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Hotelier Maldives hosts Maldives first Wellness Summit

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Local hospitality publication Hotelier Maldives has hosted the first ever Wellness Summit in the Maldives.

The summit, held at Kurumba Maldives on Wednesday, brought together leaders in the spa and wellness industry, both in the country and from around the region, and featured discussions and debate on opportunities as well as key challenges faced by both wellness and hospitality industries alike.

The first keynote address was delivered by Jesper Hougaard, Founder and Managing Director of Serena Spa.

“We have an opportunity to add value to what we’re offering in spas,” Hougaard said.

“The global wellness industry is valued at 3.7 trillion dollars. It’s big money and we need to discover how we can tap into that and get a slice of the pie.”

Jesper Hougaard, Founder and Managing Director of Serena Spa, speaks at the Hotelier Maldives Wellness Summit held at Kurumba Maldives on Wednesday. PHOTO/ HOTELIER MALDIVES

The summit’s first panel, which was moderated by Hougaard, was on how wellness can enhance revenue for resorts. Panellists were Herchell Cabrera, Associate Spa Director at One&Only Reethi Rah, Ana Marques, Spa Director at Niyama Private Islands Maldives, and Bradley Calder, General Manager at Hurawalhi Island Resort.

Hougaard went over different sorts of spa experiences, highlighting ones that are not available in the Maldives. Marques touched on the importance of adapting to guests’ needs, saying the main motivation for coming to the Maldives was relaxation and activities.

“We’ve to cater to all these markets. It has to be done in a professional and genuine way, and it begins with educating your staff,” Marques said.

Herchell added: “We focus on educating staff who aren’t only from the spa. If members of our team experiences and appreciates wellness and taking care of themselves, then they’re in a better position to inform guests on such matters.”

First panel hosted as part of the Hotelier Maldives Wellness Summit held at Kurumba Maldives on Wednesday. PHOTO/ HOTELIER MALDIVES

The second keynote speech was delivered by Anni Hood, the Managing Partner at WELL Intelligence and Managing Director at WELL Business Solutions.

“Today, in 2017, as we move on to 2020, the interconnectivity, the interdependence of everything that’s happening in the world will have an effect on your business,” she said.

She admitted that technology plays a great role in the business, to do without technology is to be left out.

“The currency of wellness is a connection; how we connect to ourselves, to other people, to nature,” she added.

She also stressed the importance of authenticity, predicting that inauthentic fads, contained within bubbles, are likely to burst.

Her speech was followed by a networking lunch.

Anni Hood, Managing Partner at WELL Intelligence and Managing Director at WELL Business Solutions, speaks at the Hotelier Maldives Wellness Summit held at Kurumba Maldives on Wednesday. PHOTO/ HOTELIER MALDIVES

Following that, the second panel discussion focused on wellness trends. Panellists included Anni Hood, Trent Munday, Senior Vice President of the International Steiner Spa Consulting/Mandara Spa, Hussain Zinan, CEO at Total Fitness Group. The panel was moderated by Renate Hermes, Group Spa Director at Duniye Spa.

Hermes made observations on the human condition and how it affects the people who seek wellness.

“People want to be touched and connected at a deeper level. They want to feel significant. And this provides a lot of opportunity for us as service providers,” she said.

Munday questioned the current conception of the spa: “A consumer 20 years ago didn’t know what a spa was, but now consumers can have a spa treatment wherever they want; at home, at work. I think the whole concept of the spa has to be re-evaluated. Wellness is all around us; it’s in the restaurant, in the bed. If that’s how it is, why do we need a spa?”

Zinan stressed the importance of integrating various elements that contribute to mental, physical and spiritual well-being into wellness.

“We have to have a broader focus, and integrate the pillar of rejuvenation with the pillar of activity,” he said.

Second panel hosted as part of the Hotelier Maldives Wellness Summit held at Kurumba Maldives on Wednesday. PHOTO/ HOTELIER MALDIVES

Once the panel concluded, Hougaard taught the audience a simple meditation technique.

Next was a case study on sustainability by two Soneva Fushi personnel, Gordon Jackson, Waste to Wealth Manager, and Ahmed Moomin, Community Engagement Manager.

