News
Maldives Travel Awards 2014 officially launched and opens for nomination
Maldives.net.mv – The MATATO Maldives Travel Awards 2014 was officially launched yesterday during a sponsor signing ceremony and press briefing at Traders Hotel, Male. The 3rd annual edition will take place at the pioneer resort of the Indian Ocean, Kurumba Maldives on the 21stNovember 2014. The awards is a joint initiative of the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) and leading Maldives event management company Highrise Private Limited, to provide the Maldives Tourism and Hospitality industry with recognition of their facilities and excellent guest service, and to encourage and raise service standards across the industry.
The awards comprises a total 23 categories covering the industry’s key sectors; Resorts, Hotels, Guest Houses, Liveaboards, Transport & Aviation, Wellness & Spa, Business and Technology. Winners from each category are decided through an online public vote (40%) and a judging process (60%). At the end of the process the two scores are combined to determine an overall winner. Changes to this year’s format include an extended nomination period (1st April – 15th May) and an extended online public voting period (15th June – 30thSeptember). The number of categories a participant is eligible to nominate into has also been reduced to 3. It is hoped these changes will bring about increased participation and improve further the accuracy and fairness of the awards.
Yesterday’s function, attended by MATATO executive board members, event sponsors and media, marked the opening of the nomination period as all corners of the Maldives Tourism and Hospitality industry were invited to submit their nomination forms and be a part of this fantastic initiative. President of MATATO, Abdulla Ghiyas, while addressing the media, called for greater participation and asserted that MATATO would do everything within its means to draw further support from the industry for the awards. He also thanked those who had actively contributed to the growth of the MATATO Maldives Travel Awards into what is now a credible and widely respected award.
Also present was Mr. Ibrahim Saleem, Managing Director of MACL who will be main sponsoring the event as Ibrahim Nasir International Airport for the second successive year. Mr. Saleem commended MATATO and event organizers Highrise for their continued effort to improve the quality of the industry, and expressed his pleasure that MACL will once again be sponsoring this unique event. These sentiments were echoed by Jason Kruse, General Manager of Kurumba Maldives, host of this year’s grand finale event. Mr Kruse spoke of his excitement that Kurumba Maldives will be hosting the event and said he was looking forward to working with the event management team to deliver a memorable occasion.
Key Dates
- Nomination period opens: 1st April
- Nomination period closes: 15th May
- Online public voting opens: 15th June
- Online public voting closes: 30th September
- Grand Finale Event: 21st November
News
Upcycled ornaments, reclaimed materials shape festive design at Six Senses Kanuhura
This festive season, Six Senses Kanuhura invites guests to celebrate Christmas through a mindful, barefoot approach where sustainability and creativity take centre stage.
Across the island, festive décor embraces an upcycled theme, with handcrafted decorations created using repurposed leftover fabrics, reclaimed wood scraps, upcycled glass ornaments and dried palm tree branches.

Plastic has been intentionally avoided, while table decorations are thoughtfully designed using repurposed fruit peels, dried fruits and herbs, reflecting Six Senses Kanuhura’s ongoing commitment to reducing waste and celebrating nature’s beauty. Guests may also purchase selected upcycled glass ornaments from the Six Senses Kanuhura boutique as meaningful, sustainable souvenirs.

Alongside this conscious festive design, Six Senses Kanuhura presents a thoughtfully curated line-up of Christmas and New Year celebrations, from tree lightings and carols to barefoot dining, wellness rituals and island experiences under the stars. Rooted in the Six Senses philosophy, the festive season at Six Senses Kanuhura invites guests to reconnect with themselves, with each other and with nature, creating moments of joy that are both memorable and mindful.

