News
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort showcases career opportunities in the Youth Challenge 2016

Maldives.net.mv – The Talent & Culture team of Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort (AccorHotels) took part in the Youth Challenge 2016, an exhibition cum fair organized by the Ministry of Youth & Sports from 4th – 6th August 2016 at Dharbaaruge;, Male’ Maldives.
This year’s fair featured around 64 stalls by various participating organizations including government bodies, local and national universities, resort companies and private institutions.
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort offered the latest job opportunities to a captive audience of potential youths, parents and those aspiring for a professional career in the area of hospitality. The Talent & Culture team of AccorHotels, Maldives took this as an opportunity to promote the upcoming “Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort” scheduled to open in November 2016 while developing a better understanding among youth on the importance of work ethics in the hospitality industry.
The AccorHotels stall showcased all AccorHotels brands, corporate initiatives and people’s philosophy through an attractive pictorial collage to create an awareness among the visitors about the company. The stall was inspired by the local theme using materials that reflected the charm of Maldivian island aesthetics and décor’. The stall was designed keeping “glocal” approach that combined AccorHotels brand values, initiatives and philosophy infused with local character and setting through an attractive story board. A special social media photo frame was a big hit among the visitors. The resort also organized a poster making competition during the event and had an on the spot quiz activity to keep the visitors engaged.
Youth Challenge aimed to provide youth an opportunity to have direct contact with institutions, universities and other such organization that offers a variety of career fields.
The objective of this fair was:
- To provide the opportunity for youth to gather information on higher education and internship / apprenticeship opportunities within the global village.
- To create an opportunity for the youth to network with employers from various sectors and explore the diversity of jobs that avails in the country.
- To provide a platform for youth to serve as an apprentice that would be beneficial for the employer and the employee.
- A golden opportunity for youth to gather information on education, employment and training opportunities in different fields of interest.
- An opportunity to have direct contact with many varieties of career fields.
- Business venture opportunities and exposure for entrepreneurs
- Awareness on youth volunteer organizations and institutions.
The event created high visibility for the public and support to create opportunities for participants and visitors.
“To this end, the Talent & Culture team of AccorHotels, Maldives was able to give a chance to youth of Maldives to expose themselves to the world of hospitality and survival skills in the “real world” through interactions and counseling. The total walk-ins to our AccorHotels Stall was more around 209 footfalls and we highly benefitted with the event as we were able to get good candidates profiles for our pre-opening HR database for upcoming job requirements while promoting our new upcoming resort and company values. Apart from this there was a great learning in terms of getting to know other resort companies, engaging and networking with fellow industry colleagues and getting an opportunity to interact with ministry and other regulatory bodies under the same roof while sharing thoughts for cross learning and exposure”, says Vaibhav Garg – Cluster Director of Talent & Culture – AccorHotels, Maldives.
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort is located 385 kilometers south of the Male’ International Airport. A 55 minute domestic plane flight is required to reach Kooddoo Island. Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort will provide one of the best value full-service resort options in the Maldives mid-scale sector with 68 Villas including 43 Over Water Villas and 25 Beach Villas. 20 villas include a private swimming pool. The accommodation highlight is the best-in-class Sunset over Water Pool Villas. Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort is the only resort directly accessible via domestic plane with no requirement for an additional speedboat transfer. It is the first airport resort in Southern Maldives located at Kooddoo Airport in GA Atoll, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort is scheduled to open in November 2016.
Drink
French winemaker Pascal Jolivet to lead wine-pairing dinner at Milaidhoo Maldives
Milaidhoo Maldives will welcome French winemaker Pascal Jolivet to the island for an exclusive five-course wine-pairing dinner on 4 December, where guests will have the chance to meet him in person, discover his wines and hear more about his approach to winemaking.
Known for his distinctive wines from France’s Loire Valley, Pascal Jolivet will personally present a selection from his collection throughout the evening. Each wine will be paired with a specially created course, bringing together carefully prepared dishes and wines chosen to complement their flavours.
The selection will include Sancerre Signature 2023, Pouilly-Fumé Indigène 2023, Attitude Pinot Noir 2024 and Sancerre Rosé 2024, giving guests the chance to discover different styles from the winemaker’s collection.
Founded in 1987, Pascal Jolivet’s wine house has become well regarded for its approach to expressing the natural character of the Loire Valley’s vineyards. His wines are particularly recognised for their freshness, precision and elegance.
At Milaidhoo, food and wine are an important part of island life. With a strong focus on quality ingredients, varied culinary experiences and a carefully selected wine collection, the island attracts guests who appreciate good food and fine wines.
Nikhil Bakle, Resident Wine Sommelier at Milaidhoo Maldives, says: “What makes an evening like this special is the chance to go beyond the wine in the glass. Having Pascal with us means guests can hear directly from the winemaker, learn about his approach and discover what goes into each bottle. It is also a lovely opportunity to explore how these wines complement the food.”
Set in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, the evening will bring together good food, exceptional wines and the chance to meet the man behind the label, making it a special occasion for wine lovers visiting Milaidhoo.
