Featured
Carpe Diem partners with Loliware to bring world’s first biodegradable, edible straw to Maldives
Carpe Diem Maldives has partnered with Loliware to bring the world’s first biodegradable and edible straw to the Maldives.
It is widely claimed there are enough plastic straws to wrap around the Earth’s circumference 2.5 times each day. Because they are so small, most straws are not recycled and usually end up in landfills and waterways, where they linger indefinitely, harming wildlife, and marring the natural beauty.
Made to disappear and designed to have the same functionality expected of a plastic straw, Lolistraw will last for up to eight hours in a beverage and will have a shelf life of up to 24 months. When you are done sipping your drink, you can eat the straw or compost it.
The founders of LOLIWARE and the straw’s designers, Chelsea Briganti and Leigh Ann Tucker, have coined the term “hyper-compostable” to convey that all of their products, including Lolistraw, will break down at the same rate as food waste in compost or in the natural environment, such as a waterway.
The Maldives is surrounded 99 percent by ocean, straddles the equator and is home to some of the world’s most precious coral reefs and marine life. Considerations towards protecting the environment are a key influencer in all business decisions for Carpe Diem Maldives.
“In 10 years of operating our dive safari cruises across The Maldives, we’re always looking for ways to reduce our waste footprint. For example, we’ve never had one-time use bottles on our boats, each guest receives a durable plastic water bottle that they take home with them,” explains Agnes van Linden, Assistant Managing Director of Carpe Diem Maldives.
“When we were looking last year for new sustainable solutions to bring to our upcoming resort, I came across the Lolistraw project on Kickstarter. The management team and I carefully researched all the information and we all knew it was a winner. We had to seize the day and the opportunity, like our company name, while at the same time supporting this great innovation get off the ground.”
Carpe Diem’s Carpe Vita in Raa atoll. PHOTO/ CARPE DIEM
Carpe Diem Maldives is just one of two main Lolistraw Launch Partners from the Kickstarter project, with close to 1000 other smaller donation supporters.
“Our world needs a radically new approach to our daily consumption of single-use plastics which too often go to landfill or pollute oceans. Our solutions transform disposables into ‘’plant fuel’ through composting, or ‘human fuel’ through consumption,” observed LOLIWARE Co-Founder Leigh Ann Tucker.
Made from a new seaweed-based material, the initial texture is like plastic, but can be made with a flavour or with added nutrients. On Carpe Diem Cruises and at the upcoming resort, the chosen lime flavour will add to the experience when sipping a cocktail, a simple glass of water or a refreshing coconut juice.
“It transforms while you’re using it to where you can actually bite into it afterward and eat it,” Leigh Ann Tucker noted.
“But when you first pick it up and put it into your drink, it’s going to feel like a plastic straw.”
For those who do not want to eat the straw, it is also compostable and marine degradable. Unlike another material often used for compostable utensils–PLA, which is often made from corn starch–Loliware breaks down easily, so it can be composted in a home system rather than requiring industrial composting equipment. If the seaweed-based straw happens to end up in the ocean, it will dissolve, which is excellent news for the pristine waters of the Maldives, and any unassuming hungry marine life that might swimming by.
“We’re not telling the consumer, hey, you can’t have your straw. We’re providing them a solution to the plastic straw crisis while also giving them a fun experience on top of that. It’s not about the consumer sacrificing anymore, it’s about the consumer having fun and being sustainable at the same time. There are some bioplastics that just break down into smaller pieces, whereas Lolistraw is designed to literally disappear,” says Chelsea Briganti.
The lime-flavoured Lolistraws will available in August on all three Carpe Diem Cruises offering seven and 10 day dive safaris while staying on the luxury liveaboard vessels, as well as at the 115-pool villa Carpe Diem Beach Resort and Spa when it opens in September this year.
Since 2008, the award-winning hospitality group Carpe Diem Maldives has been operating luxury dive and surf liveaboard cruises, sharing the beauty of the Maldivian waters with adventurous travellers. Carpe Diem is the only liveaboard operator in the Maldives to offer diving adventures with a team of all-Maldivian dive masters.
With the expansion into resorts, Carpe Diem Maldives becomes the only hospitality brand in the country to offer year-round liveaboard cruises that can be combined with a resort stay.
Dhigali Maldives has officially commenced its festive season in grand style, highlighted by the lighting of its sustainable driftwood Christmas trees—a cherished tradition that combines creativity with environmental awareness. Enhancing the evening’s charm, the resort’s Christmas carollers surprised guests with a lively dance performance, spreading festive cheer and excitement.
This year, the resort unveiled a captivating Christmas train, designed to transport guests around the island with a delightful touch of holiday magic. To celebrate the season’s arrival, a vibrant street market was organised, offering an array of cuisines prepared by the resort’s skilled chefs. The market created an authentic and lively atmosphere, bringing guests together in celebration.
