News
Maldives becomes the official partner country of ITB Berlin 2016
Maldives.net.mv – In 2016 the focus at ITB Berlin will be on the Maldives, the show’s partner country in the Indian Ocean. David Ruetz, Head of ITB Berlin, made this announcement at the DRV conference in Abu Dhabi. An agreement between the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show and the Maldives will be signed at a ceremony at the upcoming ITB in Berlin next March.
“As a year-round holiday destination the Maldives has become firmly established among tourists the world over“, said Hon. Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor, Minister of Tourism of Maldives. “ITB Berlin offers an ideal platform for presenting the tourism products for the Maldives that are available on the German and international market to trade visitors and the general public and for the country to become even more attractive in the long term.“
“The Maldives has exhibited at ITB Berlin since 1984. We are delighted that it wants to expand its presence at the show and that as the Official Partner Country it will be the focus of the international travel industry. As the partner country of ITB Berlin 2016 this island nation in the Indian Ocean sends out an important message as an emergent tourist destination“, said David Ruetz, Head of ITB Berlin from Messe Berlin.
The Maldives only began receiving tourists in 1972. It is currently one of the world’s most successful holiday destinations on the modern eco-tourism market and every year welcomes around one million visitors. The Maldives is well known for its spectacular beauty, its nature and for its fascinating world of underwater attractions. The island nation on the equator is a paradise for divers from all over the world and can be visited at any time of year, as due to its geographical location temperatures range from 28 to 31 degrees the whole year round.
“Nature is our most important resource and tourism our biggest industry“, said Hon. Minister Adeeb and added: “The tourism market will continue to grow and we will make sure this is achieved in harmony with nature.”
As the partner country of ITB Berlin 2016 the Maldives will organise the opening ceremony on 8 March 2016 in the CityCube Berlin, Messe Berlin’s new trade fair and conference venue. From 9 to 13 March 2016 at ITB Berlin the Maldives will fascinate visitors with a colourful programme of events.
Highlighting on the importance of being the host country of ITB Berlin, the Minister of Tourism of Maldives, Hon. Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor stated that: “Tourism plays a crucial role in the development of Maldives. We are honoured to have the opportunity of becoming the Official Partner Country of the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show®in the important year of ITB Berlin’s 50th anniversary. I would like to thank ITB Berlin for this important opportunity that will immensely help raise the profile of the destination Maldives on a global level. This partnership will in particular be instrumental in reviving the core markets of Europe at large including Germany.” Hon. Minister further added that “the introduction of the newly launched Thumburi integrated resort project in Maldives will diversify the product segment and open up over 2000 beds for the mid-market segment. We hope this will be an added opportunity to increase arrivals from the European market.”
Drink
Eri Maldives helps couples fall in love all over again
Nobody needs a reason to fall in love with their partner all over again, but it’s romantic to keep finding one, season after season. UK wedding platform Bridebook found that a fifth of couples now wait until their first anniversary to take their honeymoon – giving finances time to settle after the wedding itself. Anniversary trips and vow renewals form a huge part of romantic travel as a result, with couples opting for longer stays than their wedding day ever allowed, now that joint finances can stretch further.
At Eri Maldives, it’s a moment that finally gets the spotlight it deserves – with a second telling to fit however couples want to approach it: planned in secret as an add-on, or built into a special occasion celebration.

Here’s our take to the occasions worth considering, and which of Eri’s three ceremonies suits each.
The Five-Year Reckoning
For couples who married between 2020 and 2022, this is an easy one. Many of those ceremonies were scaled back, livestreamed, or held with a guest list of two witnesses and a registrar on a screen. Five years on, that cohort is now reaching a natural milestone, Eri’s Waves of Love (from £1,235++) comes in as an overdue wedding they didn’t quite get: a proper beachfront ceremony led by the resort’s own Ceremony Master, Bodu Beru drummers announcing the moment, a ring exchange sealed with a symbolic certificate, and a champagne toast, closing with a romantic dinner set up right on the sand.
The New Chapter & the Quiet Comeback
Not every renewal is tied to a date on the calendar. Some follow a health scare, a stretch of distance, a difficult financial year. Others follow a quieter kind of shift altogether, whether it be an empty nest, a retirement, or relocation. For couples a little further along, Eternal Love (from £1,457++) builds on the same considered ceremony as Waves of Love, layer in touches this stage calls for: a candlelight dinner on the beach in place of the standard set-up, a rose petal shower, a bottle of Prosecco already waiting in the room, and a 45-minute healing aromatherapy treatment for the couple, with traditional Maldivian sarongs presented as a keepsake for having come through it together.

The Anniversary That Deserves an Upgrade
The 10th, the 25th, the one that ends in a zero – and milestones that carry real weight, for couples who’ve spent decades putting everyone else first. Ocean Kiss (from £1,755++) is Eri’s most extensive package, turning planned activities into day-to-night itineraries, with a five-course destination dining beachfront feast with lobster and wine, a floating or lagoon breakfast the morning after, and a full hour of Balinese massage for two.

