Business
Telegraph Travel Awards open for voting with luxury Maldives holiday prize

Telegraph Travel Awards have opened for voting with the chance to win a luxury holiday in the Maldives worth USD 39,108.
The categories included in the highly acclaimed awards include best country, best city, best short haul airline, best long haul airline, best tour operator, best tour operator, best specialist tour, best rail operator, best escorted tour, best hotel group, best ocean cruise line, best river cruise line, best ferry operator and best ski company.
For those who complete the survey, Telegraph is offering the chance to win one of 20 luxury holidays, including a 14-night stay at Coco Bodu Hithi in the Maldives with Coco Collection worth USD 39,108.
The prize includes 14 nights in a Coco Residence at Coco Bodu Hithi, including daily breakfast at Stars, lunch and dinner at Air, return airport transfers by speedboat and international economy flights with Qatar Airways. The prize is available for a year from November 1, 2017, excluding Dec 20, 2017 to January 6, 2018, February 11–21, 2018 and March 29-7 April 2018. All soft drinks at mealtimes are included but alcoholic drinks are not included. Excursions and activities are also not included in the prize.
Near enough to the main Velana International Airport and accessible by speedboat in just 40 minutes, yet far away from the hustle and bustle to be able to enjoy unobstructed panoramic views, Coco Bodu Hithi is a gem of an island. The winner of Most Romantic Resort at the 2016 South Asia Travel Awards, every villa at Coco Bodu Hithi is surrounded by the calm view of the lagoon and the soothing sound of the waves.
There is something different to discover at each of the five restaurants and two bars on the island, all with views of the lagoon and sunset. Winner of Luxury Seafood Restaurant in Maldives at the 2016 World Luxury Hotels Awards, Aqua is Coco Bodu Hithi’s fine-dining restaurant and boasts a distinctively romantic feel. Michelin-starred chefs visit the island every year to create one-off experiences – a testament to the resort’s reputation for serving some of the best food and drink in the Maldives.
As well as fantastic food, Coco Bodu Hithi offers an award-winning wellness zone on stilts over the clear water. Coco Spa has eight treatment rooms as well as a yoga pavilion overlooking the ocean and beach. With a range of products from the Paris label Thémaé combining the healing properties of tea, therapists at Coco Spa are trained in techniques to treat the mind, body and soul. An over-water gym within the zone inspires our guests to keep up with their regime of active wellness when away on a holiday.
Blessed with one of the best House Reefs in North Malé atoll, the over-water villas have been built with a conscious approach to not disrupt the healthy House Reef, which is home to an abundance of colourful reef fish, resident Hawksbill sea turtles, eagle rays and reef sharks. Just 15 minutes away is another reef dubbed the Turtle Point, one of the most loved snorkelling sites in the region where Hawksbill turtles are often spotted. Reef Manta Rays are often spotted 15 minutes away from our island at Rasfari Point or Bodu Hithi Thila.
The renowned British newspaper’s annual Travel Awards are not only the biggest of their kind, but they have long been the most trusted in the industry. They are voted for entirely by Telegraph readers who are among the most experienced, discerning and adventurous of travellers, and the number of responses dwarf all other awards of this type. Telegraph also assures that the methodology is sound and transparent; the results are qualitative, not quantitative, so it does not follow that the bigger the operator the better their chances of winning.
In last year’s edition of the Telegraph Travel Awards, Maldives was voted the second most favourite country amongst British travellers.
Britain is a major source market for the Maldives tourism industry. More than 100,000 British travellers visited the Maldives last year, a 9.8 percent increase from the year before.
Business
BBM: Stronger hospitality platform via Hotelier Maldives Awards, culinary development

