LUX* South Ari Atoll has teamed up with local telecom giant Dhiraagu to launch a campaign aimed at replacing all plastic bags used by staff members with reusable bags.

In a statement, LUX* South Ari Atoll said 28,500 plastic bags are used per year by staff members when they purchase items from the staff shop, store and restaurant. The Reusable Bag Campaign aims to replace those bags with reusable bags, while informing staff members on the impact of plastic bags on the environment, it added.

Under the campaign, Dhiraagu has already provided each staff member with two reusable bags.

“We would like to thank the team at Dhiraagu for being a part of this and lending their assistance in every way that they could,” Hussain Afeef, Regional Director of Training, Development and Quality Assurance at LUX* South Ari Atoll, was quoted in the statement as saying.

This campaign, which sets a benchmark for all resorts in the Maldives, is in line with an initiative recently launched by parent company, LUX* Resorts and Hotels to achieve a carbon-clean future. The initiative, called Tread Lightly, involves offsetting 100 percent of carbon emissions during guest stays. A €1 per day voluntary contribution is used to support various offsetting projects.

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.

First Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Academy programme in the Maldives kicked off Wednesday morning with the participation of industry professionals.

The programme — the first PATA Academy human capacity building programme to be conducted outside its home base of Thailand — is themed ‘Exploring the Art of Storytelling’, and takes place from Wednesday to Thursday at Bandos Island Resort.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, MATATO President Abdulla Ghiyas stressed on the cooperation between his organisation and PATA, saying that the PATA Academy programme held in the Maldives was the result of two years of work done by both the associations. He expressed hope that more joint initiatives would be carried out in the future.

“We hope this will transform into an annual programme,” Ghiyas said.

PATO CEO Dr Mario Hardy spoke on the need to find new and creative ways to promote tourism, with aspects such as local culture and lifestyle incorporated in marketing materials. The PATA Academy programme would pave way for such efforts to promote the Maldives as a destination, he added.

The programme being 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

Confirmed speakers include award-winning Canadian filmmaker Kyle Sandilands, 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 Academy 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.

Leading local resort operator Coco Collection is celebrating its big win at the World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, having received Indian Ocean’s Leading Boutique Hotel Brand award.

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, Coco Collection was presented with the Indian Ocean’s Leading Boutique Hotel Brand award. Shabeer Ahmed, Founder, Managing Director and Chairman of Coco Collection, received the award.

“Coco Collection has built a strong reputation as a luxury brand offering stylish and sophisticated escapes, and this win is another step in strengthening the position as a leading boutique luxury brand in the Maldives and the region,” the resort operator said, in a statement celebrating the win.

Three islands comprise the Coco Collection brand.

Coco Privé Private Island offers guests the chance to escape to an entirely private island. Creating a sense of intimacy and ownership, this 1.4-hectare island is dedicated to one booking at a time, where every guest is given a completely individual tailored experience.

Coco Bodu Hithi translates island life into contemporary sophistication. The resort is a chic retreat where you reconnect with yourself, your loved ones and the wonder of the natural world.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is dedicated to the inspiring beauty and natural wonder of the Maldives. Here, environmentally-conscious touches are woven into luxurious natural surroundings and initiatives contribute to the environmental and social sustainability of Maldives.

Travel Trade Maldives (TTM), the first ever international travel trade show of Maldives, kicked off Wednesday with much excitement from exhibitors and visitors alike.

Being held at the National Art Gallery in capital Male from Wednesday to Thursday, TTM connects Maldivian tourism industry stakeholders with a global network of travel agents.

Adaaran Resorts, Universal Resorts, Crown and Champa Resorts, Bandos Maldives, and Villa Hotels and Resorts are premium exhibitors, while a total of over 100 resorts and hotels are exhibiting their products at TTM.

More than 100 professionals representing travel agents, tour operators, industry experts and travel media have earlier confirmed their attendance. Meanwhile, the show is expected to witness more than 3,000 prescheduled meetings discussing business worth over USD 1 billion.

As a major component of TTM, a hotelier summit was held at the main convention centre of Dharubaaruge in Male from 9am to 1pm on Wednesday. Tourism industry pioneer Mohamed Umar Maniku delivered the keynote address, while motivational speaker Paul McNeive also addressed the summit.

