Business
Fantasy Maldives hosts first dedicated trade event with world-renowned Master Chefs
Fantasy Pvt Ltd, the leading wholesale and retail supplier of high-end food products in Maldives, has hosted its first ever dedicated trade event, bringing in some of the most celebrated chefs in the world for epic culinary demonstrations.
Organised jointly by Fantasy and its Australian partner Sepia International, the “2019 Fantasy and Sepia Trade Days” took place from July 15-17 at Kurumba Maldives. It was inaugurated by tourism minister Ali Waheed.
“We are delighted to host a dedicated event for our products for the first time. An exclusive event of this nature allows us to give more prominence to our products and to better connect with our existing and potential customers. We are thrilled by the great turnout and response received from the attendees,” Ibrahim Rasheed, the owner of Fantasy, told Maldives Insider during the event.
“We are always on the look out for innovative ways to maintain our position as the market leader in the distribution of high-end food products to resorts. This event is one of those initiatives undertaken by our team and we hope this will become one of the most prestigious events in the Maldivian culinary scene.”
During the three-day event, chefs, purchasing managers and other officials from hotels and resorts in the Maldives had the opportunity to explore the wide variety of food products distributed by Fantasy. The products on display included some of the most well-known brands amongst chefs around the world such as Elle & Vire, Rougié, Callebaut, Valrhona, Komplet, Stagioni, Pidy and more.

The Fantasy and Sepia Trade Days also brought in the biggest collection of the world’s best Master Chefs to the Maldives. Attendees had the unique chance to meet and learn from some of the world’s best Master Chefs in a daily schedule of tastings, demonstrations and Master Classes.
- Master Chef Fabrice Prochasson: MOF (1996), President of the Académie Culinaire de France
- Master Pastry Chef Angelo Musa: MOF (2007), World Pastry Champion (2003) and Best Craftsman of France
- Master Chef Ludovic Chesnay: Pastry instructor at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute and Culinary Adviser at Elle & Vire International
- Master Chef Pascal Rio has 33 years of experiences under his belt in French Pastry and Gastronomy. He has conducted professional pastry classes in 22 countries and is a well sought after consultant.
“It’s good to be back in the Maldives. I was here 20 years back for my vacation and it’s good to come back here in my professional capacity. So much has changed over the years and I’m happy to see tourism flourishing and Maldivians being involved in the industry,” Chef Angelo Muso said.
“The event was well-organised and well-received. I hope to see more events of this nature in the Maldives.”
Established in 1988 by Ibrahim Rasheed, Fantasy has become synonymous with quality and has been serving the Maldivian hospitality industry for the past 30 years with a well-managed and professional team. Today, Fantasy supplies to nearly all the high-end tourist resorts in the Maldives such as Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, One&Only Reethi Rah, Anantara Maldives, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives, Soneva and W Maldives amongst others.
The company takes pride in being the trusted leader in the market, sourcing the very best food products from across the globe and supplying them to its customers in the finest condition. Its distribution network is supported with cold storages, warehouses and a fleet of temperature-controlled vehicles — another first in the Maldives.
Business
BBM renews as Title Partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards under multi-year agreement
Hotelier Maldives has announced Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) as the Title Partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 under a multi-year agreement, reaffirming one of the longest-standing partnerships behind the publication’s flagship hospitality recognition platform.
The 2026 edition marks the third consecutive year that BBM has served as Title Partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards, having supported the event in the same capacity since its launch in 2024. BBM has also backed Hotelier Maldives’ second flagship event, GM Forum, every year since 2023, with 2026 set to mark its fourth year as a Silver Partner of the forum.
The continued partnership reflects a shared commitment to recognising the people behind the Maldives’ tourism industry while supporting platforms that encourage industry dialogue, leadership and professional development.
Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 entered its public voting phase on 15 March 2026, with voting set to remain open for one month. Winners will be announced at the gala ceremony on 26 April 2026 at NIVA Kurumba Maldives.
Commenting on the partnership, Ali Naafiz, Editor of Hotelier Maldives, said: “BBM has been a valued partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards since the very beginning, and we are pleased to formalise this continued support through a multi-year agreement. Their decision to return as Title Partner for a third consecutive year reflects not only the strength of our relationship, but also a shared belief in the importance of recognising the people who drive excellence across the Maldives’ hospitality industry.
“BBM has also consistently supported GM Forum over the years, making them one of the most committed partners across our event platforms. We are proud to continue working together as we strengthen both Hotelier Maldives Awards and GM Forum as annual fixtures for the industry.”
AVS Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer of BBM, said: “At BBM, we have always believed that a strong hospitality industry is built by strong people, and Hotelier Maldives Awards provides an important national platform to recognise the professionals whose work often takes place behind the scenes. We are pleased to continue as Title Partner of the awards under this multi-year agreement, while also extending our support to GM Forum for a fourth consecutive year.
“As a company that has grown alongside the Maldives’ hospitality sector, we value opportunities that celebrate talent, encourage professional pride and contribute to the long-term development of the industry. Our continued partnership with Hotelier Maldives reflects that commitment.”
Bestbuy Maldives is one of the country’s leading importers and distributors, serving the hospitality, HORECA and retail sectors with a broad portfolio of international brands. The company positions itself as a partner to the Maldivian hospitality industry, supplying products from around the world across key business verticals including resorts, foodservice and retail.
Hotelier Maldives Awards continues to recognise the contributions of resort-based hospitality professionals across the Maldives, highlighting both individual excellence and team performance. The awards programme remains the country’s only dedicated recognition platform focused on professionals working in resort operations. The current public voting round allows industry stakeholders, colleagues, guests and the wider public to take part in selecting this year’s winners.
The growing list of confirmed partners for Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 includes Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) as Title Partner, Dhiraagu as Platinum Partner, Storm Events as Organising Partner, NIVA, Kurumba Maldives as Host Partner, Souvenir Marine as Transport Partner, ALIA as Associate Sponsor, and Lightsout Studios as Associate Partner. More partners and sponsors will be announced soon.
Business
Feydhoo Hall opens at dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives as new event space
Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has announced the opening of Feydhoo Hall, a landmark event venue at dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, redefining the possibilities for meetings, celebrations, and destination events in the Maldives.
Designed to bring scale, flexibility, and creativity to island gatherings, Feydhoo Hall represents a bold step forward in positioning the Maldives as a dynamic destination for conferences, weddings, and large-scale social occasions.
Feydhoo Hall offers a versatile event complex designed to accommodate a wide range of gatherings, from corporate meetings and conferences to weddings and social celebrations.