The festivities continue with a dynamic lineup of events, including a Classic Christmas celebration and a Tropical Carnival-themed New Year’s party. Guests can anticipate live entertainment, mesmerising fire and samba dancers, and a cultural highlight with the Dhigali Island Fire Ritual, which blends tradition with dazzling performances to create unforgettable experiences.
This holiday season at Dhigali Maldives promises to deliver a truly magical experience, where the tropical allure of the island meets the joy of the holidays.
The Maldives has long been synonymous with romance, and now it takes centre stage in Condé Nast Traveller’s curated list of the ‘Most Romantic Places in the World’. The magazine highlights the archipelago’s unparalleled ability to create dreamlike escapes for couples, setting a gold standard for intimate getaways.
From the moment you set foot in the Maldives, the enchantment begins. Confetti-like tropical fish flit through crystal-clear lagoons, while overwater villas offer vistas of mantas gliding gracefully beneath. Add in the luxury of floating breakfasts served in your private pool and intimate dinners on pristine beaches, and you have the perfect recipe for romance.
Condé Nast Traveller notes that while the Maldives caters to families too, its essence of romance is unrivalled. The country’s private island resorts, nestled amid lush jungles and encircled by house reefs, redefine luxury. With world-class spas, fine dining, and starlit experiences, the Maldives effortlessly marries natural beauty with bespoke hospitality.
The Maldives is home to some of the world’s most celebrated resorts, and Condé Nast highlights a few that stand out:
- Vakkaru Maldives: A lush retreat where couples can enjoy a private dinner and movie at the island’s jungle cinema under the stars.
- Six Senses Laamu: The brand’s latest addition to the Maldives offers an exceptional spa experience, complete with a couples’ suite for ultimate relaxation.
- Gili Lankanfushi Maldives: This eco-luxury resort epitomises romantic aesthetics with its overwater villas set against one of the country’s most mesmerszing lagoons.
For hoteliers and hospitality professionals in the Maldives, this recognition underscores the archipelago’s enduring allure as a romantic haven. It’s a reminder of the importance of maintaining world-class service, crafting unique guest experiences, and preserving the pristine beauty that defines the Maldives.
The Condé Nast Traveller mention is more than just an accolade; it’s an opportunity for local hoteliers to further cement the Maldives’ position as the ultimate destination for couples seeking an off-grid escape steeped in romance.
As the Maldives continues to set benchmarks in hospitality, there’s no doubt that its reputation as a lovers’ paradise will only grow stronger. For the industry, this is a call to celebrate the archipelago’s unique offerings and ensure that each guest leaves with memories as enduring as the turquoise waters that surround them.
Celebration
Ring in 2025 with spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration at JEN Maldives Malé by Shangri-La
As the countdown to 2025 approaches, JEN Maldives Malé by Shangri-La invites guests to celebrate the New Year with a festive feast and a toast to new beginnings. This unforgettable evening promises an array of culinary delights, live music, and exciting giveaways.
On 31st December 2024, guests can indulge in an exquisite buffet at Azur Restaurant, featuring a wide variety of flavours, including a selection of tapas, live grills, and decadent desserts. The festive ambiance will be enhanced by live music, setting the perfect tone to welcome the New Year. In addition to the celebration, JEN Maldives will offer exclusive giveaways, providing guests with the opportunity to win amazing prizes.
“We are delighted to end the year on a high note by expressing our gratitude to our valued guests,” said Manisha Chhetri, F&B Manager at JEN Maldives Malé. “This New Year’s Eve, we aim to create an evening filled with joy, delicious food, and exciting surprises as we welcome 2025 together.”
Guests attending the New Year’s Eve gala dinner will have the chance to win one of the following prizes:
- A 3-day, 2-night stay in a deluxe room at Shangri-La Singapore, including daily breakfast for 2 adults
- An exclusive Pool Brunch experience for 2 people at JEN Maldives Malé by Shangri-La
- A 1-hour Balinese massage for 1 person at Aristo Spa
The winners will be selected and announced on the same night, following the countdown celebration at Azur Restaurant. JEN Maldives Malé by Shangri-La invites guests to join this unforgettable evening, with gala dinner tickets available for purchase directly at the hotel.
-
Featured1 week agoSAii Lagoon Maldives achieves Gold certification for sustainability excellence
-
Featured1 week agoJW Marriott Maldives unveils luxury wellness escape
-
Featured1 week agoELE|NA champions mindfulness on World Digital Detox Day
-
Awards1 week agoForbes Travel Guide ranks Maldives among top destinations for 2025
-
Celebration1 week agoCinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives welcomes Santa on scooters for festive island Christmas
-
Fashion1 week agoAquazzura collaborates with JOALI Maldives to launch Maldives’ first-ever limited-edition capsule collection
-
Family1 week agoJourney of renewal, family bonding: Celebrate Easter 2025 at The Nautilus Maldives
-
Action7 days agoHoliday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives presents Active Escapes 2025