In addition to the hotelier summit, which was sponsored by Bank of Maldives (BML), a tourism career fair is being held as part of TTM, providing job seekers, students, employers, training institutions and government agencies an opportunity to network. The career fair is exhibited by resorts, liveaboards, leading hotel chains and service providers in the tourism industry.

Meanwhile, TTM gala night, to be held at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi resort on Thursday, 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.

Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) is making final preparations for the Maldives Travel Awards – People’s Edition slated for Thursday evening.

The People’s Edition, the first event to be held this year under the Maldives Travel Awards platform, will recognise 10 individuals that have contributed immensely to the development of the Maldives tourism industry.

Nominations for the People’s Edition were open till June 30 from any individual with at least five years of experience in the Maldives tourism and hospitality industry. Third parties were also allowed to submit nominations on behalf of eligible individuals.

The winners, to be individually referred to as Tourism Personality of the Year, have been selected by a panel of veteran judges from different sectors across the industry, and would be announced at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Gala Night at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi Thursday evening.

The awards ceremony will be compered by Moosa Waseem, one of the most popular TV personalities in the country, and MATATO’s Deputy Secretary General Asra Naseem.

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

In 2016, the awards saw unprecedented judging transparency with a service agreement signed with KPMG to tally the final results. A record number of nominations were also received with the grand gala in Olhuveli Beach and Spa resort attended by dignitaries from relevant government authorities and the tourism industry.

This year, MATATO has for the first time branched out the prestigious awards into three categories; the People’s Edition, which recognises successful pioneers and long serving individuals in the tourism industry, a Guesthouse Edition, which celebrates the outstanding performance of the up and coming guesthouse sector, and the Grand Gala, which is exclusive for winners in the categories for resorts, airlines and liveaboards.

The Guesthouse Edition will take place in capital Male in September with the Grand Gala following in November.

The non-profit will also combine the Grand Gala with the travel conference happening a day before at Bandos Island Resort, bringing an international audience of industry experts.

Kihaa Maldives has announced a summer offer with 40 percent discount on room rates.

The offer, which is available till the end of this month, can be booked by sending traveller details via the resort’s website.

Set within the sparkling waters of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa atoll, Kihaa Maldives is located on a picturesque 600m-long island festooned with jungle foliage, a white sandy beach which stretches the entire circumference of the island and a lively coral reef. There are 124 villas combining contemporary and classic features such as elegant furniture, romantic four poster beds and exotic rattan lounge seats.

Guests can enjoy local and international dishes at the on-site restaurant or arrange for a romantic private dinner on the beach.

Scuba diving is one of the most popular activities at Kihaa, which is accessible by a 20-minute domestic plane ride from the main Velana International Airport. Guests can explore the area’s top dive sites featuring mega fauna including whale sharks and manta rays, and also visit the famous Marine Protected Area of Hanifaru Bay for snorkelling.

LUX* South Ari Atoll is celebrating its win at the World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, for being named the best hotel in the region.

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, LUX* South Ari Atoll was presented with the Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel award.

“We would like to thank everyone who has voted for us and most importantly I want to thank our team members at the resort who show us on a daily basis their passion and focus on delivering on our service promise,” Glenn Daniels, General Manager of LUX* South Ari Atoll, was quoted in a statement celebrating the win.

Fresh from its relaunch late last year, 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 187 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 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 set 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.

President of the Professional Travel Bloggers Association Matt Gibson is headlining the second day of the ongoing Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Academy programme in Maldives.

The first PATA Academy human capacity building programme held in the Maldives is themed ‘Exploring the Art of Storytelling’, and kicked off Wednesday at Bandos Island Resort with 45 participants comprising travel writers, marketers and educators.

Organiser Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) said Matt Gibson is conducting sessions on the final day of the two-day programme.

Matt Gibson is an adventure travel writer and photographer, and an award-winning blogger. He is the President of the Professional Travel Bloggers Association, and serves as the CEO of Upthink, an agency that helps travel companies develop their content marketing by working with travel bloggers.

On the first day of the programme, sessions were conducted by award-winning Canadian filmmaker Kyle Sandilands, Head of Growth at Triip.me Trevor Weltman, and Founder and Head of Product at Scott Experience Design Dung ‘Mos’ Dang.

The programme being 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

The PATA Academy 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.

