Vacations Expo 2017 kicked off Thursday with major tour operators and travel service providers in attendance and offering prizes.

The annual expo, organised by leading local event management company Highrise, was inaugurated by Indian ambassador to the Maldives Akhilesh Mishra. Top officials from Highrise and the travel industry attended the ceremony held Thursday afternoon.

The entrance free expo is being be held till the end of Saturday at the National Art Gallery in capital Male. It is open for public from 2.30-6pm and from 8-11pm on Thursday and Saturday, and from 4-6pm and from 8-11pm on Friday.

Twenty-six exhibitors have participated at the expo, including local Islamic pilgrimage agents such as Musafireen and Hajj Corporation, local tour operators Kraken, Inner Maldives Holidays and Voyages Maldives, local guesthouses Vinorva, Reveries Diving Village, Kaani Hotels, Plumeria and Pebbles Inn, and local airlines Maldivian and Flyme.

Sri Lanka-based Kingsbury Hotel and Amaya Resorts, and Indian travel agent Holiday Kerala are also exhibitors.

Lanka Hospital and Durdans Hospital — leading multi-speciality hospitals in Sri Lanka that are popular amongst thousands of Maldivians that travel to the neighbouring country for medial treatment — and Thailand-based Bangkok Hospital are also showcasing their products.

Every exhibitor has offered exciting prizes for the ‘visit and win’ lucky draws, including:

• Flyme: four return air tickets
• Kraken Adventours: fishing trip for six persons in Haa Dhaal atoll
• Plumeria guesthouse (Vaavu atoll Thinadhoo): two nights stay for a couple
• Pebbles Inn (Addu): two nights stay for a couple
• Kaani Hotels: two nights stay for a couple at Kaani Beach Hotel in Kaafu atoll Maafushi
• MV Hotels: two nights stay for a couple in a resort
• Bangkok Airways: two return air tickets to Bangkok
• Voyages Maldives: return air ticket to Abu Dhabi on Etihad Airways and return air ticket to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines
• Ace Aviation Services Maldives: two return air tickets to Colombo on SriLankan Airlines
• Atoll Scuba (Alif Alif atoll Bodufulhudhoo): open water scuba diving course
• Musafireen: full umrah package
• Inner Maldives Holidays: return air ticket to Colombo on SriLankan Airlines and return air ticket to Dubai on Fly Dubai
• Reveries Diving Villa, Surf and Spa (Laamu atoll): two nights stay for a couple
• Canopus Maldives: two nights stay for a couple at Canopus Retreat in Kaafu atoll Thulusdhoo
• Le Vieux Nice Inn (Hulhumale): two nights stay for a couple and dinner for two (three packages)
• Amana Takaful Maldives: one-year travel insurance for a daily winner
• Vinorva Maldives (Hulhumale): two nights stay for a couple
• Maldivian: three return air tickets
• Coconut Tree Hulhuvilla Beach (Hulhumale): two nights stay for a couple

For the second year running, the Vacations Expo is sponsored by Inner Maldives Holidays, with MV Hotels serving as the Associate Partner. Unima Grand has signed up as the Hospitality Partner, Amana Takaful Maldives as the Travel Insurance Partner, Ooredoo Maldives as the Telecom Partner, M7 Maldives as the Printing Partner, and Absolute Security and Advance Protection Private Limited as the Security Partner.

Maldives Insider and The Island Chief have been assigned travel media partners, while local daily Mihaaru signed up as the news media partner and state broadcaster Public Service Media’s (PSM) Television Maldives (TVM) as the official TV partner.

Meanwhile, state tourism promotion company Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) have given their endorsement. Tourism Authority of Thailand is also participating in the expo.

The annual travel trade show brings together leading travel companies, hoteliers, airlines, tour operators, travel agents, online travel companies, liveaboards, cruises, dive operators and other travel marketers under one roof. Exhibitors can display various attractive travel packages and services.

The expo’s organiser Highrise has successfully delivered several local and international events, including Maldives Travel Awards, Maldives Film Awards, Maldives Living Expo and Sounds of Maldives.

Photos: Mihaaru

Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) on Thursday called on banks operating in the Maldives to lower their charges and fees in order to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

In a statement, the non-profit said the lobbying efforts were carried out during the Maldives Financial Expo 2017, organised by the central bank.

At the opening day of the three-day expo, MATATO cited several studies, including a recent survey funded by UNDP, and told bank officials that local travel agents contribute to about 25 percent of total tourist arrivals to the Maldives. Together with guesthouses and safari boats, they have a combined market share of close to 40-50 percent of total arrivals to the country, it added.

“But the support these sectors get from banks in the Maldives is very limited,” the statement read.

MATATO pointed out that interest rates for SMEs are too high as 9-11 percent is not feasible for most small businesses. Despite acknowledging the Credit Guarantee Scheme initiated by Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), the association stressed that the requirement of high equity and collateral has been another challenge.

The issue of high bank charges for inward remittances, withdrawals, card transactions, merchant trade services and cross border transactions was highlighted as well, with the central bank’s support sought to intervene and regulate the banking sector with a view towards helping local travel agents, guesthouses and liveaboards.

“The association also asked the support from MMA to help foreign banks in the Maldives to support small businesses than rather focusing on only high net worth clients,” the statement read.

After years of double-digit growth in tourism, the Maldives has over the recent years observed a slowdown in growth despite recent gains. Tourist arrivals have crossed the one million milestone and is on course to reach 1.5 million by the end of this year, but the country has been struggling to create demand amidst a significant increase in bed capacity.

Over the past three 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 120. That number is set to increase as the government has announced the opening of some 20 new resorts by the end of this year.

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 300 guesthouses in operation today.

British high fashion house Jimmy Choo has brought style influencers from around the world to the Maldives as part of its #Chootravels project.

Every year, Jimmy Choo brings along style influencers for #Chootravels, a project that gives life to the mood and sentiment of each season’s collection.

For 2017, Jimmy Choo made a head-start by inviting some of the world’s most stylish influencers to the Maldives to take part in an editorial shoot for the summer-ready pre-fall 2017 collection. The blue ocean at the Constance Halaveli Maldives resort provided the perfect backdrop for the collection.

The shoot, photographed by Candice Lake with hairstyle by A Ten Studio and makeup by Bobbi Brown, narrates the pre-fall 2017 collection through different facets of island life.

