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Maldives welcomes the 500,000th tourist of Visit Maldives Year 2016

Maldives.net.mv – The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) together with the Ministry of Tourism welcomed the 500,000th visitor to Maldives today. This event is part of the Visit Maldives Year 2016 (VMY) campaign which commenced at the beginning of the year with the welcoming of the 1st Visitor to Maldives in 2016.
The 500,000th visitor of the year, Nicolas Lamperin, from France who arrived with his family on an Emirates flight, was welcomed by the Acting Managing Director of MMPRC, Mr. Haris Mohamed, who awarded him with a free holiday from Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and a commemorative plaque. Officials from MMPRC and the Ministry of Tourism attended the event which took place at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport.
The guest was welcomed at the arrival terminal with a welcome bouquet, and escorted to the VIP arrival lounge by Boduberu performers. The event displayed the Maldivian tradition and uniqueness as all the staff of MMPRC and Ministry of Tourism were dressed in Maldivian traditional attire. Maldives tourism will also be celebrating the 1 million visitor of 2016 as part of the VMY campaign.
Visit Maldives Year 2016 is a yearlong campaign to boost tourist arrivals to the destination, with the target of reaching 1.5 million tourist arrivals during the year 2016. Numerous international and local events, competitions and awareness programs will be carried out by MMPRC together with the Ministry of Tourism, to create awareness among tourists and locals, and to display the richness of Maldives as a unique and exotic tourist destination.
The 500,000th visitor to Maldives was a tourist from France, which is a prominent market to Maldives. From January till April 2016, there were 21,178 tourists to have arrived in Maldives from France, contributing to 4.7% of the market share. This has been a great opportunity to promote the destination in the French market as this is a sensitive market which had some negative media releases over the last couple of months. However, with this event and the recent roadshow which took place in 4 cities of France, would help generate positive media exposure about the destination. Tourism being the most important industry for Maldives, the VMY2016 campaign is expected to strengthen the industry giving more opportunities to locals to promote their products and services in a greater platform.
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Reethi Faru Resort hosts Magda Linette ahead of new tennis season
Reethi Faru Resort recently welcomed Magda Linette, a Top 20 professional tennis player, who selected the island resort as her training retreat while preparing for the Australian Open and the forthcoming tennis season. Away from the competitive spotlight, Linette utilised the resort’s private and tranquil setting, where expansive beaches, clear lagoon waters, and discreet luxury provided an environment conducive to both focused preparation and recovery.
Throughout her stay, Linette combined intensive training sessions with periods of rest, making use of the resort’s calm surroundings and seclusion. The natural setting of the Maldives offered an effective backdrop for physical conditioning and mental focus, supporting her preparations ahead of the season’s first Grand Slam tournament.
Known for its emphasis on privacy, understated luxury, and an authentic island atmosphere, Reethi Faru Resort continues to attract elite athletes seeking a destination that supports peak performance while delivering a refined island experience. The resort extended its best wishes to Linette as she progresses through the upcoming tennis season.
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Ifuru Island Maldives introduces refreshed day escapes for non-staying guests
Ifuru Island Maldives has introduced a refreshed collection of Day Visit and Day Use experiences, inviting guests to enjoy the island’s signature energy, flavour, and freedom without an overnight stay.
Designed for locals, travellers, and island-hoppers seeking an effortless escape, the new range of Ifuru Day Escapes blends beachside relaxation, poolside indulgence, and curated dining moments, all set against the island’s vibrant and social atmosphere.
From relaxed mornings by the sea to golden-hour cocktails and sunset dining, each experience has been crafted to capture the spirit of Ifuru: playful, generous, and unapologetically fun.
Guests can choose from five distinct experiences, each offering a different rhythm of island life.
The Barefoot Beach Escape invites guests to slow down at the Beach Club with unlimited soft drinks, snacks, and sea views, perfect for a laid-back coastal day.
For those drawn to the pool, the Poolside Pleasure Pass combines unlimited pizza, soft drinks, and a hearty buffet lunch at Social House, ideal for sunseekers who like their days delicious.
Turning up the indulgence, Sip, Swim & Surrender offers unlimited cocktails alongside pool access and all-day dining, encouraging guests to fully let go of the clock.
Adventure lovers can opt for the Island Explorer Experience, blending pool time with Beach Club access, non-motorised water sports, snorkelling, and unlimited dining and drinks, delivering a full taste of Ifuru’s playful energy.
For couples or friends, The Ultimate Ifuru Escape offers the complete experience for two, combining all inclusions into one seamless, shared day of island indulgence. Sunset Worth Staying For
To complete the experience, Ifuru Island also introduces Sunset Indulgence at Waterfront, an evening dining journey featuring a five-course à la carte menu with unlimited cocktails and wines, served as the sun melts into the horizon.
“With these new day experiences, we wanted to open the doors wider to Ifuru,” said Marcel Sawyer, General Manager. “Whether you’re joining us for a few hours or staying from morning to sunset, this is about feeling the island’s rhythm, enjoying great food, and leaving with memories that linger.”
All Day Visit packages are available daily from 10:00 to 18:00, with the Waterfront dinner experience available from 18:00 to 22:00.
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Bollywood stars Sonakshi Sinha, Zaheer Iqbal celebrate festive season at SO/ Maldives
This festive season, SO/ Maldives set the stage for a truly cinematic celebration as Bollywood actors Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal arrived in style, making a dazzling red‑carpet entry that set the tone for an unforgettable island experience.
Welcomed amidst flashing lights, island beats, and an electric festive atmosphere, the couple’s red carpet arrival marked the beginning of a glamorous seasonal escape. Framed by turquoise lagoons and pristine white-sand beaches, the moment perfectly blended Bollywood star power with the playful, high-fashion spirit that defines SO/ Maldives’ festive celebrations.
A perennial favourite on the Indian seasonal travel map, the Maldives once again lived up to its reputation as the ultimate festive getaway. During their stay, Sonakshi and Zaheer embraced the full spectrum of island indulgence from immersive Maldivian festive traditions and glamorous gala evenings to exhilarating diving adventures, exploring the vibrant underwater world of the Indian Ocean.
The festive programme at SO/ Maldives unfolded through a series of standout moments, with the duo joining guests for signature island rituals, exclusive celebrations, and high-energy events that flowed effortlessly from day to night. Whether beneath the stars at the festive gala or beneath the waves while diving, every experience reflected a celebration without limits.
“Maldives has always been on my festive travel list, and celebrating the season at SO/ Maldives made it truly exceptional,” shared Sonakshi. “From the Red Carpet welcome to the warmth of the traditions, the diving experiences, and the vibrant events, every moment felt special and memorable.”
Known for its vibrant design, creative energy, and statement celebrations, SO/ Maldives continues to attract global tastemakers and Bollywood icons seeking a destination that seamlessly blends luxury with personality. This festive season, the resort once again redefined island glamour proving that the red carpet doesn’t belong only to cities, but also to paradise.
For more information or to book your perfect festive getaway, please visit so-maldives.com or contact so.maldives.reservations@so-hotels.com.
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