News
Joint Meeting of the Two Commissions in Asia Pacific and UNWTO Regional Ministerial Conference
The 27th Joint Meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Commission for East Asia and the Pacific (CAP) and the UNWTO Commission for South Asia (CSA)& UNWTO Regional Ministerial Conference on Positioning Tourism in a Wider Socio-Economic Contextwas hosted in Maldives from 3rd-4th June 2015, at Bandos Island Resort& Spa, Maldives. Countries from East Asia and South Asia were represented in the commission meeting, with affiliated members and numerous international organizations.
The Opening Ceremony held on 3rd June 2015 at Bandos Island Resorts & Spa, was enhancedby the presence of His Excellency President Abdul Yameen Abdul Gayoomas the Guest of Honor, and comprisedof some very special and important events for the Maldives tourism industry. This includes the Visit Maldives 2016 Year Campaign being nationally launched by His Excellency Yameen Abdul Gayoom. This campaign is a destination marketing initiative by the Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation (MMPRC) with the objective of increasing tourist arrivals to the Maldives. This event was followed by the endorsement of the Open letter campaign by the Maldives, during the ceremony where the Dr. TalebRifai, Secretary General of UNWTO presented the open letter to His Excellency President Yameen Abdul Gayoom. This campaign is a joint effort by UNWTO and World Travel and Tourism Council (WTCC) to maximize travel and tourism’s contribution economic growth and development. By accepting this open letter, His Excellency endorsed this campaign geared towards encouraging world leaders to acknowledge tourism’s potential to generate growth, development and employment.
The Ministerial Conference on Positioning Tourism in a Wider Socio-Economic Context was held in conjunction with the Joint Commission meetings with two main objectives:
To take stock of the event to which UNWTO’s Open Letter initiative has achieved its main objective of advocating that countries duly recognize the socio-economic contribution of tourism to their national economies;
And to examine national policies that will engender strategies to ensure that the projected growth in tourism demand will translate into socio-economic benefits for non-tourism sectors of the Asia-Pacific economies.
Ministers of Tourism, Deputy Ministers and senior government officials discussed and debated the next steps in strengthening government awareness and support to enable advancement of the tourism sector. Stimulating discussions enabled open sharing of national and regional insights, experience and expertise from various tourism experts. The main focus of the Joint Commission Meeting and the Ministerial Conference was on the developments in the world tourism industry, remarks and milestones achieved by the tourism industry and also the challenges and obstacles faced by the industry and how to overcome those challenges were also discussed.
Honorable Minister of Tourism, Mr. Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor, hosted a special Gala Dinner on 3rd June, honoring and welcoming the delegates to the Maldives. Ministers, senior government officials, Maldivian tourism industry pioneers and a huge number of industry participants also attended the dinner and were part of this social function. A very significant ceremony also took place during the dinner, where Maldivian Industry leaders signed the Private Sector Commitment to Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (GCET) and the five prominent enterprises and associations signing this commitment included the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), Crown &Champa Resorts, Sun Island Resorts & Spa, Centara Hotels & Resorts Maldives and Canareef Resort Maldives. Private By signing this commitment they pledge their commitment to observe the principle of the Code; respecting human rights and cultural heritage, protecting the environment and vulnerable groups, working towards social inclusion, gender equality, and accessibility – that is, abiding by highest moral values that we as a society have accepted as fundamental in the 21st century.
The CAP-CSA Joint Commission meeting is UNWTO’s principal annual event in the Asia Pacific Region, and the meetings took place in Bandos Island Resort & Spa on 4th June 2015. The Joint Commission Meeting was chaired by Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State, Culture and Tourism, India and was co-chaired by Mr. Rolando Cañizal, Assistant Secretary of Tourism, of Philippines. Honorable Minister of Tourism, Mr. Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor lea the delegation from Maldives for the joint commission meeting. Key topics discussed during the meetings this year included UNWTO’s program of work for the region, Asia’s use of TripAdvisor as a source of consumer’s data and other statutory issues related to the UNWTO Asia-Pacific Member States.Mr. Mohamed Umar Maniki, Chairman of MATI, honoring the delegates and extending them to warm hospitality of Maldives, hosted a farewell dinner on the evening of 4th June at Bandos Island Resorts & Spa. The efforts of the chairman were complimented with participation from senior government officials and tourism industry leaders in this social gathering.
The events were concluded with a special technical tour organized by Ministry of Tourismfor the delegates on 5th June 2015, aimed at exposing the participants to the unique Maldivian tourism products and the Maldivian hospitality. The first half of this technical tour included a photo flight excursion, where the delegates took a tour of the Male’ atoll area in the Twin Otter seaplanes of Trans Maldivian Airways, flying over the pristine lagoons and islands of Maldives, taking a closer look at the scenic details enabling them to truly appreciate the beauty of the paradise on earth.This was followed by a high tea organized by Kuramathi Island Resort, where the locals where exposed to the outstanding Maldivian hospitality.