The influencers included Irene Kim (@ireneisgood), Yoyo Cao (@yoyokulala), Vanessa Hong (@thehautepursuit), Liz Uy (@lizzzuy), Anny Fan (@anny_styleontop), Yvonne Ching (@yvesching), Justine Lee (@justinelee425) and Jane Chuck (@janechuck).

Jimmy Choo encompasses a complete luxury accessories brand with products such as women and men’s shoes, handbags, small leather goods, scarves, sunglasses, eyewear, belts and fragrance. It has a global network of more than 141 stores, and is present in the most prestigious department and specialty stores worldwide.

Designed to reflect the curved shape of a traditional Maldivian dhoni, Constance Halaveli Maldives is located in the North Male Atoll and is accessible by a 35-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport. The resort offers beach and water villas, family villas and a presidential villa, which can include luxurious amenities of private terraces, plunge pools and more.

A range of superb fine wine-and-dining options are available, as the resort features five restaurants and bars, including the Asian and European fusion cuisine of Jing and Jahaz. A variety of traditional Japanese sushi rolls, sashimi and Maoki’s are served up at Kaika Sushi Bar, where guests can dine inside or on the terrace. Meeru provides beach dining for guests, where the remarkably white sand contrasts with the lush green forest of the island, complemented by the aqua blue ocean. During the evening, a selection of fresh seafood and meats from the à la carte menu can be grilled in front of guests, bringing authentic gastronomy to the shoreline.

Maldives is amongst the most sought after destinations by celebrity travellers from across the world.

World Travel Awards (WTA) on Friday announced local telecom giant Dhiraagu as a sponsor of the upcoming Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2017.

In a statement, WTA President and Founder Graham Cooke welcomed Dhiraagu as a partner.

“As the first Maldivian telecommunications company, Dhiraagu offer a comprehensive range of mobile, internet, data and fixed line services throughout the Maldives and we’re proud to be associated with them,” he was quoted in the statement, as saying.

Mohamed Mirshan Hassan, Marketing Communications and Public Relations Manager at Dhiraagu, said Dhiraagu’s involvement in the awards is part the company’s efforts to support and celebrate the tourism industry in Maldives. Dhiraagu continues to provide digital services that specifically cater to the tourism industry, he added.

“Dhiraagu will continue to innovate, inspire and collaborate with our partners to make the most of the digital future,” Mirshan was quoted in the statement, as saying.

The prestigious Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony will take place on Saturday at the five-star Sun Aqua Vilu Reef resort, with hospitality leaders from across the region expected to attend to discover who among them has been voted the pinnacle of the travel industry.

Maldivian Idol hosts Moosa Waseem and Aminath Lamha Latheef – two of the most familiar faces on Maldivian television – will compere the event, which will also allow attendees to get in touch with authentic Maldivian culture through traditional dances such as Bandiya and Maafathi. The main act for the evening will be performed by leading Maldivian singer Unoosha.

Voting for the World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony closed on May 22.

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.

Leading local dive centre operator Prodivers has launched an online registration service for divers visiting the Maldives.

The service, which is available to guests staying at any of the resorts Prodivers are based at, allows guests to register online before their arrival in the Maldives. It is aimed at saving time by doing away with the need to fill out forms at the dive centre.

“… you can now arrange everything online before even setting foot on the island,” an announcement by the operator read.

“You can complete the registration before you arrive, so when you get to the dive centre we will be expecting you. The team will be ready to talk about the different activities you can do and all the fascinating things you can see.”

The online diver registration service is very convenient and easy to use: complete the details of stay, personal details and then answer a few questions about the choice of diving. The diver medical questionnaire forms part of the service and is an excellent way to check if prior medical clearance is required.

The service, which is available in a range of languages, also has a special section for repeater guests, where they can pre-assign their repeater discount by providing details of their previous stays.

Founded in 1988, Prodivers is currently based at Hurawalhi Maldives, Kuredu Island Resort and Spa, Komandoo Maldives, Lily Beach Resort and Spa, and Vakarufalhi Island Resort. It offers world-class diving and the full range of PADI courses.

South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) has officially announced partners for this year’s edition, with Maldives Insider becoming an official travel media partner.

At a ceremony held at Champa Central Hotel in Maldives capital Male Saturday morning, SATA signed a partnership agreement with the hotel, which has been named the hospitality partner for the Maldives. Under the partnership agreement, Champa Central Hotel will host all evaluations and nominee presentations from the Maldives.

Sun Online retained the official online media partner title for the second year, while Maldives Insider, MV Hotels and The Islandchief were named official travel media partners. State broadcaster Public Service Media (PSM) was assigned as the official TV partner, with its Maldives TV agreeing to live broadcast the SATA gala ceremony.

Meanwhile, The Chancery Pavilion, located in the Indian IT hub of Bangalore, has been chosen as the hospitality partner for central and northern India. A separate hospitality partner would be assigned later for south India.

Speaking at the ceremony, SATA’s Vice President Suraj Khan said the brand has been widely recognised by stakeholders from all sectors of the travel and tourism industry in South Asia. The significant increase in nominations received for this year’s edition is a testament to the value created by the brand for the entire industry, he added.

“Properties nominate themselves. This shows the confidence they have in SATA,” Khan said.

More than 414 nominations from the Maldives, India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal have been received for the 39 categories included in this year’s edition. Online voting is ongoing, and will complement the judging by a panel of experts.

Launched last year by Maldives-based event management company Highrise, SATA has been endorsed by regional tourism authorities and organisations, including the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Sri Lanka (FCCISL), Colombo Chamber of Commerce (CCC), Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO), Confederation of Associated Tour Operators (India), Association of Travel Agents (ATA) Maldives, Association of Travel and Tour Operators India (ATTOI), Association of Professionals in Tourism (APT, India), Kerala Hotel General Managers Club (KHGMC), Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Liveaboard Association of Maldives (LAM).

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.

The awards’ first edition, which wrapped up with a gala ceremony at the iconic Mount Lavinia Hotel in Sri Lanka, saw an overwhelming support with more than 260 nominations. Major travel media organisations, including Maldives Insider, Asian Traveller, Asian Geographic, Asian Diver and Floating Asia were appointed as media partners of SATA 2016.

This year’s edition of SATA will take place in the Maldives in October.