Offering exquisite palm-fringed, white sandy beaches and two additional private islands, Six Senses Kanuhura, Maldives, part of IHG’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio, opened its doors in September 2023. Set across three private islands, surrounded by turquoise waters bristling with colourful and untouched corals, Six Senses Kanuhura’s pristine shores are known for being some of the finest in the Maldives.
With 85 beachfront villas steps from the ocean and overwater villas with private pools, including 12 one- and two-bedroom Beach Retreats, and the three-bedroom Beach Reserve, Six Senses Kanuhura is ideal for both families and couples seeking quality time together. The laid-back tropical island feel has inspired the elegant architecture, while interior design takes its cue from the naturally vibrant colours of the surrounding Maldivian nature.
Entertainment
Hulhumalé’ set for New Year festivities as Visit Maldives and partners launch preparations
Visit Maldives Corporation, together with the Ministry of Tourism & Environment and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), has commenced planning for New Year celebrations in Hulhumalé’, building on the success and positive public response of last year’s festivities.
The celebrations are expected to feature signature elements that resonated strongly with the public in 2024, including a special Drone Show, Fireworks, Food stalls, and cultural experiences designed for both locals and visitors. The initiative, running from 30 December 2025 to 1 January 2026, aims to once again create a vibrant, inclusive, and family-friendly atmosphere to welcome the New Year.
At this stage, planning is ongoing and further details regarding the programme, dates, and activations will be announced in due course.
The New Year celebrations are being developed as a joint initiative by Visit Maldives, the Ministry of Tourism & Environment, and HDC.
Organisers are also in discussions with potential partners and sponsors and welcome expressions of interest from organisations keen to be part of this national celebration.
News
Dr Aradhana Ghyas brings Shamanic rituals, energy work to SO/ Maldives this festive season
This festive season, SO/ Maldives invites the world’s style-setters, wellness lovers and holiday escapists to experience a different kind of Red Carpet moment, one that begins beneath the skin and radiates outward. From 18 December 2025 to 30 January 2026, the ultra-stylish private island resort welcomes Dr. Aradhana Ghyas, renowned holistic health expert, for an exclusive Visiting Spa Practitioner residency, adding a powerful wellness dimension to its signature festive celebrations.
Known for curating experiences that blur the lines between fashion, art and lifestyle, SO/ Maldives is redefining festive indulgence. Think less excess, more elevation. Less recovery, more radiance. This season, the resort’s Red Carpet Festivities are not only about dressing to impress but about feeling luminous, balanced and unapologetically well.
At SO/ Maldives, wellness takes on a vibrant, contemporary edge with Dr. Aradhana Ghyas. She specializes in shamanic healing rituals, therapeutic bodywork, energy balancing, breathwork, sound therapy, yoga nidra, and trauma‑informed relaxation practices. Each treatment is designed to release emotional stress, restore nervous system balance, and support holistic well‑being. With a focus on gentle physical, emotional, and energetic detoxification, Aradhana helps guests reconnect with clarity, vitality, and inner harmony.
“Today’s luxury traveller wants more than beautiful surroundings they want meaningful transformation,” said Olivier Moies-Delval, General Manager of SO/ Maldives. “With Dr. Aradhana Ghyas in residence, festive glamour evolves into a deeper, more radiant experience.”
Departing from traditional spa menus, the curated experiences are designed to intrigue, energise and deliver visible results. From sculpting facial therapies and deep detox rituals to intuitive tarot readings and shamanic cleansing, each session offers guests a chance to reset mentally, physically and energetically while still embracing the playful, fashion-forward spirit of SO/ Maldives.
Set against the turquoise waters of the Maldives, Dr. Aradhana Ghyas’ residency seamlessly complements SO/ Maldives’ festive programming, where sunset soirées, vibrant design and island glamour take centre stage. Guests can transition from red carpet moments to restorative rituals, stepping back into celebrations refreshed, radiant and fully recharged.
Special group wellness classes are also available, inviting friends, couples and like-minded travellers to glow together because at SO/, wellness is best experienced socially.
This festive season, SO/ Maldives invites guests to detox the drama, recharge the energy and glow like never before. With Dr. Aradhana Ghyas in residence, the island becomes a destination not just for escape, but for elevation.
For more information or to book your perfect getaway, please visit so-maldives.com or contact so.maldives.reservations@so-hotels.com.
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