News
Visit of ITB 50 year’s ambassador to Maldives
Maldives.net.mv – The world’s leading travel trade show InternationaleTourismus-Börse/ International Tourism Exchange (ITB) to be held in Berlin, Germany will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary with the motto of ‘From Berlin with Love’. This festive occasion is marked by visiting different destinations around the world and offering personal gratitude to local representatives. 50 events from 50 destinations all over the world were selected; each is related to one of the following topics: tourism, politics, social issues, nature or history. The 50 ITB Ambassadors from Berlin will travel to selected destinations and officially meet the country representatives.
The category selected for Maldives is Honeymoon; the ambassadors to Maldives Mr. & Mrs. Family Trause will be spending their honeymoon at Bandos Island Resort from 13 – 20 December 2015. The ambassadors were welcomed to Maldives by the Deputy Minister of Tourism Hon. Hussain Lirar, in a special ceremony held in the resort. Speaking in this ceremony the Deputy Minister highlighted the developments that the destination has achieved over the years, he also highlighted the significance of Maldives being the partner country of ITB 2016. During this ceremony the Deputy Minister received a limited ITB Buddy Bear from Berlin as a gift from the ambassadors. A traditional boat model was gifted to the ambassador from the Deputy Minister.
Maldives will be the host country of ITB 2016, held from 9th – 13th March 2016. As the official partner country of the fair, Maldives will be hosting the opening ceremony of ITB 2016 to be held at the City Cube Berlin on 8th March 2016. Starting from 10th March 2015 till the beginning of ITB 2016, Maldives together with ITB will be promoting the event on different media platforms.
The year 2016 will be marked as the Visit Maldives Year and being the partner country of ITB 2016 is the most prominent activity of Visit Maldives Year 2016. Visit Maldives Year is the marketing campaign with the objective of increasing tourist arrivals to 1.5 million with a significant increase in tourism receipts. Numerous international and national activities have been planned for 2016 to celebrate VMY.
Germany is a significant market to Maldives in terms of tourist arrivals; it is the second largest market to Maldives by the end of October 2015 with 8.4% of Market share. By the end of this period a total of 1,024,775 tourists visited Maldives.
Drink
Sirru Fen Fushi hosts Flor de Caña mixology event with Dinesh Mondkar
The Behind The Bar Sirru Icon series recently hosted a mixology event at Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort, featuring Dinesh Mondkar, Flor de Caña’s brand ambassador for India.
The event gave guests an opportunity to explore a selection of rum cocktails while learning more about the craftsmanship and heritage behind the Flor de Caña brand. Set against a sunset backdrop over the ocean, the session combined cocktail-making techniques, brand storytelling and a relaxed island setting.
Guests were introduced to a range of cocktails that highlighted bold flavours and the versatility of rum in contemporary mixology. The evening also offered insight into the methods and presentation behind premium cocktail service, adding an interactive element to the experience.
The event formed part of the resort’s ongoing Behind The Bar Sirru Icon series, which continues to bring recognised figures from the international spirits industry to the Maldives. Through the series, the resort aims to expand its food and beverage offering with curated events that connect guests with global brands and industry expertise.
Such experiences are designed to complement the wider guest programme by combining destination dining and beverage concepts with the setting of the Maldives, while offering visitors a more immersive way to engage with the resort’s hospitality offerings.
Featured
Angsana Velavaru marks reopening of upgraded futsal ground
Angsana Velavaru has reopened its futsal facility as part of efforts to enhance guest experiences and staff engagement through sport and community activities.
The reopening ceremony was officiated by Dhaalu Atoll Council president Ahmed Shafiu and the resort’s general manager, Ahmed Zahir, who jointly cut the ribbon to mark the occasion.
Located within the island grounds, the futsal court measures 57 metres by 38 metres and is intended to serve as a space for both recreational use and organised activities for guests and resort associates.
The resort said the facility would form part of its wider recreational offering and would host workshops and expert-led collaborations aimed at providing guests with sports-based experiences while also supporting skill development and interaction. It added that the initiative also reflects its focus on staff wellbeing, teamwork and active living.
The opening event included friendly matches between the Angsana Velavaru men’s and women’s teams, as well as an inter-resort match between the Angsana Velavaru Orange Army and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru.
Adjacent to the futsal court is the resort’s upgraded watersports centre, which now includes updated guest facilities such as shower and changing areas.
Ahmed Zahir said the reopening of the futsal ground represented more than a recreational upgrade and reflected the resort’s commitment to creating meaningful experiences for both guests and associates. He said the facility would support active living, connection and wellbeing, while also serving as a space for learning and collaboration.
Angsana Velavaru, located in South Nilandhe Atoll, said the reopening of the futsal facility forms part of its wider efforts to expand its lifestyle and community-focused offerings.
Featured
World Art Day inspires new Graffiti Club at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has launched the Graffiti Club to mark World Art Day, introducing a team-led initiative focused on artistic expression, collaboration and storytelling through art.
The resort said the initiative brings together more than 18 team members from across different departments, reflecting a shared interest in creativity. As part of the project, selected back-of-house spaces have been turned into canvases, transforming staff areas into spaces for artistic work.
Inspired by the natural environment of the Maldives and the Maamunagau lagoon, the first set of artworks features marine life such as manta rays, whale sharks and sea turtles. The resort said the designs reflect the biodiversity of the destination and its connection to the surrounding ocean. Additional artwork is also being developed as the project continues.
InterContinental Maldives said the initiative is rooted in its brand culture and service philosophy, Inspire Incredible, and is intended to support creativity, collaboration and self-expression among team members.
Renuka Gupta, cluster director of learning and development, said creativity exists in every individual, regardless of role or background. She said the initiative was created to provide team members with a space to express themselves, connect with colleagues and contribute to the environment in which they work each day.
The resort said the Graffiti Club forms part of its wider approach to workplace culture, with a focus on creativity, wellbeing and personal expression alongside the guest experience.
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