Maldives and several of its properties on Saturday bagged the most prestigious awards at the Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony of the World Travel Awards, further cementing the island nation’s place as the most sought after holiday destination in the world.

The prestigious Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony took place at the five-star Sun Aqua Vilu Reef resort, with hospitality leaders from across the region in attendance to discover who amongst them has been voted the pinnacle of the travel industry.

At the ceremony, the Maldives once again beat rival Indian Ocean destinations, including Seychelles, Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion Islands, to defend the awards for Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination, Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination and Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination.

With the latest win, the Maldives has secured the Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination award for the 11th time, Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination for the fifth time and the Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination for the third time.

The Maldives main Velana International Airport was named Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport for the 10th year, while Maldives-based resort brand Coco Collection won Indian Ocean’s Leading Boutique Hotel Brand award and Ace Travel Maldives won Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination Management Company award. Additionally, Trans Maldivian Airways, which operates the world’s largest seaplane fleet, was named Indian Ocean’s Leading Seaplane Operator, and Simply Maldives as Indian Ocean’s Leading Travel Agency

Individual properties in the Maldives were also big winners, including:

• Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Resort: Anantara Dhigu Maldives
• Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort: The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives
• Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel: LUX* South Ari Atoll
• Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel Suite: Royal Island Suite at JA Manafaru
• Indian Ocean’s Leading Leisure Hotel: Hulhule Island Hotel
• Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa: The Royal Residence at Jumeirah Vittaveli
• Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Island Resort and Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury New Resort: The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
• Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Resort: Milaidhoo Maldives
• Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Villa Resort: Velaa Private Island
• Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Water Villa: Grand Water Villa at One&Only Reethi Rah
• Indian Ocean’s Leading MICE Hotel: Kurumba Maldives
• Indian Ocean’s Leading Private Island Resort: COMO Cocoa Island
• Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort: Gili Lankanfushi
• Indian Ocean’s Leading Water Villa Resort: Sun Aqua Vilu Reef
• Indian Ocean’s Most Romantic Resort: Baros Maldives

Maldivian Idol hosts Moosa Waseem and Aminath Lamha Latheef – two of the most familiar faces on Maldivian television – compered the event, which also allowed attendees to get in touch with authentic Maldivian culture through traditional dances such as Bandiya and Maafathi. The main act for the evening was performed by leading Maldivian singer Unoosha.

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 Vommuli Resort, Constance Halaveli, The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi and resorts run by Anantara have won prestigious titles at the World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony for being the leading resorts in the Maldives.

The prestigious Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony took place at the five-star Sun Aqua Vilu Reef resort on Saturday, with hospitality leaders from across the region in attendance to discover who amongst them has been voted the pinnacle of the travel industry.

At the ceremony, The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi was named the Maldives’ Leading Resort, while The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort won the Maldives’ Leading Luxury Island Resort award and Constance Halaveli the Maldives’ Leading Luxury Resort award. Velaa Private Island was named the Maldives’ Leading Luxury Villa Resort. 

Resorts run in the Maldives under the Anantara shined at the Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, with Anantara Kihavah Maldives winning the Maldives’ Leading Villa Resort award, Anantara Dhigu Resort Maldives winning the Maldives’ Leading Water Villa Resort award and Naladhu Maldives winning the Maldives’ Leading Boutique Resort award.

Lily Beach Resort and Spa was named the Maldives’ Leading All-Inclusive Resort, while Kanuhura Maldives won Maldives’ Leading Family Resort award and aaaVeee Nature’s Paradise the Maldives’ Leading Green Resort award.

The Royal Island Suite at JA Manafaru won the award for the Maldives’ Leading Hotel Suite, and the Sunset Water Villa at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island won the Maldives’ Leading Luxury Hotel Villa award.

Meanwhile, Get Into Maldives Travels was named the Maldives’ Leading Luxury Tour Operator, while the award for the Maldives’ Leading Travel Agency went to Vermillion International Maldives.

The Maldives also won several prestigious destination titles at the Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony.

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.

LUX* Resorts and Hotels has launched a feel-good advertising campaign for the year, in a bid to rethink and redefine luxury around the themes of joy and happiness.

The theme of the campaign, launched in association with creative agency Providence Paris, is Smile All The Stay, as LUX* says its goal is for guests to enjoy some genuine joie de vivre by keeping in mind that the simplest acts of generosity, connection and guest care can offer the biggest rewards. It all starts with reconnecting to the moments that mean the most to its guests, and help them making the time to fully experience its magic, the Mauritius-based hospitality group said in a statement.

“Smiling is universally recognised as being something our faces do which inspire positive vibes not only in the person who is doing the grinning, but also those who are faced with our ear-to-ear displays of emotion. So go on, smile to the world and it will most certainly smile back at you,” the statement read.

Six advertisements represent the fun, dynamic and unexpected atmosphere and lifestyle of LUX* Resorts and Hotels. A bold, stylish, global campaign running in publications such as Condé Nast Traveller, Tatler, Harper’s Bazaar, Monocle, FT How to Spend It, GQ and Vanity Fair, the images convey the simple, fun, light-hearted holiday moments that characterise a LUX* holiday.

Complemented by social media initiatives on Facebook, Twitter, WeChat, Weibo and Instagram, the campaign reinforces the brand’s worldwide positioning and mission of helping people celebrate life and vision of making each matter. Through this, it is communicated that guests will ‘Smile all the Stay’.

“This campaign simulates the joy, happiness and smile of a stress-free LUX* holiday. This creative approach enables us to flaunt the values that create our brand’s DNA, while helping guest celebrate life and enjoy the reasons to go LUX*,” Julian Hagger, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at LUX* Hotels and Resorts, was quoted as saying, in the statement.

Founded in 2011, the LUX* brand has established itself as a sophisticated, innovative five-star brand.

According to the group, the essence of the LUX* brand, communicated through this new advertising campaign, is showcased by being fun, light hearted and surprising; eschewing luxury hospitality’s déjà-vu style and traditional feel, and using messages and images suited to a young-spirited audience.

In the Maldives, the group runs the luxury LUX* South Ari Atoll resort, which has recently undergone a major upgrade.

Fresh from its relaunch, 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 resort in the Maldives. Excellent eating and drinking is always a cut above the rest at LUX* and at 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.

