Featured
Maldives okays 27 new foreign investments in tourism

Maldives has approved 27 new foreign investments in tourism in the past eight months, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced Monday.
Speaking at a function held Monday evening to unveil the framework of a new tourism master plan, President Solih said 28 separate investors have expressed interest in undertaking projects in the Maldives. Twenty-seven of these have already been approved by the government, he added.
“… investors are now anticipating a period of political stability for the future in which the Maldives will honour our contractual obligations,” the president said.
Remarking on the importance of working alongside the private sector, the president highlighted the need to reduce several of the logistical impediments to businesses interested in working in the tourism sector, to further progress the industry. He reiterated that his administration is committed to working hand in hand with private industries to address such obstacles and enhance the ease of doing business within the tourism industry.
President Solih also expressed his satisfaction at the pace of progress of this important industry, which is the mainstay of the Maldivian economy. He referenced statistics indicating that tourist arrivals have increased by 18.7 per cent in the past six months alone.
The president’s comments come weeks after real estate consultancy firm JLL projected that the Maldives’ hospitality industry was on course to see its most active year with more than USD 450 million worth of resort transactions either completed or under offer.
Official figures show that 144 resorts, 12 hotels, 508 guesthouses and 148 liveaboard vessels are currently registered in the Maldives. The number of registered travel agencies and dive schools stand at 308 and 272 respectively.
Government had earlier said that a total of 132 tourism projects involving 140 islands are underway across the Maldives.
The new government had also ramped up tourism promotion with new initiatives and more funding.
Authorities have come under fire from private organisations representing industry stakeholders such as the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) over the lack of effort and budget to promote the Maldives as a destination.
These concerns come as the world-famous holiday destination struggles to match demand with a rapid increase in bed capacity.
Over the past few years, dozens of uninhabited islands have been leased to local and foreign resort developers. Several international brands have entered into the market, increasing the number of resorts in operation to more than 130. That number is set to increase as another 20 resorts are expected to open over the next two years.
Singapore’s Park Hotel Group has opened its first resort in the Maldives, while major international hotel chains such as AccorHotels have entered the Maldives with four openings, including Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort, Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi, Mӧvenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives and Raffles Maldives Meradhoo as well as two in the pipeline. Brands like Hard Rock International, Capella Hotel Group, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Emaar Hospitality Group, Baglioni Hotels, Emerald Collection and Meliá Hotels International have announced their entry to the Maldives as well.
Existing international players are also upping their presence, with Marriott International launching Westin and JW Marriott in Maldives, Hilton Worldwide re-introducing its top-end luxury brand Waldorf Astoria, Aitken Spence introducing its Heritance brand, Minor Hotel Group introducing its AVANI brand, Onyx Hospitality Group introducing its OZO brand with its second property in the island nation, and LUX* Hotels & Resorts opening its second resort in the Maldives. Centara Hotels and Resorts has also signed a management agreement for its third resort in the tropical destination, while The Residence by Cenizaro has announced the launch of its second Maldivian property.
Leading local hotel groups, including Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts, Sun Siyam Resorts, and Crown and Champa Resorts, are also on an expansion drive.
Meanwhile, the first integrated tourism developments in the Maldives — Emboodhoo Lagoon project and Rah Falhu Huraa lagoon project — are underway.
Along with the new resort openings come the challenge of increasing demand from budget travellers who choose guesthouses over luxury resorts that the Maldives is known for. The guesthouse sector has rapidly expanded with over 400 guesthouses in operation today.
Maldives welcomed a record 1.4 million tourists in 2018 — a 6.8 per cent increase from the 1,389,542 tourists that chose to holiday in the Maldives in 2017. Other factors such as average duration of stay, bed nights and occupancy also posted positive growth in 2018.
Featured
Summer escape starts here: discover Centara’s dream destinations in Maldives

The warmer season has officially arrived in the GCC, and for those still planning a summer getaway, Centara Hotels & Resorts’ Maldivian destinations offer the perfect escape. With something to delight every traveller, guests can book a stay at Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives or Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, both located within The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, where endless adventure awaits. For an adults-only retreat, Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives provides a serene paradise, while Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection, invites travellers to explore a world of underwater wonders and rejuvenating wellness experiences.
The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts
Surrounded by a shimmering lagoon, The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts is a multi-island, world-class destination that hosts two distinct resorts. Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives is a popular choice for families, featuring a lazy river, water playground, a vibrant kids’ club, and a selection of oceanfront or overwater villas along with diverse dining options. In contrast, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives offers an idyllic island escape with elegant overwater and beach villas and residences, exceptional culinary experiences, tranquil pools, and the acclaimed SPA Cenvaree Retreat.
