Business
Travel Trade Maldives 2018 kicks off with second Hotelier Summit

Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) 2018 kicked off Monday with a summit dedicated to tackle the most pressing issues in the world-renowned holiday destination.
Economic minister Mohamed Saeed inaugurated the six-day, multi-event trade fair organised by local PR firm Maldives Getaways. He attended the TTM Hotelier Summit 2018 held at Bandos Maldives resort as the chief guest, and spoke about the importance of such an event to the country.
Maldives Getaways CEO Dr Hussain Sunny Umar provided the opening remarks at the event, followed by the keynote address by Ahmed Nazeer, the Secretary General of Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI).
Meanwhile, Ibrahim Ziyath, CEO of Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), commended Maldives Getaways on successfully organising the event on such a grand scale and highlighted the long-standing relationship between MTCC and Maldives Getaways.

Ibrahim Ziyath, CEO of Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), speaks at the TTM Hotelier Summit 2018. PHOTO/ MALDIVES GETAWAYS
Raufuddeen Saeed, Sub Inspector of Police, addressed the attendees on tourists safety in the Maldives. Dr. Marcus Lee, Chairman of Association of SME Business Owners (ICIF), spoke about turnaround strategies to increase Chinese visitors, which is a major market for the Maldives tourism industry.
The summit then progressed to four panel discussions, covering an array of topics ranging from growth of airport and airlines, government and national strategies to boost tourism, hotel revenue and automation, and sustainable tourism development.

A panel discussion held during TTM Hotelier Summit 2018. PHOTO/ MALDIVES GETAWAYS
Panelists included renowned figures such as Dr Ahmed Salih, Permanent Secretary at the tourism ministry; Mohamed Shahid, Managing Director of Maldives Integrated Tourism Development Corporation (MITDC); Lionnel Maugis, Chief Development Officer at Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL); Shubham Moondhara, Manager for Corporate Strategy and Business Development at Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA); Sheeraz Rasheed, Seaplane Manager at Maldivian; and Abdul Hameed Abdul Ghafoor, Managing Director of All H Maldives (ATSC Agents for AirAsia in Maldives).
Graeme D’Arcy Ryan, Hotel Area Manager at Booking.com; Najib Khan, CEO of Ooredoo Maldives; Anil Kumar Prasanna at Co-Founder and CEO of AxisRooms; Savi Godakanda, Senior Market Manager for Maldives at Expedia; Juergen Steinemetz, Chairman of eTurboNews; Feizal Samath, Correspondent at TTG Asia; and Daksh Sharma, Co-Founder and Managing Director of TravHQ Media also participated as panelists.

Industry stakeholders at TTM Hotelier Summit 2018. PHOTO/ MALDIVES GETAWAYS
Over 100 resorts and hotels from the Maldives have confirmed their participation at TTM 2018, while more than 250 international buyers and media representatives will attend the show to be held on Tuesday at the main convention centre of Dharubaaruge in capital Male. Premium Exhibitors include Adaaran Resorts, Angiri Resorts, Crown and Champa Resorts, Bandos Maldives, and Villa Hotels and Resorts.
The annual gala of TTM will take place on Wednesday evening at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi resort.
As part of TTM 2018, the first ever Maldives Supplier Expo will be held from Friday to Saturday. More than 50 suppliers will have one-on-one prescheduled meetings with officials from procurement, accounts, finance, and F&B departments of more than 100 resorts.
TTM, which was launched last year by local PR firm Maldives Getaways, aims to facilitate the tourism industry of Maldives to reach the ultimate target of two million tourists per year with over USD 3.5 billion in receipts by the end of 2020.
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.
Business
Redefining corporate retreats at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives

MICE travel is undergoing a sea change—quite literally. No longer limited to traditional conference rooms and structured schedules, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) are now about creating moments that inspire, rejuvenate, and bring teams closer together. At Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, the boundaries between business and leisure blur, offering a setting that transforms work into a pleasure.

Just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Malé, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is the ideal destination for teams looking to escape the expected. Here, brainstorming sessions take place on powder-soft beaches, where the rhythmic waves set the pace for new ideas. Mornings might begin with yoga by the ocean, followed by strategy meetings in open-air pavilions. Afternoons invite collaborative workshops under swaying palms or team-building activities that include snorkelling, paddleboarding, or even a friendly beach volleyball match.

Dining at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives elevates every corporate event with fresh, sea-to-table cuisine, designed to fuel both body and mind. From curated group dinners under star-streaked skies to themed private banquets, every meal becomes an experience in itself. For those looking to celebrate milestones or reward top performers, the resort’s scenic locations offer the perfect backdrop for gala evenings or intimate cocktail gatherings.

Accommodation blends comfort with elegance, offering ocean-view suites and beachside retreats that allow participants to rest, recharge, and return with a fresh perspective. Despite the remote charm, connectivity is never an issue—seamless Wi-Fi and business-friendly amenities ensure that productivity doesn’t pause, even in paradise.

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives turns corporate travel into something memorable. Whether it’s a leadership retreat, a high-level conference, or an incentive escape, the resort offers a canvas for events that leave lasting impressions. Here, business goals are pursued in harmony with nature, creativity flows effortlessly, and the line between work and well-being fades.
Let your next MICE experience be more than a meeting—make it a journey worth sharing.
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