LUX* has recently announced the opening of its second resort in the Maldives later this year. Named LUX* North Male Atoll and located on the six hectare picnic island of Olhahali, the new resort features contemporary architecture that is unique for the Indian Ocean, including private terraces, rooftop lounges, outdoor decks, private gardens and 13m private pools.

Vacations Expo 2017 wrapped up Saturday evening as almost double the number of people from last year visited this year’s edition.

The annual expo, organised by leading local event management company Highrise, kicked off Thursday with 40 exhibitors, including local Islamic pilgrimage agents such as Musafireen and Hajj Corporation, local tour operators Kraken, Inner Maldives Holidays and Voyages Maldives, local guesthouses Vinorva, Reveries Diving Village, Kaani Hotels, Plumeria and Pebbles Inn, and local airlines Maldivian and Flyme.

Sri Lanka-based Kingsbury Hotel and Amaya Resorts, and Indian travel agent Holiday Kerala were also exhibitors.

Lanka Hospital and Durdans Hospital — leading multi-speciality hospitals in Sri Lanka that are popular amongst thousands of Maldivians that travel to the neighbouring country for medial treatment — and Thailand-based Bangkok Hospital also showcased their products.

An official from Highrise told Maldives Insider that the expo, which was held at the National Art Gallery in capital Male, was attended by more than 3,800 visitors. It was almost double the number of visitors that attended the first edition of the expo held last year, he added.

“The brand has been well-received by the industry as well as the public,” the official said.

Exhibitors also offered exciting prizes for the daily ‘visit and win’ lucky draws. The prizes included return air tickets to destinations such as Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi and Turkey, and complimentary stays at leading guesthouses across the country.

For the second year running, the Vacations Expo was sponsored by Inner Maldives Holidays, with MV Hotels serving as the Associate Partner. Unima Grand signed up as the Hospitality Partner, Amana Takaful Maldives as the Travel Insurance Partner, Ooredoo Maldives as the Telecom Partner, M7 Maldives as the Printing Partner, and Absolute Security and Advance Protection Private Limited as the Security Partner.

Maldives Insider and The Island Chief were assigned travel media partners, while local daily Mihaaru signed up as the news media partner and state broadcaster Public Service Media’s (PSM) Television Maldives (TVM) as the official TV partner.

Meanwhile, state tourism promotion company Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) gave their endorsement. Tourism Authority of Thailand also participated in the expo.

The annual travel trade show brings together leading travel companies, hoteliers, airlines, tour operators, travel agents, online travel companies, liveaboards, cruises, dive operators and other travel marketers under one roof. Exhibitors can display various attractive travel packages and services.

The expo’s organiser Highrise has successfully delivered several local and international events, including Maldives Travel Awards, Maldives Film Awards, Maldives Living Expo and Sounds of Maldives.

The 2017 Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards, known as the “Oscars of Luxury”, are set to ignite the luxury hospitality and lifestyle segment with their upcoming fifth anniversary gala ceremony.

The gala ceremony will take place at the most exclusive private members country club in Greece, the Ecali Club, on September 23, and will see CEOs, presidents, managing directors, owners and GMs of the most exclusive properties from around the world in attendance. These highly influential individuals will be in attendance to collect the highest and most exclusive award from the hospitality and lifestyle sectors; the SIGNUM VIRTUTIS, the seal of excellence.

In a statement, organisers said the Ecali Club, well-known for its idyllic premises and high quality productions for exclusive thematic events, has designed a spectacular show in order to host the gala ceremony. Preparations for the ultra-exclusive event are well underway, they said.

According to the organisers, the ceremony will be compered by the always stunning Turkish celebrity and sports star Ece Vahapoglu, while it will feature performances by the beautiful, talented and glamorous Greek Star Nina Lotsari.

Luxury Panel Members that will attend the ceremony include His Serene Highness Prince Massimiliano della Torre e Tasso, Her Serene Highness Costanza della Torre e Tasso, Her Royal Highness Nathalie Princess of Hohenzollern, Ece Vahapoglu, Baroness Nerina keeley, Oliver Jiszda, Manon Han-Busch, Spa Expert Miriam Seferian, Kenelm Jenour, Jean-Christophe Rousseau, Thanos Liontos, Almir Zejneli, Karine Lackner, Nina Lotsari and Veti Nikolopoulou.

Nicola El-Mouelhy, Co-Founder and CEO of the SSLHLA, said: “2017 has been a very eventful year for SSLHLA. We have some fantastic additions to our Luxury Panel, such as the amazing Nina Lotsari, Veti Nikolopoulou and top, internationally recognised photographer Oliver Jiszda. The Ecali Club, represents the perfect venue for our gala ceremony, as it sits at the pinnacle of lifestyle in Greece.”

The Ecali Club CEO John M. Georgakakis strongly believes that club’s competitive advantages justify the decision for the gala ceremony to be held there. For this purpose, the team at Ecali, associates, and loyal elite members of the Club’s social and business community will reinforce the prestige of the event, he added.

“The Ecali Club has channelled tremendous support for the event and we are delighted with the working relationship that has been formulated between our organisations. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards and all the pieces are now in place, to ensure a spectacular evening for all winners, partners and guests,” Georgakakis was quoted as saying, in the statement.

Now in its fifth year, the Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards is designed to identify and to separate the exceptional from the very best by bestowing the SIGNUM VIRTUTIS, the seal of excellence upon the most exceptional luxury hospitality and lifestyle properties and products worldwide. The number of winners each year is capped in order to provide maximum exclusivity and benefit for the winners.

Excitement is building for the hotelier summit to be held during the upcoming Travel Trade Maldives fair, as organisers Maldives Getaways make final preparations for the much awaited event.

As a major component of the Maldives first ever international travel trade show, the hotelier summit will be hosted on July 12 from 9am to 1pm at the main convention centre of Dharubaaruge in capital Male.

Tourism industry pioneer Mohamed Umar Maniku will deliver the keynote address, while motivational speaker Paul McNeive will also address the summit.

According to Maldives Getaways, the keynote address and the motivational speech will be complemented by four panels, where local and international experts will discuss topics that are of relevance to the Maldives tourism industry.

The first panel will focus is on airport development, airlines and LLCS. Panellists include local seaplane operator Trans Maldivian Airways CEO AUM Fawzy, state-owned airport operator Maldives Airports Company Limited’s (MACL) Chief Development Officer Lionnel Maugis, flagship carrier Maldivian’s Head of Engineering Ibrahim Iyas and General Manager of Addu International Airport Ibthisahama Ahmed Saeed.

