Business
Fushifaru Maldives opens
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Fushifaru Maldives has welcomed the first group of guests.
Owned and operated by Fushifaru Investments, part of Muni Enterprises which has an existing portfolio of luxury safari boats and residences as well as a travel agency, the brand new resort of Fushifaru opened its shores to guests on Monday.
Located on the far north east border of the northern Lhaviyani atoll and accessible by a 35-minute seaplane flight from the Maldives main Velana International Airport, the exquisite island of Fushifaru is home to an extraordinary landscape above and below the waterline. With ‘Fushi’ meaning ‘island’ and ‘Faru’ meaning ‘reef’ in local Dhivehi language, Fushifaru is an ideal reflection of its name.
The island is uniquely positioned between two channels connecting the atoll’s inner lagoon to the vast Indian Ocean. The bigger of the two channels, Fushifaru Kandu is a national Marine Protected Area teeming with marine life. Fushifaru Kandu is home to three iconic dive sites including the renowned Fushifaru Thila, one of the Maldives most popular dive spots and a marine cleaning station where sums of cleaner fish attract the likes of manta rays, turtles and many more.
Only a few metres away is the island’s very own sandbank, perfect for desert island getaways and all day lounging.
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The sandbank accessible from Fushifaru Maldives. PHOTO/ FUSHIFARU
Accommodation
Forty-nine beach and overwater villas exude luxurious coziness with carefully selected amenities. Various categories of villas face the Maakandu (open ocean), Etherevari (lagoon) or Kandu-Olhi (channel) reflecting designs inspired by their locations on the island.
Guests can choose from 18 beach villas with private plunge pool, 26 beach villas and five water villas, all with stunning outdoor bathrooms, large outdoor decking, 43” IPTV, Egyptian-cotton linen and 24-hour personalised ‘Resident’ service, the island’s very own butler service concept.
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A beach pool villa at Fushifaru Maldives. PHOTO/ FUSHIFARU
Restaurants and Bars
Fushifaru has three food and beverage outlets that will take guests on a gastronomic journey starting at Korakali for an international breakfast, lunch and dinner, while Raakani Grill showcases signature Asian recipes with a focus on the finest local seafood. Fanihandhi Bar is perfect for catching some sun with a cocktail in hand or unwinding to a famous Maldivian sunset.
Guests can also choose from a variety of dining experiences such as a private sandbank picnic, dinner on the deck of your own villa or even aboard the resort’s private yacht. Your ‘Resident’ will stop at nothing to curate a truly memorable experience.
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Destination dining at Fushifaru Maldives. PHOTO/ FUSHIFARU
Heylhi Spa
Heylhi Spa has five treatment rooms or sanctuaries that embody the spirit of rejuvenation; a concept inspired by the Cleaner Wrasse fish found commonly throughout the island’s reef. Designed with lush, green surroundings, the spa echoes its name Heylhi, which in Dhivehi refers to jungle-like vegetation found at the shoreline. Each treatment room resembles traditional Maldivian cottages, complete with outdoor garden bathrooms.
Through the island’s partnership with renowned UK well-being experts Aromatherapy Associates, combined with an indigenous product range from local artisans, Heylhi Spa is the beating heart of Fushifaru.
Activities
From a state-of-the-art gym and multi-sports court, to paddle boarding, snorkelling, diving and semi-submarine expeditions, activities are endless at Fushifaru. For an insight into coral rehabilitation and marine education, a resident marine biologist is on hand to share lessons on conservation and conduct guided snorkelling tours around the island and nearby reefs.
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Water sports at Fushifaru Maldives. PHOTO/ FUSHIFARU
Island Excursions
For a glimpse into island living and local culture, Fushifaru is only a 20-minute speedboat ride away from the atoll’s capital island Naifaru. For the last five years, Naifaru has been home to the atoll’s turtle conservation programme, championing numerous social and sustainability volunteer activities.
An 18-minute speedboat ride takes you to Felivaru where one of the Maldives largest fish canning factories is located.
The island of Hinnavaru is also just a 15-minute speedboat ride away, offering an immersive experience of local island life.
As Fushifaru begins welcoming guests, the resort has announced an introductory offer as well.
