News
Maldivian inflight magazine enjoying success
Following the success of the previous two issues of the national airline’s inflight magazine, Maldivian Holidays has introduced a special business listing section. The section is solely targeted to provide additional exposure to local businesses and medium business enterprises. After an increased amount of requests and enquiries from local businesses and guesthouses, the publisher and the airline have now listened and after much consideration agreed to involve more of their participation in the inflight circulated magazine.
Custom Full page in the business listing section with a distinctive layout compared to the magazine, businesses who advertise with Maldivian Holidays will benefit from the change of direction. Since all of the businesses would be listed in one section – distinguishable from the rest, even when closed – future clients and the overall audience of the section would be at a higher rate. It also provides the audience an easier access to brands, hence increasing the number of possible future clients.
Since the beginning, Maldivian Holidays has achieved a huge success in entertaining the travellers of the national airline and the domestic passengers. The magazine with themed issues come with contents such as Top Holiday Options, Spa Selections, Best of Food & Beverage and various column articles aiming to promote the airline destinations and the unique attractions of the Maldives Islands.
The Re-branded new concept of the magazine has been reached by over 4,000,000 people around the world, and neighbouring India leads as the country which draws in the largest readership base. The statistics calculated by the external magazine publisher website, issuu.com confirms it as an outstanding achievement for Maldives. Issuu.com has been promoting the inflight Maldivian Holidays in their social medias since the first issue.
“Issuu is proud to be working with The Official Magazine of National Carrier of Maldives ‘Maldivian’ owned and operated by Island Aviation Services Limited. Their publication has over 4 million impressions across the Issuu platform on desktop, mobile, native app and social platforms. We look forward to continuing our work with the publisher, MVHOTELS, on growing their impressions, readers and engagement in the coming months.” Fernando Romero, Head of Brand Partnership, Issuu.com
With about 10,000 copies being published per issue, Maldivian Holidays enjoys a broad distribution network apart from In-flight to provide additional value to the supporting partners and consumers. It’s reach close to one million passenger per annum in over 10 different international destinations. The digital edition of the magazine is also available on the official website of the airline, the publisher and famed ISSUU – reaching millions of readers across the globe.
“We had our doubts during the initial stage in maintaining an inflight magazine, but looking at the statistics and feedback by passengers and partners prove the support and value it adds to the airline. We are discussing more ways to further develop the brand with the publisher, MVHOTELS, to get more recognition as the national airline’s inflight magazine. ” Mohamed Rizvi, Head of Maldivian Holidays, Island Aviation
MVHOTELS with the editorial team based in UK & operations in Maldives was contracted to publish the magazine mid-2015. “The magazine had its challenges since start and even now, but our team is young, energetic and most importantly very passionate about the work we do, with the best experts within the team, which is far greater than the challenges. Our prime objective was to promote the destination and airline to the international consumers and we are happy with the results. Now with introduction of Business Listing Section, Medium businesses of Maldives can budget for the upcoming year and participate from next issue onwards” Mohamed Aryf, Director of MVHOTELS revealed.
MVHOTELS is also the publisher of the internationally distributed Luxury Travel magazine, The Asian Story. The publisher’s website mvhotelsonline.com is among the leading travel industry media websites which is constantly updated with travel industry updates, interviews, openings, reviews and other related important contents.
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives is celebrating nine accolades at the 2026 World Luxury Awards, including two prestigious Global Winner titles, recognising excellence across resort hospitality, leadership, wellness and gastronomy.
The awards reflect the resort’s philosophy of Connected Island Luxury, where personalised hospitality, restorative wellness, exceptional dining and meaningful encounters with nature come together to create memorable island experiences.
Among the highlights, The Spa at Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives was named Global Winner for Best Luxury Island Resort Spa, while signature fine-dining restaurant FireDOOR received the Global Winner title for Best Sunset Views.
The resort also received recognition as Best Luxury Boutique Resort and Best Luxury Lifestyle Resort in the Indian Ocean, alongside Best General Manager for Raffaele Solferino.
Global Recognition for Wellness and Gastronomy
Perched above the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, the resort’s overwater Spa offers a tranquil sanctuary for relaxation and restoration. In addition to its global title, it received two Indian Ocean awards: Best Luxury Boutique Spa and Best Luxury Oceanview Spa.
Meanwhile, FireDOOR’s global recognition celebrates its spectacular sunset setting overlooking the island’s house reef. Combining intimate fine dining with distinctive glass-floor features and panoramic ocean views, the restaurant also received Indian Ocean titles for Best Luxury Boutique Resort Restaurant and Best Luxury Waterside Restaurant.
Together, these achievements highlight the breadth of experiences that define Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives, from restorative wellness to memorable moments shared over exceptional cuisine.
Celebrating the People Behind the Experience
For General Manager Raffaele Solferino, who has been part of the resort’s journey since pre-opening, the awards are a testament to the dedication of the island team.
“To receive nine World Luxury Awards, including two Global Winner titles, is an extraordinary honour and a wonderful recognition of our team’s passion and commitment,” said Raffaele Solferino, General Manager of Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives.
“What makes this achievement particularly meaningful is that it celebrates the complete guest experience. We believe true luxury goes beyond beautiful surroundings; it is about genuine connections, thoughtful hospitality and creating moments that stay with our guests long after they leave. As we approach our tenth anniversary in 2027, these awards are both a celebration of our journey and an inspiration for the next chapter.”
A Decade of Island Hospitality
Since opening in 2017, Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives has established a distinctive identity built around contemporary island luxury, personalised service and a deep connection with its natural surroundings.
As the resort prepares to celebrate ten years of welcoming guests in 2027, the nine World Luxury Awards provide a fitting recognition of its achievements and continued commitment to creating extraordinary island experiences.
From 1 November 2026, ananea Madivaru Maldives will introduce its new Island Concierge Programme. A more personal and relaxed approach to island hospitality built around one simple idea: Here, you’re never just a villa number.
Rather than adopting the formality of a traditional butler service, the Island Concierge becomes each guest’s personal connection to the island, someone who knows their journey, remembers their preferences, anticipates their needs and helps them discover the resort naturally.
From the moment guests arrive, their Island Concierge becomes a familiar face throughout their stay. They personally welcome guests on arrival, connect with them over breakfast, assist with plans and experiences throughout the day, and return for a personal farewell at departure.
The concept is intentionally uncomplicated.
Less formality. More connection.
Island Concierges spend their time where guests are rather than behind a desk, around the beaches, pools, restaurants, bars and pathways of the resort. Whenever possible, they may even personally drive guests to dinner, spa appointments or activities, turning a simple buggy journey into another opportunity to connect.
They can assist with everything from restaurant recommendations and spa treatments to watersports, excursions, celebrations and the spontaneous island moments that often become the most memorable parts of a holiday.
The Island Concierge is also there to share the story of the island itself, its people, Maldivian culture, marine life and the fascinating realities of island living, from producing fresh water and electricity to caring for the beaches and surrounding environment.
“We don’t want to create another traditional butler or host concept,” says Pierre Edlund, General Manager of ananea Madivaru Maldives.
“We want something more natural and more human. Your Island Concierge is someone who gets to know you, remembers what you enjoy and helps make things happen without unnecessary formality. But ultimately, every colleague on our islands is part of the experience. The Island Concierge may be your personal connection, but the whole island is looking after you.”
Importantly, the philosophy extends far beyond the Island Concierge team.
At ananea Madivaru Maldives, every guest belongs to everyone. Whether a guest meets a chef, engineer, bartender, housekeeper, watersports colleague or leader, the philosophy remains the same.
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.
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