This World Earth Day, ELE|NA is placing sustainability at the centre of its wellness approach through a programme led by Sustainability Ambassadors across its spa network. Through a set of circular practices and guest-facing initiatives, the brand is linking environmental responsibility with the spa experience.

At the centre of the programme are ELE|NA’s Sustainability Ambassadors, team members based in each resort spa who promote environmentally conscious practices. These ambassadors support both staff and guests in adopting sustainable actions, from daily operations to workshops designed to encourage participation and awareness.

Guests are invited to join hands-on sustainability workshops that combine learning with practical activities. These include the Juice Bike, sessions on making natural haircare products, the preparation of coconut and coffee scrubs and oils, and the making of coconut candy. Guests can also take part in a sand bundle workshop, where used spa linen is repurposed into handmade sand bundles later used in spa treatments.

ELE|NA’s sustainability model also extends to resource use within spa and hospitality operations. Apples previously used in infused water are turned into apple chips, while orange peel waste from the kitchen is made into sweets served to guests after treatments. Used herbal tea is repurposed as fertiliser for spa gardens, supporting a circular approach to materials and waste.

The brand is also aligning its Earth Day programming with the 2026 global theme, “Our Power, Our Planet”, by focusing on nature-based healing practices. ELE|NA says this includes reducing the use of synthetic tools and instead incorporating natural materials such as bamboo and coconut shells into treatments. The approach is intended to reflect a model of wellness built around renewal and lower-impact resource use.

This philosophy is also reflected in wellness experiences including Ocean Flow, Reiki, Sunrise Yoga and Floating Sound Bath sessions, which are designed to connect guests more closely with the natural environment. Through these programmes, ELE|NA is positioning wellbeing and environmental awareness as part of the same experience.

ELE|NA has also received Gold Standard accreditation from Sustainable Wellness, a non-profit organisation established in 2020 to provide independent sustainability guidance and benchmarking for the wellness sector. The accreditation marks a step in the brand’s sustainability programme and reflects its stated focus on responsible wellness practices.

Beyond its own spas, ELE|NA is presenting sustainable wellness as an operational model that can be applied across resort and spa settings. The brand says the framework is designed to support guest engagement, brand positioning and service delivery, while also being scalable for hospitality operators seeking to integrate sustainability standards, staff training and wellness programming into their own operations.

As wellness continues to shape how travellers plan and prioritise their journeys in 2026, OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels is redefining the restorative island escape with the launch of expanded, immersive wellness programming at OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort.

Set on a private island in the South Ari Atoll, the boutique resort reflects OUTRIGGER’s lifestyle-led approach to hospitality at a time when travellers are seeking a more restorative 2026. Anchored by Navasana Spa as a central wellness hub, the enhanced offerings invite guests to embrace a “new year, new me” mindset through movement, mindfulness and island-inspired rituals.

“OUTRIGGER is about creating space for guests to slow down and feel grounded in their surroundings,” said John Allanson, General Manager of OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort. “Here in the Maldives, the natural rhythm of island life guides the experience, and our expanded wellness offerings allow guests to engage with that rhythm in a way that feels personal and intentional.”

At OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru, wellness extends beyond the spa and into the fabric of the resort experience. Navasana Spa now offers a curated mix of dynamic fitness and mindful practices designed to support both energy and restoration.

A dedicated fitness and yoga studio hosts aerial yoga, sunrise yoga with panoramic island views, bungee fit, rebound training and TRX suspension, alongside chakra healing, sound healing and full moon meditation sessions held in calming oceanfront settings. Hammocks, mats and sound bowls create a space that encourages both movement and introspection.

Wellness-forward dining highlights fresh tropical fruits and island-sourced ingredients, with flexible menus designed to accommodate a range of dietary preferences and wellness goals.

A new highlight of the resort’s wellness expansion is The Alchemy Bar, an interactive space that invites guests to engage directly in self-care rituals. Workshops include coconut oil cooking, herbal poultice making, candle crafting and organic soap creation, offering a tactile, memorable layer to the wellness experience.

Guests can also explore a curated selection of herbal teas, bath and sleep kits and aromatic candles, allowing wellness practices to extend beyond the stay.

For guests seeking a more structured approach, OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru introduces two multi-night wellness programmes, available in three-, five- or seven-night formats.

• Holistic Fitness Package: Designed for guests focused on motivation and movement, this programme blends personalised fitness sessions with Pilates-based exercises and flexibility training, tailored to individual goals and preferences.
• Healing Retreat Package: Beginning with a wellness consultation and screening, this programme emphasises gentle, supportive practices including daily yoga, therapeutic sound healing and targeted treatments that encourage emotional balance and deep relaxation.

With just 81 modern and sleek villas, OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru offers the privacy and calm ideal for wellness-focused travel. The island’s lush interior, turquoise lagoon and thriving house reef provide a natural backdrop for sunrise meditation, aerial yoga or quiet moments of quiet reflection. Guests can further enhance their stay through PADI-certified diving, silent sunset cruises and reef exploration, all aligned with the resort’s restorative ethos.

Vakkaru Maldives has announced the residency of acclaimed holistic practitioner Yoko Kawaguchi at Merana Spa, taking place from 17 March to 30 April 2026. The residency forms part of the resort’s ongoing focus on wellness, restoration and mindful living.

Grounded in Japanese healing traditions, Kawaguchi’s therapeutic philosophy centres on personalised care designed to calm the nervous system, release emotional tension and support the body’s natural restorative functions. Her integrative approach combines auriculotherapy (ear reflexology), aromatherapy, Reiki energy healing and targeted massage techniques to create treatments tailored to individual needs.

Guests may select from a range of core therapies offered during the residency. Highlights include the Tranquil Mind Ritual, which blends scalp massage, ear reflexology and energy work to ease tension and encourage emotional clarity. The Aroma Reiki Healing Touch treatment combines aromatherapy back massage with carefully selected essential oils and Usui Reiki to address both physical and emotional blockages. Auriculotherapy sessions focus on stimulating reflex points in the ears to support hormonal balance, immunity, nervous system regulation and overall wellbeing, with optional ear seeds available to extend the benefits beyond the treatment.

Alongside individual sessions, Kawaguchi will offer complimentary consultations and a programme of group wellness experiences. These include guided Reiki self-healing meditation and ear stretching massage sessions designed to promote relaxation and mental clarity, providing guests with simple techniques to support their wellbeing during and after their stay.

Hosted within the serene surroundings of Merana Spa, the residency offers guests an opportunity to pause, reset and engage in a deeper wellness journey, aligned with Vakkaru Maldives’ philosophy of understated luxury and holistic balance.