Featured

Amit Majumder: leading Jumeirah Vittaveli’s constant evolution

Published

8 years ago

June 29, 2017

In India, the early 2000’s were marked by an expansive growth in sectors such as banking and insurance. Several brilliant young minds shifted their careers to those fields, leaving behind traditional service industries such as tourism and hospitality.

It was true for Amit Majumder and his fellow students, too. Most of his colleagues that had started out in the hospitality industry with him left to pursue careers in banking and insurance. But Amit stayed and his resolve has been highly rewarded; with a career spanning more than 16 years, Amit has climbed up the ranks to become the General Manager at Jumeirah Vittaveli in the Maldives, one of the most renowned luxury resorts in this world famous island paradise.

Maldives Insider sits with Amit to speak about his career, Jumeirah Vittaveli’s evolution and his perception of the Maldives tourism industry.

It might seem like a short journey, but it has been a fantastic journey filled with lots of learning, experience and joy!

Maldives Insider: What made you join the tourism industry?

Amit Majumder: For my graduate studies, I enrolled in economics. But I thought I should do something more vocational for my post-graduate studies. That is why I chose to enrol in Hotel Management. I have always had a neck for cooking and had dreamed of becoming a chef. But being young, I lacked the kind of discipline needed to head a professional kitchen. So I moved to something close to that — food and beverage service.

I started right out of Hotel Management School in India when I was just 19 years old, joining Oberoi Hotels and Resorts. It was a fantastic experience. I learned more in my first job than what I had learned during my studies, and that influenced me so much that I never had the desire to change my career path after my first job in the industry, unlike many of my friends who left the hotel industry and chose different paths like banking, insurance and call centre postings, which were booming at the time in India.

MI: What was your career progress like after joining Oberoi?

AM: After two years with Oberoi, I joined Jumeirah for the first time in 2002 at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah and later moved on to Madinat Jumeirah as part of its opening team. I spent five years in Dubai before coming to the Maldives in 2007 as the Front Office Manager at Kanuhura Maldives (then known as One&Only Kanuhura). I then left the Maldives for Singapore to serve as the Front Office Manager and Rooms Division Manager at Mandarin Oriental.

After about four years in Singapore, it was like the stars just aligned, and I was back in the Maldives, this time rejoining the Jumeirah Group as the Resident Manager at Jumeirah Vittaveli. From there, I moved up the ranks, finally assuming the role of General Manager in August 2016.

It might seem like a short journey, but it has been a fantastic journey filled with lots of learning, experience and joy!

MI: How different is the Maldives from other places that you have worked at?

AM: It is absolutely different — even in the basics. In the Maldives we are not managing a hotel; rather, we are running a small city. We are ultimately responsible for not just the utilities like power and water, but essentially for the well-being of each and every guest that stays with us as well as of all our colleagues. We need to ensure that the staff are motivated and that they have good facilities in terms of accommodation, work environment and welfare. In other places, you do not really have to care about living conditions and leisure facilities of your team after they leave work. But here we have to be very conscious of that all the time.

On the other hand, although people say that things like procurement are especially difficult in a remote island location such as the Maldives, I find this part of the business actually quite easy because you can either get your goods from the local communities or import them through one of the many shipping companies with branch offices located in Male. The key here is to plan ahead and be aware of longer lead times when receiving goods by cargo ship.

The fact that I have spent most of my career in the Maldives speaks volumes. I have done city hotels and resorts in other countries, but the Maldives, and in particular this island, is very special to me.

A two-bedroom beach villa at Jumeirah Vittaveli. PHOTO/ JUMEIRAH

MI: What is your main focus area at Jumeirah Vittaveli?

AM: If you have access to enough capital, anyone can build beautiful properties anywhere in the world. But the core of any establishment remains the colleagues. Here at Jumeirah Vittaveli, we continuously focus on improving facilities and implementing engaging activities to keep our colleagues motivated, so that when they serve the guests they put in their best to provide a genuine hospitality experience. I often hear from our guests that one of the major differences between our resort and other hotels they have visited is the genuine warmth expressed by our colleagues – service does not appear as staged, but is felt like an experience with the right attitude and aptitude.

At the same time, there are many beautiful properties coming up around the world and in the Maldives as well. So we should always keep ours fresh through innovation and creativity while keeping true to our core values.

MI: What is being done to keep Jumeirah Vittaveli fresh?

