News
Nominees announced for SATA 2016
Maldives.net.mv – South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) opened up for nominations on 30th June 2016 have received overwhelming support from major hospitality brands present in India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
While announcing the final nominees of SATA 2016, Mr. Tuan Saabir Vaffoor, Vice President mentioned that: SATA is the first Hospitality Award brand recognized by regional organizations including Federations of Chambers of Commerce in Sri Lanka (FCCISL), Colombo Chamber of Commerce (CCC), Confederation of Associated Tour Operators (CATO, India), Association of Tourism Trade Organizations of India (ATTOI), Association of Travel Agents (ATA, Maldives) and Liveaboard Association of Maldives (LAM).
Mr. Tuan added, undoubtedly SATA will be a great event and an amazing brand. We have already started communicating with 2017 hosting destination as we have got a tremendous number of international and National brands together with us to celebrate the best of South Asian Hospitality.
SATA has also appointed major regional tourism medias including Asian Traveler as premium media partner and Asian Diver, Asian Geographic, Floating Asia and Maldives.net.mv as media partners of the event scheduled to take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka during late October.
SATA Nominees 2016 :
Visitors Choice Categories :
(nominated by organizer : based on types of participation from respective destinations)
Leading International Airport:
- Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka
- Ibrahim Nasir International Airport , Maldives
- Trivandrum International Airport, India
Leading Honeymoon Destination :
- India
- Maldives
- Sri Lanka
Leading Diving Destination:
- Maldives
- Sri Lanka
Leading Surfing Destination
- Maldives
- Sri Lanka
Leading Heritage Destination
- India
- Sri Lanka
Leading Beach Destination
- India
- Maldives
- Sri Lanka
Leading Cruising Destination
- India
- Maldives
Leading MICE Destination
- India
- Maldives
- Sri Lanka
—
Self Nominated Categories :
(Brands and Services nominated by the brand / property)
Leading International Airline :
- Singapore Airlines
- Mega Maldives
Leading City Hotel :
- Casa Colombo Collections , Sri Lanka
- Ceylon City Hotel, Sri Lanka
Leading Airport Hotel :
- Hulhule Island Hotel, Maldives
Leading Transport Provider :
- Flyme , Maldives
Leading Guest House / Tourist Inn
- Shamar Guest House and Dive, Maldives
- Surf View Raalhugandu, Maldives
- Canopus Retreat, Maldives
- Yonder Retreat, Maldives
- Velana Beach , Maldives
- Aqua Inn, Sri Lanka
- Kaani Village & Spa, Maldives
- Kaani Beach Hotel, Maldives
Leading Liveaboard Brand :
- Emperor Divers, Maldives
- Scuba Spa, Maldives
- Voyages Maldives
- Blue K Safari , Maldives
Leading Liveaboard :
- Emperor Voyager,Maldives
- Scuba Spa Ying, Maldives
- Scuba Spa Yang , Maldives
- Gurahali , Maldives
- Soleil2 , Maldives
Leading House Boat :
- Marvel Cruise, India
- Spice Routes Luxury Cruise , India
Leading House Boat Brand :
- Marvel Cruise, India
- Pepper , Spice Routes Luxury Cruise, India
- Cinnamon , Spice Routes Luxury Cruise, India
- Ginger , Spice Routes Luxury Cruise, India
- Clove , Spice Routes Luxury Cruise, India
- Cardamom , Spice Routes Luxury Cruise, India
Leading Beach Hotel / Resort:
- Finolhu , Maldives
- Paradise Island Resort & Spa, Maldives
- Adaaran Club Rannaalhi, Maldives
- Park Hyatt Handahaa , Maldives
- Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, Maldives
- Como Hotels Cocoa Island , Maldives
- Como Hotels Maalifushi, Maldives
- Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Maldives
- Amari Havodda Maldives
- W Maldives Retreat & Spa, Maldives
- Royal Palms Beach Hotel, Sri Lanka
- Uday Samudra Beach Hotel & Spa, India