Bank of Maldives (BML) and American Express have announced a partnership to promote the Maldives as a leading international tourist destination.

The “Experience Maldives” campaign was launched by tourism minister Moosa Zameer at a ceremony held at Hotel Jen in capital Male Tuesday evening.

In a statement, BML said under the campaign, which is endorsed by the tourism ministry and the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), the Maldives will be promoted internationally to American Express’s global network of clients. Over 20 resorts have announced their participation in the campaign and they will make available a number of attractive offers to encourage tourists to consider the Maldives as their preferred holiday destination, it added.

BML CEO and Managing Director Andrew Healy commented, “We are delighted to partner with American Express on this major new destination marketing campaign. This is an important initiative for the country and it will promote Maldives to travellers from across the globe. We are grateful for the strong personal support extended by minister Zameer, and we will continue to work with the Ministry of Tourism, MATI and other stakeholders to support the industry.”

Manoj Adlakha, Senior Vice President and CEO of American Express Banking Corp. said, “This campaign will raise Maldives’ profile among the premier clientele of American Express around the world. It demonstrates our commitment to support our merchant base in Maldives and we are confident bringing more American Express cardholders to the country will deliver significant economic benefits. We are delighted to work with the Ministry of Tourism, MATI and Bank of Maldives to do our part to raise Maldives’ international profile.”

The destination marketing campaign by the Maldives’ largest bank and American Express comes weeks after American Express Travel revealed that the Maldives has topped the list of hot summer destinations this year as bookings have seen a staggering 117 percent increase.

Although the Maldives is an all-year round destination, the high season falls between December and March when its winter in Europe. Resorts in the Maldives enjoy occupancy levels of over 80 percent during this period.

Despite being a traditionally slow season for the Maldives tourism industry, summer is off to a good start this year, as arrivals to the Maldives saw a double digit increase in April. Official figures show that a total of 119,774 tourists visited the Maldives in April — a 15.7 percent increase over the 103,493 tourists in April 2016.

Maldives Travel Awards – People’s Edition, the first event held this year under the Maldives Travel Awards platform, has recognised 10 individuals for their immense contributions to the development of the Maldives tourism industry.

Nominations for the People’s Edition were open till June 30 from any individual with at least five years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry. Third parties were also allowed to submit nominations on behalf of eligible individuals.

Ten winners, individually referred to as Tourism Personality of the Year, were selected by a panel of veteran judges from sectors across the industry, and announced at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Gala Night at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi Thursday evening.

Here are the winners:

Aminath Mamshooga

In a career spanning over 24 years, Mamshooga has become one of the most courteous sales representatives in the aviation industry, having worked at the then Maldives’ flagship carrier Air Maldives and leading international airline Emirates. Now a marketing representative for Turkish Airlines, Mamshooga has studied from various institutions, including the prestigious Emirates Aviation College, and is involved in training sales representatives to ensure top notch customer service.

Yousuf Riffath

A visionary that saw the potential of Maldives as a leading travel destination in its hay day, Riffath founded Capital Travel and Tours, one of the most successful tour operators in the country. In a career spanning over 35 years, Riffath has been involved in founding and leading MATATO and Liveaboard Association of Maldives (LAM), and has served as the President of the Maldives Chapter of American Society of Travel Agents and the Association of Travel Agents. He has also contributed to the growth of the industry as a Board Director of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).

Hussain ‘Sendi’ Rasheed

A name synonymous with Maldives’ diving industry, Sendi has trained over 1,600 divers in his three decades of service. Being the first and only PADI Dive Course Director in the country, Sendi is a pioneering force in developing several industry standards, including the National Diving Regulations. He has also been involved in developing the Coastguard Diving Unit, the first locally-owned dive centre at a resort and the Marine Faculty of Villa College where he served as the dean for two years.

Rasa Sangheran

A Sri Lankan born Chartered Accountant, Rasa serves as the Director of Finance at One&Only Reethi Rah, one of the finest resorts in the Maldives. In his 15-year long service to the Maldives’ tourism industry, Rasa has made Reethi Rah the most tax compliant resort in the Maldives. He has also taken several notable steps to empower both local and expat employees, including changes to the minimum wage and average service charge, and equal pension benefits for all employees at Reethi Rah.

