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.
News
‘Around the World in Wonder’ brings culture, cuisine, celebration to Amilla Maldives
The festive season is in full swing at Amilla Maldives, where the island has come alive with Around the World in Wonder, a journey through global cultures, flavours and traditions. Inspired by Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days, the celebration runs from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, inviting guests to explore the world without leaving the island.
A meaningful early highlight of the programme was Amilla’s 11th anniversary on 21 December, marked by a festive cocktail and cake-cutting ceremony, followed by a Maldivian Night with bodu beru performances. The celebrations continued with the Tree Lighting Ceremony, which formed the glowing centrepiece of an Italian-themed Masquerade Ball. The evening unfolded with Viennese waltz performances and a fire show, while carolers filled the air with gentle festive melodies.
Christmas Eve turned its focus to France, featuring the lively Dance of the Can-Can, a festive buffet and aerial hoop performances. On Christmas Day, Argentina took centre stage as Santa arrived by yacht and rolled into the festive train buggy, leading a joyful island parade and gift-giving moments. The day continued with a festive brunch celebrating flavour, fun and festive cheer.
Festivities will build towards New Year’s Eve, with the Around the World in a Cocktail party and Global Carnival Event, including live performances from the Hamilton Band, bongo beats, soaring saxophone, acrobats and fire dancers, culminating in a countdown to 2026 under the Maldivian night sky.
Every detail has been thoughtfully prepared by the Amilla Maldives team, allowing guests to relax, explore and celebrate in a setting shaped by nature, warmth and wonder.
Click here to explore the full festive programme at Amilla Maldives. For more information about Amilla Maldives, please visit www.amilla.com.
News
Christmas at Fushifaru Maldives begins with tree lighting, Boduberu, kids’ activities
Fushifaru Maldives welcomed the Christmas season in grand style, beginning with a mesmerising tree lighting ceremony on 20 December set against the serene sunset at Thundi, accompanied by live music and tantalising canapés to mark the start of the celebrations. The holiday season runs from 20 December to 6 January, offering a variety of family-friendly activities, including cupcake decorating, pool parties, Boduberu classes, sandcastle making, and tennis classes for the little ones.
On Christmas Eve, 24 December, guests enjoyed a truly unforgettable celebration. The evening began with Santa’s arrival and a sunset aperitif with kids’ gift-giving, followed by a Christmas Gala Dinner featuring an extensive selection of international cuisines. Seafood lovers delighted in a live grilled station featuring jumbo prawns, lobsters, fishes, clams, octopus, and many more, all beautifully displayed on the Maldivian Dhoni boat, alongside a dedicated Japanese corner offering fresh sashimi, oysters, and other delicacies.
For dessert, the chefs presented a heavenly assortment including mousses, crème brûlée, tiramisu, macarons, meringues, soufflés, and many more, ensuring every guest indulged in a sweet finale. The night culminated in a vibrant disco by DJ Elton and a breathtaking performance by Anastasia Gordienko, a talented hula hoops, LED, and aerial gymnastics performer, leaving guests in awe and perfectly closing the Christmas Eve celebration.
News
Villa Nautica hosts Bollywood filmmaker Farah Khan for holiday stay
Bollywood filmmaker and celebrated choreographer Farah Khan marked the festive season with a holiday escape to the Maldives, staying at Villa Nautica and experiencing the island’s signature mix of warmth, privacy, and ocean-side celebration.
A defining creative force in Indian entertainment, Farah Khan has shaped some of Hindi cinema’s most recognisable on-screen moments, from iconic dance sequences to blockbuster storytelling. Widely regarded as one of Bollywood’s most influential choreographers, she has worked across more than 80 films and received major recognition for her craft, including India’s National Film Award for Best Choreography and multiple Filmfare Awards.

Farah’s impact extends beyond choreography. As a director, she is known for beloved mainstream hits including Main Hoon Na, Om Shanti Om, and Happy New Year, bringing together spectacle, humour, and heart with a style that audiences instantly connect with. She is also a familiar face to viewers through television and entertainment formats, where her sharp wit and straightforward personality have made her a standout on screen.
Villa Nautica is located on Lankanfinolhu Island in the North Malé Atoll, just 20 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, making it an easy choice for travellers planning a festive season getaway in the Maldives. The resort is known for its yacht-life inspired spirit, shimmering lagoons, and a vibrant range of ocean experiences, including diving and watersports, paired with relaxed island luxury for all-day unwinding.
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