News
Maldives welcomes one millionth visitor of Visit Maldives Year 2016

Maldives.net.mv – Achieving yet another milestone of Visit Maldives Year 2016, Maldives proudly welcomed the one millionth visitor of 2016 today at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. Mrs. Alefiya Merchant from India who arrived on Air India flight this afternoon with her husband Mr. Ali Asgar Godhrawala for their honeymoon in Maldives was warmly welcomed by H. E. Akhilesh Mishra, the High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, Mr. Hussain Lirar and Mr. Shazail Shiyam, Deputy Ministers of Tourism, Mr. Haris Mohamed, Acting Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and other senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, MMPRC, Maldives Airports Company Limited and representatives of the tourism industry.
Upon arrival, they were welcomed at the arrival terminal by officials from MMPRC, Department of Immigration and Maldives Airports Company Ltd, from where they were escorted to the VIP lounge in a procession of traditional Boduberu performance.

HE. Akhilesh Mishra, Indian High Commissioner awarded them with a commemorative plaque. A special gift was also awarded by Mr. Haris Mohamed, Managing Director of MMPRC. The Lucky honeymoon couple also received a complimentary holiday package from Hurawalhi Resort. The prize was presented by Mr. Shazail Shiyam, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Ms. Cherry Zhuang, Sales and Marketing Manager of Crown and Champa Resorts.
Since the grand welcoming of the first visitor of Visit Maldives Year in the early morning of the 1st of January, milestones of reaching 500,000th and 750,000th were colourfully celebrated.
An Indian National being the distinguished one millionth visitor is of great significance to the Maldives providing a great opportunity to promote the Maldives as a tourist destination to the Indian market. India is a rapidly growing market having attained its position within the top ten single source markets climbing up to reaching amongst the top 5 source markets to the Maldives.
Arrivals from India show a positive growth of 21.5% from January to July when compared to the same period in 2015. During this period in 2016 a total of 34,884 Indian tourists are recorded to have arrived in Maldives.
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Photo by Asad Photography
Awards
Wellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura named among world’s top 100 spas
Wellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura has been named among the Top 100 Spas of the World 2026 by Luxury Lifestyle Awards, recognising the spa’s wellness services in Malé.
Located on Level 3 of Barceló Nasandhura, Wellness by Mandara caters to both international visitors and local residents, offering spa treatments and wellness services within the capital. Unlike spas located at island resorts, the facility provides an urban wellness option for guests seeking relaxation, physical recovery and regular self-care.
The spa draws on traditional Eastern healing practices and offers a range of treatments, including Mandara’s signature multi-hand massage therapies, ELEMIS facials, body treatments and specialised nail care packages.
Treatments are tailored to individual requirements by the spa’s therapists, with services designed to relieve muscle tension, support physical recovery and promote relaxation.
Trent Munday of Mandara Spa said the recognition reflected the team’s commitment to providing Asian spa therapies in Malé while serving both hotel guests and the local community.
Wellness by Mandara operates daily, offering treatments and spa packages to Barceló Nasandhura guests, Malé residents and day visitors.
Awards
Jalboot Group claims three honours at World Luxury Travel Awards 2026
Jalboot Group has won three awards at the 2026 World Luxury Travel Awards, marking the second consecutive year the marine leisure and transport services provider has received recognition at the event.
The awards were presented during a gala ceremony held on 24 October at the Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, Thailand.
Jalboot Group and its marine leisure brand, Koamas by Jalboot, received awards in three categories:
- Best Diving Experience in Maldives: Koamas by Jalboot
- Best Luxury Water Transfer in Indian Ocean: Jalboot Group
- Best Water Sport & Activities in Indian Ocean Islands: Koamas by Jalboot
The awards recognise the company’s operations across marine leisure and transport services in the Maldives, including watersports, resort-based recreational activities and inter-island water transfers.
RJ Reddy, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Jalboot Group, said the recognition reflected the contributions of the company’s team across its operations.
“We are deeply honoured to be recognised across three categories at the 2026 World Luxury Travel Awards. This milestone reflects the passion, professionalism and teamwork of everyone at Jalboot. Our goal has always been to create experiences that reflect the essence of luxury and the warmth of Maldivian hospitality, both on and beneath the water.”
Jalboot Group continues to expand its operations in the Maldives as a provider of integrated maritime solutions, including luxury yacht charters, marine transport and resort-based leisure services.
The three awards further recognise the company’s presence in the Indian Ocean’s marine tourism and transport sectors.
Action
Kandooma Maldives adds pickleball to recreational offerings
Kandooma Maldives has introduced a new pickleball court, expanding its recreational facilities as the paddle sport continues to gain popularity worldwide.
Combining elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, pickleball is a sport that is relatively easy to learn and suitable for players of different ages and abilities. The new facility allows guests to participate in singles or doubles matches, offering an additional recreational activity for families, couples and groups staying at the resort.
The pickleball court is open daily from 6am to 6pm, with paddles and balls available for guests to borrow from Reception.
Court reservations can be made through the resort’s Recreation or Front Office team. Each villa is entitled to one complimentary hour of court use per day.
The introduction of pickleball forms part of Kandooma Maldives’ efforts to expand its recreational offerings and provide guests with more opportunities to participate in sports and group activities during their stay.
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