Qaisar Naseem

A beacon of hope for aspiring local hospitality executives, Qaisar has climbed up the ranks from a receptionist to become one of the few local General Managers in the industry. A school dropout, Qaisar, while leading Paradise Island Resort, has earned post-graduate education in hotel management and business. He has won several local and international recognitions for his leadership and dedication to teamwork, including the award for the Best General Manager in Indian Ocean by World Luxury Hotel Awards.

Renato W. Chizzola

A global hospitality leader, Renato serves as the General Manager of Cheval Blanc Randheli as well as the Vice President of Operations, Asia and the Middle East for Cheval Blanc, LVMH Hotel Management. He has helped Randheli achieve the highest RevPAR, LQA score and service charge in the region. Renato, whose previous experiences in the Maldives include serving as the General Manager of Constance Halaveli, has won several accolades, including the Friendliest General Manager award by Traveller Made, Science of Talent by Talent Plus and a Personal Recognition award by Entrée Travel Publiction.

Ibrahim ‘Don’ Ali

Since starting his career in 1979 at the age of 17 as an office cleaner in Baros Maldives, Ali has overseen the development and renovation of several tourist facilities in the Maldives, including the construction of resorts from scratch. A self-taught man except for a few short courses abroad, Ali was appointed General Manager of Mookai Hotel and Mookai Suites in  capital Male in 2013, after overseeing their development.

Abdul Rasheed ‘Absy’ Ali

A voice loved by Maldivians and tourists alike, Absy has dedicated most part of his four-decade long entertainment career to promoting the Maldives’ culture amongst tourists. A founder of popular bands ‘Amazon Jade’, ‘20 th Century BC’ and ‘Out of Door Maldives’, Absy has released a solo studio album which has sold over 1,600 copies to tourists. He continues to perform two regular gigs a week with Out of Door Maldives, entertaining tourists and helping them connect with the local culture and lifestyle.

Ali Rasheed

A computer programmer by training, Ali bumped into the hospitality industry by accident while developing the reservations and sales software for Paradise Island Resort in 1995. In his capacity as the Director of Marketing and Sales at the Marketing and Operations Department of leading local resort operator Villa Hotels, he is now responsible for overseeing the daily operations and marketing requirements of five resorts in the Villa portfolio. Ali has also contributed to the growth of the industry as a former Executive Board Member of Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) and Maldives Tourism Advisory Council at the Ministry of Tourism.

Zeenaz Hussain

An educator and mentor, Zeenaz pursued a career in the kitchen at the Paradise Island Resort right after completing her studies at the Hotel School (now known as the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies). While working in the industry, Zeenas instructed at the Institute of Hotel and Catering Services as a trainee food production instructor before taking her first teaching job at the Hotel School in 1997. Since then she has been instrumental in producing the future generations of hospitality executives, which led to her appointment as the Dean of the Faculty in 2011.

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

In 2016, the awards saw unprecedented judging transparency with a service agreement signed with KPMG to tally the final results. A record number of nominations were also received with the grand gala in Olhuveli Beach and Spa resort attended by dignitaries from relevant government authorities and the tourism industry.

This year, MATATO has for the first time branched out the prestigious awards into three categories; the People’s Edition, which recognises successful pioneers and long serving individuals in the tourism industry, a Guesthouse Edition, which celebrates the outstanding performance of the up and coming guesthouse sector, and the Grand Gala, which is exclusive for winners in the categories for resorts, airlines and liveaboards.

The Guesthouse Edition will take place in capital Male in September with the Grand Gala following in November.

The non-profit will also combine the Grand Gala with the travel conference happening a day before at Bandos Island Resort, bringing an international audience of industry experts.

Travel Trade Maldives (TTM), the first ever international travel trade show of Maldives, concluded successfully on Thursday, as business contracts worth over USD 1 billion were discussed during the two-day fair.

First edition of the annual travel trade show, which is organised by local PR firm Maldives Getaways, took place at the National Art Gallery in capital Male from Wednesday to Thursday.

In a statement, Maldives Getaways said over 100 hoteliers set meetings with over 150 agents and tour operators from across the globe. More than 3,000 scheduled meetings took place during the two days of the show, it added.

“TTM is the first of its kind to be held in the Maldives acting as a platform where stakeholders of the industry met in one place to finalise deals that would define the tourism industry of Maldives,” the statement read.

