News
Maldives Travel Conference to be held on Saturday, 19th November at Bandos I
Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators, MATATO will be launching the First Edition of Maldives Travel Conference, on 19th November 2016.
Over a period of four decades, Maldives has successfully established an exemplary tourism industry that is popular worldwide and merits of which copied across the globe. And we believe its time, as world’s leading island destination, Maldives took the initiative to take a place at the forefront of international tourism dialogue. The purpose of this conference is to establish an International Platform in Maldives, to bring together forefront international travel institutions, entrepreneurs and executives under one roof, to have a leading and effective dialogue, about opportunities, challenges and innovations in the travel industry.
MATATO is inviting significantly insightful line up of speakers for the conference, representing some of the leading executives and pioneers from local and international tourism community. The conference will be attended 150 travel professionals (leading hoteliers, travel executives and representatives from key stakeholders) and media.
- Hosted in Bandos Island Resort, Maldives Travel Conference, will feature four key topics.
- Importance of Destination Marketing:
- Luxury Travel Trends in Maldives Context
- Evolving Maldives Tourism Product
- Tourism and Perception – Opportunities and Challenges
Each topic for the conference will be dissected by a panel of four industry experts and representatives who will separately share their insight and thoughts on the topic. Following the presentations by the speakers, participants of the conference will also join the discussion through an open discussion with the panel. We have the following international guest speakers confirmed for the Conference from, Pacific Asia Travel Association – PATA, CNN, Tripadvisor and TTG Asia.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
- Dr. Mario Hardy, CEO, Pacific Asia Travel Association, PATA
- Prof. Dr. Walter Jamieson, FCIP Director, Thammasat University, Thailand
- Evgenia Boyankova, Group Director of Business Development, Sun Siyam
- Ms. Sonali Chatterjee, Sales Director India & South Asia, CNN International
- Feizal Samath, Senior Correspondent, TTG Asia
- Dr Sunny Umar, Chief Operations Officer, Maldives Getaways
This event will commence at 09:00 am in the morning of 19th November 2016, at Bandos Maldives.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
Drink
Sirru Fen Fushi showcases mixology collaboration during Easter programme
Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort hosted a two-day Behind the Bar experience as part of its Easter programme, bringing together contemporary mixology and craft-led guest experiences.
The event featured collaborations with Modernhaus, led by Bar Manager Upay Aldi, and The Cocktail Club, represented by Co-Founder Mirwansyah Bule, both from Indonesia. Over two evenings, guests were invited to engage with the bartenders’ techniques, flavour profiles and creative processes, with Modernhaus recognised among Asia’s 50 Best Bars.
The programme included a curated selection of cocktails prepared using ingredients such as cempaka-infused whisky, hibiscus ginger maple, wasabi spirit, jasmine peach, coconut chai milk, salted tamarind, yuzu whey, salted fino sherry, sake gomme, guava vodka, Thai tea liqueur and malic. The offerings reflected a combination of tropical elements and contemporary mixology methods.
The first evening took place at Kata, the resort’s Japanese-fusion restaurant, where the experience was set against sunset views over the lagoon. The second evening was held at Raha Market in a beachside setting, offering a more informal atmosphere while maintaining the focus on crafted cocktails.
The event formed part of Sirru Fen Fushi’s ongoing programming, which centres on curated guest experiences and collaborations with international talent in food and beverage.
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