Gordon explained how pruned branches were turned into sawdust for growing mushrooms, composting food waste that goes to organic gardens and reusing Styrofoam with glass to build lightweight bricks to support new structures.

Moomin went over Soneva’s community engagement projects, including holding learn to swim programmes and water sports festivals, beach clean-ups, and the exchange of knowledge between the resort and local communities.

“We learn from each other as equals,” he said.

Their presentation was followed by an introduction to sleep therapy by Shosil Mahato, the Spa Manager at Velaa Private Island.

“Sleep therapy will enhance your productivity, as productivity depends on a clear mind,” he said, after several minutes of lulling attendees to tranquillity.

Renate Hermes, Group Spa Director at Duniye Spa, speaks at the Hotelier Maldives Wellness Summit held at Kurumba Maldives on Wednesday. PHOTO/ HOTELIER MALDIVES

On behalf of the organisers, Mohamed Mamduh, Managing Director of Perspective Pvt Ltd (the publisher of Hotelier Maldives), extended his thanks to participants and sponsors, noting that the event had been a success as a number of issues around wellness was covered and would be fuel for further discourse on the subject.

Hotelier Maldives’ Wellness Summit 2017 was supported by Warisan Hospitality and COSMERC as Gold Sponsors. The Silver Sponsor of the event was Scubaspa and Morteza Capital joined the event as Knowledge Partner.

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SATA 2025 announces partnerships; confirms Hotelier Maldives, Maldives Insider as Media Partners

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Hotelier Maldives and Maldives Insider have been confirmed as official Media Partners of the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2025. The announcement was made during a signing ceremony held at Hulhulé Island Hotel, Maldives, where SATA unveiled its distinguished partners for the 9th edition of the annual awards.

Now in its ninth year, SATA has become a key platform for recognising excellence in South Asia’s tourism and hospitality sector. The partnership with Hotelier Maldives and Maldives Insider will strengthen the awards’ regional visibility and ensure extensive coverage of the event across Maldives and beyond.

This year’s awards ceremony will take place from 19th to 20th September 2025 at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Sri Lanka, bringing together industry leaders, stakeholders, and innovators from across South Asia.

In addition to the media partnership, SATA 2025 also announced its corporate partners. Honda Marine has been named the Platinum Partner, while The Hawks, Velana International Airport, and Allied Insurance Company of the Maldives join as Gold Partners. Renaatus Realty has been confirmed as the Silver Partner, and Hulhulé Island Hotel continues as the official Hospitality Partner in the Maldives.

Speaking at the ceremony, SATA organisers noted that the strong lineup of partners reflects the growing importance of collaboration within the tourism and hospitality industry. With the support of its partners, SATA 2025 aims not only to celebrate outstanding achievements but also to foster long-term cooperation and sustainable growth in the region’s tourism sector.

The awards are endorsed by leading national tourism bodies and associations across South Asia, including the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Nepal Tourism Board, Visit Maldives Corporation Limited, and several travel and hotel associations across the region.

This year’s evaluation process was conducted by a panel of nine jury members representing different countries, including tourism leaders from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Spain, and the Maldives.

Through partnerships with media outlets such as Hotelier Maldives and Maldives Insider, SATA 2025 will ensure broad engagement across key markets, strengthening its position as one of South Asia’s most prestigious hospitality and travel award platforms.

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BBM, Mamee Food Services partner to elevate Maldivian dining with Asian Cuisine Engagement Week

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Bestbuy Maldives (BBM), a key supplier to the Maldives’ hospitality industry, in partnership with Mamee Food Services, has launched the Asian Cuisine Engagement Week. The programme, running from 29th June to 4th July 2025, is designed to introduce premium Asian sauces to the Maldives foodservice sector and upskill culinary professionals.

The official launch was held on Monday at BBM’s venue partner, the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies (FHTS) at The Maldives National University (MNU). FHTS continues to be a key collaborator with BBM on industry events and culinary development. The event was attended by over 40 chefs from leading hotels and restaurants in Malé. Representatives from Mamee Food Services travelled to the Maldives to lead the session, which included live product demonstrations and technical training.

The focus of the initiative is the introduction of Mamee’s premium Asian sauces, including the Daebak range, which features a variety of Korean and East Asian flavours. The programme aims to support chefs in incorporating these new products into their menus, fostering innovation within commercial kitchens.

