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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.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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