Beyond the Ceremony
However the occasion is marked, each package can be tailored with additional romantic excursions and entertainments, including private sunset cruise with champagne and canapés, a duo band or DJ for the evening, a drone-filmed highlight reel of the day, and – for those chasing a truly out-of-this-world backdrop – a three-minute fireworks display.
Whether it’s booked quietly or planned together from the very start, the island simply asks one thing of its guests: turn up, and let the rest take care of itself. Visit erimaldives.com/renew-your-vows-in-paradise to start planning.
Action
Finolhu strengthens racquet sports programme with new tennis pro
As tennis and padel continue to shape the luxury travel landscape, Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort, has welcomed French-Mexican sports professional Stefano as its new Tennis Pro, further elevating the resort’s growing focus on world-class racquet experiences in the Maldives.
Originally from Mexico, Stefano arrives at Finolhu with an extensive background in both tennis and padel. A former competitive athlete who reached No. 4 nationally in Mexico, he has built an international career spanning Mexico, the French overseas region of Guadeloupe and the Maldives, where he has become a familiar figure across several of the country’s leading luxury resorts.
Prior to joining Finolhu, Stefano served as a Tennis and Padel Professional at Patina Maldives. He previously held similar roles at Anantara Kihavah and The St. Regis Maldives, coaching players of all ages and abilities, from first-time enthusiasts to seasoned competitors seeking to refine their game.
At Finolhu, Stefano will lead the resort’s tennis and padel programme, offering private coaching sessions, social matches and bespoke experiences for families, couples and sports enthusiasts. His arrival comes at a time when padel, one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, is increasingly finding a place alongside traditional wellness and recreation offerings at luxury destinations.
Known for its playful spirit and vibrant energy, Finolhu complements its two-kilometre sandbank, eclectic dining experiences and extensive activities with dedicated tennis and padel facilities, giving guests the opportunity to stay active while immersed in the natural beauty of Baa Atoll. Whether introducing newcomers to the fast-paced world of padel or helping experienced players perfect their serve, the resort’s racquet sports offering has become an increasingly popular part of the Finolhu experience.
The programme is delivered in partnership with LUX Tennis, the international tennis management company recognised for bringing premium coaching and curated sporting experiences to luxury resorts around the world. Through this collaboration, Finolhu offers guests access to professional instruction and tailored programmes that combine performance, wellness and leisure in an exceptional island setting.
For Stefano, whose journey has taken him from the courts of Mexico and the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, Finolhu represents the latest chapter in a career dedicated to sharing a passion for racquet sports. Whether hosting friendly tournaments beneath the Maldivian sun or introducing guests to a new sport, his focus remains on creating memorable experiences that extend far beyond the court.
To learn more about Finolhu, a Seaside Collection resort, visit finolhu.com.
News
Sirru Fen Fushi unveils safari-inspired luxury glamping escape
Sirru Fen Fushi–Private Lagoon Resort invites travellers to rediscover the Maldives through an extraordinary new luxury glamping experience, where safari- inspired living, immersive nature encounters and five-star indulgence come together on one of the Indian Ocean’s most secluded islands.
The Maldives has long been synonymous with overwater villas and endless turquoise horizons. Now, Sirru Fen Fushi is inviting guests to experience the destination from an entirely new perspective with The Ultimate Glamping Experience in the Maldives–an exclusive stay that combines the spirit of adventure with the comforts of refined luxury.

Set within the resort’s distinctive Safari Tented Beach Villas with Pool and Safari Tented Jungle Villas with Pool, this immersive escape redefines glamping for discerning travellers. Spanning an impressive 525 square metres, each villa blends handcrafted safari-inspired design with elegant interiors, a private pool, dedicated Personal Villa Host service and seamless indoor-outdoor living, creating a rare sense of adventure without compromising comfort.
Designed for those seeking deeper connections with nature, the experience celebrates the simple pleasures of island life through a thoughtfully curated collection of signature moments that inspire exploration, relaxation and meaningful connection.

Guests enjoy daily breakfast either in the privacy of their villa or overlooking the lagoon at Raha Market. During their stay, they will also embark on a guided turtle research snorkelling experience alongside the resort’s marine team, offering a unique opportunity to discover the Maldives’ vibrant underwater world while supporting marine conservation efforts.
Among the in-villa signature experiences included during the stay are a private outdoor cinema experience and a private barefoot barbecue beneath the stars, offering two unforgettable ways to enjoy the magic of Maldivian evenings. Guests can also indulge in a signature 60-minute in-villa spa treatment, completing an experience that balances adventure with effortless relaxation.

Throughout their stay, a dedicated Personal Villa Host ensures every detail is seamlessly arranged, allowing guests to embrace the island’s slower rhythm while reconnecting with nature and with each other.
More than a holiday, The Ultimate Glamping Experience in the Maldives reflects the growing demand for experiential luxury, where authentic moments, wellness, sustainability and personal connection take centre stage. As travellers increasingly seek journeys that inspire rather than simply impress, Sirru Fen Fushi offers an experience unlike any other in the Maldives.
Hidden within one of the country’s largest natural lagoons in Shaviyani Atoll, Sirru Fen Fushi is renowned for its untouched natural beauty, iconic 200-metre infinity pool, vibrant nine-kilometre house reef and the Coralarium–the world’s first semi-submerged gallery installation that also serves as a coral regeneration project.

With the launch of this new experience, Sirru Fen Fushi continues to redefine luxury hospitality by inviting guests to swap the expected for the extraordinary, where jungle meets ocean, adventure meets serenity, and every moment is designed to awaken the spirit of exploration.
The Ultimate Glamping Experience includes:
- Accommodation in a Safari Tented Beach Villa with Pool or Safari Tented Jungle Villa with Pool
- Daily breakfast served in the villa or at Raha Market
- One private outdoor cinema experience in the villa
- One private barefoot barbecue beneath the stars in the villa
- One guided turtle research snorkelling experience
- One signature 60-minute in-villa spa treatment
- Dedicated Personal Villa Host throughout the stay
For further information and reservations, please visit the resort’s website or contact reservations@sirrufenfushi.com.
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