathroom and spiral staircase that leads to the upper level living room. The undersea bedroom floor level sits five metres (16.4 feet) below sea level, providing uninterrupted views of the surrounding marine environment.

With the adoption of state-of-the-art technology, THE MURAKA’s distinct design is akin to that of Rangali Island’s Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, with the curved acrylic dome, which boasts 180-degree panoramic views of the wonders of the Indian Ocean’s intricate marine life.

THE MURAKA’s upper level features a twin-size bedroom, bathroom, powder room, gym, butler’s quarters, private security quarters, integrated living room, kitchen, bar and dining, which features a deck that purposely faces the direction of the sunset for optimal viewing pleasure. On the opposite side of the villa sits the relaxation deck that faces the direction of sunrise and is complete with an infinity swimming pool. The upper level also contains an additional king size bedroom and bathroom, which boasts a masterfully appointed ocean-facing bathtub, ideal for soaking in views of the endless horizon.

THE MURAKA costs USD 50,000 per night and can accommodate up to nine guests.

Guests who stay at THE MURAKA will have devoted butlers who are dedicated to hyper-personalisation and attention to detail for each expertly crafted stay in the residence. Available 24 hours a day – seven days a week, these butlers deliver exceptional service and stand out as ambassadors of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island as they guide guests through their own unique Maldivian journey.

Beyond that, they are equipped with the ability to educate guests about the options available in THE MURAKA and in the Maldives. THE MURAKA butlers are also able to accommodate any circumstances and requests for guests ranging from the need for privacy to exclusive culinary experiences and soul-enriching journey’s designed to add dimension to the MURAKA experience. Amongst the most important qualities, these butlers share a passion for culture, environment and adventure.

Exclusive to guests of THE MURAKA, “The Wanderers” is a collection of culturally immersive experiences for those wishing to explore the tropical terrain and engage with the Maldivian way of life. Nature-seekers and culture enthusiasts alike will relish the opportunity to expand their horizons through authentic explorations offered by “The Wanderers” collection of experiences, which include: Your Maldivian Home, Film an Eco-Mentary, Sky Full of Stars, Moonlight Movies, and more.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is located in South Ari Atoll and is accessible by a 30-minute seaplane flight from the Maldives main airport.

As one of the Maldives’ leading resorts and one of Hilton Worldwide’s flagship properties, the award-winning Conrad Maldives Rangali Island offers 150 villas and suites, including all-new room categories, 12 restaurants and bars, and two spas — all stretched over two remote islands.

The resort features the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, world’s first undersea restaurant made from only glass, and THE MURAKA, world’s first undersea villa.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is home to two unique spa experiences; The Spa Retreat on Rangalifinolhu Island and the Over Water Spa on Rangali Island. Combining expertise from around the world with carefully selected products and therapies influenced by the environment, the two spas offer unique and effective experiences to suit the needs of every individual.

The luxury resort also offers the popular Conrad Concierge mobile app, which gives global luxury travellers the ability to customise details of their hotel stay before, during, and after each visit via a smartphone or tablet. Whether it is pre-selecting bath amenities or checking in while in-transit from the airport, guests can access a variety of features by using the app.

The John Jacob Astor Estate at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has once again made it to the prestigious list of the Top 100 Suites in the world by Elite Traveler.

This year, the global luxury lifestyle guide listed the John Jacob Astor Estate amongst the Top 10 Biggest Suites in the world.

In 2017, the John Jacob Astor Estate was featured in the ‘New’ category of the list.

Whilst an unobstructed view of crystal-clear, calm turquoise water is the bare minimum expected from an overwater bungalow in Maldives, The St. Regis sets the bar even higher at the John Jacob Astor Estate; the three-bedroom, two-story overwater bungalow is a boutique hotel unto itself.

The 990sqft infinity pool is surrounded by daybeds, sofas and sun loungers, offering a private and comprehensive outdoor experience. Stairs lead from the pool straight into the ocean for underwater exploring. Inside, modern furnishings and custom artwork create a soothing environment, with a gym, cinema and spa all encompassed within the space.

Classic St. Regis butler service tops off the luxurious experience.

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.

Meeru Island, known for delivering memorable moments and focusing on personalised service, has introduced a new system to help guests customise their stays prior to arrival.

The Oaky platform allows guests who have booked with Meeru to receive personalised offers and experiences, empowering them to plan and tailor their holiday as they wish.

Information on excursions, activities and dining events is sent out a few weeks before the holiday. This way, guests benefit from the convenience of planning their holiday before they land, equipped with all the details they need. Private beach dinners are a popular choice on Oaky, understandably so, as they are a romantic way to make any day in Meeru special.

With the wide variety of things to do in Meeru, there is more way than one to have fun and have a memorable vacation. Whether you are travelling with family, friends or your loved one, good times are guaranteed as you explore this magical island.

With Oaky, you get a taste of the enjoyment that awaits as you map out your itinerary with unforgettable experiences.

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.

With five types of room categories to offer, Meeru counts more than 280 rooms, five restaurants, five bars, a renowned spa featuring treatment rooms both overwater and on land, and a wide range of sports and other recreation facilities.