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Volunteer Maldives: Offering the Real Maldives Experience

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Maldives Promotion House – Registered in Maldives, Volunteer Maldives is an organization which was founded by Yvonne Habeeb and Michelle Flake, two professionals with a lot of experience in the global travel business, and ten years of experience living in Maldives.

With a strong travel and tourism background, Yvonne has lived in the Maldives for almost 10 years, while Michelle has also lived in the Maldives for some 10 years and has over 20 years of experience in the Travel Industry. While their main goal is to promote the Maldives as a destination not just for tourism, they highlight many areas that will benefit from foreign volunteers who can help with many of the programs offered to benefit local communities.

Volunteer Maldives has worked with other non governmental organizations and island organizations, setting up programs in a variety of social areas such as education and sports. According to the organization, they are planning on extending their programs to other islands as well.

“Many schools and NGO’s contact us on a daily basis wanting volunteers for various programs. We have some very exciting projects and events coming up over the next 12 months, which will be kept under wraps until the final details are organised,” Yvonne said.

The organisation has participated and worked alongside major events such as the internationally renowned Hay Festival which was held on 2010. They have also made various donations to the local community as a social responsibility, and are also planning on further projects.

“Into this year we have some very exciting new projects in Arts and Culture, and are developing our nationwide Conservation Program and highlighting events while working with both NGO’s and government departments,” Yvonne added.

Being one of the first foreign volunteer organisations in the Maldives, Volunteer Maldives has had tremendous support from government, private, and individual organisations and has built up trust and credibility from all sectors of the community.

Explaining her desire to assist Maldives Michelle explains it by saying that “the Maldives is one of the most stunning destinations in the world and I want to give people the opportunity to experience the true Maldives. Live with the wonderful island communities and really make a difference, whilst giving them the opportunity for a once in a life time experience.”

This small island nation of the Maldives is renowned for its unique beaches, crystal clear lagoons and world class tourist resorts. However, the local life is very different and the famed luxury does not reflect the lives of normal hardworking Maldivians.

“The Maldives is one of the most stunning destinations in the world, but behind the façade of five star resorts and privilege the tourists see, there is a whole different world where the local communities of gentle people need help with a host of areas such as teaching, medical work, and youth work to inspire people in this remote island nation,” Yvonne states.

Volunteer Maldives is indeed a very special experience where you can participate in a variety of projects and development programs to benefit local island communities to make a marked and substantial difference to Maldivians.

In order to benefit the locals, Volunteer Maldives works in cooperation with island communities, NGO’s and government schools ensuring that the volunteer’s skills are shown where they are most required. The volunteer placements offered by Volunteer Maldives includes teaching, the medical field, sports coaches, and community development among others.

By offering a “Real Maldives” experience to the volunteers, Volunteer Maldives grants the opportunity to touch the local people’s lives, to live among the native community and to integrate into the unique Maldivian culture, while savouring the beauty of Maldives. According to Volunteer Maldives their “Give Back” programme ensures that a considerable proportion of a volunteer’s placement fee goes back into the community.

Volunteer Maldives prides itself with “a core set of values that guides everything we do. At the forefront of that vision is the desire and commitment to make sure all volunteer projects are of an immense benefit, and sustainable to the small island communities we work closely with. For the volunteers, we endeavour to ensure that the valuable time given by our volunteers provides a fulfilling and unforgettable experience that they’ll carry with them throughout their lives.”

We at Maldives Promotion House support their efforts to develop the local communities. We wish them success in their future project. Keep it up Volunteer Maldives.

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Constance Hotels & Resorts Honors Manjoola Dowlutrao’s 20-Year Career Journey

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Constance Hotels & Resorts celebrates the dedication and excellence of Manjoola Dowlutrao, recognizing her remarkable 20-year journey within the group.

Dowlutrao’s story began in 2001 as part of the inaugural class of the Constance Academy’s Management Training Program. This experience launched an exceptional career within the prestigious hotel group.

Starting at Constance Lemuria Seychelles as a Reservations Supervisor, Dowlutrao has consistently demonstrated exceptional growth and leadership. Her path led her to Constance Prince Maurice in Mauritius, where she spent two decades honing her skills. She rose from Sales/Guest Relations Manager to Executive Assistant Manager, embodying a true commitment to providing exceptional hospitality experiences.

