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Torsten Richter becomes Ironman of the Maldives 2014, striving for the community

Published

11 years ago

September 30, 2014

Maldives.net.mv – Anantara and Naladhu Maldives Cluster General Manager Torsten Richter has successfully completed the IronMan Malaysia challenge, with a personal best time of 12:47 hrs and raising USD 10,000+ for a Maldivian cause.

“I worked with a personal trainer from the UK, who sent me my training schedule every week and provides online support and dietary recommendations. Some days it’s hard to motivate myself at 10.30pm to sit on a stationary bike and give the training session all my energy, but once I get into it the initial exhaustion of the day filters away,” says Torsten.

Living in paradise and training for a physically demanding IronMan race is no easy combination. 10:30 pm on the idyllic resort islands of Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli and Naladhu Maldives and most guests are enjoying their last glass of wine for the day or have already descended into a slumber of dreams. For Cluster General Manager Torsten Richter, it’s the time he enters the gym with an hour on the bicycle ahead of him, and at 5:00am his alarm wakes him for another gym session before his work day begins around 7:15 am.

Ironman challenges comprise a 3.8km swim, followed by a 180km bike ride and a 42.2km marathon run, all in within the cut-off time of 18 hours. Training for an Ironman race on a Maldivian island with no roads, just a 20m lap pool in addition to the ocean to swim and no wide and well paved roads to cycle along isn’t the most obvious choice location. Instead of measured tracks for running, Torsten run on sandy paths under tropical palm trees across the two of the three island resorts he manages.

“I participate in half-marathon races in Male and we organise an island run a couple of times a year at our resorts, just 35 minutes by speedboat from Male. Outside of the gym, Kayaking, swimming and running around the resorts on my day off, as well as during the week before the guests wake up, keeps me fit and on track. It’s far from the ideal training conditions for the endurance challenge of an Ironman, but I’m not looking to be the first across the finishing line, I just want to complete it within my personal best time.”

Having previously completed Ironman challenges in Zurich in just over 13 hours, and Ironman 70.3 (half distances) in Phuket and Bintan, the Langkawi challenge on September 27th was the second such title Torsten accomplished, but the first in a tropical climate and still managing to beat his personal best time. Along the way, he has raised USD 10,000 to contribute towards new facilities for the Home for People with Special Needs on Guraidoo island.

“The race itself was a personal goal I wanted to fulfill, but to be able to raise money and really make a difference to people’s lives in the process makes it all the more meaningful. The Home for People with Special Needs was brought to my attention originally through one of our associates, who was previously a patient there for a short while. After visiting the home I was inspired to do more to help and this was an obvious choice.”

To learn more about the Home for People with Special Needs from their website www.homeforspecialneeds.com

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W Maldives secures Green Globe status for sustainable operations

Published

4 hours ago

November 29, 2025

m@ldives

W Maldives celebrates significant moment with its first ever Green Globe certification, a recognition that reinforces the resort’s long standing dedication to sustainability. The achievement reflects then team’s work in building smarter, more responsible systems that support both exceptional guest experiences and the natural environment that surrounds the island.

Green Globe is one of the world’s most respected certification systems for sustainable tourism. It evaluates properties against rigorous global standards covering environmental management, social responsibility, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and cultural preservation. Gaining this certification positions W Maldives among a select group of resorts that meet these trusted benchmarks, offering travellers a destination that prioritises both luxury and long-term sustainability.

Throughout this year, W Maldives has expanded its sustainability programme with several impactful initiatives. The resort now mitigates half of its food waste through an on-site biogas plant that transforms discarded organics into methane for kitchen use and nutrient rich fertiliser for the island garden. A solar energy project featuring 647 panels has also been installed across the resort. This initiative generates 310kW of renewable power, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lightening the overall carbon footprint.

The resort’s circularity efforts continue to grow, with expanded planting of bananas, mangoes, papayas, and other produce to support on-island supply and reduce import dependency. In the ocean, w Maldives has deepened its conservation work through its Sea of Stars program and its collaboration with MARS Sustainable Solutions. Together with the resort’s resident marine biologist, the team has successfully installed 400 reef stars as part of a long-term commitment to restoring coral ecosystems in the surrounding atoll.

“Achieving Green Globe certification is both an honor and a motivation for what comes next,” says Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives. “This recognition reflects the passion of our team and our dedication to protecting the natural beauty that makes the Maldives so extraordinary. We will continue to push forward with the initiatives that make our island more resilient, more energy efficient, and more connected to its environment, while still delivering the signature W experience our guests love.”

W Maldives continue elevating its sustainability roadmap with upcoming initiatives that further advance renewable energy use, circularity in operations, and marine conservation. The resort remains committed to shaping a future where bold hospitality and responsible environmental stewardship move forward together.

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Brennia Kottefaru kicks off holiday season with joyful cake mixing celebration

Published

24 hours ago

November 28, 2025

m@ldives

The festive season at Brennia Kottefaru kicked off with the annual Christmas Cake Mixing Ceremony at La Pella Main Bar, bringing guests and staff together in celebration. Participants mixed a fragrant blend of dried fruits, nuts, and spices, filling the air with the warm scents of cinnamon, nutmeg, and rum.

The event was a joyful gathering, where laughter, holiday cheer, and shared memories created a true sense of togetherness. Brennia Kottefaru’s welcoming spirit shone through, making it the perfect tropical escape to celebrate the holidays. This Christmas, join the team at Brennia Kottefaru to experience festive traditions that will create sweet memories to last a lifetime

Nestled in the heart of Raa Atoll, Brennia Kottefaru is home to 187 spacious villas, surrounded by lush nature, panoramic beaches, and a turquoise lagoon. The resort’s passionate hosts ensure that every stay is personal, authentic, and unforgettable.

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Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives announces week-long Music in Paradise experience with Kate Miller-Heidke

Published

1 day ago

November 28, 2025

m@ldives

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, in partnership with Music in Paradise, has announced that acclaimed Australian artist Kate Miller-Heidke will perform live at the private island resort from 3 – 10 October 2026.

Renowned for her soaring vocals, magnetic stage presence and evocative storytelling, Kate is one of Australia’s most distinctive and celebrated performers. A classically trained vocalist from the Queensland Conservatorium, she moves effortlessly between pop, folk and opera. Alongside her chart-topping solo work, Kate and longtime collaborator Keir Nuttall composed the original music for Muriel’s Wedding The Musical and together with Iain Grandage and Lally Katz, the award-winning opera The Rabbits. In 2019, she captivated global audiences when she represented Australia at Eurovision with her hit “Zero Gravity”, and more recently has acted as a coach on The Voice Australia.

Kate’s debut at Kandooma Maldives will feature three intimate sunset concerts in an exclusive beachside setting with audiences capped at just 200 guests. Attendees can expect beloved favourites, reimagined arrangements and a few special surprises in an unforgettable island atmosphere.

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives General Manager, Mark Eletr, said: “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Kate to Kandooma next year. Her unmistakable voice, magnetic stage presence, and those breathtaking, angelic high notes promise a magical week of music on our beaches. With three intimate sunset concerts, it’s an experience our guests will be talking about for years to come.”

The first-release Ultimate Experience Package is now available at a special launch rate of A$5,790 per person twin share (regular price A$6,590). The package includes: