News
World Tourism Day on “Tourism and Water”: greater efforts on water preservation needed

Maldives.net.mv – 27th of September marks the United Nations´ calendar day highlighting tourism, a sector that is driving socioeconomic growth and development all over the world. On World Tourism Day 2013, dedicated to “Tourism and Water – Protecting Our Common Future” in line with the International Year of Water Cooperation, stakeholders called for greater global efforts in water preservation.
Opening the official celebrations of World Tourism Day (WTD) 2013, hosted this year by the Maldives, President Mohammed Waheed Hassan Manik said “Solutions to the Maldives´ water challenges are in the tourism sector. I hope that the industry will pay attention to the way the Maldives has been addressing the water challenge. The Maldives must become an example of what can be done.”
The call by the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon on the responsibility of the tourism sector to safeguard and intelligently manage water was echoed by UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai: “As one of the world’s leading socio-economic activities, the tourism sector must take a leadership role and ensure companies and destinations invest in adequate water management throughout the value chain.”
The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of the Maldives, Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoo, stressed how “tourism has become a powerful force for environmental preservation and protection. For our country, the tourism sector constitutes a priority because it is an important asset for the creation of wealth and employment.”
“This is a crucial issue for PATA and its members. The growth of the tourism sector brings inevitable challenges of balancing sustainability. We are delighted to join the celebrations of World Tourism Day and support this important and timely initiative here in the Maldives” said Martin Craigs, CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).
Tourism to lead in water preservation
As the highlight of WTD 2013, a high-level Think Tank on Tourism and Water gathered leading experts on water preservation, public and private sector tourism stakeholders and media experts to discuss key issues contributing to a more sustainable water future.
The following are the key insights of the Think Tank conclusions:
- The Maldives is a paradigm of well-managed and sustainable water use in developing island States, where the availability of fresh water and the level of water consumption for tourism have become a particular concern.
- With over one billion people traveling the world every year, the tourism sector can play an educational role as a water-conscious sector.
- Though tourism only uses 1% of global water consumption, challenges remain for water use at destinations, since the sector often competes with other sectors for water.
- There is significant room for increasing efficiency and reducing cost of water consumption in hotels (water accounts for 10% of utility bills in many hotels, most of which pay for the water they consume twice, first in buying fresh water and by disposing of it as wastewater).
- Investing in green technology is economically beneficial, with profits from water sanitation and wastewater treatment having a return on investment (ROI) of one to three years.
- Given tourism´s size and reach, the sector is well-positioned to make a real contribution to preserving the world´s precious water resources.
World Tourism Day (WTD) is held annually on 27 September.
Its purpose is to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value. The event seeks to address global challenges outlined in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to highlight the contribution the tourism sector can make in reaching these goals.
News
The Nautilus Maldives presents month-long June Wellness Awakening journeys

The Nautilus Maldives, an ultra-luxury bohemian private island hideaway, launches June Wellness Awakening festival—a month-long invitation to reconnect with your inner rhythm and embrace well-being in its purest form. Set within the tranquil surroundings of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the resort’s private island sanctuary becomes a canvas for spontaneous healing and soulful renewal.
At the heart of this seasonal celebration is The Wellness Reset, a deeply restorative detox experience crafted by the Solasta Spa to purify body, mind, and spirit. Available throughout June, this wellness escape can be completed over one, two, or three days at each guest’s chosen pace, featuring breath-led detox yoga, a lymphatic drainage massage, and a signature Tao’an tea bath ritual. A brand-new addition to the Solasta Spa offering, this royal ritual draws on ancient Eastern traditions to encourage natural healing, inner clarity, and deep calm.
Throughout the month, The Nautilus will also host a curated calendar of wellness offerings in celebration of Global Wellness Day on 14 June and International Yoga Day on 21 June. Guests are invited to take part in massage workshops, guided meditations, beach and aerial yoga sessions, and sound healing rituals— each designed to restore presence and balance in gentle, meaningful ways.
Signature gatherings will mark the Full Moon and New Moon phases, while creative art sessions led by local Maldivian artists offer space for introspection and expression through art and storytelling. In collaboration with Maison Caulières and Omorovicza, guests are also invited to indulge in Solasta Spa treatments rooted in French sensoriality and Hungarian mineral-rich traditions — a refined union of nature and nurture. “At The Nautilus, we believe that true wellness begins with freedom — the freedom to pause, to feel, and to follow one’s own rhythm. Our June Wellness Awakening is not a programme to follow, but a gentle space to rediscover what well-being means to you,” said Meena Grung, Solasta Spa Manager.
With just 26 houses and residences, The Nautilus offers one of the most bespoke private island experiences in the world. Thoughtfully designed with exceptional facilities and serene spa rituals, it embodies a rare form of ultra-luxury, defined by timeless freedom and deeply personalised moments. Here, wellness unfolds as an intuitive rhythm — felt, not forced. June Wellness Awakening is a gentle invitation to pause, to breathe, and simply be — by the ocean, in your own time, on your own terms.
To book, contact The Nautilus at hello@thenautilusmaldives.com or visit the resort’s website for more information here.
Cooking
Gluten-free, vegan baking takes centre stage in Maldives with BBM, IREKS

