Business
MAHRP partners with Ooredoo to host Maldives’ first National HR Convention & Expo

Maldives Association of Human Resource Professionals (MAHRP) has partnered with Ooredoo Maldives to host the first ever National HR Convention & Expo in Maldives.
Ooredoo signed up as the title sponsor of the two-day event, which is set to take place on from March 4-5, at a ceremony held at the telecom giant’s headquarters in capital Male Sunday afternoon. MAHRP President Hussain Afeef and Ooredoo’s Director of Human Resources Mohamed Shahid signed the partnership agreement, in the presence of MAHRP Executive Secretary Ali Adam and Ooredoo’s Director of Sales and Brand Hussain Niyaz.
“The role of human resources as a strategic partner of the business is more important than ever. Forums such as the National HR Convention & Expo is imperative in setting new bench marks in excellence for the Human Resources professional network in the Maldives. We are honoured to be part of this excellent platform and hope it will provide an enriching experience for participating HR professionals,” Najib Khan, CEO of Ooredoo Maldives, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
MAHRP President Afeef thanked Ooredoo for partnering with his organisation in hosting the landmark convention.
“We chose Ooredoo Maldives as they have set new heights and benchmarks in the area of HR best practices, making the company one of the best employers in the country. We believe this partnership will add value to MAHRP and its members,” Afeef, who also serves as the Regional Director of Training, Development and Quality Assurance at LUX* Resorts, said.
Endorsed by the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) of Sri Lanka and World HRD Congress of India, the largest gathering of HR professionals in the Maldives will take place from March 4-5, 2019 at the main convention centre of Dharubaaruge in capital Male.
Aimed to provide transformational experiences for all speakers and participations, the National HR Convention and Expo 2019 is set to be the ultimate platform to feature the latest HR innovations, strategies, insights, and domestic and international best practices by the most influential and respected HR leaders, speakers and practitioners from the Maldives and the region. The expo will feature various services and solutions for managing day-to-day HR practices and functions within organisations.
The theme for the inaugural edition of the convention is, “Future of HR and Work”. Keynote speakers and other presenters will share best practices and highlights covering four main areas: Talent Development and Culture, Employee Wellness and Engagement, Innovation and Digitalisation in HR Practices, and HR as a Business Partner and Future of Work.
Amongst the six keynote addresses, Avi Liran, Chief Delighting Officer at Delivering Delights, will speak on the topic of ‘Creating Delightful HR Experiences’, whilst Jerome Joseph, Chief Delighting Officer and CEO at Brand Theater, will touch upon the concept of ‘Internal Branding and Employee Experience’. Founder and Chairman of World HRD Congress Dr RL Bhatia, Head of Research and Thought Leadership at CIPD Edward Houghton, President of Asia Professional Speakers Association Fredrik Haren, and author and speaker Su Patel will also deliver keynote addresses on the topic of ‘Further of HR and Work’.
Twenty presentations and speeches will be delivered on a range of topics, including ‘HR Innovation and Digitalisation’, ‘Talent Development and Culture’, ‘Future of Work and HR in Hospitality World’, and ‘Future of Work and Data’. Confirmed speakers and presenters include some of the most well-known names in the local HR professionals network:
- Ibrahim Inaz, Resort Manager at S Resorts & Hotels
- Adam Naseer, Director Technical Services at Auditor General’s Office
- Ali Adam, Manager Human Resources at Universal Enterprises
- Dr Ahmed Shahid, Dean of Faculty of Research at Villa College
- Hassan Saeed, Resort Manager at Dhigali Maldives
During the two-day convention, two panel discussions will take place on the topics of ‘HR as a Business Partner’ and ‘Employee Wellness and Engagement’. Panelists include Head of HR Business Partner at Bank of Maldives Ahmed Ibrahim, Cluster Director of HR at S Hotels & Resorts Aminath Shaly, Director of Human Resources at Villa Shipping & Trading Ibrahim Moosa, and Speaker and Trainer at Empowering All Masood Ali.
MAHRP is the first professional association registered in the Maldives, dedicated to human resources and people development.
Registration is now open for National HR Convention and EXPO 2019. Individual participants can register through the link https://form.jotform.me/
Business
2 decades of culinary excellence: BBM’s founding legacy with Hotel Asia continues in 2025

Hotel Asia Exhibition and International Culinary Challenge is referred to be the hospitality industry event in the Maldives. In this year’s Culinary Challenge (19 to 22 October 2025) comprising competitions over 20 categories, most will take place at the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies, Maldives National University, and some at the Synthetic Track, Hulhumalé.