Since 1990, Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) has been at the core of the Maldives’ hospitality supply chain. More than a distributor, BBM has become a trusted partner in shaping talent, raising standards, and building long-term capacity across the industry.
That commitment continues in 2025 through its title sponsorship of the Hotelier Maldives Awards, and its growing investment in culinary development and cross-industry collaboration.
Supporting the Ecosystem, Not Just the Event
BBM is the preferred partner for over 60 international brands. However, its true value lies in how it supports the people behind the brands. From chefs and service staff to back-of-house professionals, BBM works across the sector to create real impact.
This year, the Hotelier Maldives Awards 2025 expands its recognition with four new categories:
- Watersports Personality of the Year
- Diving Personality of the Year
- Airport Representative of the Year
- Resort Manager of the Year
These additions reflect a simple belief. Everyone who shapes the guest experience deserves to be seen. Not just the visible few. Everyone.
Hotel Asia and the Rise of Culinary Confidence
For more than two decades, BBM has served as the main sponsor of the Hotel Asia Exhibition and International Culinary Challenge, endorsed by the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS).
This platform has consistently raised the bar by bringing over 25 WACS A-Grade international jurors to the Maldives each year. Through this effort, local chefs get to test their skills on a global scale.
To further encourage excellence, BBM launched the Chairman’s Trophy, awarded annually to the most promising Maldivian chef:
- 2023 — Chef Mohamed Adhil
- 2024 — Chef Ahmed Mazim
Each name marks a growing movement. Maldivian chefs no longer compete to participate. They compete to win.
Backing Global Exposure for Local Talent
BBM has directly sponsored Maldivian chefs to represent the country at global events, including:
- HOFEX 2017 in Hong Kong, where Chef Ahmed Fatheen and Chef Ismail Naseer earned silver
- La Sial 2018 in Abu Dhabi, where Chef Mohamed Adhil won both gold and silver
- FHA 2018 in Singapore, supporting emerging talent
- Asian Pastry Cup 2018, where Chef Aminath Hameed was recognized as a pioneering female chef
- Chinese Cuisine World Championship 2019, where Chef Ahmed Mazim won bronze
- World Chefs Congress and Expo 2022, where BBM sponsored six MNU students under its Building Young Talent initiative
Creating Spaces for Knowledge Transfer
Beyond competitions, BBM hosts world-class chefs to lead pro bono Masterclasses, including:
- Chef Bruno Ménard, holder of three Michelin stars
- Chef Edwin Leow, gold medalist at the IKA Culinary Olympics
These sessions are designed to be open, practical, and rooted in the everyday reality of resort kitchens.
Recognition with Purpose
BBM’s sponsorship of the Hotelier Maldives Awards 2025 is part of a larger support system. These awards are not marketing. They are memories. They capture the faces, names, and efforts of those who make the Maldives one of the most admired hospitality destinations in the world.
“When people are seen, they rise,” said Ali Afrah Hassan, Head of HR, Admin, and Corporate Affairs at BBM. “This platform is our way of saying you matter. Not just once a year, but every day you show up to serve.”
Whether through product support, recognition, training, or infrastructure, BBM is building something larger than supply chains. It is helping shape the culture of Maldivian hospitality.
Business
Dubai Chocolate Brownies in Maldives: BBM, Dreidoppel conclude pastry tour

BBM’s exclusive Dreidoppel Demo Tour, led by Master Pâtissier Frankie Robin, concluded successfully on Apr 30th, after a 10-day pastry training series across 15 leading Maldivian resorts that requested the training. Two city bakeries were also trained on the 30th. The initiative brought together global expertise and a strong commitment to raising pastry standards in the local hospitality industry.
This year’s sessions focused on practical pastry solutions using Dreidoppel’s premium ingredient range to create Panettone, Dubai chocolate brownies, Mousses, Crème Brûlée, Fill & Gloss applications, and Caramel Chocolate Snacks.

A standout feature of the tour was the passion shown by young chefs across the islands.
Chef Frankie Robin remarked, “What truly impressed me was how prepared and passionate the young chefs were. Their eagerness to learn, experiment, and take their skills to world-class standards made every session an absolute joy.”

Grounded in real kitchen challenges—speed, flavour, and efficiency—Chef Frankie’s demos showcased how smart ingredient choices can drive both creativity and performance.
A.V.S. Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer at BBM, added, “At BBM, we believe in more than just supplying ingredients—we are committed to the professional growth of the industry. Collaborations like this empower culinary teams with global techniques and greater confidence.”
The tour reflects BBM’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the Maldivian foodservice industry through knowledge-sharing and access to world-class products.
Business
BBM brings Vaseline, Hellmann’s, BRU Coffee to Maldives market

Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) extended their strong and decades old partnership with Unilever International, by adding to their brand portfolio – Vaseline, Hellmann’s, and BRU Coffee for the Maldivian market.
The collaboration was announced at a Business gathering held at the Manhattan Business Hotel, attended by over 300 trade partners from across Maldives.

With this partnership, BBM strengthens its retail offerings across the Maldives archipelago. Vaseline, a trusted name in skincare, and Hellmann’s, known globally for quality food products, will now be available through BBM’s distribution network.
“Vaseline is a name that generations trust for skin care. And Hellmann’s is a global icon in flavours. We’re proud to bring both to shelves across the Maldives and enrich everyday living for our customers,” said Muksith Hussain, Business Head – Retail.
In the hospitality sector, BBM introduces Bru Coffee as an addition to its HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant, Café) offerings. BRU Coffee provides a quality beverage option for hotels, resorts, and restaurants across the Maldives.

“BRU is one of the most loved coffee brands in the region. With this launch, we’re giving our hospitality partners a versatile product that delivers on both taste and reliability that can be consumed as a beverage and for the purpose of dessert preparation, something they can serve with confidence,” said Hisham Girsy, Business Head – HORECA.
The gathering served as a platform for BBM to engage with its valued trade partners and introduce these new brands to the market.
A.V.S Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer at BBM, remarked: “BBM is built on relationships. This event reflects our commitment to not just introduce great products but to support, connect, and elevate our trade partners. We’re in this together, and the journey ahead is promising.”

As BBM continues to grow its portfolio and global partnerships, the focus remains clear delivering excellence, building trust, and shaping the future of trade in the Maldives.
Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) is a leading distribution company in the Maldives, connecting international brands with local businesses across retail and hospitality sectors. With a customer-focused approach and extensive distribution network, BBM continues to be a trusted partner in the Maldivian market.
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