As a major component of TTM, a hotelier summit was held at the main convention centre of Dharubaaruge in Male from 9am to 1pm on Wednesday. Tourism industry pioneer Mohamed Umar Maniku delivered the keynote address, while motivational speaker Paul McNeive also addressed the summit.

In addition to the hotelier summit, which was sponsored by Bank of Maldives (BML), a tourism career fair was held as part of TTM, providing job seekers, students, employers, training institutions and government agencies an opportunity to network. The career fair was exhibited by resorts, liveaboards, leading hotel chains and service providers in the tourism industry.

Meanwhile, TTM gala night, held at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi resort on Thursday, hosted Maldives Travel Awards – People’s Edition, which recognised 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.

More than 2,000 visitors attended a tourism career fair held as part of the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) show, organisers announced Friday.

As a component of the Maldives first ever international travel trade show TTM, the Tourism Career Fair 2017 was held on Thursday from 8-11pm at the National Art Gallery in capital Male.

An official from Maldives Getaways, which organises TTM, said 75 resorts took part in the fair and showcased available job opportunities. The 45 booths setup at the venue were all packed during the three-hour fair, he added.

“Most of the visitors were young people,” the official said.

TTM concluded successfully on Thursday, with business contracts worth over USD 1 billion being discussed during the two-day travel trade show.

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.

A couple from Germany has just completed their 55th stay at Baros Maldives, making them the first guests to stay so many times on the award-winning Indian Ocean island resort.

Anita and Manfred Muench first visited Baros Maldives in 1984 when, according to them, the resort had an appealing “Robinson Crusoe and romance feeling.” They enjoyed the rustic accommodation, even though the shower had only cold water, and breakfast was just toast, butter, jam and coffee.

They fell in love with Baros and appreciated the improvements they witnessed as they returned on average twice a year until 2009.

Then, to their surprise, said Anita, “we received a letter from Baros inviting us for our 50th visit. We had no idea we had stayed at Baros so many times.”

Anita explained: “Baros is such a wonderful and beautiful place. Over the years we have seen the resort, and the staff, grow. We have built up friendships with people here and Baros has become linked to our lives. Even our children and grandchildren have been here on holiday too.”

“When we first stayed at Baros,” said Manfred, “we were young and looking for adventure. Now we come because we enjoy the beach and like to relax by the infinity swimming pool at the Lime Restaurant. We are looking forward to returning soon for our 56th visit.”

A spokesman for Baros Maldives said, “We are honoured to have Mr & Mrs Muench stay with us so many times. Over 30 percent of our guests have been here before, which is testimony to the personal care and attention shown by our staff, as well as a tribute to the facilities Baros Maldives has for the perfect holiday.”

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.

Jumeirah Vittaveli is celebrating its win at the World Travel Awards, having won the Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa award for its recently launched Royal Residence.

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

At the ceremony, Jumeirah Vittaveli’s brand new Royal Residence was recognised with the Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa award.

Celebrating the win, Amit Majumder, General Manager of Jumeirah Vittaveli, said: “We are honoured to have received this award, and especially so, since the Royal Residence was launched only three months ago. The Royal Residence was a team effort, inspired by guest wishes and realised with input and dedication from the team on location. We are honoured to see such a great reception of a product that is an essential and logical extension of the facilities and services offered at Jumeirah Vittaveli, and we look forward to continuing to amaze our guests and partners alike!”

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.

Located a short 20-minute ride on board a luxurious motorised catamaran from capital, 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 Royal Residence at Jumeirah Vittaveli is a resort all on its own. Designed for families and groups of friends looking for the ultimate in luxury, this stunning residence offers five bedrooms extending across 3,500 square meters of pure tranquillity. Home to two private swimming pools overlooking the private residence beach, a dedicated island grill restaurant offers live cooking and teppanyaki style cuisine set atop a traditional Dhoni-shaped deck.

In addition to the recently launched Royal Residence, the resort 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. Highlights are the free-standing Ocean Suites, located only a heartbeat away from the main island and accessible by complimentary boat service.

Duniye Spa at Kuredu Island Resort and Spa has announced a special 15 percent discount on couple’s treatments for the month of July.

