Connect with us

Featured

Baa atoll councils, MPs, resorts call for nationwide plastics ban to protect environment

Published

on

All thirteen island councils in Baa atoll, the three members of parliament, and many of the leading resorts in the atoll have signed an open letter calling on the government to impose a nationwide ban on single use plastic bottles, bags and straws, which are littering beaches, killing coral reefs, and damaging the tourism industry.

In an open letter to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the signatories to the letter warn that the Maldives “is in danger of becoming another Bali: a once-pristine, tropical tourist paradise ruined by plastic litter.”

“Take a morning stroll along any beach in the Maldives and you’ll be confronted with the same sights: swaying palms, crystal clear waters, powder soft sand — and plastic garbage everywhere,” they write.

“”The Maldives is awash with plastic pollution, with single-use water and cola bottles littering the roads, beaches and lagoons, and plastic bags getting caught up in the coral reefs. Meanwhile, with no proper waste disposal, every local island in the country burns plastic waste in poisonous bonfires.”

The signatories highlight that the current government “was elected on a pledge to tackle with the plastic pollution problem. We would like to support the president as he delivers on his promise.”

“Please impose a national ban on single-use plastic bags, bottles and straws, which are needlessly tarnishing our beautiful country, and damaging the tourism industry upon which we all depend,” they write.

Signatories include Baa atoll MPs Hisaan Hussein, Ali Hussein, and Ahmed Saleem.

All of the atoll island councils – Maalhos, Kihaadhoo, Dharavandhoo, Eydhafushi, Goidhoo, Thulhaadhoo, Hithaadhoo, Kudarikilu, Kendhoo, Kamadhoo, Fulhadhoo, Fehendhoo, and Dhonfanu — also signed the call for a phase out of single use plastics.

Many of the atoll’s major resorts, including Soneva Fushi, Amilla Fushi, Finolhu, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, and Dhigufaru Island Resort, also signed on.

More than 280,000 plastic water bottles are used daily in capital Male, and 104 million non-biodegradable plastic bags were imported in the Maldives last year.

The President’s Office, and other government ministries and state-owned enterprises, recently banned the use of single-use plastic bottles.

Other countries have already taken action against single use plastic. Kenya recently banned single use plastic bags. Vanuatu has pledged to be the first Pacific country to ban plastic bottles and bags. France will bring in a total ban on plastic cups, plates, and cutlery from 2020.

Photo: Mika Rissa

Awards

RAAYA by Atmosphere wins Best Family Resort in Maldives at Travel Time Awards 2025

Published

on

RAAYA by Atmosphere has received its latest recognition at the Travel Time Awards, held in Moscow in August 2026, where the island resort was named “The Best Family Resort in the Maldives 2025”.

The award marks RAAYA’s second consecutive recognition from Travel Time, following its win as “Opening of the Year 2024”.

The recognition reflects the resort’s growing presence in the Russian travel market and its approach to family holidays in the Maldives, with a focus on shared experiences, exploration and activities designed for guests across generations.

Located on a private island in Raa Atoll, RAAYA is centred around the fictional story of Seb, a shipwrecked artist and adventurer whose narrative is incorporated throughout the resort experience. Guests can take part in island exploration, creative activities and ocean-based experiences, alongside family-oriented facilities and a range of dining options under The RAAYA Plan™.

The award was also presented during a visit to the resort by Russian film actress Katerina Shpitsa, known for productions including “Metro”, “The Crew” and “Poddubny”. During her stay, Shpitsa presented the Travel Time Awards 2025 accolade to RAAYA by Atmosphere General Manager Mario Stanic.

“Receiving this recognition for a second consecutive year is a proud moment for everyone at RAAYA,” Stanic said. “Winning the Travel Time Award 2025 for Best Family Resort is a wonderful recognition of what we stand for — bringing families together through shared experiences and lasting memories within a backdrop of a tropical island paradise.

“We are proud to create experiences that resonate with Russian families and families from around the world, offering a place to connect, discover and create memories together. We thank the awards team, our partners and our guests for their continued trust and support.”

The award adds to the international recognition received by RAAYA by Atmosphere since the resort opened in July 2024. The property has positioned its offering around experiential hospitality, design, family-focused programming and its castaway-inspired narrative.