AM: It is a never-ending process. We started fully operating in 2012 and here we are sitting in 2017, and every year we have added something or done something new. From 2014 onwards, we have been on a path of very vigorous and fantastic changes all around the resort. We have added an airport lounge, the Family Beach Villas, our new restaurant Swarna, and renovated our main restaurant.

This year, we finally unveiled something we have been working on for a while; the all-new five bedroom Royal Residence. I have studied all the large villa categories in the Maldives, and I can safely say that ours is quite unique.

MI: What’s the idea behind the Royal Residence?

AM: The idea behind the Royal Residence is to create a private space which is unique and opulent. I think we have achieved that. The best part was that everybody came together with ideas of what we could do. We have taken inspiration from not just our colleagues, but also from our guests. We constantly listened to our guests and understood what their expectations would be if they were staying in a place like that. This led to the inclusion of a dedicated restaurant, a separate professional kitchen, air-conditioned living and dining pavilion, and not only 1 but 2 private swimming pools, to name only a few of the many unique highlights of our Royal Residence.

The reception has been fantastic. I cannot reveal the revenue figures, but I can say that we have already made quite a big fraction of the amount we spent on construction and interior décor.

The Royal Residence at Jumeirah Vittaveli. PHOTO/ JUMEIRAH

MI: Can you highlight the CSR programmes and eco-friendly initiatives undertaken by the resort?

AM: For the third year in a row, we have achieved the Green Globe certification this year. A team from the Oceanographic Museum in Germany also constantly help us assess the quality of our house reef and advise us on what can be done to protect the corals.

We are trying to reduce plastic in every way possible. In 2013, we established a bottling plant on the island to decrease the amount of plastic bottles given to guests. But we realised that we still had to purchase a lot of plastic bottles for colleague consumption. So we have now expanded that initiative and distributed free reusable water bottles especially for our colleagues. New water dispensers have been installed so that colleagues have easy access to the fresh island made bottled water throughout the back of house area.

We have also replaced items like sugar sachets with cubes kept in enclosed jars. All our drinking straws will soon be replaced with stainless steel ones.

In terms of our CSR programme, we are working on bringing all of our CSR projects together under one umbrella in order to have a more focused approach. We have been working with the center for people with special needs in Maafushi and the orphanage in Villingili for a number of years. I have personally been there on several occasions. Just recently, we also visited the Autism Centre in Hulhumale and established a permanent collaboration with them.

We are also a partner of UNDP Maldives, and keep our doors open for any kind of vocational training programmes for students from local communities.

The Swarna restaurant at Jumeirah Vittaveli. PHOTO/ JUMEIRAH

MI: How do you see the growth and changes in the Maldives tourism industry?

AM: Maldives still is a huge attraction for people all around the world. It is on many people’s bucket list — they want to visit the Maldives at least once in their lifetime. However, those that come here with the intention of visiting just once often keep coming back. Very few places in the world can compare with what the Maldives has to offer from a nature’s perspective — the breathtaking views, the vibrant underwater world and the all-year round pleasant climate.

It is good for the economy that money is being pumped into the country through the tourism industry. We have not yet realised the full potential of tourism, and I think there is still a great potential for expansion in the industry, especially in terms of more airlifts resulting in more tourist influx into the country. More international flights are now coming in to the main airport as well as other domestic airports that are slowly being converted into international arrival and departure points. Additionally, the main airport is being expanded to offer more facilities and services for a larger number of travellers. This is all going to help.

I do not see the number of new hotels coming up as a threat – with increased entry points and facilities, there will be space for a large enough market to sustain the existing and any upcoming hotels. I believe that the whole infrastructure of the country that supports this industry will also move towards where the Maldives should be.

MI: What should be done to attract more tourists?

AM: Not just the government, but the whole industry should focus on new markets with the support of airlines, so that we can bring in more flights. Despite China being one of the most important source markets, there are very few direct flights from China. Another example; India, being very close to the Maldives and having an increased level of outbound travel over the past few years, can be another market to look at to increase air connectivity.

MI: How is Jumeirah Vittaveli being positioned to adapt to the new trends in the industry?

AM: Jumeirah itself is a relatively new, modern company. We have a set brand identity and brand vision, but we are not bound by age-old traditions. So we are always trying new and innovative things.

In terms of Jumeirah Vittaveli, we are constantly upgrading our property and refining our service. We do things differently while still keeping our core culturally connected. We will keep on developing our surroundings and coming up with creative ideas to maintain our position as a market leader.

