News
Maldives wins the title of World’s Leading Beach Destination at the World Travel Awards 2015
Maldives.net.mv – Maldives wins the prestigious position of the World’s Leading Beach Destination at the annual World Travel Awards Grand Final awards ceremony held at the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in Morocco on 12th December 2015. Maldives won against 11 other nominees in the category which included world class beach destinations such as Boracay, Cancun, Miami, Thailand and Turks & Caicos Islands.
For a destination boasting its natural environment and beautiful white beaches as one of the most attractive product elements for visitors, winning the title will definitely strengthen the destination profiling as the best beaches on offer for an international audience.
Moreover, Maldives also won the prestigious positions.
- World’s Leading Airport Resort – Hulhule Island Hotel, Maldives
- World’s Leading Seaplane Operator – Trans Maldivian Airways
- World’s Leading Underwater Hotel Restaurant – Sea @ Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
- World’s Leading Water Villa Resort – Ayada Maldives
- World’s Most Romantic Resort – Baros Maldives
World travel awards are well-known as the highest and most exclusive award ceremony in the Travel and Tourism Industry. It is also renowned as the “Oscars of the Travel Industry.” Today, the World Travel Awards™ brand is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.
With the winning of these awards, 2015 Awards series is yet again another tremendous year for the Maldives as a tourist destination. Winning awards in these prestigious categories truly bench marks the destination profiling at the highest level as Maldives gears up for the Visit Maldives year 2016.
While this year marks the 22nd anniversary of the World travel Awards, Maldives was honored the opportunity to host the World Travel Awards Grand Finale 2016 as one of the main events of Visit Maldives Year. To host the most prestigious event of the travel and tourism industry will indeed strengthen brand Maldives…sunny side of life. All in all, with grand tourism celebrations, 2016 will be a momentous year for the tourism industry of Maldives.
Awards
Wellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura named among world’s top 100 spas
Wellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura has been named among the Top 100 Spas of the World 2026 by Luxury Lifestyle Awards, recognising the spa’s wellness services in Malé.
Located on Level 3 of Barceló Nasandhura, Wellness by Mandara caters to both international visitors and local residents, offering spa treatments and wellness services within the capital. Unlike spas located at island resorts, the facility provides an urban wellness option for guests seeking relaxation, physical recovery and regular self-care.
The spa draws on traditional Eastern healing practices and offers a range of treatments, including Mandara’s signature multi-hand massage therapies, ELEMIS facials, body treatments and specialised nail care packages.
Treatments are tailored to individual requirements by the spa’s therapists, with services designed to relieve muscle tension, support physical recovery and promote relaxation.
Trent Munday of Mandara Spa said the recognition reflected the team’s commitment to providing Asian spa therapies in Malé while serving both hotel guests and the local community.
Wellness by Mandara operates daily, offering treatments and spa packages to Barceló Nasandhura guests, Malé residents and day visitors.
Awards
Jalboot Group claims three honours at World Luxury Travel Awards 2026
Jalboot Group has won three awards at the 2026 World Luxury Travel Awards, marking the second consecutive year the marine leisure and transport services provider has received recognition at the event.
The awards were presented during a gala ceremony held on 24 October at the Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, Thailand.
Jalboot Group and its marine leisure brand, Koamas by Jalboot, received awards in three categories:
- Best Diving Experience in Maldives: Koamas by Jalboot
- Best Luxury Water Transfer in Indian Ocean: Jalboot Group
- Best Water Sport & Activities in Indian Ocean Islands: Koamas by Jalboot
The awards recognise the company’s operations across marine leisure and transport services in the Maldives, including watersports, resort-based recreational activities and inter-island water transfers.
RJ Reddy, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Jalboot Group, said the recognition reflected the contributions of the company’s team across its operations.
“We are deeply honoured to be recognised across three categories at the 2026 World Luxury Travel Awards. This milestone reflects the passion, professionalism and teamwork of everyone at Jalboot. Our goal has always been to create experiences that reflect the essence of luxury and the warmth of Maldivian hospitality, both on and beneath the water.”
Jalboot Group continues to expand its operations in the Maldives as a provider of integrated maritime solutions, including luxury yacht charters, marine transport and resort-based leisure services.
The three awards further recognise the company’s presence in the Indian Ocean’s marine tourism and transport sectors.
Action
Kandooma Maldives adds pickleball to recreational offerings
Kandooma Maldives has introduced a new pickleball court, expanding its recreational facilities as the paddle sport continues to gain popularity worldwide.
Combining elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, pickleball is a sport that is relatively easy to learn and suitable for players of different ages and abilities. The new facility allows guests to participate in singles or doubles matches, offering an additional recreational activity for families, couples and groups staying at the resort.
The pickleball court is open daily from 6am to 6pm, with paddles and balls available for guests to borrow from Reception.
Court reservations can be made through the resort’s Recreation or Front Office team. Each villa is entitled to one complimentary hour of court use per day.
The introduction of pickleball forms part of Kandooma Maldives’ efforts to expand its recreational offerings and provide guests with more opportunities to participate in sports and group activities during their stay.
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