The special discount applies to the two couple’s treatment packages, Full Moon Magic and Honeymoon Indulgence, both of which been created to utilise a range of techniques that complement each other in generating a truly unforgettable experience.

The 135-minute Full Moon Magic package, which usually costs USD 428 is available for USD 364 this month. It includes:

• Asian-inspired foot ritual
• Balinese Massage
• Freshly prepared body polish
• Indulgent Indian head and foot massage
• Tropical Bath Infusion
• Healing Earth Bio Active Mini Facial
• Fruit platter complimented with champagne
• Spa gift for your spa experience at home

The 105-minute Honeymoon Indulgence package, which usually costs USD 349 is available for USD 297 this month. It includes:

• Asian-inspired foot ritual (for both)
• Balinese or Oriental massage (for her)
• Pinotage Body Polish (for her)
• Indian head massage (for her)
• Deep Tissue Back or Muscle Ease Massage (for him)
• Ginger-Lemongrass Body Polish (for him)
• Foot Massage (for him)

“The massages, beauty and wellness treatments, offered at Duniye Spa, are a fantastic way to relax and unwind, and often become a highlight of many of our guests’ stays. Our skilled therapists able to bring you to levels of relaxation and rejuvenation you never knew existed before,” the resort said, in an announcement.

“The couple’s treatments have been specifically designed to add a little romance to the relaxation, as you and your partner experience the magic together.”

The lineup for the 2017 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy is complete, as former CT Stars Rob Machado and Ross Williams along with local talent Ismail Miglal have confirmed to join defending event champion Taj Burrow, big wave inspiration Maya Gabeira and 2001 WSL Champion CJ Hobgood.

The Surfing Champions Trophy, which takes place from August 7 to 13, determines heat times based on age and tests skill across three divisions: single-fin, twin-fin, and thruster. Places are by invitation-only to six world champions in a battle for inner-circle kudos and a USD25,000 prize pot.

Rob Machado from the US will return to the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy for a second time to compete in the ‘multi-discipline’ event that suits his surfing more than most. Machado is known the world over for his silky smooth style and ability to rip on all sorts of different and experimental boards. Some people forget however that through the nineties, Machado was a solid fixture in the WSL CT top 10, even making it to World No. 2 in 1995 and was seen as a formidable opponent by his fellow competitors.

Machado’s ability on boards of all shapes and sizes will see him as a major threat when competition gets underway at Sultans as he looks forward to catching up with old friends.

“I’ve always been a massive fan of this event,” Machado said.

“Having the three different board types in one event is a really cool concept – it really is an amazing event in an amazing location. To come back for a second time is super special.”

Three-time Maldivian National Champion and local wild card Ismail Miglal, aka ‘Kuda Issey,’ is one of the Maldives’ most popular surfers. His 25-year surfing career has included a wealth of international competitions and event titles throughout Asia, but it is his ability at his home breaks, which is most impressive.

Kada Issey achieved a lifelong dream in 2015 when he founded Raalhu Edhuru: a Male-based Surf School on a mission to extend the sport’s reach around the Maldives through community-based sponsorship programs for young surfers in non-central atolls. Devotion like this to community and surfing is truly commendable and it will be special to see him achieve another dream when he competes against some of his heroes at home this August.

“It is an honour and a privilege to surf our local waves with this line up of legends,” Kuda Issey said.

“It is an amazing opportunity to be apart of such a special event and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Event coordinator Mark Winson of Tropicsurf comments, “The line-up is looking epic. A World Tour veteran, Williams brings with him a wealth of performance experience. Surfing against one of his best mates in Machado is going to be great to watch. Rob’s twin fin skills will give him a sure-fire edge in the competition’s twin-fin division. But no one knows the Sultans like three-time Maldivian National Champion Miglal. Everyone in the line-up has a different area of expertise, just what’s needed for this multiple-division contest.”

Returning to the annual event is Four Seasons Explorer, the Maldives’ ultimate surf vessel. Following a full interior refurbishment, the 39-metre catamaran will proudly be showcasing sleek new finishes and stylish soft furnishings across all three decks while hosting the contest.

Fans can get up close to all of the action with onboard VIP passes, then continue the “surf tour” experience with shoulder-rubbing events back at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa — the homeport for the event’s competitors, judges and Tropicsurf partners.

