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Kurumba Maldives awarded the Travelife Gold Award certification for Sustainability in Tourism

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travelifeMaldives.net.mv – Kurumba Maldives is proud to announce they have been presented the Travelife Gold award for Hotels & Accommodations. Travelife – the international sustainability certification scheme – assesses a property’s performance in managing their social, environmental and economic impacts.

In order to receive the Travelife Gold certification, a property must meet (or exceed) their 150 sustainability criteria. This includes environmental issues, such as minimizing waste and use of energy, water and chemicals; as well as taking positive action on social issues, such as employee welfare, working with the local community, child protection and human rights. They must also demonstrate how they are helping support local businesses and protect local traditions and wildlife.

Kurumba

Some of the key actions completed by Kurumba Maldives in order to achieve this prestigious award are:

  • Reducing energy consumption by installing LED lighting around the resort, replacing air conditioning units to inverter style, increasing room insulation to reduce air conditioning demand, replacing high powered consumption items such as electric ironers, pumps, ovens with lower emergency consumption solutions and using heat exchangers from generators to produce hot water.
  • Managing and reducing the amount of waste by purchasing in bulk to reduce wrapping, creating one of Maldives best waste management facilities. The area processes all kitchen wet waste into compost, grinding glass back to a sand to use in cement, chipping plastics to send to recycling and making our own coconut oil out of small unusable coconuts.
  • Reducing water consumption and managing the desalination water plant, collecting rainwater for use in irrigation, using dual flush toilets, low-flow showerheads and taps and changing foot wash stations to lower water consumption options.
  • Creating awareness about the environment with regular reef clean ups and special events such as Earth Hour and Earth Day with tree planting, encouraging guests to get involved in conservation.
  • Continuous commitment to offer employees safe work environment and fair opportunities for development.
  • Supporting local charities with events to raise money such as “Party with a Purpose”.
  • Supporting the economy and businesses by donating compost to develop the agricultural industry in nearby islands, purchasing from local suppliers where possible and promoting visits to local islands in the area to sustain markets, restaurants and shops.
  • Communicating with guests; about linen re-use service to help save water, through a dedicated TV channel with informative videos about safe snorkeling and diving, informing them about protected areas within the reef. Completing back of house tours to highlight the importance of energy, water and waste management.
  • Protecting the local culture by serving Maldivian foods and short eats, promoting local artists (musicians, Bodu Beru local dance, Maldivian artists demonstrations etc.), developing the Maldivian inspired treatments at Veli Spa (Dhivehi Beys) and selling locally made souvenirs.

Jason Kruse, General Manager of Kurumba, Maldives commented: “We feel honored to receive the Travelife Gold certification as recognition for the efforts of our team. Running a sustainable resort has always been a priority for Kurumba Maldives and I can honestly say that all team members truly care about the environment. Every little effort makes a difference and we look forward to making more improvements in the future”.

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Innahura upgraded and relaunched as Nala Maldives by Jawakara

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Crown & Champa Resorts on Monday opened its 11th resort in Maldives, upgrading Innahura Maldives Resort in Lhaviyani Atoll to a five-star property and rebranding it as Nala Maldives by Jawakara.

The resort was formally inaugurated by Tourism Minister Ibrahim Thoriq and Champa Brothers Chairperson Mohamed Moosa at a ceremony held at Nala Maldives.

Crown & Champa CEO Mohamed Solah said the resort had been redeveloped and reopened following two years of work. He said the property was designed as a five-star entry-level resort with operations shaped around sustainability.

Tourism Minister Thoriq Ibrahim said Crown & Champa is one of Maldives’ strongest and most innovative companies in the tourism sector. He also thanked the company for its continued contribution to tourism development.

Crown & Champa Resorts Chairperson Sara Moosa said Nala Maldives had been developed to remain competitive in the evolving tourism market.

Nala Maldives is located a 35-minute seaplane flight from Velana International Airport. The resort has 80 villas across four categories:

  • 8 Romantic Beach Villas
  • 20 Sunrise Beach Villas
  • 22 Sunset Beach Pool Villas
  • 30 Ocean Pool Villas

The property includes seven F&B outlets, including beach bars and restaurants serving international cuisine. It also features a spa offering eight types of treatments, along with a medical clinic.

Recreational facilities include tennis, football, volleyball, badminton, an indoor games room and a water sports centre.

The resort is designated as an adults-only property, open to guests aged 12 and above. Jawakara, located on the same lagoon and accessible by a two-minute speedboat ride, caters to guests travelling with children.