News
Mandara Spa introduces new ELEMIS treatments and LED facial technology
Some partnerships are measured by milestones. Others are measured by the experiences they continue to create. For the past 20 years, Mandara Spa and British skincare brand ELEMIS have worked together with a shared commitment to combining professional skincare expertise with meaningful wellness experiences. Today, that partnership continues with an expanded ELEMIS treatment portfolio, giving guests across the Maldives even more ways to personalise their spa journey.
Since partnering with ELEMIS, Mandara Spa has remained committed to delivering treatments that balance visible skincare results with the restorative experience at the heart of every spa visit. As guest expectations continue to evolve, the expanded portfolio reflects a growing demand for personalised treatments that address individual skincare concerns without compromising moments of relaxation and self-care.
A New Dimension in Facial Care
Among the highlights of the expanded collection is the ELEMIS EXPERT™ LED ENERGY MASK, bringing advanced light therapy into the professional spa experience. The enhancement features ELEMIS light technology designed to work alongside professional facial treatments, offering guests a more targeted approach to their individual skincare needs.
The introduction reflects ELEMIS’ evolving high-touch, high-tech philosophy, where advanced skincare technology complements the expertise and hands-on care of the therapist. Using carefully engineered light wavelengths that work at different depths of the skin, LED technology is designed to support concerns including brightness, smoothness and the appearance of redness, while enhancing the results-driven approach at the heart of ELEMIS professional skincare.
For Mandara Spa, the ELEMIS EXPERT™ LED ENERGY MASK adds a new dimension to the facial experience without losing the restorative qualities guests seek from time spent in the spa. By bringing together technology, professional expertise and personalised care, the treatment represents how the longstanding partnership between Mandara Spa and ELEMIS continues to evolve. The ELEMIS EXPERT™ LED ENERGY MASK will be available at select Mandara Spa locations across the Maldives.
An Expanded ELEMIS Experience
The refreshed treatment portfolio introduces a broader selection of facial therapies and targeted enhancements, allowing therapists to tailor each experience to the guest’s individual skincare needs.
ELEMIS’ globally renowned, hands-on facial treatments use touch as a powerful diagnostic tool, softening and preparing the skin to receive active ingredients. This is where intuition meets expertise.
- ELEMIS Expert™ Touch Renew Facial
- ELEMIS Expert™ Touch Define Facial
ELEMIS Expert™ Add-Ons:
- ELEMIS Expert™ Collagen Eye Boost
- ELEMIS Expert™ LED Energy Mask
- ELEMIS Expert™ Restorative Head Massage
Powered by ELEMIS’ marine-inspired formulations and botanical ingredients, the collection supports hydration, radiance, firmness, and skin renewal while complementing Mandara Spa’s signature approach to holistic wellbeing. Together, the expanded offering provides guests with greater flexibility to personalise their experience, from hands-on facial therapies to targeted enhancements addressing individual skincare needs.
A Partnership Built Over Two Decades
For Mandara Spa Country Manager Tenille Keats, the milestone is also deeply personal. Her journey with ELEMIS began in 2003 while working aboard Silversea Cruises under Steiner Leisure, where she was first introduced to the brand. More than two decades later, ELEMIS remains Mandara Spa’s skincare partner of choice.
“From the very beginning of my career, I fell in love with ELEMIS. There was something incredibly powerful about the way the brand combines marine actives from beneath the sea with carefully selected botanicals and herbs from the land. It delivers real, visible results while still feeling luxurious and holistic,” said Keats. “Even as the business has evolved over the years, ELEMIS has remained our trusted partner — a reflection of its performance and its commitment to responsible beauty, underscored by its certification as a B Corp.”
Today, ELEMIS is recognised globally for combining science-led skincare with naturally derived ingredients and is certified as a B Corp, reflecting high standards of social and environmental responsibility. These values continue to complement Mandara Spa’s philosophy of delivering thoughtful wellness experiences grounded in quality, care, and lasting results.
As Mandara Spa celebrates this milestone, the partnership with ELEMIS remains focused on the future. By continuing to refine treatments, invest in professional expertise, and respond to the evolving needs of today’s wellness traveller, both brands reaffirm a shared commitment to creating spa experiences that guests will return to time and time again.