RAAYA features 167 beach and overwater villas, a collection of dining venues and a range of land and ocean activities within its Raa Atoll setting.

With two Travel Time Awards in consecutive years, the resort continues to develop its position within the family travel segment in the Maldives.

Continue Reading

Cooking

International Chefs’ Day: Kabita Singh to cook live at Sun Siyam Olhuveli

Published

on

Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives will welcome award-winning food creator Kabita Singh, the personality behind Kabita’s Kitchen, for a special culinary residency in October to mark International Chefs’ Day on 20 October 2026.

Known for making everyday Indian cooking accessible to a wide audience, Singh will move from her digital kitchen to the Maldives, joining the resort’s culinary team for a live cooking experience created for guests.

The collaboration will bring together Singh’s approach to Indian cuisine — centred on familiar flavours, accessible recipes and an increasing focus on wholesome cooking — with Sun Siyam’s Plant Based Bliss philosophy, which promotes the nutritional and holistic benefits of plant-forward dining.

As part of the International Chefs’ Day celebrations, Singh will cook alongside Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s culinary team during a live session in front of resort guests. The experience will feature a specially curated selection of vegetarian, vegan and health-conscious dishes developed in collaboration with the resort’s chefs and inspired by Singh’s own cooking philosophy.

Guests will have the opportunity to watch Singh prepare the dishes, learn about the techniques and stories behind them, and sample her interpretation of plant-forward Indian cuisine in a Maldivian island setting.

Kabita’s Kitchen has grown from a home-cooking channel into one of India’s most widely followed food platforms, with approximately 14.6 million subscribers on YouTube alone. Singh has built her audience through content ranging from regional favourites and vegetarian staples to festive dishes, street-food classics and everyday family recipes.

Her influence within India’s food and digital content sector was recognised at the inaugural National Creators Award in 2024, where she received the Best Creator in Food Category award, presented by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“We are really excited to welcome Kabita to Olhuveli and bring a taste of Kabita’s Kitchen to the Maldives,” said Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli.

“Food is such an important part of the way people connect, and this is about bringing our guests closer to the experience, watching Kabita cook, discovering the flavours and stories behind her dishes, and of course tasting them together. Her fresh, approachable style is a great match for our Plant Based Bliss philosophy, and celebrating International Chefs’ Day together with our own culinary team makes it even more special. We want dining at Olhuveli to be fun, social and full of moments that guests remember long after they leave the island.”

Located in South Malé Atoll, Sun Siyam Olhuveli is part of Sun Siyam’s Lifestyle Collection. The resort combines beach experiences, dining, entertainment, wellness and other activities within its broader island offering.

Continue Reading

Awards

TTM Awards 2026 names You & Me Maldives Best Adults-Only Resort

Published

on

You & Me Maldives has been named Best Adults-Only Resort at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2026, recognising the resort’s positioning, guest experiences and continued focus on adults-only hospitality in the Maldives.

The award was presented during the TTM Awards & Gala 2026, held at CROSSROADS Maldives on 27 August 2026, marking the conclusion of the 10th edition of TTM Maldives. The annual awards recognise achievements, innovation and contributions across the Maldivian tourism industry.

Located in Raa Atoll, You & Me Maldives has established itself as an adults-only retreat catering to couples, honeymooners, friends and solo travellers seeking privacy and tranquillity.

The resort combines its island setting with accommodation, personalised service and experiences centred on romance, wellness, gastronomy and exploration, creating an intimate environment designed specifically for adult travellers.

The recognition comes as You & Me Maldives marks seven years of operations and welcoming guests from around the world.

“As we celebrate this important milestone, we are deeply grateful to our loyal guests, partners, and dedicated team members who have been part of this journey,” said Mohamed Imthiyaz, General Manager of You & Me Maldives.

“These seven years represent not only growth and success, but countless love stories, memories, and unforgettable experiences created on our island. Receiving the ‘Best Adults-Only Resort’ award at the TTM Awards is a tremendous honour and a reflection of the passion and dedication of our entire team.”

The Best Adults-Only Resort award further strengthens You & Me Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality sector, recognising its focus on combining an adults-only concept with personalised service and island experiences.

Looking ahead, You & Me Maldives plans to continue developing its concept and guest experience through new activities, offerings and services, while maintaining its focus on the adults-only luxury segment in the Maldives.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.