- Sonevafushi, Maldives
- Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
- Tangerine Beach Hotel, Sri Lanka
- Jungle Beach by Uga Escapes,Sri Lanka
- Uga Bay by Uga Escapes, Sri Lanka
- Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka
- Amaya Beach Passikudah, Sri Lanka
- Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, Maldives
- Heritance Negambo, Sri Lanka
Leading Meetings & Conference Resort / Hotel :
- Paradise Island Resort & Spa, Maldives
- Uday Samudra Beach Hotel & Spa, India
- Leading Business Hotel :
- Best Western Elyon Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Taj Samudra, Sri Lanka
- The Kingsbury, Sri Lanka
Most Romantic Resort:
- Amilla Fushi, Maldives
- Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru, Maldives
- Royal island Resort& Spa, Maldives
- Coco Boduhithi , Maldives
- Conrad Maldives at Rangali Island, Maldives
- Adaaran Prestige Vaadoo, Maldives
- Jumeirah Dhevenafushi, Maldives
- W Maldives Retreat & Spa, Maldives
- Sonevafushi, Maldives
- Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
- Hunas Falls by Amaya, Sri Lanka
- Langdale by Amaya, Sri Lanka
- Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, Maldives
- Outrigger Konotta Maldives
- Serene Pavilions , Sri Lanka
- Sun Aqua Vilu Reef, Maldives
- Heritance Tea Factory , Sri Lanka
Leading All Inclusive Resort / Hotel:
- Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa, Maldives
- Vivanta By Taj -Coral Reef, Maldives
- Adaaran Select Meedhupparu , Maldives
- Constance Moofushi, Maldives
- Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka
- Turyaa Kalutara , Sri Lanka
Leading Designer Hotel / Resort :
- Amilla Fushi, Maldives
- Park Hyatt Maldives
- Amari Havodda Maldives
- Casa Colombo Collection, Sri Lanka
- Heritance Negambo, Sri Lanka
Leading F&B Hotel/Resort:
- Dusit Thani Maldives
- Cinammon Bey Beruwala, Sri Lanka
- Centara Rasfushi , Maldives
- Centara Grand IslandResort & Spa , Maldives
- Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Maldives
- W Maldives Retreat & Spa, Maldives
- Uday Samudra Beach Hotel & Spa, India
- The Kingsbury, Sri Lanka
- Outrigger Konotta Maldives
- Sun Aqua Pasikudah , Maldives
- The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Maldives
- Heritance Ahungalla , Sri Lanka
Leading Luxury Hotel / Resort:
- Dusit Thani Maldives
- Amilla Fushi, Maldives
- Coco Boduhithi, Maldives
- Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Maldives
- Vivanta By Taj -Coral Reef, Maldives
- Adaaran Prestige The Water Villas, Maldives
- Park Hyatt Maldives Handahaa
- Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, Maldives
- Royal Palms Beach Hotel, Sri Lanka
- Sonevafushi, Maldives
- Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
- Ulagalla by Uga Escapes, Sri Lanka
- Jungle Beach by Uga Escapes,Sri Lanka
- Residence by Uga Escapes, Sri Lanka
- Chena Huts by Uga Escapes, Sri Lanka
- Uga Bay by Uga Escapes, Sri Lanka
- Casa Colombo Collection , Sri Lanka
- The Kingsbury, Sri Lanka
- Sun Aqua Pasikudah , Sri Lanka
- Heritance Negambo, Sri Lanka
Leading Family Hotel/Resort:
- Dusit Thani Maldives
- Amilla Fushi, Maldives
- Angsana Velavaru , Maldives
- Royal Island Resort & Spa , Maldives
- Sun Island Resort & Spa, Maldives
- Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa, Maldives
- Como Hotels Cocoa Island, Maldives
- Como Hotels Maalifushi, Maldives
- Royal Palms Beach Hotel, Sri Lanka
- Sonevafushi, Maldives
- Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
- Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka
- The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Maldives
- Turyaa Kalutara, Sri Lanka
Leading Wellness & spa Hotel / Resort:
- Dusit Thani Maldives
- Amilla Fushi, Maldives
- Centara Rasfushi, Maldives
- Vivanta By Taj -Coral Reef, Maldives