Guests can experience ELEMIS treatments and retail products at the following locations across the Maldives:
- Mandara Spa at Cinnamon Velifushi
- Mandara Spa at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa
- Mandara Spa at Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
- Mandara Spa at Adaaran Select Meedhupparu
- Mandara Spa at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi
- Wellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura
- Th.ari Spa by Mandara at NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi
- Mandara Spa at Meliã Whale Lagoon Maldives
- Chavana Spa at Adaaran Club Rannalhi
- Chavana Spa at Cinnamon Dhonveli
- Chavana Spa at Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon
News
From Galaxy of Dreams to Beneath the Blue: Cinnamon Resorts reveal festive programmes
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives is preparing to trade winter chills for warm shores this festive season, with four distinctly themed celebrations unfolding across its island resorts. From evenings inspired by the stars and a festive journey around the world to a tropical wonderland and celebrations beneath the blue, each resort will put its own spin on Christmas and New Year in the Maldives. Across the islands, days will move between long lunches, ocean adventures and time on the beach, before evenings give way to festive dining, live entertainment and celebrations under the stars.

Cinnamon Velifushi Malives
At Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, Christmas looks to the stars with Galaxy of Dreams, a celestial-themed celebration made for the island’s wide-open skies. Sunset cruises, saxophone performances by the beach, intimate gourmet dinners and live music set the pace in the days leading up to Christmas, while younger guests can join their own Adventures Among the Stars. Christmas Eve brings a gala feast, the Velifushi Choir and Santa’s grand arrival before celebrations continue late into the night. The theme reaches its finale on New Year’s Eve, when DJs, a live band, dancers and a midnight countdown bring the Galaxy of Dreams to life one last time.

Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives
Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives will take the festive season Around the World, drawing inspiration from the food, music and traditions of different cultures while keeping the setting unmistakably Maldivian. Christmas Eve begins with a feast inspired by flavours from across the globe, followed by carols and live music, before the night shifts into dancing beside the ocean. The journey continues beyond Christmas with a celebration of Maldivian heritage during Spirit of the Islands, sunset cruises across the atoll and, as 2026 draws to a close, a New Year’s Eve filled with international music, live performances and dancing into the first hours of 2027.

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives
At Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, Tropical Wonderland swaps snow-covered Christmas scenes for sunshine, sand and plenty of island energy. The season begins with the lighting of the Christmas tree and unfolds with experiences ranging from sunrise yoga and traditional coconut-leaf craftsmanship to festive activities for children. Christmas Eve brings everyone together for a Tropical Wonderland Gala Dinner, carols by the Dhonveli Choir and Santa’s arrival by the sea. And there is plenty still to come before New Year, including dolphin cruises, a neon beach party and a masquerade evening, culminating in a gala dinner and midnight fireworks over the Indian Ocean.

Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon
For Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, the festive season goes Beneath the Blue, taking its cue from an island where some of the most memorable experiences begin at the water’s edge. Guests can head out across Ellaidhoo’s renowned house reef on a snorkel safari with the resort’s Marine Biologist, discover island-grown flavours through a garden-to-plate culinary experience, or settle in for festive dinners by the shore. Christmas brings carols, celebrations and time together by the ocean, while the final days of the year introduce a distinctly Maldivian beat with traditional Bodu Beru. On New Year’s Eve, one last golden-hour cruise leads into a grand gala dinner, music and a countdown to 2027 surrounded by the Indian Ocean.
For full festive programmes and further details for all four resorts, please visit the official website.
News
Centara unveils KSA National Day holiday offers across Maldives resorts
With KSA National Day approaching on 23 September, Saudi travellers looking to make the most of the holiday break can trade the city for the turquoise waters and white-sand beaches of the Maldives. Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives and Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection offer two distinct island experiences, from spacious stays and wellness to marine adventures, diving and memorable dining.
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives
Located in the turquoise waters of North Malé Atoll, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives offers an elegant island oasis for families, couples and groups looking for space, privacy and a wide choice of experiences. The resort features spacious two- and three-bedroom overwater and beachfront residences, alongside six restaurants and four bars offering a variety of dining experiences.
Wellness also takes centre stage throughout the stay, with SPA Cenvaree Retreat offering holistic treatments inspired by Thai wellness traditions, complemented by a yoga pavilion and modern fitness centre. Guests can also explore the surrounding waters through diving, watersports and guided marine excursions, while the Kids’ Club and E Zone offer dedicated spaces for younger guests, alongside a range of recreational activities designed for all ages.
For those planning a longer National Day getaway, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives’ A Summer of Island Elegance offer makes the journey to paradise even more worthwhile. Guests staying four nights or more can enjoy complimentary round-trip luxury speedboat transfers for two adults, allowing more time to focus on the island experience from the moment they arrive. Combined with spacious residences, exceptional dining and access to the resort’s extensive leisure and wellness facilities, the offer provides an added-value way to experience the Maldives in comfort and style.
