Connect with us

News

PATA appoints new CEO

Published

on

Hardy CraigsMaldives.net.mv – The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) announced the appointment of Mario Hardy as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective November 1, 2014.

Mr Hardy is currently the Chief Operations Officer of PATA, a position he has held since January 15th of this year. He was approved to succeed Martin Craigs as the CEO by the PATA Executive Board at the last Executive Board Meeting held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in September 2014. Mr Hardy’s appointment will be endorsed by the full PATA Board at the next Annual Meeting.

Through the end of November, Mr Craigs will fulfill obligations made as CEO at various speaking engagements that have been confirmed, including the Brisbane Global Cafe – Tourism’s New Frontiers on Thursday, November 13, 2014, ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Brisbane, Australia.

Commenting on his new appointment, Mr. Hardy said, “I am humbled and honored that the PATA Executive Board has entrusted me to take the Association to its next stage of transformation. I have been an active member of PATA since 2009 and I believe that by bringing further engagement with youth the Association will have a long lasting future.”

Mr Hardy is an entrepreneur and serial angel investor with close to 30 years of combined leadership, corporate development and change management experience.

He is also the past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PATA Foundation, a non-profit organisation with a mission to contribute to the sustainable and responsible development of travel and tourism in Asia Pacific through the protection of the environment, the conservation of heritage and support for education.

Prior to PATA, Mr Hardy worked 14 years for UBM/OAG, a business with a focus on data analytics and events for the aviation sector, and occupied several leadership roles in London, Beijing and Singapore.

He began his career with People’s Express Airlines in 1985, before joining Canadian Airlines in 1987 where he spent 12 years in a number of sales, marketing and operational roles, leading to his appointment in a senior management role heading the Group Sales & Charter division in 1997.

Mr Hardy has a BSc from the University of Montreal, a Public Relations Certificate from L’École des Hautes Études Commerciales de Montréal and an International Trade Certificate from the O’Sullivan College of Montreal. He is a true global citizen who lived on 3 continents, 7 countries and has over 10 years experience working in Asia. A seasoned traveler with a goal of visiting over 100 countries engaging with local communities, he is passionate about travel, innovation, design and technology. Mr Hardy can often be found reading FastCompany, TechCrunch, Mashable, or National Geographic; watching TED Talks; or searching for the latest innovations on Kickstarter or Indiegogo.

Family

W Maldives launches Easter celebration with kayak races and beach feast

Published

on

W Maldives unveils Tropical Easter, a one-day island takeover on Sunday, 5 April 2026, that transforms the resort into a vivid playground of colour, creativity, and effortless luxury. Set within the luminous blues of the North Ari Atoll, the celebration reframes the traditional holiday through a distinctly Maldivian perspective, where powder soft beaches replace spring meadows and the rhythm of the day moves from sunlit play to starlit revelry. Crafted or a global audience of discerning travellers, the experience balances polished indulgence with the brand’s signature playful edge, inviting couples, families, and friends to celebrate Easter in a a way that feels both elevated and carefree.

The festivities begin with The Great Little Easter Quest at WET Deck, where younger guests embark on a spirited hunt for hidden treasures before channeling their imagination into an open-air painting session. Designed as a joyful expression of creativity rather than a conventional children’s activity, the experience unfolds within the resort’s social heart, surrounded by vibrant energy, turquoise views, and a sense of occasion that resonates across generations.

As the afternoon unfolds, Race The Blue shifts the tempo with a high-energy kayak challenge across the resort’s crystalline lagoon. Participants paddle through waters so clear they reveal the intricate coral gardens of the celebrated house reef below, transforming the race into a breathtaking encounter with the Maldives’ underwater wonder. The event captures the essence of Tropical Easter’s story, playful adventure grounded in the extraordinary natural beauty, offering guests a rare opportunity to engage with the lagoon as both playground and vista.

At sunset, the celebration culminates at FIRE Beach with The Easter Table, a sophisticated alfresco buffet that elevates the holiday meal into a stylish social ritual. Classic Easter flavours are reinterpreted with contemporary flair across interactive live stations and vibrant culinary displays, while music drifts through the warm evening air and the ocean glows just beyond the shoreline. The setting is at once intimate and electric barefoot yet refined, inviting guests to linger long after the final course as the sky deepens into night.

Beyond the day’s curated experiences, Tropical Easter also highlights the resort’s signature lifestyle allure, from overwater villas poised above luminous lagoons to world class snorkelling accessible directly from the beach. Whether seeking adrenaline, indulgence, or pure escapism, guests can chape the celebration entirely to their own rhythm, embodying the freedom and spontaneity that define the W experience in the Maldives.

Travellers inspired to extend the festivities can unlock the exclusive Stay 5, Pay 4, member offer by enrolling in Marriott Bonvoy, transforming a single extraordinary day into a longer island escape. The package offers a compelling reason to plan ahead and immerse fully in the season’s distinctive tropical celebration.