AVS Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer of Bestbuy Maldives, commented on the initiative, stating, “Our goal is to be a strategic partner for the culinary community in the Maldives. This collaboration with Mamee Food Services is a direct reflection of that commitment. By providing access to new products and facilitating hands-on training, we are investing in the skills of chefs and supporting the evolution of menu offerings across the country. This initiative aligns with our broader strategy to continuously elevate the culinary standards in the Maldives.”

He added, “We believe that introducing high-quality, authentic Asian flavours through our partnership with a globally recognised brand like Mamee will provide a new dimension to the dining experience for tourists and locals alike. This reinforces BBM’s role as a trusted partner for global F&B brands seeking to make a mark in the Maldivian market.”

Jennifer Chee, Director of Food Service at Mamee Food Service, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We are incredibly excited to partner with Bestbuy Maldives to bring Mamee’s authentic Asian flavours to the vibrant culinary scene of the Maldives. This engagement week is a fantastic opportunity to showcase how our premium sauces, particularly the Daebak range, can inspire creativity and elevate dishes in professional kitchens.”

“We believe that by working directly with chefs and providing hands-on training, we can truly empower them to explore new culinary possibilities and deliver exceptional dining experiences to their guests. We look forward to seeing the innovative ways Maldivian chefs will incorporate our products.”

Following the launch in Malé, a dedicated follow-up session will be held at OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi for resort-based chefs. This session will include participation from properties within the Atmosphere Core group, providing hands-on training focused on the scalable integration of Mamee products into commercial resort kitchens.

Throughout the week, the culinary team from BBM and Mamee will conduct on-site visits and tastings at selected restaurants in Malé, offering further technical support and guidance.

This joint initiative between BBM and Mamee Food Services is set to drive menu innovation and provide culinary professionals in the Maldives with the tools and skills needed to meet evolving consumer tastes.

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2025 sees Maldives reach 1 million tourist mark in record time

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Maldives has welcomed its 1 millionth tourist of 2025 on 7th June 2025, the fastest that the country has achieved a million tourists in our nation’s history.

Kajal Singh, an Indian national, arrived in the Maldives today on IndiGo flight 6E 1131 at 12:55. She is visiting for her honeymoon at Bandos Maldives. This is her first trip to the Maldives.

Visit Maldives, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), hosted a special celebratory event at Velana International Airport to commemorate this remarkable achievement.

“This milestone fills us with immense pride, reflecting the successful culmination of our destination marketing initiatives that showcase the true essence of the Maldivian experience,” stated Minister for Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim. “Welcoming one million tourists with such unprecedented speed is a powerful indicator of our global appeal, and I extend my sincere appreciation to all the hardworking individuals across the tourism sector whose dedication made this achievement possible.”

In a gesture highlighting the nation’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the one millionth visitor, Kajal, was invited to participate in the “Five Million Trees Planting Program” initiated by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. Kajal planted a tree at Hulhulé as part of this nationwide effort to combat climate change, enhance biodiversity, and promote a greener Maldives for future generations.

“This achievement is a clear indicator that we are well on our way to attaining H.E President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s national tourist arrival target of 2.3 million for this year,” said CEO & MD of MMPRC Ibrahim Shiuree. “We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone with all our stakeholders, whose dedication and hard work are invaluable. Our commitment doesn’t end here; we are continually working to enhance the Maldives’ tourism industry and ensure the Sunny Side of Life remains a dream destination for everyone.”

The arrival of the 1 millionth tourist in 2025 marks a proud moment for Maldivian tourism, symbolizing the robust momentum generated by MMPRC’s strategic promotional efforts. Building on the resounding success of the recent Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, where the Maldives captivated the global travel trade community with its powerful and immersive showcase, this milestone highlights the effectiveness of our enhanced global visibility and affirmed key industry partnerships.

Complementing these efforts, the ongoing comprehensive Summer Campaign, with its multi-market strategy spanning Europe and key international markets, is actively driving increased visibility and stimulating early bookings for both the summer and upcoming winter seasons. MMPRC’s marketing initiatives such as high-impact campaigns, strategic partnerships, and targeted outreach are significantly enhancing the Maldives’ global brand, boosting booking confidence, and solidifying its position as a leading, year-round holiday destination.

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