News
Maldives participates in JATA, the largest travel showcase in Tokyo, Japan

Maldives.net.mv – The JATA Tourism EXPO Japan 2016 kicked off today in Tokyo, Japan, where Maldives was showcased at a stand headed by the Acting Managing Director of MMPRC, Mr. Haris Mohamed and Ambassador of Maldives in Japan, Mr. Ahmed Khaleel. The exhibition was also attended by officials from MMPRC, Maldives Embassy in Japan and as well as 6 representative companies from the tourism industry. This annual event will be taking place from 22 – 25 September 2015, at the Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, Japan.
JATA Tourism Expo Japan is an integrated tourism event organized by the Tabi Fair Japan and JATA “TABUHAKU” Travel showcase which first commenced this joint venture in 2014 and has successfully executed the fair with over 157,589 visitors to have attended the fair, along with participation of 1129 companies/organizations from 151 countries/regions. This is a well organized event inclusive of International tourism forums, business meetings, travel showcase, award commendation and ceremonies. With such diverse industries focusing on tourism, this platform provides various promotional opportunities for all those involved in tourism and the world’s travel professionals. JATA Tourism EXPO Japan continues to grow as a leading international event, helping to promote domestic, overseas and inbound tourism.
With much contribution and assistance from the Maldives Embassy in Japan, several activities will be taking place at the stand, in order to attract more visitors to the stand. A bingo game will take place at the stand during the first public day where a lucky winner will win a holiday package from Veligandu Island Resort & Spa. There will also be a performance of Maldivian songs by a Japanese musician played during the public day. The Japanese market is among the top markets to Maldives but has slightly declined over the years. As of June 2016, there were total 21,358 Japanese tourists to have visited Maldives this year. This is an increase of 8% when compared to the same period in 2015.
The Japanese market contributes to attracting a number of the dive segment to Maldives which is a vital segment to the growth of the industry. Japanese travellers enjoy tropical destinations, making Maldives one of the top choices, and while Maldives offers free visa on entry with easy connection, it is the ideal destination for these travellers.
JATA Tourism EXPO Japan is a great platform to showcase Maldives to a vast audience with organized B2B sessions and public viewers attending the fair throughout the 3 day event. Through right promotion and exposure at JATA, Maldives tourism could have a positive growth with increasing arrivals from the Japanese market once again.
News
Fushifaru Maldives blends cultural experiences with new in-house activities
Fushifaru Maldives has introduced a refreshed programme of guest activities and experiences as it enters 2026, combining cultural elements with new forms of entertainment across the resort.
The boutique resort has expanded its in-house activities to cater to a wide range of age groups. New offerings include circus-style sessions for children, hula hoop classes, aerial performances, fire shows and CYR wheel displays, aimed at providing structured entertainment for both families and adult guests.
The resort marked the end of 2025 with a Gatsby-themed farewell event, featuring a cocktail evening where guests were invited to dress in period-inspired attire. New Year’s Eve celebrations centred on a dinner service prepared by the resort’s culinary team, with a menu that included beef ribs, roasted turkey, grilled lobster, salmon and oysters, alongside seafood selections, Japanese dishes, Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, and live cooking stations. The evening concluded with desserts and tropical fruit offerings.
For 2026, Fushifaru Maldives has also updated its daily activity schedule. Themed dinner nights continue to form a core part of the guest experience, with a Maldivian-themed dinner held every Friday. This includes a live cooking demonstration based on traditional Maldivian preparation methods, highlighting the step-by-step process of making local curries.
According to the resort, the updated programmes are designed to strengthen guest engagement while maintaining links to Maldivian heritage. The focus remains on offering structured experiences that reflect both cultural practices and contemporary resort entertainment.
Fushifaru Maldives stated that it plans to continue developing its activity and dining concepts throughout the year, with further updates to be shared with guests and industry partners.
Action
Niyama Private Islands enhances surf lifestyle with stylish new surf venue
Niyama Private Islands Maldives now offers what is considered the most luxurious surf experience in the Maldives, enhanced by the introduction of its new Surf Shack — a stylish beachfront hangout serving gourmet bites, drinks, sunset views and lively parties.
Known as Nature’s Playground, the resort has long attracted surf professionals from around the globe. Located in the southern Maldives, where swells are at their strongest, it is a preferred base during peak surf season. Waves break directly on shore, with additional surf spots accessible within minutes by speedboat.
Niyama’s signature waves roll in at Vodi Point, situated on the westernmost tip of its twin islands. It is here that the resort has unveiled the new Surf Shack, designed to make time off the waves equally appealing. The thatched-roof venue encourages a barefoot, relaxed atmosphere, offering an upper deck for sunset viewing and picnic-style seating below. Reflecting Niyama’s sustainability ethos, Area Chief of Engineering Michael Patrick Slevin notes that 75 per cent of construction materials were repurposed, blending beach casual with environmentally conscious design.
Guests can enjoy gourmet dishes served from service windows, with a menu inspired by iconic surf destinations worldwide: Australian fish and chips, Indonesian satay, Mexican nachos and Japanese takoyaki. The drinks list pays tribute to rum, featuring an extensive collection and signature cocktails inspired by renowned surf breaks.
While the Surf Shack maintains a laidback feel during the day, the beachfront transforms at dusk as the tides shift and the DJ elevates the atmosphere. The resort’s rum and reggae Sundays have already become a celebrated weekly event.
Surfers at Niyama can design their days as they wish — chasing waves or relaxing ashore. The Surf Centre offers equipment and guidance, while Drift by Niyama provides recovery treatments to soothe muscles, repair sun-exposed skin and restore energy. Resident professional surfers remain available to advise on technique and wave conditions.
“The new Surf Shack forms part of the renewed Niyama experience, which includes significant refurbishments across the resort, inventive culinary additions and a greater emphasis on active living and wellness,” said Hafidh Al Busaidy, General Manager of Niyama Private Islands Maldives. “With more developments on the way, we look forward to sharing what comes next.”
Featured
Intimate island experiences shape Valentine’s Day at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
This Valentine’s Day, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort invites couples to celebrate love through a collection of carefully curated experiences designed to unfold in intimate moments across the island.
Framed by the natural beauty of Maamunagau Island, the resort’s Valentine’s programme centres on a series of limited-edition dining and wellness experiences created exclusively for the occasion. From private beachfront dining and moonlit dinners along Café Umi Beach to an elevated Valentine’s evening at the signature Lighthouse venue, romance is conveyed through setting, atmosphere and thoughtful detail rather than elaborate gestures.
Culinary experiences sit at the heart of the celebration, with bespoke Valentine’s menus intended to be savoured slowly, paired with curated wines and accompanied by uninterrupted ocean views. Each dining experience is crafted to feel personal, whether enjoyed beneath the night sky or in one of the island’s more private spaces.
Beyond dining, couples are encouraged to reconnect through shared wellness experiences at AVI Spa. Signature rituals and indulgent treatments offer a quieter expression of romance, giving guests the opportunity to unwind together in a calm, oceanfront environment. Those seeking complete privacy may opt for bespoke in-villa treatments, allowing the occasion to be marked within the comfort of their own surroundings.
Throughout Valentine’s Day, subtle touches across the resort—from crafted cocktails to curated wine moments—enhance the celebration without overwhelming it, reflecting InterContinental Maldives’ belief that genuine luxury is rooted in balance, intention and authenticity.
At InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, Valentine’s Day is shaped not by excess, but by considered, enduring moments that create shared memories long after the day has passed.
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