At its core is the 390 sqm Main Hall, capable of hosting:
- Up to 300 guests in theatre-style setup
- Up to 240 guests for dining and banquet-style events
- Up to 200 guests for cocktail-style receptions
- Up to 144 guests in cluster-round configuration
Enhancing the flexibility of the venue are additional dedicated spaces, including:
- A 110 sqm Veranda Terrace, ideal for welcome receptions, breakout sessions, and pre-event gatherings, accommodating up to 100 guests for cocktail-style events.
- A spacious 1,000 sqm Lawn Space, perfect for large-scale outdoor celebrations, destination weddings, and open-air events, accommodating up to 400 guests for cocktail receptions and up to 350 guests for dining setups.
- The 55 sqm Ekugai Meeting Room, designed for smaller meetings and executive sessions, accommodating up to 30 guests in theatre or dining setup and 24 guests in cluster-round format.
Together, these integrated spaces create a seamless indoor-outdoor event experience, allowing planners to design dynamic and personalised event journeys.
True to the dusitD2 brand’s lifestyle-driven philosophy, Feydhoo Hall introduces a fresh approach to meetings and events — where productivity meets creativity in an inspiring island setting.
The venue offers flexible meeting formats designed to suit different event needs, including:
- Half-Day Meeting Package (4 hours) — ideal for focused sessions, executive meetings, and creative workshops.
- Full-Day Meeting Package (8 hours) — designed for immersive conferences, extended workshops, and large-scale corporate gatherings.
These thoughtfully structured packages provide planners with the flexibility to create impactful and seamless experiences, whether hosting intimate strategy sessions or dynamic full-day events.

Located just seven minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives combines accessibility with vibrant lifestyle energy, offering event planners and guests a rare balance between convenience and tropical escape.
With the introduction of Feydhoo Hall, the resort strengthens its position as a versatile destination — not only for leisure travellers but also for international conferences, creative retreats, luxury weddings, and large-scale social celebrations seeking something refreshingly different in the Maldives.
Business
BBM expands retail presence with new Hulhumalé outlet
Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) opened a new wholesale store in Hulhumalé Phase 2 on Monday.
The outlet is located on the ground floor of Lot 20286, Nirolhu Magu, and is intended to improve access to BBM’s imported goods for residents of Hulhumalé Phase 2 and for businesses operating in the area.
According to the company, the opening forms part of its plan to expand services closer to customers in line with population growth in Hulhumalé.
With the opening of the new store, BBM’s full range of imported and distributed products will be available at the Hulhumalé Phase 2 location. These include consumer goods from international brands such as Lifebuoy, Vaseline and Unilever.
The store will also stock wholesale food products from brands including Daily, Cavin’s and Redman.
BBM has supplied goods to resorts, hotels and retail outlets across the Maldives for several years.
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