- Park Hyatt Maldives Handahaa
- Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, Maldives
- Como Hotels Maalifushi, Maldives
- Amaya Lake, Dhambulla , Sri Lanka
- The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi , Maldives
- Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel, India
- W Maldives Retreat & Spa, Maldives
Leading Wellness & Spa Brand :
- Araamu Spa, Maldives
- Como Shambala , Maldives
- W Maldives Retreat & Spa, Maldives
- Uday Samudra Beach Hotel & Spa, India
- Chi, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
- Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka
- Sun Aqua Vilu Reef, Maldives
- W Maldives Retreat & Spa , Maldives
Leading Dive Hotel / Resort:
- Holiday Island Resort & Spa, Maldives
- Vivanta By Taj -Coral Reef, Maldives
- Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, Maldives
- Angsana Ihuru , Maldives
- Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon
- Park Hyatt Maldives Handahaa
- W Maldives Retreat & Spa, Maldives
- Constance Moofushi, Maldives
- Sonevafushi, Maldives
- Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
- Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, Maldives
Leading Eco Resort / Hotel :
- Cocopalm Dhunikolhu, Maldives
- Leopard Trials, Sri Lanka
- Park Hyatt Maldives Handahaa
- Sun Island Resort and Spa , Maldives
- Sonevafushi, Maldives
- Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
- Heritance Kandalama, Sri Lanka
- Leading CSR Programme
- CocoPalm Dhunikolhu Maldives
- Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa, Maldives
- Royal Palms Beach Hotel, Sri Lanka
- Uday Samudra Beach Hotel & Spa, India
- Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
- The Kingsbury, Sri Lanka
Leading Surf Hotel / Resort :
- Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi, Maldives
- Como Hotels & Resorts , Maldives
- Cinnamon Dhonveli , Maldives
Leading Dive School / Center :
- Sea Splash , Dusit Thani Maldives Dive School
- Dive Oceanus , Maldives
- Dive Point, Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, Maldives
- Blue Journeys, Park Hyatt Maldives
- Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
- Down Under, W Retreat & Spa, Maldives
- Meridis Dive & Relax , Maldives
- Sun Diving School, Maldives
Leading Activity / Water Sports Center :
- Meridis Dive & Relax , Maldives
- Outrigger Maldives
- Q-Adventure , Maldives
- Watersports Point, Adaaran Club Rannalhi, Maldives
- Park Hyatt Maldives Handahaa
- WAVE., W Maldives Retreat & Spa, Maldives
Leading Convention Center .
- Bandaranaike Memorial International Conventions Halls (BMICH), Sri Lanka
Leading PSA / GSA Partner , Handling Agent :
- Avia Maldives
- Marvel Tours, India
- Go Maldives
- Cyprea Private Limited
Leading Travel Agent :
- OV Holidays, Maldives
- Classic Travel, Sri Lanka
- Capital Travel, Maldives
- Flyinstyle , Sri Lanka
- Splendid Asia , Maldives
- Maldives Holiday Collections, Maldives
- Travel Connections Maldives
- Resort Life Maldives
- Let’s Go Maldives
- Gateway Malabar Holidays , India
- Moodhu Holidays, Maldives
- Sun Travel & Tours , Maldives
Leading Tour Operator :
- Viluxur Holidays, Sri Lanka
- Classic Travel , Sri Lanka
- Cyprea Hotels & Travel, Maldives
- Flyinstyle, Sri Lanka
- Maldives Holiday Collections, Maldives
- Splendid Asia , Maldives
- Travel Connections , Maldives
- Capital Travel , Maldives
- Moodhu Holidays, Maldives
- Marvel Tours , India
This festive season, Adaaran Resorts invites couples and friends to experience Christmas in the Maldives through a glowing new seasonal concept: When the Island Blooms. Across Adaaran Prestige Vadoo and Adaaran Prestige Water Villas, the islands will come alive with blooming lights, shimmering trees, ocean-inspired installations and evenings shaped by romance, celebration and tropical wonder.
