News
Maldives participates at the Eastern Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Fair EMITT 2014
Maldives.net.mv – The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) together with 24 representatives from the tourism industry are taking part in Eastern Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Fair EMITT held in Istanbul from 30th January to 2nd February 2014. The State Minister of Tourism, Honorable Ahmed Musthafa Mohamed is attending the fair as the head of Maldives Delegation. The Honorable State Minister will be meeting Mr.Ozgur Ozaslan, the Undersecretary of Tourism Ministry, Mr. Mesut Ozbek, The Head of Department of Foreign Affairs of Tourism Ministry and Mr. Nihat Boytuzun, The Honorary Consul General of Maldives for Turkey. Several other meetings will be conducted with the Top Travel Agents and Travel trade media of Turkey. The main purposes of these meetings are to identify opportunities to build strong ties between two countries and to identify strategies to increase the number of tourist arrivals from Turkey.
EMITT which is the 5th largest tourism fair in Europe has attracted Regions, development agencies, tourism companies and industry professionals from around the world. EMITT estimates this year’s fair will achieve much broader attendance compared to the previous years. Participating in this fair will create destination awareness among the Turkish market. The first two days of the fair are exclusively for the travel professionals and open to the public during the last two.
Turkey has a 73.7 million population and GDP growth rate of 11 percent (first quarter of 2011) ranking number 1 in the world, it is also part of G20 major economies. Beyond that, Turkey has a stable economy and the global economic downfall having had very little or no effect on the Turkish economy leading to a tremendous increase in outbound travel which is forecasted to reach 16 million trips in 2016. By November 2013, 8459 tourist arrivals were recorded from Turkey; this is an increase of 83.3% compared to the same period of 2012. Turkish market is a relatively small market for the Maldives by percentage share. Nonetheless, with the favorable market conditions and good connectivity established with the commencement of Turkish Airlines scheduled flights direct from Istanbul to Male’, there is huge potential for growth.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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