When: Valid on stays from now until October 15th
Offer Details: Complimentary round-trip speedboat transfers for two adults on stays of four nights or more.
Terms & Conditions:
- Applicable for new bookings only and subject to availability.
- This offer is non-transferable and cannot be used by or given to another person.
- This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions or partnership discounts.
- All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card valid for the entire stay.
- Centara Hotels & Resorts reserves the right to change these terms and conditions without notice.
- In case of dispute, the company has the final decision.
For more information, click here.
For travellers who want their National Day escape to be as restorative as it is relaxing, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives offers complimentary spa credit to enhance selected meal-plan stays. Guests can enjoy up to USD 60 (SAR 225) per person per stay at SPA Cenvaree Retreat, where traditional Thai-inspired treatments, massages, body rituals and facials provide the perfect way to unwind after a day spent exploring the lagoon or simply relaxing on the island.
Booking Period: From now until September 30th
Stay Period: From now until December 31st
Offer Details: USD 60 (SAR 225) spa credit per person per stay for guests on Half Board Plus, Full Board Plus, All-Inclusive and Atollia Destination meal plans, as well as guests who book directly.
Terms & Conditions:
- Applicable for new bookings only and subject to availability.
- This offer is non-transferable and cannot be used by or given to another person.
- This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions or partnership discounts.
- All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card valid for the entire stay.
- Centara Hotels & Resorts reserves the right to change these terms and conditions without notice.
- In case of dispute, the company has the final decision.
For more information, click here.
Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives
Located in South Ari Atoll, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, presents a different side of the Maldives. Surrounded by an award-winning house reef, the resort offers an immersive island experience centred around marine adventures, pristine nature and relaxed island living.
The surrounding waters offer exceptional diving and snorkelling opportunities, centred around Machchafushi’s award-winning house reef, which is home to an extraordinary variety of coral and marine life. Guests can explore vibrant coral gardens and encounter turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, and thousands of species of tropical fish, while more than 50 dive sites across South Ari Atoll offer even more to discover. A particular highlight is the 52-metre Kudhi Maa shipwreck, which has transformed into a thriving artificial reef since sinking in 1999, attracting colourful marine life including glassfish, trevally, snapper, and reef sharks.
Away from the water, guests can take to the lagoon by kayak or paddleboard, explore the island at their own pace or retreat to the award-winning SPA Cenvaree, nestled beneath a 200-year-old banyan tree, offering a tranquil setting for Thai-inspired treatments and restorative rituals.
For families and groups seeking additional space, the Club Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villa is the pinnacle of both indoor and outdoor living, with two bedrooms, a private pool, sun loungers and direct access to the beach. Framed by uninterrupted sea views and a fresh, all-white interior, the villa creates a serene private retreat where days can be spent between the comfort of the villa, the pool, and the turquoise waters nearby.
Guests staying four nights or more can enjoy 25% savings on seaplane transfers, while those staying for nine nights or longer can save 50%, making it an ideal opportunity to turn the KSA National Day break into a longer Maldivian holiday filled with diving, snorkelling, nature and uninterrupted island time.
When: Valid on stays from now until October 15th
Offer Details:
- 25% savings on seaplane transfers with a four-night stay.
- 50% savings on seaplane transfers with a stay of nine nights or longer.
Terms & Conditions:
- Applicable for new bookings only and subject to availability.
- This offer is non-transferable and cannot be used by or given to another person.
- This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions or partnership discounts.
- All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card valid for the entire stay.
- Centara Hotels & Resorts reserves the right to change these terms and conditions without notice.
- In case of dispute, the company has the final decision.
For more information, click here.
After a day spent exploring Machchafushi’s celebrated house reef, guests can retreat to SPA Cenvaree for a restorative treatment inspired by traditional Thai wellness. Guests staying on Half Board Plus can enjoy USD 30 (SAR 112.50) spa credit per person per stay, while Full Board Plus guests receive USD 40 (SAR 150) per person per stay, offering an opportunity to slow down, recharge and add a moment of calm to an adventure-filled island escape.
Booking Period: From now until December 31st
Stay Period: From now until June 30th, 2027
Offer Details:
- Half Board Plus: USD 30 (SAR 112.50) spa credit per person per stay.
- Full Board Plus: USD 40 (SAR 150) spa credit per person per stay.
Terms & Conditions:
- Applicable for new bookings only and subject to availability.
- This offer is non-transferable and cannot be used by or given to another person.
- This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions or partnership discounts.
- All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card valid for the entire stay.
- Centara Hotels & Resorts reserves the right to change these terms and conditions without notice.
- In case of dispute, the company has the final decision.
For more information, click here.
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