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LUX* Maldives, A Lighter Brighter Green

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Maldives Promotion House – Islands are notoriously non-eco-friendly locations, with local eco systems, both terrestrial and marine, for too long threatened by the proliferation of holiday-makers, and the impact their presence has on fragile island environments.

LUX* Island Resorts is working hard to change this. Launched in December 2011, it is entirely carbon neutral through cooperation with award-winning carbon management specialists, Carbon Footprint Ltd. LUX* – named after the Latin for Light – is dedicated to achieving a lighter, brighter and altogether fresher version of the luxury island holiday.

Dedicated to the principles of responsible tourism, it is extending its participation in sustainable development and environmental management by implementing its ‘Tread Lightly’ initiative, aimed at a carbon-clean future. This aims both to offset 100%of carbon emissions from all its properties, and also to reduce carbon emissions by 20% by the end of 2012.

“It’s vital for businesses and organisations not ‘just to look at carbon offsetting’ as a ‘quick’ solution to environmental problems. The most responsible businesses carry out carbon management first and make a solid commitment before they consider any carbon offsetting.”He added: “LUX* Island Resorts have made a huge and responsible commitment to reduce and offset to net zero emissions to make their resorts carbon neutral,” the Managing Director of Carbon Footprint Ltd’s, John Buckley, explained.

LUX* allocates an amount from the price of each guest night it sells to the Tread Lightly Fund. This fund is used to enhance its green credentials by investing in a significant internal carbon-reduction strategy, focused on projects such as solar-power, LED lighting replacement, wind turbines and the recycling of grey water for cleaning of public spaces and irrigation. A Green Committee has also been appointed by the company, ensuring full coordination between the three LUX* destinations of Mauritius, the Maldives and Réunion.

This way, all of the resorts can learn and improve through the experiences of others. For example, some hotels are now operating sea-water desalination plants, and successfully recycling waste waters, plastics, paper, cardboard and cooking oil(for bio fuel).  A planting scheme for trees and vegetation has also been initiated to compensate for unavoidable carbon emissions, along with programmes of constant care for beaches and the natural areas surrounding the properties.

LUX* Island Resorts is proud of its achievements in this area so far. In Mauritius, LUX* Belle Mare, LUX* Le Morne and LUX* Grand Gaube have each been awarded the Certificate of Good Environmental Practices by SGS in 2010. This certifies that the hotels have completed a complex evaluation process, including four environmental audits based on unannounced visits by experts. LUX* Maldives has opened a Marine Biology Centre on the island of Dhidhoofinolhu. Here, the company employs a full-time specialist marine biologist, equipped with office and laboratory, dedicated to researching the presence and conservation of whale sharks in the South Ari Atoll waters.

LUX* Ile de La Réunion works closely with La Reserve Naturelle Marine de La Réunion, an organisation which protects the lagoon and its wildlife through the education of guests on subjects such as respect of the corals and knowledge of endemic flora.

LUX* also recognises that small changes can ultimately make a big difference. To this end, it does not promote the import of bottled water. LUX* house water –still Earth and sparkling Dance – is locally sourced, natural and highly purified.

Its production also creates jobs for local people. LUX* knows that education is the key to ensuring the survival of Indian Ocean marine and island eco systems. It offers educational programmes on green issues not only to its staff, but also to neighbourhood schools, ensuring future generations are raised as responsible adults. It believes that through the shared efforts and contributions of the company, guests, employees and local communities, the world really will have a lighter, brighter future.

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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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