We are already developing a new category of villas, and constantly adding new F&B venues. We are looking into setting up a new restaurant, which will be based completely on organic food. We are also building a wedding chapel for those who want to renew their vows or who just want to take excellent photographs. We have a very exciting project too, which started as joke; an ice skating ring. Whoever we talk to about it tells us, ‘Oh! You must be joking!’ But we are not joking. We are already building it.

Related Topics:Amit Majumder Jumeirah Jumeirah Maldives Jumeirah Vittaveli

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Summer escape starts here: discover Centara’s dream destinations in Maldives

Published

4 days ago

June 16, 2025

m@ldives

The warmer season has officially arrived in the GCC, and for those still planning a summer getaway, Centara Hotels & Resorts’ Maldivian destinations offer the perfect escape. With something to delight every traveller, guests can book a stay at Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives or Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, both located within The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, where endless adventure awaits. For an adults-only retreat, Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives provides a serene paradise, while Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection, invites travellers to explore a world of underwater wonders and rejuvenating wellness experiences.

The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts

Surrounded by a shimmering lagoon, The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts is a multi-island, world-class destination that hosts two distinct resorts. Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives is a popular choice for families, featuring a lazy river, water playground, a vibrant kids’ club, and a selection of oceanfront or overwater villas along with diverse dining options. In contrast, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives offers an idyllic island escape with elegant overwater and beach villas and residences, exceptional culinary experiences, tranquil pools, and the acclaimed SPA Cenvaree Retreat.

Regardless of the chosen property, guests enjoy access to both resorts, ensuring a unique and flexible holiday experience. To further enhance their stay, visitors can select The Atollia Destination Full Board Plus package—ideal for sampling the island’s culinary offerings—or opt for the All-Inclusive package, which includes a daily replenished minibar.

Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives

Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives invites guests to secure their next escape with its Grand Island Indulgence: Exclusive Introductory Offer. Available for bookings made until 30th June 2025 for stays through 15th October 2025, guests can enjoy a relaxing four-night getaway while paying for only three nights, or extend their escape with the Stay 7, Pay 5 offer. Adding to the appeal, this exceptional promotion includes meal plan upgrades, complimentary sparkling wine and couples’ massages, exclusive access to The Club, a choice of an ocean excursion, and additional benefits for CentaraThe1 members, among other perks

Booking dates: From now until June 30^th

Stay dates: From now until October 15^th, 2025

Offer: Pay for 3 nights and stay for 4 OR pay for 5 and stay for 7

*For bookings and more information, please click here.

Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives

Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives invites families to enjoy an unforgettable summer escape with a special introductory offer. Guests can take advantage of exclusive rates, with up to two children aged 11 and under staying, playing, and dining for free. To ensure a smooth and stress-free holiday from arrival to departure, the offer also includes complimentary airport transfers and triple CentaraThe1 points for members.

Guests can settle into one of 145 stylish, beach-inspired rooms, each featuring a dining table and a private outdoor bathtub, jacuzzi, or pool. The resort offers endless excitement with thrilling activities, a vibrant kids’ club, a tropical lazy river, and rejuvenating treatments at the world-class SPA Cenvaree—along with playful mini treatments for children at the colorful Candy Spa. With fun and adventure for all ages, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives is the perfect place to escape the summer heat, Maldivian style.

Booking dates: From now until June 30^th

Stay dates: From now until October 31^st, 2025

*For bookings and more information, please click here.

Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives

Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives presents an exclusive adults-only retreat, where indulgence and tranquillity harmoniously come together. Guests can unwind in a private beachfront villa, enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach, or relax beside the shimmering lagoon under the summer sun. The resort also offers vibrant marine exploration through snorkelling, along with a variety of resort-wide activities, beach games, and water sports.

This summer, travellers are invited to refresh and rejuvenate with a distinctive escape to this private island paradise, where all villas are available at 30% off and CentaraThe1 Members receive an elevated discount of 45%. To begin the getaway in style, guests staying 2 to 4 nights can enjoy 50% off transfers, while those booking an Overwater Villa will be welcomed with a bottle of sparkling grape and a fruit basket.

Enhancing the experience even further, guests can delight in world-class cuisine with 20% off food and beverages throughout their stay, or indulge in a three-course poolside dinner, available for guests on Half Board plans and above. Additional perks include 10% off water sports and excursions, as well as complimentary access to snorkelling, pedalo, and kayaking activities—perfect for creating lasting memories. No visit is complete without a relaxing session at SPA Cenvaree, where guests can enjoy a buy-one-get-one offer on select treatments.

