Business
International Maldives Travel Market 2018 kicks off

International Maldives Travel Market (IMTM) 2018 kicked off on Saturday.
Finance minister Ahmed Munawar inaugurated the travel trade show, which is being held at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi resort from Saturday to Sunday. Officials from relevant government authorities and partner organisations attended the inauguration ceremony held at the event venue Saturday morning.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mohamed Farshath, the Managing Director of IMTM Pvt Ltd, said the international travel trade fair seeks to provide a cost-effective internal platform which can garner a major collective industry presence.
“IMTM 2018 is different from most conventional travel and trade fairs in the sense that at IMTM 2018 hosted buyers (tour operators and travel agencies) are stationed at private meeting spaces acting as exhibitors,” he said.
“One of the key aspects of IMTM 2018 is the provision of a semi-formal setting by hosting the exhibition in a pristine tropical resort in the Maldives. Thus, allowing participants to indulge in a true Maldivian holiday experience before, during and after the official exhibition dates.”
IMTM has received endorsements from key industry stakeholders, including the tourism ministry, Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), Liveaboard Association of Maldives (LAM), Association of Travel Agents (ATA) Maldives and Guesthouse Association of Maldives (GAM).
Partners that have signed up with IMTM include Dhiraagu, Astrabon, Stage Core, Maldives Ports Limited (MPL), Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), Allied Insurance Company, Greater Male Industrial Zone Limited, Resort Life Travel, Capital Travel, Coca-Cola, Cyprea Card Centre, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Kaimoo Hotels, Housing Development Corporation (HDC), Metal Signs, Maagiri Hotel and Print Lab Creative.
Maldives Insider, Public Service Media (PSM), MV Hotels and The Island Chief have been assigned as the media partners of IMTM 2018.
IMTM is the first international travel and trade fair to be held at a resort.
The event brings together 33 leading international tour operators and travel agencies, representing 19 countries to explore new opportunities and liaise with a major representation of the Maldives tourism industry. It also accommodates over 100 participants from the local tourism industry, including representatives from resorts, hotels, guesthouses, liveaboards, dive centres, tour operators and travel agencies.
In order to sustain the hospitality and tourism industry of Maldives, IMTM is actively trying to create solutions and solve the problems that the industry is facing, especially those businesses that are trying hard to thrive but are unable to attend international fairs due to the hefty cost involved.
IMTM’s long term vision is to promote Maldives as an emerging world class MICE destination.
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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