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Maldives Participates In The World Travel Market

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Maldives Promotion House – The Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and representatives from Maldives tourism industry recently participated in one of the biggest travel trade event, the 32nd World Travel Market (WTM) that was held from 7th to 10th November 2011 at ExCeL London.

The Maldivian delegation led by the Chairman, Mr. Thoyyib Mohamed Waheed and the Managing Director, Mr. Simon Hawkins, of the Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) comprised of 171 participants from 70 organisations, namely resorts, hotels, tour operators and travel agents that participated in WTM 2011 under the Maldives’ banner. Some 35 companies represented resorts and hotels in the Maldives and also travel agencies selling resorts, hotels and live-aboard participated in this fair.

WTM, the second largest travel trade exhibition after ITB Berlin, serves as an ideal platform for Maldivian suppliers and relevant agencies to establish marketing networks with their United Kingdom (UK) and European counterparts. The Maldivian delegation updated the travel trade and members of the media in the UK and Europe on new developments and products in Maldives. Participation in this annual travel market helped to strengthen the presence of Maldives in the European market as WTM brings together worldwide buyers and sellers from every sector of the industry.

Maldives continuous support for this annual event demonstrates a firm interest in the UK market, which remains its main focus in Europe. The two-storey Maldives Stand with an area space of 276 square meters is prominently located at stand number AS300, next to the India and Mauritius stand. Maldives stand at WTM was designed to portray the dynamism of the tourism product developments in the destination Maldives.

During the event, the Mr. Thoyyib Mohamed received the award for “Long Haul Destination of the year for Romance”, the reader’s choice award conducted by Selling Long Haul Magazine.

Maldives stand was also amongst the six stands who received the Best Stand Awards at WTM which was announced on 9th November 2010. On behalf of the Maldives delegation the State Minister accepted the award for the ‘Best Destination Award’ given away by the Exhibition Director of Reed Exhibitions, Mr. Simon Press.

Maldives recorded a total of 669,172 tourist arrivals during the first nine months of 2011, representing a 17.7 percent compared to the same period in 2010 indicating a continuous growth of tourists to the country. The UK remains Maldives’ prime market in Europe representing 11.8 percent of the total tourist to the country.

The raw data from the first day of this year’s event reveals that a 14 percent growth on the visitors to WTM 2011 over the first day with almost 23,000 participants, with exhibitors higher than at WTM 2010.

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Constance Hotels & Resorts Honors Manjoola Dowlutrao’s 20-Year Career Journey

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Constance Hotels & Resorts celebrates the dedication and excellence of Manjoola Dowlutrao, recognizing her remarkable 20-year journey within the group.

Dowlutrao’s story began in 2001 as part of the inaugural class of the Constance Academy’s Management Training Program. This experience launched an exceptional career within the prestigious hotel group.

Starting at Constance Lemuria Seychelles as a Reservations Supervisor, Dowlutrao has consistently demonstrated exceptional growth and leadership. Her path led her to Constance Prince Maurice in Mauritius, where she spent two decades honing her skills. She rose from Sales/Guest Relations Manager to Executive Assistant Manager, embodying a true commitment to providing exceptional hospitality experiences.

Dowlutrao’s recent appointment as Executive Assistant Manager in the Maldives signifies both her valuable contributions and the confidence Constance Hotels & Resorts holds in her abilities. Her career trajectory exemplifies the supportive and empowering environment the group fosters, encouraging individuals to excel and assume leadership roles within the luxury hospitality industry.

Manjoola’s remarkable journey across Constance’s esteemed properties in Seychelles, Mauritius, and now the Maldives, stands as a testament to her vast knowledge and her dedication to enhancing the guest experience over the years.

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Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas Welcomes Award-Winning Joachim Textor as New Executive Chef

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Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has announced the appointment of Joachim Textor as the luxury resort’s new executive chef. With over 40 years of experience in delivering premium culinary services around the world, Chef Joachim is now ready to bring his exciting new variety of innovative dining experiences to the resort’s discerning guests.

A native of Germany, Chef Joachim Textor began his illustrious career as a cook at various world-class hotels in Switzerland. After honing his skills at the Hilton in Basel, the Park Hotel in Vitznau and the Hyatt Hotel in Montreux, he decided to expand his culinary repertoire by exploring the tastes and cuisines of the world. Across 42 years of travelling, his amazing culinary journey has taken him to 93 countries and countless five-star kitchens across the planet.

Chef Joachim’s incredible journey of gastronomic discovery has led him to gain invaluable experience as an executive chef in some of the world’s most prestigious hotel chains, including The Peninsula Hotels, InterContinental, Hilton, Mandarin Oriental, Shangri-La, and Hyatt. He has received critically acclaimed awards and was also the Opening Executive Chef of Anantara Dubai Palm where he spearheaded the opening of the resort’s signature restaurants and dining experiences back in 2013.

Regarded as one of the most pioneering chefs in the industry, Chef Joachim has also opened multiple award-winning hotels and dozens of restaurants in both the Middle East and the Far East, while he has also cooked for a number of famous politicians, Hollywood celebrities, and royalty all over the world. His past assignments include the G12 Asian Summit Conference in Busan, where he cooked for such prestigious world leaders as George W. Bush, Angela Merkel and Li Peng.

A positive and cheerful personality with an energetic passion for innovation in his creations, Chef Joachim is now set for the next adventure in his culinary journey. Still as hungry to learn and explore as ever, Chef Joachim will bring phenomenal dining experiences for gastronomes at Anantara Kihavah with a number of new innovations already planned. Sharing the knowledge he has accumulated through his travels across six continents, Chef Joachim will also act as a mentor for budding young cooks, introducing his repertoire of world cuisines to the next generation of aspiring gastronomic innovators. In Chef Joachim’s own words, “The best is yet to come. Life is a journey and not a destination; travel it safe and well.”

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JOALI Appoints Özgür Cengiz as Global Wellness Development Director

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JOALI, the luxury hospitality and lifestyle brand, has announced the appointment of Özgür Cengiz as its Tourism Group Global Wellness Development Director, effective February 15th, 2024.

Cengiz brings over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and wellness industry. His career began with the opening team of Turkey’s first wellness resort, Richmond Nua Wellness, followed by leadership roles at Jumeirah in Azerbaijan and One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives.

In 2016, Cengiz joined JOALI as the Resort Manager for JOALI Maldives, the brand’s first art-immersive resort. He then played a pivotal role in establishing JOALI BEING, the Maldives’ first wellbeing island, as its General Manager.

Under Cengiz’s leadership, JOALI BEING garnered global recognition as a leading wellness destination. He is credited with creating the unique concept, curating a team of specialists, and introducing a diverse range of treatments – solidifying JOALI’s position as a wellness powerhouse.

Cengiz’s dedication extends beyond JOALI. He served as the Maldivian ambassador for Global Wellness Day for seven years, is a respected speaker in international wellness forums, and judges the Global Spa & Wellness Awards. His innovative approach and solution-oriented mindset have earned him widespread respect within the industry.

Hakan Öztürk, Tourism Group Managing Director of Gürok Group (JOALI’s parent company), commented on the appointment, stating that Cengiz’s “extensive knowledge and passion will truly redefine the wellness offerings for the brand from a broader perspective” as JOALI expands its portfolio.

In his new role, Cengiz will oversee the wellness strategy for the entire Gürok Tourism Group, encompassing innovative activations, expansion plans, and strategic development for both JOALI BEING and JOALI BEING Cure.

Cengiz’s appointment strengthens JOALI’s commitment to providing exceptional wellness experiences and signifies their continued dedication to pushing boundaries within the industry.

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