To allow guests to experience the surf tour lifestyle, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa has introduced a Surf, Spa & Save Package. For a stay of minimum four nights, guests can save 15 percent on room rates and benefit from a host of added on-site extras, including:

• One 60-minute spa treatment
• Day passes to view the competition from Four Seasons Explorer (individual tickets to single, double, triple fin and Grand Finale)
• VIP tour cocktails – nightly cocktail hour with the six Surfing Champions contestants throughout the week of the competition

Combining innovation, wellness and conservation, Four Seasons Resort Maldives Landaa Giraavaru is a 44-acre, 103-villa wonderland in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — a 30-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport.

Its sister property, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa lies to the south: an enchanting garden island complete with Island Spa sea sanctuary and Tropicsurf coaches and guides. It features 96 thatched beach and water accommodations constructed by local craftsmen using indigenous materials and techniques to reflect a true sense of the Maldives.

The luxury catamaran Four Seasons Explorer connects the two properties via three, four and seven-night cruises, plus private leisure, surf and manta ray charters.

The latest addition to the Maldives collection, Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Baa Atoll opened in December as the group’s first exclusive-use private island: off limits to everyone else, limitless to the guests.

Carpe Diem Maldives has brought in Minor Hotel Group’s former Area Director of Marketing Communications for the Maldives Liz Smailes as its marketing communications chief, as the company expands its reputable dive and surf liveaboard operations into resorts.

In a statement, Carpe Diem said Liz joined the company in June from Anthem Asia, an investment company in Yangon, Myanmar, where she was a consultant for the past year. Returning to the Maldives, Liz takes on a new role within Carpe Diem as Head of Brand and Marketing Communications and will be responsible for all aspects of the brand expansion, marketing communications and PR strategy, it added.

According to the company, from the UK, Liz will also oversee the company’s European business development. Building on Carpe Diem’s strong name over the last nine years as a liveaboard dive operator of three luxury cruises in the Maldives, Liz joins the company at an exciting time of expansion into resort hospitality, it said.

Agnes Van Linden, Assistant Managing Director of Carpe Diem, said Liz would bring a wealth of experience to the role, having worked previously with brands such as Anantara and Per Aquum.

“I am really delighted that Liz has joined us in this vital role. She brings with her a wealth of leadership experience and proven track record in brand strategy, marketing communications and public relations. We’ve already achieved a lot in the first two months and we look forward to establishing a stronger brand recognition and identity as the company grows,” she said.

Speaking on the appointment, Liz added: “I’m thrilled at this opportunity to develop something new out of a strong foundation. I’m also very excited to join such a unique company with a solid reputation for excellent dive and surf cruises that is now embracing new challenges of resort expansion. It’s a vibrant time for the Maldives too, as we see a new demographic of travellers to the destination. They are seeking a more social environment paired with adventure and excitement, rather than just a romance and honeymoon emphasis, and Carpe Diem Maldives is set to deliver on that market demand.”

Established in 2008, Carpe Diem showcases a collection of three luxury liveaboard cruises, each accommodating 20 guests at a time. Carpe Diem is renowned for delivering a sense of discovery and adventure while enriching guests’ knowledge. The Carpe Diem name has built significant brand recognition within the top echelons of the travel industry for diving and leisure, and is currently developing a resort in the Maldives.

LUX* Resorts and Hotels has appointed Swiss-born hospitality expert Markus Iseli as the General Manager of its upcoming property in the Maldives, LUX* North Male Atoll.

In a statement, LUX* said Iseli will be taking charge of every aspect of the mould-breaking resort as it prepares for its opening in early 2018. Extensive experience overseeing the positioning and launching of new openings and start-ups, coupled with his expertise in design and construction, make Iseli the perfect person to take the helm of LUX* North Male Atoll at this crucial stage in its development, it added.

“I am excited and grateful to have been chosen to become a part of this amazing pre-opening team for LUX* Resorts and Hotels’ second property in the Maldives,” Iseli was quoted in the statement, as saying.

“With such great architectural design, state-of-the-art services and facilities, and the support of a handpicked group of dedicated team members, combined with my knowledge and appreciation of high-end luxury hotels and resorts, I believe we can create truly different guest experiences that are not only unique but extraordinary.”

A civil engineer by profession, Iseli brings over three decades of high-level hospitality experience, which has seen him graduate from service and guest relations positions to the most senior levels of hotel management.