By day, the season unfolds through ocean adventures, festive workshops, private dining experiences and slow moments above the lagoon. By night, pathways glow, beaches turn into celebration spaces and Christmas takes on a softer, warmer island rhythm.
At Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, the festive season begins with romance at the centre. Set above the lagoon and shaped around overwater privacy, the island transforms into an adults-only festive escape where every evening feels made for two. From cake mixing by the shoreline to cocktail soirées, fire performances, private beach dinners and New Year celebrations, Vadoo brings the bloom concept to life through intimacy, sparkle and island charm.
Highlights include:
- The Grand Festive Formation Christmas Cake Mixing Ceremony by the lagoon
- 25 Days of Festive Moments, with daily games and seasonal surprises leading up to Christmas
- Saint Nicholas Cocktail Soirée at Sky Bar with festive cocktails, gourmet tapas and live acoustic music
- Romantic Sand Bench Dinners and Tropical Romance Dinners, both designed for couples by the beach
- Interactive festive experiences including spice blending, smoked cocktail demonstrations, wine blind tasting, latte art, Thai cookery and molecular cocktail sessions
- Christmas Tree Lighting & Cocktail Evening with carols, handcrafted cocktails, live music, fire performance and Tanoura dance
- “Festive Paradise Glow” Christmas Eve Celebration with festive cocktails, Santa’s arrival, gala dining, raffles, live music and a Christmas party by the lagoon
- Christmas Elegance Dinner, a romantic overwater dining experience with 360° ocean views
- New Year’s Eve “The Majestic London”, featuring cocktails, gala dining, entertainment, fireworks, DJ celebrations and the crowning of the Vadoo Queen
- Extraordinary New Year’s Dinner in the Tree House or Floating Deck, created for an intimate start to 2027
- Orthodox Christmas Eve with gala dining, DJ entertainment, free-flow drinks, games and Santa’s arrival
Vadoo is where the island blooms with romance, celebration and the easy magic of overwater living.
At Adaaran Prestige Water Villas, the festive season takes on a quieter, more exclusive rhythm. Set within Meedhupparu’s glowing island landscape, this adults-only overwater enclave offers a private festive escape above the lagoon, with access to the wider celebrations unfolding across the island. Guests can step into beachfront festivities, ocean adventures and signature dining experiences, then return to the calm of their own overwater sanctuary.
Highlights include:
- Christmas Tree Lighting by the beach as Meedhupparu begins to glow for the season
- Christmas Eve Magic, a moonlit celebration inspired by Maldivian island legends, ocean journeys and festive island storytelling
- Festive ocean adventures including dolphin cruises, snorkelling safaris, sunset jet ski experiences and sunset fishing by dhoni
- Floating Champagne Breakfast served in the Water Villa lagoon for a refined festive morning
- Private Sandbank Festive Lunch & High Tea surrounded by open ocean views
- Signature dining experiences including Lobster Beach Barbecue, 21-Course Progressive Dinner, Seven-Course Modern Gastronomy Dinner, Tree House Dinner and Chef’s Table – Indian Ocean Edition
- Private Cinema Under the Stars and Jungle-Themed Movie Night for couples seeking a quieter festive evening
- New Year’s Eve Extravaganza, a beachfront celebration with cocktails, gala dining, DJ entertainment, countdown, fire show and fireworks
- New Year’s Eve VIP Water Villa Dining Experience with champagne, seafood and premium countdown moments
- New Year dining experiences including Fire & Flame Steak Dinner, Romantic Sandbench Dinner and Sunset Sushi & Sake Experience
- Orthodox Festive Dinner with beachside grills, seafood, lobster and live duo music
Adaaran Prestige Water Villas is where the island blooms with stillness, privacy and beautifully crafted festive indulgence.