This April, Tropical Easter at W Maldives promises more than a holiday, it delivers a mood, a sun-drenched fusion of playfulness, style and sensory indulgence set in one of the world’s most captivating destinations. For those seeking an Easter that feels fresh, glamorous, and unforgettable, the answer lies where tradition dissolves into turquoise and every moment unfolds with a touch of irreverent luxury.

For more information, visit www.wmaldives.com or connect with the resort’s team at reservations.wmaldives@whotels.com.

Continue Reading

Culture

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi marks Eid with cultural celebrations and community spirit

Published

on

At Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Eid Al-Fitr is an expression of Ekuverikan —a traditional Maldivian spirit of fellowship where the boundaries between host and visitor dissolve into moments of sharing. The celebrations began on 20 March with a special morning high tea, bringing together our local and international team members to share in the joy of the occasion. By breaking bread following morning prayers, the entire team transformed a religious milestone into a shared human experience where global diversity is encouraged.

While Eid Al-Fitr lunch began with a symbolic cake cutting, the island transformed into a stage for Koadi Jehun at sunset. This traditional procession features locals marching with a koadi, a decorated stake crafted from coconut palm leaves woven into the shapes of birds and fish which is then offered to the children.

During the performance, dancers in traditional attire move in synchrony with Indian pots, a nod to the ancient trade routes that shaped the archipelago. As night fell, the air pulsed with the rhythmic beat of Boduberu. These songs, with roots reaching back to East Africa, serve as a living archive of the Maldivian ancestral journey across the Indian Ocean. The Eid Al- Fitr celebration continued with a DJ party in the newly built leisure hub dedicated to the team. The festivities concluded on Saturday with beach activities, reinforcing the belief that travel is most meaningful when it connects us to both nature and community.

“Eid Al-Fitr is a day to express gratitude through shared kindness,” says Ahmed Waheed, Human Resources Manager at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi. “By bringing guests and team members together, we offer an authentic connection to the Maldivian heritage we hold dear. Ultimately, travel is about these quiet, human moments that leave you feeling as though something new has stirred within.”

Continue Reading

Family

Madifushi Private Island opens Kokko Learning Studio for young guests

Published

on

Madifushi Private Island has announced the opening of Kokko Learning Studio, an innovative kids’ club concept designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence in young guests. Guided by the philosophy “Crafting Curiosity Every Day,” Kokko Learning Studio introduces a fresh approach to children’s programming in the Maldives, blending education, creativity, and island discovery into meaningful experiences.

Redefining the Resort Kids Club Experience

Moving beyond the traditional resort kids’ club model, Kokko Learning Studio has been thoughtfully designed as an immersive learning environment where children can explore, experiment, and create. Rather than focusing solely on entertainment, the studio encourages young guests to build, imagine, and discover through hands-on activities inspired by the island environment.

The purpose-built space fosters curiosity and confidence through guided experiences that allow children to learn naturally while enjoying their holiday.

A Space Designed to Inspire

Kokko Learning Studio offers a creative environment where children can:

  • Imagine through storytelling, art, and open-ended creative play
  • Discover through hands-on science experiments, nature projects, and sensory exploration
  • Grow by building confidence, independence, and teamwork through guided activities
  • Express themselves through design challenges, collaborative play, and creative thinking

Each activity is intentionally designed to develop practical skills while nurturing curiosity and creativity.

Experiences Inspired by Island Life

The programs at Kokko Learning Studio connect children to the natural environment and culture of the Maldives through a diverse range of engaging activities. These include hands-on science explorations, creative arts workshops, seaweed education programs, mariculture experiences focused on ocean farming and marine ecosystem preservation, and agriculture activities that introduce sustainable island living. Children also take part in nature discovery sessions, storytelling circles, and design challenges that inspire imagination and problem-solving, while guided activities encourage collaboration, resilience, and critical thinking.

A Family-Centric Island Experience

Kokko Learning Studio complements Madifushi Private Island’s family-friendly luxury offering by providing meaningful and engaging experiences for younger guests while parents enjoy the island’s facilities.

Children participate in supervised, age-appropriate programs designed to inspire curiosity and learning, creating memorable experiences that enrich the family holiday.

“Our vision with Kokko Learning Studio was to create something truly different from the typical resort kids’ club,” said Mohamed Hilmy, General Manager of Madifushi Private Island. “We wanted a space where children could explore, ask questions, experiment, and discover the beauty of the Maldives in a meaningful way. Kokko Learning Studio reflects our commitment to creating enriching experiences for families—where every guest, no matter their age, leaves with unforgettable memories.”

With the opening of Kokko Learning Studio, Madifushi Private Island continues to elevate the family travel experience in the Maldives, offering a destination where relaxation, discovery, and learning come together.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.