Regardless of the chosen property, guests enjoy access to both resorts, ensuring a unique and flexible holiday experience. To further enhance their stay, visitors can select The Atollia Destination Full Board Plus package—ideal for sampling the island’s culinary offerings—or opt for the All-Inclusive package, which includes a daily replenished minibar.
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives invites guests to secure their next escape with its Grand Island Indulgence: Exclusive Introductory Offer. Available for bookings made until 30th June 2025 for stays through 15th October 2025, guests can enjoy a relaxing four-night getaway while paying for only three nights, or extend their escape with the Stay 7, Pay 5 offer. Adding to the appeal, this exceptional promotion includes meal plan upgrades, complimentary sparkling wine and couples’ massages, exclusive access to The Club, a choice of an ocean excursion, and additional benefits for CentaraThe1 members, among other perks
Booking dates: From now until June 30th
Stay dates: From now until October 15th, 2025
Offer: Pay for 3 nights and stay for 4 OR pay for 5 and stay for 7
*For bookings and more information, please click here.
Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives
Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives invites families to enjoy an unforgettable summer escape with a special introductory offer. Guests can take advantage of exclusive rates, with up to two children aged 11 and under staying, playing, and dining for free. To ensure a smooth and stress-free holiday from arrival to departure, the offer also includes complimentary airport transfers and triple CentaraThe1 points for members.
Guests can settle into one of 145 stylish, beach-inspired rooms, each featuring a dining table and a private outdoor bathtub, jacuzzi, or pool. The resort offers endless excitement with thrilling activities, a vibrant kids’ club, a tropical lazy river, and rejuvenating treatments at the world-class SPA Cenvaree—along with playful mini treatments for children at the colorful Candy Spa. With fun and adventure for all ages, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives is the perfect place to escape the summer heat, Maldivian style.
Booking dates: From now until June 30th
Stay dates: From now until October 31st, 2025
*For bookings and more information, please click here.
Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives
Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives presents an exclusive adults-only retreat, where indulgence and tranquillity harmoniously come together. Guests can unwind in a private beachfront villa, enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach, or relax beside the shimmering lagoon under the summer sun. The resort also offers vibrant marine exploration through snorkelling, along with a variety of resort-wide activities, beach games, and water sports.
This summer, travellers are invited to refresh and rejuvenate with a distinctive escape to this private island paradise, where all villas are available at 30% off and CentaraThe1 Members receive an elevated discount of 45%. To begin the getaway in style, guests staying 2 to 4 nights can enjoy 50% off transfers, while those booking an Overwater Villa will be welcomed with a bottle of sparkling grape and a fruit basket.
Enhancing the experience even further, guests can delight in world-class cuisine with 20% off food and beverages throughout their stay, or indulge in a three-course poolside dinner, available for guests on Half Board plans and above. Additional perks include 10% off water sports and excursions, as well as complimentary access to snorkelling, pedalo, and kayaking activities—perfect for creating lasting memories. No visit is complete without a relaxing session at SPA Cenvaree, where guests can enjoy a buy-one-get-one offer on select treatments.
Booking dates: From now until January 10th, 2026
Stay dates: From now until January 10th, 2026
Offer:
- 45% off on all villas for CentaraThe1 Members
- 30% off for non-members
- 50% off on transfers with a minimum 2 nights to a maximum 4 nights
- Sparkling grape & fruit basket upon arrival in Overwater villas
- One 3-course poolside dinner under the stars for Half Board Plus and above
- Buy one and get one on select spa treatments
- Special evening turndown service with bed decoration on arrival night
- 20% discount on Food & Beverage from all outlets’ a la carte menu
- 10% discount on water sports and excursions
- Complimentary use of Snorkelling gear, pedalo, and kayak
*For bookings and more information, please click here.
Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection
Situated in the South Ari Atoll, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection, is more than just a destination—it is a living expression of the Maldivian way of life, where nature and culture exist in perfect harmony. With a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, the resort encourages guests to disconnect from the outside world and embrace a life in sync with their surroundings. Guests can choose from 112 elegantly designed beachfront and overwater villas, each offering sweeping views of the Indian Ocean and the nearby UNESCO-protected marine reserve.