During the second panel, environment minister Thoriq Ibrahim, top UN official in the Maldives Shoko Noda, Sales Account Manager at Global Marine and Energy Lubricants Lim Meng Hou, General Manager of Sun Island Resort Dr Abdulla Mausoom, and Crown Company Director Ahmed Nazeer will discuss sustainable tourism development.

The third panel will discuss travel trends and technology. Panellists include Booking.com’s Hotels Area Manager Tarun Naidu, Permanent Secretary at the tourism ministry Dr Ahmed Salih, local telecom giant Dhiraagu’s CEO Ismail Rasheed, Senior Market Manager for Maldives at Expedia Abhay Khanna and TripAdvisor’s South Asia Manager Bharat Nagpal.

During the fourth panel, American Express India CEO Majoj Adlakha, Head of Commercial at AirAsia Spencer Lee, Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) President Abdulla Ghiyas and Tripfez’s Head of Business Development Haikal Idris will focus on destination marketing, social media and the role of tour operators.

“With just a few days to go until TTM, we are putting the final touches in place and we look forward to welcoming the entire tourism industry into one place and to discuss the future of Maldives,” Dr Hussein Sunny Umar, Chief Operating Officer at Maldives Getaways, was quoted in a statement as saying.

More than 100 professionals from the tourism industry have confirmed to attend the hotelier summit. Confirmed attendees include resort and hotel general managers, resident managers, key hotel owners, international travel trade stakeholders and travel industry professionals.

Bank of Maldives (BML) has signed up with Maldives Getaways, which is a local PR firm, as the platinum partner of TTM, making the country’s largest bank the title sponsor of the hotelier summit. The summit will officially be called, “BML Hotelier Summit Maldives 2017”.

The hotelier summit is aimed to act as a platform for stakeholders of the industry to meet in one place to discuss the future of tourism in the Maldives. It offers a solution-oriented platform that facilitates face to face meetings, networking activities and information exchange amongst the most elite assemblage of hotel owners and general managers.

With the Maldives government on course to achieving its electoral pledge of developing at least 50 new resorts in its first five-year term, global tourism is also seeing an ever increasing growth. A major focus of the hotelier summit is to address such matters and discuss ways in which demand would meet the ever growing supply planned for the tourism industry of the country while looking at the future.

Set to be held at Dharubaaruge from July 12-13, TTM will connect Maldivian tourism industry stakeholders with a global network of travel agents. Over 100 professionals representing travel agents, tour operators, industry experts and travel media have confirmed their attendance, while more than 100 resorts and hotels have confirmed their participation as exhibitors.

A tourism career fair will also be held as part of TTM, providing job seekers, students, employers, training institutions and government agencies an opportunity to network. The career fair will be exhibited by resorts, liveaboards, leading hotel chains and service providers in the tourism industry.

TTM gala night, to be held at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi resort, will host Maldives Travel Awards: People’s Edition, which recognises 10 outstanding individuals from the hospitality industry.

Maldives recorded 1.2 million tourist arrivals in 2016 with a total of receipts around USD 2.5 billion. With the rapid changes in global travel markets, Maldives continues to strengthen its foothold as one of the leading tourist destinations in the world. While tourism still remains the leading economic industry in the country by far, innovative new approaches in marketing are required to ensure the sector remains at the top.

TTM aims to facilitate the tourism industry of Maldives to reach the ultimate target of two million tourists with over USD 3.5 billion in receipts by the end of 2020.

Amari Havodda Maldives has announced a flash sale with 40 percent discount on room rates.

In an announcement, the resort said this special offer is available exclusively during the seven-day period from July 12-18, and is valid for stays until October 31. To enjoy a 40 percent discount off the full board rate under this offer, guests are required to visit the resort’s website and use the promotional code ‘FlashSale’.

According to the resort, this offer can be applied to all villa categories except the Overwater Pool Villa. The full board plan includes breakfast, lunch and dinner at the resort’s market-inspired Amaya Food Gallery, one guided house reef snorkelling tour per person with use of related snorkelling equipment, it said.

Amari Havodda Maldives has recently announces a summer offer as well.

Located in the southern Gaafu Dhaalu atoll, Amari Havodda Maldives is accessible by a 55-minute domestic flight to Kaadedhdhoo domestic airport from the main Velana International Airport, followed by 10-minute speedboat transfer to the island. The resort offers 48 Beach Villas, six Beach Garden Pool Villas, six Beach Pool Villas, 58 Overwater Villas and two Overwater Pool Villas.

Dining options include Amaya Food Gallery that serves a selection of Asian delights, Ember Robatayaki that serves grilled sea food and Pizza Kaage where guests can enjoy light meals and get takeaway pizzas. Iru Bar is a beach bar, whereas cocktails, drinks and snacks can be enjoyed at Thari Bar while the sun shines and beyond at the pool bar.

With its location popular for diving and snorkelling, Amari Havodda features a dive centre. The resort also offers an outdoor pool, a kids pool water sports facilities, a fitness centre, a beach volleyball court and a tennis court.

Gili Lankanfushi has introduced a brand new ‘Secret Wedding Experience’, the first of its kind in the Maldives, designed especially for couples who wish to celebrate their vows in the most intimate setting possible.

In an announcement, Gili Lankanfushi said the Secret Wedding Experience has been designed to completely minimise stress. Ahead of arrival, a resort team will consult with the couple about the exact details and then manage a bespoke itinerary throughout their stay, meaning they do not have to worry about arranging anything when they arrive, it added.

According to the resort, each couple will be matched with their own Mr./Ms. Friday – a personal assistant, friend and secret wedding planner, who will be on hand to tend to the couple’s every need and to provide a calm, clear and flexible schedule for the wedding day and the duration of their stay.