Renowned Master Baker Steven Selvamuthu from IREKS is currently in the Maldives, leading a specialised baking demo tour focused on gluten-free and vegan baked goods. The initiative, organised by Bestbuy Maldives (BBM), is running from May 3rd to 15th and is covering over 10 leading resorts along with professional bakers in Malé.
Through hands-on sessions and live demonstrations, Chef Steven is sharing innovative techniques and versatile recipes tailored to modern dietary trends, while also addressing real-world challenges faced by professional kitchens.
Sharing his experience so far, Chef Steven said: “The growing interest in gluten-free and vegan baking here is truly inspiring. Maldivian chefs are open-minded, eager to learn, and ready to embrace global trends without compromising on quality or flavour.”
This ongoing collaboration between IREKS and BBM reflects a shared commitment to professional development in the region’s foodservice industry. By introducing modern baking solutions and supporting skill-building at the grassroots level, the initiative is adding value to both local talent and resort kitchens.
A.V.S. Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer at BBM, added: “As consumer preferences evolve, we want to ensure that Maldivian chefs are equipped to meet those expectations with confidence. Our partnership with IREKS reflects BBM’s mission to bring world-class expertise and ingredients closer to the local culinary community.”
With rising demand for inclusive and health-conscious bakery options, the ongoing tour is playing a key role in empowering chefs across the Maldives to stay ahead in a rapidly shifting global food landscape.
Featured
Float & Flow Yoga debuts at Holiday Inn Kandooma Maldives

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives now offers guests a unique wellness activity: Float & Flow Yoga. Set amidst the picturesque surroundings of crystal-clear waters, this innovative session blends balance, movement, and mindfulness on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), fostering a joyful connection with nature.
Designed to accommodate both experienced yogis and beginners, Float & Flow Yoga provides a 60-minute session on the resort’s SUP Yoga Dock. This specially designed floating platform, shaped like a flower, features eight “petals,” each securing a SUP board around a central space designated for the instructor. Participants are guided through gentle yoga sequences that emphasise balance, breath, and flow.
Courtney Chambers, the resident Yoga Instructor at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, describes the activity as a joyful and liberating experience. She notes that SUP yoga encourages participants to embrace the playful side of the practice while reconnecting with nature.
Classes take place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 10:00 am, with a maximum of eight participants per session to maintain an intimate and supportive atmosphere. A minimum of three guests is required for each session. The class fee is priced at US$45 per person, inclusive of taxes and service charges.
Additionally, a professional drone photo and video package is available for US$25 per person, providing guests with a memorable keepsake of their experience.
Participants are advised to wear comfortable swimwear or yoga attire and to arrive 10 minutes early at the Perfect Wave Surf Shop for a pre-session briefing.
Whether the goal is mindfulness, gentle movement, or simply a splash of fun, Float & Flow Yoga at Kandooma offers an unforgettable opportunity to reconnect with both self and sea.
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