News
MATATO Maldives Travel Awards signs with sponsors and partners

Maldives.net.mv – Maldives Travel Awards has signed with the sponsors and partners for 2016 at a ceremony held at Hotel Jen Male’ on Saturday.
Maldives Travel Awards 2016 is the fifth edition of the awards organised by the Maldives Association Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) to recognize the best of travel and tourism industry. This year’s event received 243 nominations for over 20 categories. Leading advertising and events management company, Think Associates is the event manager for this year’s event to be held at Bandos Island Resort in November.
Maldives Airports Company signed as the main sponsor of the event. Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company, Adil Moosa said “We are glad to be a partner of this grand event. We are growing with the industry and we will keep supporting the awards for the coming years”.
PSM is the official media and they announced the plan to launch a television channel to promote Maldives. “I’m honored to be a part of this awards. We are going to launch a new television channel to promote Maldives. If our plans go according to the plan it will be launched in late December. This can take destination promotion to a new level” said Shayan Shahid, Deputy Managing Director PSM.
- Main Sponsor: Maldives Airports Company Limited is the Main Sponsor for this year’s edition of the Awards. This is the 5th year running that the nation’s international airport – the gateway for the travel industry – is being part of this prestigious award label.
- Conference Host: Bandos Maldives – being one of the pioneers in the travel industry with years of experience in hosting conferences and meetings – as the Conference Host provides a historical venue for the Industry Conference of Maldives Travel Awards.
- Official Media Partner: Public Service Media is the Official Media Partner for the 5th time since the Awards began in 2012
- Official Hotel Partner: Hotel Jen by Shangril-La is the Official Hotel Partner for the awards and will host the functions to be held in the Capital City.
- International Airline Partner: Etihad Airways, the fastest growing airline in the history of commercial aviation, is the Official Airline Partner of the event.
- Silver Sponsor: Allied Insurance Company of the Maldives Pvt Ltd joins the award label as a prestigious Silver Sponsor.
- Silver Sponsor: Fuel Supplies Maldives also joins as a Silver Sponsor providing an enormous and crucial element in fueling the industry with their years of service.
- Telecommunications Partner: Dhiraagu, the largest telecom operator in the country is the Telecommunications Partner.
- Official Beverage Partner: Coca Cola
- Sound and Lights Partner: PopJoy Pvt Ltd
- Official Band: Equatic Vibe
- Online Media Partner: Mihaaru
- Travel Media Partner: MVHotels
- Associate Partner: Maldives Getaways
- Associate Partner: Maldives.com
- Online Travel Website: Maldives.net.mv
The final output of the results will be provided by the independent audit firm KPMG as the Independent Service Provider. This is the first time in the Maldives that an independent audit firm provides its professional services in such an event.
Maldives Travel Awards is the longest running travel awards label in Maldives, recognized as the most prestigious and exclusive in the industry. This edition celebrates the 5th anniversary for the awards with a record number of nominations. The awarding Gala Ceremony will be held in November and the host venue will be announced in the upcoming months.
News
NH Maldives Kuda Rah celebrates World Ocean Day through hands-on marine conservation
In celebration of World Ocean Day on June 8th, NH Maldives Kuda Rah hosted a series of impactful environmental activities to protect and restore the surrounding marine ecosystems. The initiatives brought together guests, team members, and expert partners to actively preserve the natural beauty of our surroundings.
The day began with a collaborative Lagoon Cleaning Activity. Guests and resort teamed up with the resort’s dive centre, Dive & Sail Maldives to carefully clear the surrounding waters of debris. This joint effort ensures that the local house reef and lagoon remain a pristine and thriving habitat for marine life.

Following the clean-up, participants gathered at the Watersports beach for an interactive Coral Planting event. Earlier that morning, the marine team safely collected viable coral fragments from a nearby reef. During the event, guests had the unique opportunity to attach these rescued corals to metal pyramid frames. Once completed, the coral frames were submerged and placed into the resort’s expanding coral regeneration garden, creating a living legacy that will help to sustain a vibrant local ecosystem and enhance the liveliness of our house reef.