The Secret Wedding Experience starts at USD 13,489 (excluding taxes) based on a four-night stay for two persons on accommodation and breakfast basis. The package includes:

• Bridal hair and makeup: Beauty specialists at the resort are on hand to ensure the bride looks exactly as she would like to on her special day.
• Wedding ceremony: Couples can tie the knot in Gili Lankanfushi’s Lagoon Champa – the most private pavilion in the resort, far from view and reachable only by boat. Other locations around the resort are also available.
• Music: Gili Lankanfushi’s captivating local all-male Bodu Beru Band will perform love songs for the couple before and after their wedding ceremony.
• Champagne, canapés and cruising: The couple will sip champagne and eat exquisite canapés aboard the resort’s beautiful traditional Dhoni boat as the sun sets around them.
• Photography: An expert photographer will capture the day and package the images into a digital or printed photo book on request.
• Wedding ‘breakfast’ dinner: Gili Lankanfushi’s expert chefs will create a bespoke menu for the couple based on their favourite dishes, and this is served on One Palm Island – the resort’s most iconic and romantic destination – surrounded by 1,000 candles and glistening lanterns.
• Sleeping under the stars: For a wedding night to remember, the resort will set up a special bed on the rooftop of the couple’s private accommodation, so they can spend the night underneath the stars.
• Couples post wedding pamper: A 90-minute massage in the award-winning and recently upgraded Meera Spa.
• Wine pairing experience: Exquisite private wine dinner in either the Underground Wine Cellar or up in the trees at the 360 table in the Organic Garden.
• Jungle cinema experience: A private screening of the couple’s favourite movie with a chocolate fountain and strawberries.
• Couple’s surf or scuba discovery: Learning a new skill together by taking a lagoon lesson with Tropicsurf or do a scuba diving introductory course with Ocean Paradise.

According to Gili Lankanfushi, Secret Wedding Experience couples are hosted in the resort’s standalone overwater Crusoe Residences – the perfect location when it comes to providing complete privacy, including private overwater hammock, overwater sundeck and rooftop terrace with daybed for complete relaxation. The Residences also have the best views of the sunset and can be accessed by private motorboat.

Gili Lankanfushi’s General Manager Steven Phillips hailed the Secret Wedding Experience as the perfect solution for those looking to say ‘I do’ privately, in the most peaceful and luxurious settings. The package takes all the wedding stress off the couple, so they can simply relax and enjoy every moment of their special day, he added.

“It’s long been known that planning a wedding can be a lengthy and anxious experience filled with stressful decisions like choosing the right venue and having to filter down a long guest list. So, in the true spirit of Gili Lankanfushi, and in response to what couples have been telling us, we have created a simple, private and relaxing alternative,” Phillips was quoted in the announcement, as saying.

Set on the private island of Lankanfushi in the North Male Atoll, Gili Lankanfushi is an intimate coral island in a sparkling lagoon, with jetties threading across the water out to spacious villa accommodations, where ultimate privacy can be found. This luxury resort is just a 20-minute speedboat ride from the main Velana International Airport.

At Gili Lankanfushi, an idyllic personal hideaway is one of 45 spacious, rustic overwater villas crafted from natural wood and glass. A palette of sparkling blues paints the horizon, the ocean stretching to infinity wherever on the island. The open design, with indoor and outdoor living space, allows guests the freedom to be themselves, the sound of the sea and warm breeze soothing all senses.

Maldives has launched a marketing initiative in partnership with Singapore Airlines to attract Korean tourists to the country.

In a statement, state tourism promotion company Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) said Korean travellers booking tickets to the Maldives through Singapore Airlines website will get several benefits from participating resorts, including complimentary room upgrades, spa treatments and dinner.

The resorts participating in the marketing initiative are:

• Amaya Kuda Rah
• Angsana Ihuru
• Angsana Velavaru
• Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
• Furaveri Island Resort and Spa
• Gili Lankanfushi
• Kandima Maldives
• Mirihi Island Resort
• Olhuveli Beach and Spa Maldives
• Sun Aqua Vilu Reef
• Paradise Island Resort
• Sun Island Resort
• Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa

Singapore Airlines operates a direct, twice-a-day service to the Maldives.

Korea’s flagship carrier Korean Air also operates a three-day-a-week service on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from Seoul’s Incheon International Airport to the Maldives main Velana International Airport via Colombo.

Despite falling numbers, South Korea still remains one of the top 10 source markets to the Maldives. Last year, 29,580 Korean tourists visited the Maldives, which was a 10.4 percent drop from the previous year.

However, arrivals from Korea have picked up this year, with 12,720 tourists visiting the Maldives by May –an 18.4 percent increase compared to the same period of last year.

After years of double-digit growth in tourism, the Maldives has over the recent years observed a slowdown in growth despite recent gains. Tourist arrivals have crossed the one million milestone and is on course to reach 1.5 million by the end of this year, but the country has been struggling to create demand amidst a significant increase in bed capacity.

Over the past three 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 120. That number is set to increase as the government has announced the opening of some 20 new resorts by the end of this year.

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 300 guesthouses in operation today.

Encompassing almost 2,000 islands in the heart of the Indian Ocean, Maldives is famous for its clear blue skies, turquoise waters and powder soft white sand beaches. With an abundance of dive sites featuring a unique underwater beauty to explore, the country has also become known as one of the world’s best scuba diving destinations.

This tranquil natural beauty of the Maldives still remains unmatched anywhere else in the world. More than a million tourists from around the world come to the Maldives every year to savour this in-explicably impeccable beauty. While several islands remain untouched, many play host to luxurious holiday resorts and palatial accommodations.

With tourism growing rapidly, there is an urgent need to preserve the Maldives’ delicate environment and ecosystem — the top selling point of a country with no other natural resources to depend on. A lot is being done to adopt and maintain a sustainable tourism approach. Resorts are also taking it upon themselves to find new ways to use renewable sources for energy and to cut down on their carbon footprint.

But there is one in particular that has perfected sustainable tourism like no other in the Maldives. Six Senses Laamu, the only resort in the relatively unexplored Laamu atoll, takes sustainable tourism to a whole new level, with environment-friendly practices and conservation efforts deeply embedded in every aspect of the resort — from design, build and service experience.

The 97 award-winning accommodations are a combination of on-land and overwater villas constructed from sustainable materials. Weathered timber jetties lead to the overwater havens secluded by high wooden enclosures. Lush forest surrounds the stylish beach villas in utmost privacy. They all offer the ultimate island lifestyle, with one or two bedrooms, private leisure and dining decks, and many well-thought out features for guest comfort.