Booking dates: From now until January 10^th, 2026

Stay dates: From now until January 10^th, 2026

Offer:

45% off on all villas for CentaraThe1 Members
30% off for non-members
50% off on transfers with a minimum 2 nights to a maximum 4 nights
Sparkling grape & fruit basket upon arrival in Overwater villas
One 3-course poolside dinner under the stars for Half Board Plus and above
Buy one and get one on select spa treatments
Special evening turndown service with bed decoration on arrival night
20% discount on Food & Beverage from all outlets’ a la carte menu
10% discount on water sports and excursions
Complimentary use of Snorkelling gear, pedalo, and kayak

*For bookings and more information, please click here.

Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection

Situated in the South Ari Atoll, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection, is more than just a destination—it is a living expression of the Maldivian way of life, where nature and culture exist in perfect harmony. With a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, the resort encourages guests to disconnect from the outside world and embrace a life in sync with their surroundings. Guests can choose from 112 elegantly designed beachfront and overwater villas, each offering sweeping views of the Indian Ocean and the nearby UNESCO-protected marine reserve.

During their stay, visitors are invited to explore vibrant coral reefs and marine life through activities such as snorkelling, semi-submarine tours, kayaking, and paddleboarding. A highlight of the reef is a shipwreck located just 30 metres from the harbour channel, teeming with glassfish, resting nurse sharks beneath the hull, and stonefish camouflaged along the deck. For those seeking a deeper connection, the resort also offers the Blessing Ritual—a reflective tradition held beneath a 200-year-old sacred tree, where guests can tie personal wishes to its branches in a symbolic act of clarity, intention, and connection.

Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives offers an extraordinary escape, with CentaraThe1 members enjoying 45% off flexible rates on meal plans, and non-members receiving 30% off, along with an additional 30% discount on seaplane transfers. From the moment of arrival—greeted by handmade chocolates and fresh tropical fruit in the villa—guests are immersed in the magic of island life. Days can be spent snorkelling vibrant reefs, paddling through turquoise waters, or exploring the lush landscapes, followed by relaxing spa treatments with a buy-one-get-one offer, or cocktails at 20% off across all à la carte dining venues.

Families can enjoy a complimentary picnic lunch, while couples are treated to a romantic three-course dinner under the stars. Additional enhancements include floating breakfasts served in private pools, beautifully decorated beds upon arrival, and generous savings on water sports. With complimentary stays and meals for children aged six and under, as well as free use of snorkelling gear, kayaks, and pedalos, this island sanctuary delivers the perfect setting for an unforgettable Maldivian escape.

Booking dates: From now until January 10^th, 2026

Stay dates: From now until January 10^th, 2026

Offer:

45% off Flexible Rates on Meal Plans for CentaraThe1 Members
30% off Flexible Rates on Meal Plans non-members
30% discount on seaplane transfers for all guests with a minimum stay of 2 to 6 nights
Homemade chocolates & fruit basket upon arrival in Overwater and Club Pool Villas
One free picnic lunch – for the whole family (Half Board Plus and above) or one 3-course private beach dinner under the stars for couples (Half Board Plus and above)
Buy one and get one on select spa treatments
Kids 6 years and below Stay & Eat for Free as per the meal plan booked by parents
20% special discount on indulging floating breakfast (Only in Club pool villas)
Special evening turn-down service with bed decoration on arrival night
20% discount on Food & Beverages in all outlets on the à la carte menu
10% discount on Water Sports and Excursions
Complimentary use of snorkelling gear, pedalo and Kayak

*For bookings and more information, please click here.

Drink

Sommeliers and hospitality leaders to gather at Ifuru Island for exclusive Liquid Tasting Event

Published

4 days ago

June 16, 2025

m@ldives

Ifuru Island Maldives has announced the upcoming Raa Atoll Liquid Tasting, an exclusive gathering of sommeliers, F&B professionals, and hospitality leaders scheduled for 26 June 2025. This distinguished event is being presented in collaboration with The Liquid Concept, a premium beverage platform celebrated for its concept-driven approach to wine and spirits curation across the Indian Ocean region.