Under the offer, bookings made from now until the end of November for stays between November 1 to January 31, 2018 are eligible for discounts of up to 50 percent. The offer applies to all villa categories, but comes with a minimum stay requirement of three nights.
Business
Maldives celebrates arrival of 2024’s 1 millionth tourist
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Maldives on Thursday welcomed the one millionth tourist to visit this year.
The one millionth tourist is a Thai named Sutapa Amonwivat, who arrived from Singapore with her husband and two children. This is her second visit to Maldives.
Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and the Ministry of Tourism gave a warm welcome to Sutapa at the Velana International Airport (VIA) Thursday afternoon. She was welcomed at the VIA by tourism minister Ibrahim Faisal, MMPRC Managing Director Ibrahim Shiury and senior officials of various relevant agencies.
After welcoming her with traditional offerings, she was presented with various gifts by the ministry, MMPRC, customs, immigration, Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) and Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA).
Maldives reached one million tourists in June, three weeks earlier than last year. The number of tourists reached one million on July 16, 2023.
Maldives expects to reach 2 million tourists this year.
Business
New air route connects Chongqing to Maldives
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Chongqing Airlines on Monday began its inaugural flights to Maldives.
The Chongqing-Male route, scheduled three times a week, is expected to strengthen the bonds between China and the Maldives, opening up exciting new opportunities for tourism and cultural exchange.
The inaugural flight was welcomed upon its arrival at Velana International Airport (VIA) in Maldives, where local officials and tourism representatives expressed their enthusiasm for this new development.
“We warmly welcome our friends from China to our beautiful islands. This new connection strengthens our bonds and opens up new opportunities for tourism,” the tourism ministry said on X.
Maldives currently welcomes four airlines from China, including China Eastern, Beijing Capital Airlines, Xiamen Airlines.
In January, Maldives government urged tourism stakeholders in both Maldives and China to ramp up efforts to restore China’s position as the primary source market for Maldives tourism, a status held before the onset of Covid-19.
China, being the largest source market for Maldives tourism before the pandemic, saw a resumption of tourist arrivals from January 2023 after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. In 2023, the Maldives welcomed 187,118 Chinese tourists, marking a significant recovery in numbers. This year, the Maldives has welcomed the most number of tourists from China, with over 107,940 or 11.5 percent of total arrivals by June 12.
Business
CROSSROADS Maldives Introduces Weixin Pay at resorts for seamless guest experience
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CROSSROADS Maldives has introduced WeChat Pay, widely known as Weixin Pay in China, across its world-class resorts, SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives. This payment option is made available to enhance the convenience and overall experience for guests from China, making their stay in the Maldives more enjoyable and hassle-free.
Understanding the needs of the diverse guests, CROSSROADS Maldives has integrated WeChat Pay into operations, allowing guests from China to easily and securely conduct transactions using a payment method familiar to them. The introduction of WeChat Pay is a testament to CROSSROADS Maldives’ dedication to enhancing guest satisfaction by offering exceptional experiences at every turn. What is also expected through this initiative is that the guests could benefit from better foreign exchange rates, translating to better savings on their expenditures during their stay.
The option is available for guests in-house conveniently at both resorts as well as across the Marina at CROSSROADS Maldives where a wider variety of unparalleled dining and retail experiences are available for all guests. The day visitors from China will also therefore equally benefit from this new introduction at the Maldives’ premier multi-island integrated leisure destination.
SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, is a vibrant tropical escape that offers unique and locally inspired experiences. The resort features spacious rooms and villas, a variety of dining options, and an array of recreational activities designed to cater to the desires of modern travellers. Guests can escape to the island’s SAiisational natural beauty, enjoy water sports, and indulge in spa treatments, all while relishing the personalised service that defines Hilton’s Curio Collection.
Hard Rock Hotel Maldives brings the iconic Hard Rock spirit to the tranquil shores of the Maldives. This family-friendly resort offers a perfect blend of relaxation and entertainment, featuring music-inspired experiences, live performances, and the brand’s signature amenities. With luxurious accommodations, diverse dining options, and a plethora of activities for all ages, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives ensures an unforgettable holiday experience for every guest.
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