Photos: Dhauru/Next Media Group

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‘Threading Time’: Stitched photo stories debut at Oaga Art Resort

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Oaga Art Resort, a homegrown Maldivian brand where creativity thrives and stories unfold, has announced Threading Time, a captivating solo exhibition by Maldivian artist Hajja Nazwa. The exhibition will open on 5 December 2025 at Moo Gé Gallery by Suvāsthi, the art brand of Oaga Resorts, and will run until 6 January 2026, giving guests the chance to experience Hajja’s stitched photographic narratives throughout the festive season.

Threading Time explores memory, everyday life, and the subtle beauty of island living. Through a fusion of photography and embroidery, Hajja Nazwa transforms ordinary moments into enduring visual stories. Each stitched detail reflects scenes of Maldivian daily life—street corners, bursts of colour, the quiet rhythm of the city, and the serenity of the islands.

Reflecting on her work, Hajja said: “Photo embroidery gives me a gentle place to return to… a space where I can slow down, look closely, and connect with myself. The act of stitching feels like a conversation between my hands and my memories. It reminds me to notice the small things, to honour them, and to hold on to the parts of life that quietly shape me.”

The exhibition features 55 works from Hajja’s stitched-story collection, many based on her own photographs celebrating Maldivian culture, heritage, and everyday moments. The pieces encourage viewers to engage with the interplay of thread, colour, and light, creating a space where art, memory, and island life intersect.

The exhibition is curated by Ahmed Sobah, whose long-standing involvement in the Maldivian arts scene ensures a presentation that highlights the vibrancy, intimacy, and contemplative depth of Hajja’s work.

The exhibition will open with a ticketed event on 5 December, offering guests:

  • A guided tour with the artist
  • A curated dinner at Kaa Kada, Oaga’s signature restaurant
  • Evening entertainment at Raa Baa bar

Date & Time: 5 December 2025, 16:00 – 22:30
Ticket Price: MVR 1,542 (USD 100)
Includes: Roundtrip speedboat transfer from Malé International Airport, exhibition access with guided tour, dinner, and entertainment.

From 6 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, the exhibition will be open to all resort guests, allowing visitors to explore Hajja’s work at their own pace in an intimate island gallery setting.

Moo Gé is the transformative creative space of Oaga Art Resort—a hybrid venue that functions as a movement studio, performance arena, and exhibition platform. Its fluid design allows it to adapt to the needs of artists and audiences alike. For Threading Time, Moo Gé becomes a dedicated gallery, enabling guests to experience Hajja Nazwa’s embroidered photographic works up close.

As part of Suvāsthi, Oaga’s artistic ecosystem centred on joy and creative expression, Moo Gé reflects the resort’s commitment to nurturing local and visiting talent. It is a place where culture, creativity, and island spirit come together, offering an experience rooted not only in observation but also in participation.

Oaga Art Resort continues to champion Maldivian artistry, giving guests the rare opportunity to engage with local talent in meaningful ways. Threading Time is more than an exhibition— it is an ongoing dialogue between artist, audience, and island life, where each thread and photograph tells a story of home, memory, and culture.

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Firedoor at Grand Park Kodhipparu introduces overwater glass-floor dining

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Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives has announced a distinctive enhancement to its acclaimed restaurant Firedoor, an award-winning luxury boutique dining venue recognised by the World Luxury Restaurant Awards. Renowned for its refined overwater setting and exceptional culinary craftsmanship, Firedoor now features a custom-designed glass floor, offering guests a remarkable view into the island’s vibrant marine world.

Suspended gracefully above the turquoise lagoon, the new glass-floor installation transforms Firedoor into an immersive sanctuary where fine dining and underwater discovery coexist. As guests enjoy carefully curated tasting menus, they can watch a dynamic natural tableau unfold beneath them—shoals of colourful fish, soft corals swaying with the current, and rays gliding silently through the sunlit waters below.

Firedoor has long been celebrated for its intimacy, craftsmanship, and elegant overwater design. The introduction of the glass floor elevates the restaurant’s identity even further, providing a perspective that is both unique and unforgettable—a seamless fusion of luxury, artistry, and the natural beauty surrounding Kodhipparu.

As a distinguished winner of the World Luxury Restaurant Awards, Firedoor has established itself as one of the Maldives’ most exclusive dining destinations. The new design feature reinforces this standing, enriching the venue’s sophisticated atmosphere while highlighting its deep connection to the island’s marine environment.

Crafted with careful attention to architectural integrity and environmental sensitivity, the glass-floor feature preserves the tranquillity of the lagoon while adding a new sensory dimension to the dining experience. The upgrade reflects the resort’s commitment to innovation, curated luxury, and experiences that embody the signature identity of Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives.

The enhanced Firedoor experience is now available exclusively to guests of Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives, inviting them to enjoy fine dining above the water, where culinary excellence meets the mesmerising beauty of the Indian Ocean.

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