Dowlutrao’s recent appointment as Executive Assistant Manager in the Maldives signifies both her valuable contributions and the confidence Constance Hotels & Resorts holds in her abilities. Her career trajectory exemplifies the supportive and empowering environment the group fosters, encouraging individuals to excel and assume leadership roles within the luxury hospitality industry.

Manjoola’s remarkable journey across Constance’s esteemed properties in Seychelles, Mauritius, and now the Maldives, stands as a testament to her vast knowledge and her dedication to enhancing the guest experience over the years.

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Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas Welcomes Award-Winning Joachim Textor as New Executive Chef

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Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has announced the appointment of Joachim Textor as the luxury resort’s new executive chef. With over 40 years of experience in delivering premium culinary services around the world, Chef Joachim is now ready to bring his exciting new variety of innovative dining experiences to the resort’s discerning guests.

A native of Germany, Chef Joachim Textor began his illustrious career as a cook at various world-class hotels in Switzerland. After honing his skills at the Hilton in Basel, the Park Hotel in Vitznau and the Hyatt Hotel in Montreux, he decided to expand his culinary repertoire by exploring the tastes and cuisines of the world. Across 42 years of travelling, his amazing culinary journey has taken him to 93 countries and countless five-star kitchens across the planet.

Chef Joachim’s incredible journey of gastronomic discovery has led him to gain invaluable experience as an executive chef in some of the world’s most prestigious hotel chains, including The Peninsula Hotels, InterContinental, Hilton, Mandarin Oriental, Shangri-La, and Hyatt. He has received critically acclaimed awards and was also the Opening Executive Chef of Anantara Dubai Palm where he spearheaded the opening of the resort’s signature restaurants and dining experiences back in 2013.

Regarded as one of the most pioneering chefs in the industry, Chef Joachim has also opened multiple award-winning hotels and dozens of restaurants in both the Middle East and the Far East, while he has also cooked for a number of famous politicians, Hollywood celebrities, and royalty all over the world. His past assignments include the G12 Asian Summit Conference in Busan, where he cooked for such prestigious world leaders as George W. Bush, Angela Merkel and Li Peng.

A positive and cheerful personality with an energetic passion for innovation in his creations, Chef Joachim is now set for the next adventure in his culinary journey. Still as hungry to learn and explore as ever, Chef Joachim will bring phenomenal dining experiences for gastronomes at Anantara Kihavah with a number of new innovations already planned. Sharing the knowledge he has accumulated through his travels across six continents, Chef Joachim will also act as a mentor for budding young cooks, introducing his repertoire of world cuisines to the next generation of aspiring gastronomic innovators. In Chef Joachim’s own words, “The best is yet to come. Life is a journey and not a destination; travel it safe and well.”

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JOALI Appoints Özgür Cengiz as Global Wellness Development Director

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JOALI, the luxury hospitality and lifestyle brand, has announced the appointment of Özgür Cengiz as its Tourism Group Global Wellness Development Director, effective February 15th, 2024.

Cengiz brings over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and wellness industry. His career began with the opening team of Turkey’s first wellness resort, Richmond Nua Wellness, followed by leadership roles at Jumeirah in Azerbaijan and One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives.

In 2016, Cengiz joined JOALI as the Resort Manager for JOALI Maldives, the brand’s first art-immersive resort. He then played a pivotal role in establishing JOALI BEING, the Maldives’ first wellbeing island, as its General Manager.

Under Cengiz’s leadership, JOALI BEING garnered global recognition as a leading wellness destination. He is credited with creating the unique concept, curating a team of specialists, and introducing a diverse range of treatments – solidifying JOALI’s position as a wellness powerhouse.

Cengiz’s dedication extends beyond JOALI. He served as the Maldivian ambassador for Global Wellness Day for seven years, is a respected speaker in international wellness forums, and judges the Global Spa & Wellness Awards. His innovative approach and solution-oriented mindset have earned him widespread respect within the industry.

Hakan Öztürk, Tourism Group Managing Director of Gürok Group (JOALI’s parent company), commented on the appointment, stating that Cengiz’s “extensive knowledge and passion will truly redefine the wellness offerings for the brand from a broader perspective” as JOALI expands its portfolio.

In his new role, Cengiz will oversee the wellness strategy for the entire Gürok Tourism Group, encompassing innovative activations, expansion plans, and strategic development for both JOALI BEING and JOALI BEING Cure.

Cengiz’s appointment strengthens JOALI’s commitment to providing exceptional wellness experiences and signifies their continued dedication to pushing boundaries within the industry.

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