He began his career in Switzerland as an apprentice cook, working his way up through various F&B positions before moving to Germany to assume the role of Chief Steward at Hilton International Munich Park, where he managed banquets and conferences for up to 800 people.

From here, his professional trajectory took him into executive roles in international luxury hospitality, seeing Iseli recruited by the likes of Hilton Worldwide, Intercontinental, Four Seasons and Shangri-La, as well as a number of other properties recognised as Leading Hotels of the World.

His life in hotels has taken him all over the globe; Iseli has variously made his home in Germany, Kenya, Sudan, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Portugal, Syria, the Seychelles, South-East Asia, Oman and Saudi Arabia over the years, giving him an unparalleled understanding of the needs and expectations of travellers from countless cultural backgrounds.

Before joining LUX*, Iseli was the Managing Director behind the opening of Canyon Ranch Kaplankaya in Bodrum, Turkey.

When LUX* North Male Atoll, located on the six hectare picnic island of Olhahali, opens early next year, its oversized penthouse architecture and easygoing South Beach ambience are set to bring a new level of luxury to the Maldivian hotel scene. The resort features 67 double-storey residences, five restaurants and bars, an expansive LUX* Me spa complex, and comprehensive diving and water sports facilities — all coupled with contemporary architectural design elements such as private terraces, rooftop lounges, outdoor decks, private gardens and 13m private pools.

The Mauritius-based LUX* Resorts and Hotels already runs the LUX* South Ari Atoll resort in the Maldives.

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

Listing the John Jacob Astor Estate in the ‘New’ category of the list, Elite Traveler said while an unobstructed view of crystal-clear, calm turquoise water is the bare minimum expected from an overwater bungalow in the 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, it added.

“The 990 sq ft 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,” the listing read.

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

Published annually, Elite Travelers’ list of Top 100 Suites picks out the world’s most iconic rooms to stay in the year. The hand selected list recognises where hotels have gone the extra mile to create something truly extraordinary.

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.

Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has been named the Top Hotel Brand in the world by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine.

The August issue of the magazine marks the 22nd edition of World’s Best, with more than 300,000 respondents submitting ratings in categories ranging from cities and hotels to airlines, cruise ships, and destination spas.

“We are super excited to receive this prestigious award from the readers of Travel + Leisure. Everyone at Six Senses could not be more proud, and deeply appreciative of the guests who took the time to vote,” Neil Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer at Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, was quoted in a statement as saying.

Jacobs credits the debut win to the values that the Six Senses brand is built on — incredible locations, sustainable practices and a deep commitment to pioneering wellness — along with a personalised and consistent approach to service.

“Across all of our 11 properties worldwide, day in and day out, our dedicated hosts make sure each stay is unique and memorable ensuring that our guests leave in a better place than when they arrived. Our owners and travel partners are also key contributors in delivering this winning guest experience,” he said.

According to Six Senses, the brand is expanding to more magical places around the globe, including new openings next year in Bhutan, Bali, Cambodia, Fiji and Turkey and development of the first urban property in New York’s art district opening in 2019. Six Senses will continue to focus on greeting new and returning guests with its empathetic and quirky take on hospitality, it said.

With a monthly circulation of over 950,000 readers, Travel + Leisure has been considered the leading travel authority in the world of publishing since it first hit the newsstands in 1937. Each year, the World’s Best survey takes place from November through March, inviting readers to participate through Travel + Leisure magazine, T+L tablet editions, newsletters, social media, and its website.

In Maldives, Six Senses runs the Six Senses Laamu, the only resort located in the relatively unexplored southern atoll of Laamu. Surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the resort prides itself on its commitment to sustainable operations and development as outlined by Agenda 21 and Green Globe Benchmarking.

At Six Senses Laamu, most of the villas and facilities are built overwater. However, beach villas and on-land dining is an option. All villas offer a sense of privacy and seclusion, with an amazing view to the Ocean and Maldivian nature.

Six Senses Laamu offers a wide range of dining options, with cuisines from around the world, a swimming pool with a sunken bar, an ice cream parlour, an overwater wine cellar and a signature Chill bar. Many activities, excursions and options are available for everyone to enjoy, both overwater and underwater, in addition to the Six Senses Spa.