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
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives launches biggest 11.11 offer yet
This 11.11, the award-winning Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives introduces its most generous direct booking offer to date. Guests who book directly from 1 to 14 November 2025, for stays until 31 March 2026, will receive complimentary one-way transfers and enjoy all Book Direct benefits. From four-course beachfront dinners and rejuvenating spa sessions to island-hopping excursions, dolphin safaris, and resort credits, guests can experience up to USD 500 in added value across the collection’s four distinctive Maldivian resorts.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, the Gold Award winner for Leading Surf Resort, offers the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation for families seeking a fun-filled island escape which is a 20-minute speedboat ride away from Malé. With 152 rooms across seven diverse categories, the resort caters to every family’s preference. Younger guests can enjoy splashing about in the pool, while adults unwind with soothing spa treatments or cocktails by the Rayvilla bar to catch the best sunset.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives
Located in the untouched Vaavu Atoll, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives is the recipient of the Gold Award for Leading Beach Resort. Its distinctive manta ray-inspired design gracefully extends over the lagoon, creating one of the most visually striking settings in the Maldives. With 90 stylish rooms and a comprehensive all-inclusive offering, guests can savour world-class dining at Marlin, where each dish is thoughtfully paired with fine wines in an intimate setting of just ten tables.
Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives
Recognised as the Leading Adults-Only Resort, Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives redefines serenity and seclusion. From 1 November onwards, the resort welcomes guests to an exclusive haven designed for couples and honeymooners. Enhancing the guest experience even further, Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives will soon unveil a series of new additions, including two exciting restaurants, a sports and recreation hub with padel ball, and a relaxing waiting lounge designed for guests to unwind in comfort between arrivals and departures.
Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon
For those who dream beneath the surface, Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon reveals an underwater world unlike any other. Celebrated by Lonely Planet for having one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, the island is a haven for divers and snorkellers of all levels, from curious beginners to seasoned adventurers. With dive sites encircling the island and effortless ocean access, guests can experience the thrill of exploring vibrant coral gardens, spotting graceful reef sharks, and even embarking on mesmerising night dives that bring the reef’s nocturnal life to light.
This 11.11, give yourself the gift of an island escape unlike any other and one where every sunrise feels new, every meal tastes of the sea breeze, and every resort at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts tells a story of its own. Whether you’re a solo traveller in search of tranquillity, a couple seeking a romantic retreat, or a family looking to create lasting memories, this offer invites you to discover four distinct Cinnamon island resorts, each with its own character and charm.
Book now via www.cinnamonhotels.com and let your next Maldivian adventure begin.
News
IHG launches Vignette Collection in Maldives with Noku Maldives
IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection, marking the debut of the Vignette Collection brand in the Maldives. The addition of Noku Maldives to IHG’s fast-growing Vignette Collection, a family of one-of-a-kind hotels in destinations to remember.
Set within the pristine waters of Noonu Atoll, Noku Maldives offers 50 private beach and overwater villas, many with pools, surrounded by powder-soft sands and turquoise lagoons. Each villa blends contemporary comfort with natural island materials, creating a serene retreat that captures the essence of barefoot luxury.
“We are thrilled to introduce Noku Maldives now as part of IHG’s Vignette Collection – a brand that celebrates individuality and authentic connection,” said Hussain Shahid, General Manager, Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection. “Over the past year, our team has been refining every touchpoint of the guest journey – from refreshed culinary concepts and immersive experiences to new signature rituals – to ensure our guests continue to experience the heartfelt Maldivian warmth that defines the resort experience.”
At the heart of the island’s hospitality are distinctive dining experiences that highlight regional flavours and fresh island ingredients. Palms Restaurant and Bar offers a relaxed beachfront setting where fire-grilled dishes and ocean views create an atmosphere of effortless indulgence, inspired by the day’s freshest catch. Thari blends the vibrant flavours of the Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka, complemented by tropical cocktails in an inviting poolside setting. Guests may also enjoy private dining under the stars, castaway picnics on secluded sandbanks, romantic dinners on their villa decks, or floating breakfasts in the privacy of their pools — each moment designed to capture the intimacy and natural beauty of the island.
Noku Spa, set within a tranquil garden sanctuary, invites guests to embrace holistic wellness through treatments inspired by Maldivian healing traditions. Using natural ingredients such as coconut oil and local botanicals, each therapy is crafted to restore balance, relax the body, and uplift the spirit in harmony with the island’s serene surroundings.
Vignette Collection combines each property’s individual identity with the brand’s collective vision to offer a more authentic travel experience. Each property is unique, yet united through key hallmarks Memorable Rituals and ‘A Means For Good’.
Memorable Rituals – bespoke to each Vignette Collection property – connect guests with the hotel’s unique identity, locality, and cultural landscape. Guests of the resort are invited to Island Echoes, where they gather barefoot by a bonfire at dusk for a storytelling experience where legends of seafarers and island spirits come alive beneath the stars.
Means For Good initiatives weaved throughout all Vignette Collection properties represent each hotel’s commitment to responsibility, community engagement, and local culture. With a commitment to tailoring initiatives to suit the unique character of each hotel, they partner with non-profit organizations to contribute positively to the local ecosystem.
At Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection the resort’s commitment to community and environment is reflected through initiatives such as the weekly Fisherman’s Visit, where a local fisherman shares his daily catch to support nearby schools and women’s committees. The philosophy extends beneath the waves through coral regeneration and sea turtle rescue projects, in partnership with local NGOs, allowing guests to adopt coral fragments and contribute to reef preservation.
Since its launch in 2021, Vignette Collection has become one of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ fastest-growing luxury and lifestyle brands, offering purpose-led stays in distinctive destinations around the world. With 19 hotels open and 34 more in the pipeline, the brand continues to expand its presence in key markets including Japan and China.
Now open for stays, room rates at Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection start from USD 613++ per night, inclusive of breakfast.
For more information and reservations, please visit the hotel website or email us at noku.reservations@ihg.com.
News
COMO Cocoa Island, Maalifushi invite guests to reconnect, rejoice, restore this festive season
This festive season, COMO Hotels and Resorts invites guests to embrace the spirit of celebration in the Maldives, where the rhythm of the ocean sets the tone for a time of reflection, connection and joy. Both COMO Maalifushi and COMO Cocoa Island have curated festive programmes that combine wellness, gastronomy, adventure and art — offering moments of stillness and celebration in equal measure.
From December 20, 2025, to January 1, 2026, guests can experience an unforgettable festive journey across two distinct islands — COMO Maalifushi, the only resort in the remote Thaa Atoll, and COMO Cocoa Island, an intimate private island in the South Malé Atoll. Together, they offer two unique ways to celebrate the season — one vibrant and family-oriented, the other serene and soulful — both grounded in COMO’s signature approach to holistic wellbeing and mindful living.
Festive Highlights at COMO Maalifushi
At COMO Maalifushi, guests are invited to celebrate amid a Winter Wonderland-inspired atmosphere. The festivities begin with the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, followed by champagne breakfasts on the beach, gala dinners with live music, and wellness sessions led by visiting practitioners.
Highlights include:
- Christmas Eve Gala Dinner and Santa’s Visit on Tai Beach, featuring a feast under the stars, live entertainment, and joyful family moments.
- A series of immersive wellness sessions with visiting practitioners Anthony Mullaly and Anna Corisio, offering breath work, apnoea, and family-focused treatments at COMO Shambhala.
- Festive feasts across the resort’s oceanfront venues — from the Italian Fiesta Buffet and East Asian Culinary Journey to the Sea, Fire, Land and Salt Feast and New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner themed “All That Glitters.”
- Active celebrations including padel tournaments, sunset volleyball, and dolphin cruises through the Thaa Atoll.
- The New Year’s Eve countdown on Madi Beach, culminating with fireworks, a live band and barefoot dancing by the water’s edge.
Throughout the season, guests can savour COMO’s distinctive approach to hospitality — intuitive, unhurried, and deeply personal. Every experience is designed to celebrate the beauty of connection — to the ocean, to others, and to oneself.
Festive Highlights at Como Cocoa Island
At COMO Cocoa Island, the season unfolds as a tranquil celebration of art, nature and mindfulness. Resort Manager Arta Rozefelde and her team invite guests to slow down and embrace island simplicity through creative and restorative experiences that honour the island’s serene setting.
Highlights include:
- A residency by internationally acclaimed artist Gregory Burns, with Paint with the Artist sessions and an open studio where guests can engage with art inspired by the island’s natural beauty.
- Ocean adventures such as shark and turtle snorkelling, sunset cruises, house reef explorations, and UV night snorkelling under a canopy of stars.
- Daily wellness rituals at COMO Shambhala Retreat, including yoga, meditation, and sound baths on the sandbank.
- Intimate dining experiences such as the Christmas Eve Italian Feast, Maldivian Set Dinner, and the New Year’s Eve Party Under the Stars at Ufaa Restaurant.
- Elegant moments of indulgence, from High Tea with a Twist and signature Negroni flights at Faru Bar to Brandy and Cigar nights overlooking the lagoon.
At Cocoa Island, guests are invited to celebrate in harmony with nature — through quiet joy, creative expression, and meaningful connection.
A Como Christmas: Mindful Celebration In The Maldives
Across both islands, COMO’s festive season is more than a holiday — it is a return to simplicity, presence, and shared joy. Guests are encouraged to reconnect with what truly matters: loved ones, nature, and wellbeing.
“The festive season at COMO Maldives is about balance — celebration and stillness, indulgence and renewal. Whether guests choose the family warmth of COMO Maalifushi or the serene intimacy of COMO Cocoa Island, they will find the same essence of our brand: thoughtful experiences, heartfelt hospitality, and timeless connection,” said Peter Nilsson, Managing Director, COMO Maldives.
Each COMO resort moves to its own festive rhythm — where barefoot freedom meets ocean-inspired dining and moments of mindful wellbeing. Whether painting with the tides at Cocoa Island or celebrating beneath the fireworks at Maalifushi, every experience is a celebration of connection, crafted to leave memories as timeless as the islands themselves.
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