A Founding Partnership that Endures
Since the very first edition in 2001, Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) has played a central role in shaping the International Culinary Challenge into the Maldives’ most prestigious culinary platform. The event has become a cornerstone for professional development, bringing together chefs from across the Maldives to compete, learn, and showcase their craft.

BBM and their associated Principals sponsor an overwhelming majority of categories. “From the beginning, our goal has been to create opportunities for Maldivian chefs to rise to global standards. This partnership has grown with the industry itself,” said A.V.S. Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer of BBM.

Nurturing Local Talent
BBM’s contribution extends beyond sponsorship. The company has built a long-term system for recognizing and developing local culinary talent.
- BBM Chairman’s Trophy for the Best Maldivian Competitor.
- Most Promising Young Chef Award for emerging talent.
- Global exposure programs for Maldivian chefs through sponsored participation in international events.
- Pro-bono Masterclasses with world-renowned chefs to encourage learning and innovation.
Investing in the Future of Hospitality
Through initiatives such as Building Young Talent, BBM continues to mentor aspiring professionals and support the next generation of chefs. The company also promotes inclusivity by sponsoring opportunities for female and young chefs to gain international exposure.
BBM’s industry partnerships include its role as Title Sponsor of the Hotelier Maldives Awards, celebrating excellence across the Maldivian hospitality sector.

Proud Sponsors of Culinary Excellence
In 2025, BBM and its partner brands proudly sponsor 14 competition categories and 8 Main Awards, further strengthening their role in the development of culinary arts in the Maldives. Categories include Decorated Cake, Artistic Showpiece, Bread and Pastry Display, Three Desserts (Display), Desserts, Rice Dish, Asian Noodles, Team Challenge, Maldivian Dish, Creative Sandwich, Young Chef, Tea Challenge, tapas/finger food, and Iced Mocktail.
Business
Bestbuy Maldives, MNU forge partnership to advance hospitality education

The Maldives National University – Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies (MNU-FHTS) and Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen industry-academic collaboration and advance hospitality education in the Maldives.
The MoU was signed by Dr Aishath Shehenaz Adam, Vice Chancellor of MNU, and Ismail Hilmy, Chairman and Managing Director of BBM, during a ceremony attended by the university’s Chancellor Dr Mahmood Shaugee, senior management, and representatives from both organisations.
This partnership marks a significant milestone in developing a state-of-the-art Food and Beverage Practical Demonstration Kitchen at MNU-FHTS. BBM will support the upgrading of the existing Garde Manger kitchen and classrooms, contributing financially and materially to create a modern, industry-standard learning environment for future hospitality professionals.
Beyond infrastructure, the collaboration will extend to academic and training support, research and innovation in culinary arts, community engagement, and professional networking opportunities, ensuring that students gain practical, real-world experience aligned with industry expectations.
Highlighting the broader purpose of this partnership, BBM stated that, “This is a significant step in the direction of BBM’s vision involving hospitality industry outreach in the Maldives — because tomorrows start today. Initially, we will set up a world-class model kitchen that will be suitable for masterclasses and hands-on training for students; and also for product demonstrations, masterclasses, and interaction with groups of customers.”
Speaking at the ceremony, representatives from both institutions emphasised their shared vision to promote excellence in education, innovation, and human capital development in the Maldivian hospitality sector. This partnership underscores BBM’s continued commitment to supporting education and industry growth, and MNU-FHTS’s mission to bridge the gap between academia and industry — nurturing the next generation of hospitality leaders in the Maldives.
Business
SATA 2025 announces partnerships; confirms Hotelier Maldives, Maldives Insider as Media Partners

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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