Together, Adaaran Prestige Vadoo and Adaaran Prestige Water Villas offer two adults-only ways to celebrate Christmas in the Maldives. One brings playful romance and festive energy close to Malé, while the other offers secluded overwater calm in the Raa Atoll. Across both, the season glows with ocean light, intimate dining, warm hospitality and memories made beneath a blooming island sky.
This Christmas, the islands do not simply celebrate. They bloom.
Action
First green sea turtle hatchlings of season emerge at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has recorded its first green sea turtle hatchlings of the season, marking another important milestone in the island’s ongoing marine conservation efforts.
Located in Raa Atoll, Maamunagau is recognised as an important sea turtle nesting site, with 6 nests recorded on the island so far this year. While sea turtles nest throughout the year in the Maldives, June and July typically mark the peak nesting period in Raa Atoll. This season, the recorded nests have primarily belonged to green sea turtles, a species that remains protected in the Maldives.
The first hatchlings of the season emerged naturally on the evening of 22 July, approximately two months after the eggs were laid. Throughout the nesting season, the resort’s Marine Biology team monitors each nest and conducts research activities under approved conservation protocols, collecting valuable data to better understand local sea turtle populations and nesting patterns.
Through its partnership with The Manta Trust and collaboration with conservation partners including the Olive Ridley Project, InterContinental Maldives continues to contribute to marine research and conservation efforts in the Maldives. Each recorded nest provides important insights that support the protection of sea turtles and their habitats for future generations.
Guests are encouraged to experience these special moments responsibly, with hatchlings observed from a dis tance and artificial lighting minimised to allow them to make their natural journey towards the ocean.
As part of its commitment to protecting the surrounding marine environment, InterContinental Maldives continues to support conservation through research, education and responsible wildlife experiences, helping guests connect with the unique ecosystems of the Maldives.
Sun Siyam Iru Veli part of Sun Siyam’s Privé Collection, has concluded an exclusive culinary residency with celebrated Czech chef Jan Punčochář, held from 25 July to 1 August 2026. Hosted in partnership with Colours of Maldives, the collaboration brought Chef Jan’s distinctive culinary philosophy and international expertise to Roma, the resort’s signature overwater restaurant renowned for its contemporary Italian and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
At the heart of the residency was an intimate Chef’s Table on 31 July, where Chef Jan presented a multi-course menu created exclusively for guests. The menu showcased Czech culinary traditions interpreted through Maldivian ingredients and island-inspired flavours, accompanied by carefully selected wine pairings designed to complement each course. Earlier in the week, a special cocktail evening on 28 July introduced Chef Jan to guests in a relaxed setting, offering them the opportunity to meet and interact with him ahead of the dinner. Throughout his residency, he also worked alongside Iru Veli’s culinary team, sharing techniques, ideas and expertise through hands-on sessions in the kitchen.
One of the Czech Republic’s most recognised culinary figures, Chef Jan is behind the acclaimed Prague restaurants U Matěje, Stůl and Šnycl. His career has been shaped by experience across leading European kitchens, including stages at Michelin-starred Hangar 7 in Austria and Tim Raue in Germany, followed by senior roles in Switzerland and Prague. Known for honest, seasonal cooking, meticulous technique and thoughtful wine pairing, he is also widely recognised as a judge on MasterChef Česko and as the host and judge of Hell’s Kitchen Česko.
“Exceptional dining is an important part of the Sun Siyam experience, and we are always looking at how we can continue to evolve it. Welcoming Chef Jan allowed us to introduce our guests to an entirely new culinary perspective while creating valuable opportunities for our own chefs to exchange ideas, techniques and inspiration. It is these meaningful collaborations that continue to elevate the experience we offer.” Remarked Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Vilu Reef.
As part of Sun Siyam Resorts’ signature chef residency programme, this collaboration held in partnership with Colours of Maldives, reflects the brand’s commitment to bringing respected culinary talent to the Maldives while creating meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange, team development and memorable guest experiences.
For more information and to book your island getaway, please visit Sun Siyam Iru Veli Offers page.
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