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Waldorf Astoria Brings in a New Marine Biologist

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Maldives Promotion House – Waldorf Astoria Maldives has announced that they have brought in their new marine biologist, Alexia Pihier.

The luxury resort has tailor-made programmes designed for each guest that explains the marine environment and its uniqueness in the Maldives, the life span of mammals, sharks and turtles, encouraging good practice for these fascinating creatures.  Weekly talks are also held in PLAY (the resort’s activity centre) where marine life is discussed within the guest’s area of interest, covering topics such as environmental problems, turtles, whale sharks and other wonders of the underwater world.

“At Waldorf Astoria Maldives, we are committed to working with the community in preserving the environment. We are confident that Alexia’s experience and enthusiasm will help drive continued research and development of new programmes for our guests and team members to do their part in protecting our reefs for generations to come,” said Alan Stocker, General Manager, Waldorf Astoria Maldives.

“Equipped with a stronger understanding of the everyday impact on the marine environment, we believe our guests, team members as well as the local Maldivians will be more encouraged to act responsibly in preserving marine resources and inclined toward the sustainable use of the marine environment.”

A few years ago, the northern atolls of the Maldives were affected by el niño where the water heated up to such a degree that some of the corals were killed.  Recognizing the need to protect the coral life, Alexia will also manage a vital project to recreate a natural reef environment for fish and organisms that thrive in these areas by creating a new and natural reef by attaching live corals to the cobweb-shaped frames, which over the years will grow and become home to many creatures.  Guests are invited to take part in this process, whether it will be under supervision or sponsorship of the frames.  Every four months, Alexia will photograph the personalized frame and send progress reports through to the sponsor.

The art of… [learning]

  • Tailor made talks
  • Collect coral fragments and either assist in attaching or watch the marine biologist attach the coral to the frames
  • Snorkelling and diving excursions
  • Fish watch – gather information about Manta Rays, Turtles, Sharks and reef fish for the Darwin Project
  • Dolphin cruise
  • Underwater Kingdom book
  • Dive in house reef and work on own coral frame
  • Sustainable fishing trips
  • Children’s programmes based from the kids club where groups of our next generation can take part in the coral regeneration project
  • Coral frame

Alexia holds a Degree in Marine Biology and a Masters Degree in Natural Resources Management from James Cook University in Australia where she also carried out research on reef fish movement inside a protected area. She also studied ecology and behaviours and impact of tourism and boat traffic on Spinner Dolphins in Hawaii.

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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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