Read more about Milaidhoo’s culinary offering here.
News
SO/ Maldives celebrates three years with new island experiences and villa offerings
Three years of bold expressions, unforgettable moments and unapologetic individuality. SO/ Maldives celebrates its third anniversary, marking an iconic journey of redefining contemporary island luxury with its distinctive style and playful sophistication.
Designed for the stylish individualist, SO/ Maldives commemorated the milestone in collaboration with Rip Curl Maldives, bringing together ocean culture, vibrant entertainment and the resort’s signature barefoot glamour in a celebration of creativity and island living.
To mark this new chapter, the resort introduces SO/ Signature Experiences, a curated collection of playful and elevated island moments. From Lazuli Frequency’s silent disco sessions and energetic Water Drums to Floating Pickleball and board games at Lazuli, Afternoon High Tea and Sunset Rituals at Pavilion Bar, each offering captures the resort’s distinctive personality.
Further elevating its luxury offering, SO/ Maldives unveils Your Villa, Your Way, an exclusive villa escape celebrating personalised indulgence and effortless privacy. Featuring private speedboat transfers, bespoke in-villa dining, flexible check-in and check-out, and curated privileges, the experience also extends to the entire CROSSROADS dining experiences.
Beyond the resort, guests are invited to discover a world of flavours across CROSSROADS Maldives, home to 17 restaurants and bars offering everything from international favourites to exceptional culinary experiences, including dining recognised by Asia’s 50 Best. With flexible meal plans and an extensive choice of dining destinations, guests can explore the wider culinary scene with ease.
Connecting SO/ Maldives to The Marina and neighbouring resorts, a complimentary premium Maldivian dhoni shuttle offers a seamless and distinctly local way to experience everything CROSSROADS Maldives has to offer.
As SO/ Maldives enters its fourth chapter, the resort continues to push boundaries through bold collaborations, immersive experiences, environmental stewardship and a fresh perspective on contemporary island luxury.
For reservations and further enquiries, please visit the resort’s official website.
Action
ananea Madivaru Maldives to host international padel player Cornelia Lister
ananea Madivaru Maldives will welcome Cornelia Lister, international padel player and Captain of the Swedish National Junior Padel Team, from 7 to 14 November 2026. Bringing experience from both professional tennis and international padel, she will host two afternoons of padel sessions, inviting guests to refine their game and enjoy friendly competition in an intimate group setting.
With a tennis career spanning appearances at Wimbledon, the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open, Lister brings a distinguished sporting background to the experience. A WTA doubles titleholder who reached a career-high world doubles ranking of No. 72, she combines experience at the highest levels of tennis with a passion for developing players on the padel court.
With the growing appeal of padel inspiring new ways to spend time together on holiday, ananea Madivaru offers a setting where a love of sport finds its place within the ease of island life. Its padel and pickleball courts, overwater gym and Kandu Spa allow guests to move between spirited play and quieter moments at their own pace. Lister’s visit lends a distinctive touch to this experience, bringing the insight and warmth of an accomplished player to afternoons shared on court.
Pierre Edlund, General Manager of ananea Madivaru Maldives, says: “Having worked with Cornelia before, I know firsthand the incredible energy and passion she brings, not only to the sport but also to the people around her. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and for me, it was an obvious choice to welcome her to ananea Madivaru Maldives. She brings exactly the kind of personality and spirit we love, adding a little extra sporty glamour, fun and unforgettable moments to our guests’ island experience.”
Padel sessions with Cornelia Lister are exclusively available to in-house guests on a complimentary basis, adding a fun, active and memorable moment to their Slow Glamour holiday.
Opened in July 2025, ananea Madivaru is a luxury twin-island resort set in the heart of the Maldives’ North Ari Atoll. Rooted in the philosophy of slow glamour, the resort invites guests to embrace life’s unhurried rhythms while immersed in timeless beauty and refined simplicity. With 111 elegantly designed villas, nine distinct dining destinations, a private lagoon, serene spa, immersive experiences, and a dedicated kids’ club, ananea Madivaru blends contemporary sophistication with the traditions and natural splendour of its surroundings. Every element has been carefully curated to offer meaningful, memorable escapes that resonate long after departure.
For more information and bookings, please visit the resort’s official website.
-
News1 week agoananea Madivaru Maldives unveils personalised island concierge experience
-
News1 week agoCentara unveils Festival of Lights celebrations across Maldives resorts
-
News1 week agoThe Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives expands wellness offering with new spa experiences
-
Cooking1 week agoOZEN LIFE MAADHOO, OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI to host Diwali celebrations in November
-
Action1 week agoBest Dives Maldives earns two honours at the World Luxury Travel Awards 2026
-
Awards1 week agoSoneva Fushi takes top honour for sustainable childcare in luxury hospitality
-
Awards1 week agoWellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura named among world’s top 100 spas
-
Action1 week agoKandooma Maldives adds pickleball to recreational offerings