“We want to extend a huge thank you to Dive and Sail Maldives, our passionate staff , and the wonderful guests who participated in these events,” says the resort management. “Together, we are making a meaningful difference in preserving the underwater paradise of the Maldives for future generations.”
Through the “Live Local” initiative with Minor DISCOVERY, NH Hotels & Resorts brings authentic local experiences to every stay.
News
Four Seasons Maldives brings sporting legends and explorers together for summer programme
This summer, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives introduces an extraordinary new chapter in family travel: Learn with Legends. Running from July 20 to August 31, 2026, this next-generation summer camp brings together families and world-class mentors in a complimentary program of workshops, coaching sessions and guided adventures.
At the heart of the experience is a growing line-up of celebrated figures from sport, adventure and environmental science, each bringing their expertise, stories and energy to the islands.
The program unfolds across the distinct yet complementary islands of Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa. Here, expert coaching across football, surfing, mixed martial arts and conservation blends with immersive island living, offering a balance of activity, discovery and relaxed evening gatherings.
Designed to nurture confidence, curiosity and a sense of global connection, the summer camp creates an environment where learning feels natural and joyfully unforced; passions are sparked, perspectives broadened, and memories created to last far beyond the summer.
Where Legends Lead
The first wave of confirmed mentors includes former German captain Arne Friedrich, former England captain Casey Stoney, England centurion Jill Scott and championship-winning English midfielder Steve Sidwell, who will lead football sessions at Landaa Giraavaru. At Kuda Huraa, former elite professional surfer and world-class coach Ross Williams will be joined by South African former Championship Tour surfer Travis Logie, bringing technical insight and ocean energy to the waves.
Across martial arts and movement, Angela Lee Pucci, former six-time world champion and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, joins at Landaa Giraavaru alongside Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and coach Bruno Pucci. Leo Vieira, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pioneer and multiple-time world champion, leads sessions at Kuda Huraa, while Indian Shaolin monk and Kung Fu master Hurssh Verma and national Kungfu champion Guo Jing bring discipline, philosophy and movement to both islands.
Award-winning filmmaker and ocean storyteller Craig Foster, best known for My Octopus Teacher, and world-record explorer Ash Dykes will join both resorts, sharing rare perspectives on the natural world through storytelling and field-based exploration. At Landaa Giraavaru, oceanographer Dr Phil Hosegood will bring added scientific depth through marine research and ocean-focused discovery.
With just a few more legends due to be announced, stay tuned for further updates or visit the website for more information.

Two Islands, Infinite Possibilities
The program comprises a complimentary schedule of workshops, coaching sessions and guided adventures, with select experiences offered in limited numbers and subject to availability. Young guests can gain pro-level insights from an ex-England football captain, ride waves with an elite former Championship Tour surfer, master techniques with a multiple-time Jiu-Jitsu Champion, and join field trips with an award-winning ocean storyteller.
For those seeking a more tailored experience, private one-to-one coaching sessions are also available, subject to availability and additional charge.
Inspiration at the Highest Level
“Learn with Legends offers a fresh perspective in luxury family travel, where world-class talent, meaningful experiences and exceptional surroundings come together to create something truly transformative,” says Armando Kraenzlin, Regional Vice President of Four Seasons Resorts Maldives. “What makes this program so powerful is the human connection: guests aren’t simply learning skills and participating in activities. They are engaging with some of the world’s leading figures in their fields and accessing high-level inspiration that will resonate well beyond their stay.”
Stay Longer Offer
Families can make the most of the summer with the Stay Longer offer at Kuda Huraa and Landaa Giraavaru. Guests receive a complimentary fifth night with every four consecutive paid nights, daily breakfast for two, one dinner for two at a choice of restaurants, and a shared island adventure, choosing between a Dolphin Cruise or Sunset Fishing. For stays during the Maldives Summer Camp, the offer adds even more reason to linger, with access to a complimentary daily program of coaching sessions, workshops and guided activities led by global figures across sport, movement and conservation, subject to availability.
For more information, please visit the official website.
News
Riteish Deshmukh and family discover the best of island life at Centara Maldives
Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh and his family recently swapped the rush of city life for sun drenched days and turquoise waters in the Maldives, enjoying a vibrant escape across Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives and Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives.
Set within The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, the two resorts offered a contrasting yet perfectly balanced experience. One delivered refined island luxury and calm elegance, while the other brought vibrant energy, family fun and an imaginative underwater inspired setting. Together, they created a seamless journey of relaxation and adventure.

From thrilling marine encounters to relaxed island moments, Riteish Deshmukh, Genelia Deshmukh, their children and family immersed themselves in it all. Their days were filled with snorkelling across vibrant reefs, glass kayaking over crystal clear waters, seabob rides, jet ski adventures, and semi submarine explorations. Evenings brought a different rhythm with cinema under the stars, hands on Thai cooking experiences, and scuba diving moments that added to the sense of discovery.

The culinary experiences added another layer to the journey, with floating breakfasts, teppanyaki dining and a variety of flavours across Thai, Mediterranean, Italian and international cuisines, turning every meal into a memorable part of the stay.

Sharing his experience, Riteish Deshmukh said, “The Maldives gave us the most incredible family experience and Centara made it even better. This was a break we had been planning for a while and it turned into something truly special. The kids were constantly engaged with all the activities and there was never a dull moment in the best way possible. It had everything from fun and adventure to relaxation and quality family time. We cannot wait to return to Centara Grand Lagoon and Centara Mirage Lagoon soon.”

A celebration of laughter, discovery and togetherness, the Deshmukh family’s Maldivian escape reflects a simple truth that the best journeys are the ones that become lasting memories.
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