Sea breezes drift amongst the rustic wood under high palm-thatched roofs at the villas and dining venues as well. Many of the mouthwatering dishes prepared by chefs from East and West are created using produce grown on the island. Leaf is a wonderful dining experience perched above the organic garden, while Zen offers Japanese style dining for just 12 guests. International cuisine is featured at the two-level overwater Longitude alongside the one-of-a kind glass wine cellar. Sip Sip at poolside offers a casual dining alternative with beach classics throughout the day whereas Chill Bar, open all day and night, features an authentic Vietnamese menu for lunch and a varied international menu for lunch and dinner.

True to the Six Senses’ philosophy of marrying sustainable practices with uncompromising high-end facilities, Six Senses Laamu has taken standard-setting steps and initiatives to preserve the natural environment.

“Sustainability is definitely one of our pillars, and here at this location we are committed to doing all possible to try and maintain and improve on our sustainability and marine conservation efforts,” General Manager Marteyne van Well says.

The sustainability efforts began well before the construction of the resort and continues to this day, with buildings designed to minimise the damage to the island and lagoon. Branches were cut in a controlled way, old plant matter was left to decompose, and only fallen flowers were used for decoration.

From early stages in the design, energy conservation was given a top priority. All villas have been designed to take advantage of passive cooling, while overhanging roofs create shade for the windows, reducing the need for air-conditioning. Where air-conditioning is required, only low energy consuming units are used.

To further reduce the power demand, Six Senses Laamu has installed heat and pressure recovery systems in the production of hot water and freshwater. Through the heat recovery (cogeneration) system installed in the generators, heat is prevented from escaping and being wasted during power generation. Instead, it heats the cooling agent of the generator, gets passed onto a heat exchanger attached to the generator’s radiator and is transferred to the cold freshwater from the desalination plant via stainless steel plates. To reduce energy consumption in producing freshwater from reverse osmosis, an innovative energy recovery system (ERI) has also been installed in the desalination plant; it uses the brine’s energy to pressurise seawater to the same pressure as the brine.

Six Senses Laamu is also actively looking for ways to reduce the waste generated and to dispose of it properly. The resort works with suppliers to reduce packaging; purchases are made in bulk to avoid unnecessary packaging. To reduce the use of plastic bags as much as possible, bins that can be washed or jute bags are used. While no bottled water is imported by the resort, both guests and hosts are provided with re-usable glass water bottles that are bottled on the island. The resort also re-uses several materials, including office paper, kitchen oil, candle wax and waste wood.

Six Senses Laamu has created its own Earth Lab, which serves as a central waste management and recycling hub. Here, waste is separated into paper, plastic, metal, glass, organic waste and toxic waste. A compactor reduces the space required to store the waste before it is sent for recycling and proper handling, while a machine is used for crushing glass into ‘glass sand’, which is mixed with cement to make plant pots and light covers, and garden waste, which is re-used in the garden, pathways and for composting.

A composting site has been built at the Earth Lab where food waste from the kitchen and restaurants is composted together with garden waste, which is shredded using a chipping machine. To make composting as effective and odourless as possible, waste is separated in the kitchen where all the food, except meat and seafood, is collected for composting. Meat and seafood is excluded as these items decompose slower as well as to avoid attracting rodents. The composting soil generated from this activity is re-used in landscaping and gardening.

Six Senses Laamu also features an organic garden where 40 different herbs, vegetables, salad leaves and micro-herbs are grown. Items grown here are used to prepare dishes served at the Leaf restaurant, while Executive Chef Martin Davies and his culinary team have also teamed up with the gardeners to create a daily-changing menu, entirely based on fresh and organic ingredients, served by the pool at Sip Sip. The menu features a different starter, salad, pizza and dessert every day for guests to choose from.

On the marine conservation front too, Six Senses Laamu has set an example. In addition to becoming the first resort in the Maldives to establish and implement codes of conduct for dolphin watching and turtle interaction, the resort enforces a strict no-take stance on the purchase of endangered or vulnerable fish from local fishermen. Reef check, fish watch, shark watch, barnacle studies and biodiversity surveys are conducted all year round, with data submitted to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Maldives Marine Research Centre and the Olive Ridley Project.

“We make substantial financial contributions to Blue Marine and Manta Trust. We have six marine biologists in that setup; two resident, and two each from Blue Marine and Manta Trust. We also have interns in sustainability and a Sustainability Manager,” Marteyne explains.

“There are many resorts doing several good things, but maybe not with this kind of manpower behind an effort.”

Six Senses Laamu also demonstrates operational sustainability through the practice of local sensitivity and support of local communities. The resort engages the talent of locals, with over 50 percent of its staff comprising of Maldivians, especially those from the vicinity of the resort. Additionally, fresh produce such as local fish, fruit and vegetables, and services (eg. for construction or repair work) are from the surrounding area, benefiting the local economy and communities.

Throughout the year, various contributions are made to local sustainability projects. These activities utilise the resort’s human and financial resources, and are primarily funded through Six Senses Laamu Sustainability Fund, which collects 0.5 percent of revenues to be exclusively used for the support of social and environmental projects and initiatives in the Maldives. As such, the resort provides marine education to youth in all 13 schools in the Laamu atoll, and has laid the foundation with an aim to be the first plastic-free atoll in the Maldives by 2020.

“Over time, we will continue to grow and make marine conservation one of the key pillars of the resort, especially in how we share it with our staff and guests, and how we contribute to the local community,” Marteyne says.

“Four Seasons Resort Maldives Apprenticeship Programme is an outstanding vocational training scheme for young and dynamic Maldivians looking to enter the hospitality industry. I would love Six Senses to be that same educator, but in sustainability and marine conservation, so that we can create the next generation of Maldivians who are able to contribute to their communities and to their environment in making it more sustainable.”

A place with inspiring equatorial sunrises above the translucent lagoon and romantic sunsets that dissolve into the evening sea, Six Senses Laamu offers the best of a Maldivian holiday experience. With simple, yet exciting additions such as free homemade ice-creams and personalised bicycles, this palm-fringed island paradise has perfected the concept of “barefoot luxury”, giving you a sense of stepping into a different kind of reality. But what makes Six Senses Laamu truly stand out is its deep-rooted commitment to sustainability that is interwoven with every aspect of the resort — an example where hosts and guests come together to protect the island paradise for generations to come.

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is celebrating a triple win at the World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony.

The prestigious World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony took place at the five-star Sun Aqua Vilu Reef resort in Maldives on Saturday, with hospitality leaders from across the region in attendance.