Established in 2021, The Liquid Concept delivers a comprehensive 360-degree beverage experience. Its portfolio includes fine wines, artisanal spirits, grower and grand marque Champagnes, vermouths, low- and no-alcohol alternatives, and innovative beverage solutions designed for hospitality and lifestyle destinations. The platform’s mission is to transform the beverage experience through purposeful curation, sustainable innovation, and immersive storytelling.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Ifuru Island, the tasting event will feature over 40 exceptional wine labels sourced from around the world. These selections, drawn from The Liquid Concept’s intentionally curated portfolio, invite attendees on a sensory exploration of diverse terroirs, winemaking philosophies, and compelling narratives.

Enhancing the tasting experience, guests will be treated to a specially crafted three-course menu, thoughtfully designed to complement and elevate the wine pairings. This harmonious fusion of food and beverage aims to showcase the artistry of hospitality and refined palate engagement.

As part of a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability, Ifuru Island and The Liquid Concept will also introduce the Bermar Wine & Champagne Preservation System during the event. This advanced technology enables the preservation of opened wines and champagnes, offering resorts a smart, eco-conscious solution to minimise waste and improve wine-by-the-glass service.

The Raa Atoll Liquid Tasting is an invitation-only event, poised to become a signature occasion that reflects Ifuru Island’s dedication to elevating the culinary and beverage scene in the Maldives.

Excursions

Underwater adventure awaits at Pullman Maldives Maamutaa’s Aqua Week 2025

Published

4 days ago

June 16, 2025

m@ldives

Pullman Maldives Maamutaa is inviting travellers to experience the extraordinary with the unveiling of its vibrant Maamutaa House Reef — a thriving underwater ecosystem situated just 100 meters from the resort’s shoreline. Boasting rich marine biodiversity and easy access, this reef presents a rare opportunity to explore the aquatic wonders of the Maldives without venturing far from shore.

The reef is home to an impressive array of marine life, including graceful green and hawksbill turtles, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, schools of colourful parrotfish and angelfish, as well as occasional sightings of eagle rays and octopuses. According to the resort’s in-house marine biologist, the reef is not only highly accessible but also remarkably active, offering guests the chance to engage directly with a thriving marine ecosystem.

Visitors begin their journey with a swim through a flourishing seagrass bed — a crucial habitat in its own right — before reaching the reef drop-off, where the underwater spectacle unfolds. The reef’s hard and soft coral formations remain in excellent condition, protected by the atoll’s geography and sustained by strong ocean currents.

From July 13 to 20, 2025, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa will host Aqua Week 2025, an immersive celebration of underwater discovery, innovation, and environmental responsibility. This event marks the official launch of Phase 1 of the resort’s Seagrass Mapping & Awareness Project, offering guests the opportunity to participate in guided snorkeling tours, collect visual data, and learn about the importance of seagrass meadows in supporting marine biodiversity and mitigating climate change.

Aqua Week will also feature several high-profile collaborations. Insta360 will lead underwater content creation workshops, enabling guests to capture their marine adventures in 360-degree detail. Edge K5 will provide smart drive underwater scooters for a more dynamic exploration of the reef. Additionally, certified mermaid Gloria Xue will offer mermaid classes, host underwater photoshoots, and perform captivating mermaid shows in the resort’s Aqua Villa.

Bringing together sustainability, technology, and immersive storytelling, Aqua Week 2025 promises to be a memorable celebration beneath the waves.

As part of its broader commitment to environmental sustainability and in line with Green Globe’s certification standards, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa has launched a comprehensive three-phase Seagrass Mapping & Awareness Project. The initiative aims to highlight the ecological significance of seagrass meadows, which serve as nurseries for marine life and play a key role in carbon sequestration.

The project includes:

Phase 1 (July): Seagrass identification and mapping in collaboration with resort staff and guests.
Phase 2 (August–September): Guided snorkeling tours to collect visual data and raise awareness, continuing during Aqua Week.
Phase 3 (October): The premiere of a short documentary film that captures the project’s progress and outcomes.
This initiative not only contributes to the protection of a vital marine habitat but also encourages guest participation in meaningful conservation efforts.

The reef at Pullman Maldives Maamutaa serves as the foundation for a range of signature guest experiences designed to educate, inspire, and engage:

Expert-led guided snorkeling tours
Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) sessions directly from the beach
Night snorkeling under UV light to reveal biofluorescence
Citizen science programs focused on seasonal seagrass research
Kids’ Ocean Explorers — a playful educational program tailored for young marine enthusiasts

Whether seasoned divers, casual snorkellers, or curious beginners, guests at Pullman Maldives Maamutaa can enjoy direct access to the wonders of the Indian Ocean with ease and unforgettable reward.