At the ceremony, the newly opened St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort won three top accolades, including two regional awards, Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Island Resort and Indian Ocean’s New Luxury Resort. Additionally, the ultra-luxury private island resort was awarded the title of Maldives’ Leading Luxury Island Resort.

Upon receiving the awards, General Manager Alexander Blair said: “We are extremely proud to collect not one, but three awards at the World Travel Awards, which is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence. These awards are dedicated to our entire team and are a testament of their hard work to ensure that every guest’s experience is truly exceptional.”

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.

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, named in the Condé Nast Traveler 2017 Hot List as well, 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, which opened in November, 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 Vommuli Resort, 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 six 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.

Additionally, guests can also enjoy the Iridium Spa, which presents six overwater treatment rooms, including two that are dedicated to healing Ayurvedic treatments. Spa guests can also enjoy a Blue Hole pool, which contains heated seawater with different water jets – a system with proven benefits to the body.

Up and coming Indian Ocean hospitality brand Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts is set to continue its ongoing expansion with the opening in July 2018 of its fourth resort in the Maldives, OBLU Select at Sangeli.

Scheduled to open on July 1, 2018, the brand new four-star deluxe resort is located on the desirable Sangeli island in the northwestern top of Male atoll. Amidst one of the Maldives’ most beautiful islands, OBLU Select at Sangeli will feature 137 villas, both along the beach and overwater.

Unique to OBLU Select is the introduction of exclusive overwater Honeymoon Pool Suites.

These romantic sunset-view havens will be located in a separate sand bank within the Sangeli lagoon and will have their own skylight features, elevating experiences to another world. Curving around the clear water lagoons of Sangeli island, the overwater sanctuaries will be romantic with easy lagoon access and the option of private pools.

Honeymoon Pool Suites will come with exclusive services, including:

• Welcome bottle of champagne in the villa with canapés and fruit platter
• Free dine-around in all three restaurants throughout stay (available for lunch and dinner)
• Special evening turn-down service on all nights of stay
• Two couple massages at the Elena Spa (for stays of four or more nights)

For dining options, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served at The Spice, the resort’s main restaurant featuring a combination of scrumptious buffet, live cooking stations and theme nights. There will be two à la carte restaurants as well; Simply Veg for gourmet vegetarian cuisine and Just Grill for fresh seafood and meat grills.

True to Atmosphere’s mission of providing hassle free holiday experiences, OBLU Select at Sangeli will also feature a premium all-inclusive ‘Serenity Plan’ offering exotic fine dining, recreation activities and excursions.

Activities will include music and DJ nights, sunset fishing, daily kids’ activities, a full gymnasium and a recreation centre. Non-motorised water sports that will be offered by the resort on complimentary basis include kayaking, paddle boarding, pedalos and snorkelling in tranquil surroundings.

OBLU Select at Sangeli will be the second property within the OBLU sub-brand, after the launch of OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli in 2015. Atmosphere runs two other resorts in the Maldives; Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives and its flagship OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo.

Baros Maldives has once again been recognised as the Indian Ocean’s Most Romantic Resort by the World Travel Awards.

The prestigious World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony took place at the five-star Sun Aqua Vilu Reef resort in Maldives on Saturday, with hospitality leaders from across the region in attendance.

At the ceremony, Baros Maldives was presented with the Indian Ocean’s Most Romantic Resort 2017 award. The resort has won the same award for the past two years as well.

“The winning of the regional award by Baros Maldives automatically qualifies the resort to be considered in the voting process for the award of the World’s Most Romantic Resort 2017, which the resort has won on four previous occasions,” a statement celebrating the resort’s win read.

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.

Baros is a small coral island in the Indian Ocean ringed by a sandy beach and a living house-reef, just 25 minutes by speedboat from the Maldives’ main Velana International Airport. It is an award-winning boutique resort renowned for discreet, personalised service excellence.

Renowned Canadian filmmaker Kyle Sandilands will be one of the headliners at the upcoming PATA Academy programme in Maldives, Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) announced Tuesday.

The programme — the first PATA Human Capacity Building Programme to be conducted outside its home base of Thailand — will be themed ‘Exploring the Art of Storytelling’, and will take place from Wednesday to Thursday at Bandos Island Resort.

In a statement, MATATO said Kyle will conduct sessions during the two-day programme.

Kyle is a Canadian filmmaker with a background in shooting, directing and editing projects ranging from commercial and corporate videos to television and documentary films. Having worked on everything from major Hollywood films to small-unit documentaries on the Everest Base Camp trek, Kyle is always searching for projects that push the limits physically, creatively and experientially.

As part of the PATA Foundation’s CBT Vietnam project, Kyle has shot and directed several short documentaries about the impacts of tourism in the hill tribe villages of Northern Vietnam. Additionally, he has worked as a videographer for UNICEF Cambodia, and has created many videos for various NGOs and tourism boards in the South East Asia region.

The programme to be conducted in the Maldives is based on the successful PATA Academy event held in December at the association’s Engagement Hub in Bangkok, and delivers an intensive and interactive training programme incorporating a series of classroom interactions conducted by leading travel industry experts coupled with practical activities, group assignments and networking opportunities.

Participants gain hands-on experience by working both individually and on team-based projects where presentations are shared at the end of the programme. From this intensive high-value training, participants take home practical marketing strategies to be applied and implemented in their respective organisations, including:

• Generating realistic, narrative-driven user stories
• Choosing the most effective medium
• Learning to ask the right questions
• Identifying elements of powerful stories
• Communicating and presenting ideas well to influence and inspire actions

In addition to Kyle, confirmed speakers include Head of Growth at Triip.me Trevor Weltman, Founder and Head of Product at Scott Experience Design Dung ‘Mos’ Dang, Professional Travel Bloggers Association President Matt Gibson, and PATO CEO Dr Mario Hardy.

The PATA capacity building programme is the association’s in-house outreach initiative for Human Capital Development (HCD) focused on the tourism industry. Leveraging PATA’s network of talented industry leaders worldwide, the programme designs and implements customised training workshops for diverse organisations, including government agencies, non-governmental organisations, educational institutions and private sector businesses.

The training is delivered through innovative adult education learning techniques, including case studies, group exercises, group discussions, instructor presentations and site visits. The facilitators bring knowledge, experience and expertise from a wide range of business sectors and drawn from PATA’s extensive and established network in the tourism industry and beyond.