During their stay, visitors are invited to explore vibrant coral reefs and marine life through activities such as snorkelling, semi-submarine tours, kayaking, and paddleboarding. A highlight of the reef is a shipwreck located just 30 metres from the harbour channel, teeming with glassfish, resting nurse sharks beneath the hull, and stonefish camouflaged along the deck. For those seeking a deeper connection, the resort also offers the Blessing Ritual—a reflective tradition held beneath a 200-year-old sacred tree, where guests can tie personal wishes to its branches in a symbolic act of clarity, intention, and connection.
Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives offers an extraordinary escape, with CentaraThe1 members enjoying 45% off flexible rates on meal plans, and non-members receiving 30% off, along with an additional 30% discount on seaplane transfers. From the moment of arrival—greeted by handmade chocolates and fresh tropical fruit in the villa—guests are immersed in the magic of island life. Days can be spent snorkelling vibrant reefs, paddling through turquoise waters, or exploring the lush landscapes, followed by relaxing spa treatments with a buy-one-get-one offer, or cocktails at 20% off across all à la carte dining venues.
Families can enjoy a complimentary picnic lunch, while couples are treated to a romantic three-course dinner under the stars. Additional enhancements include floating breakfasts served in private pools, beautifully decorated beds upon arrival, and generous savings on water sports. With complimentary stays and meals for children aged six and under, as well as free use of snorkelling gear, kayaks, and pedalos, this island sanctuary delivers the perfect setting for an unforgettable Maldivian escape.
Booking dates: From now until January 10th, 2026
Stay dates: From now until January 10th, 2026
Offer:
- 45% off Flexible Rates on Meal Plans for CentaraThe1 Members
- 30% off Flexible Rates on Meal Plans non-members
- 30% discount on seaplane transfers for all guests with a minimum stay of 2 to 6 nights
- Homemade chocolates & fruit basket upon arrival in Overwater and Club Pool Villas
- One free picnic lunch – for the whole family (Half Board Plus and above) or one 3-course private beach dinner under the stars for couples (Half Board Plus and above)
- Buy one and get one on select spa treatments
- Kids 6 years and below Stay & Eat for Free as per the meal plan booked by parents
- 20% special discount on indulging floating breakfast (Only in Club pool villas)
- Special evening turn-down service with bed decoration on arrival night
- 20% discount on Food & Beverages in all outlets on the à la carte menu
- 10% discount on Water Sports and Excursions
- Complimentary use of snorkelling gear, pedalo and Kayak
*For bookings and more information, please click here.
Drink
Sommeliers and hospitality leaders to gather at Ifuru Island for exclusive Liquid Tasting Event

Ifuru Island Maldives has announced the upcoming Raa Atoll Liquid Tasting, an exclusive gathering of sommeliers, F&B professionals, and hospitality leaders scheduled for 26 June 2025. This distinguished event is being presented in collaboration with The Liquid Concept, a premium beverage platform celebrated for its concept-driven approach to wine and spirits curation across the Indian Ocean region.
Established in 2021, The Liquid Concept delivers a comprehensive 360-degree beverage experience. Its portfolio includes fine wines, artisanal spirits, grower and grand marque Champagnes, vermouths, low- and no-alcohol alternatives, and innovative beverage solutions designed for hospitality and lifestyle destinations. The platform’s mission is to transform the beverage experience through purposeful curation, sustainable innovation, and immersive storytelling.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Ifuru Island, the tasting event will feature over 40 exceptional wine labels sourced from around the world. These selections, drawn from The Liquid Concept’s intentionally curated portfolio, invite attendees on a sensory exploration of diverse terroirs, winemaking philosophies, and compelling narratives.
Enhancing the tasting experience, guests will be treated to a specially crafted three-course menu, thoughtfully designed to complement and elevate the wine pairings. This harmonious fusion of food and beverage aims to showcase the artistry of hospitality and refined palate engagement.
As part of a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability, Ifuru Island and The Liquid Concept will also introduce the Bermar Wine & Champagne Preservation System during the event. This advanced technology enables the preservation of opened wines and champagnes, offering resorts a smart, eco-conscious solution to minimise waste and improve wine-by-the-glass service.
The Raa Atoll Liquid Tasting is an invitation-only event, poised to become a signature occasion that reflects Ifuru Island’s dedication to elevating the culinary and beverage scene in the Maldives.
Excursions
Underwater adventure awaits at Pullman Maldives Maamutaa’s Aqua Week 2025

Pullman Maldives Maamutaa is inviting travellers to experience the extraordinary with the unveiling of its vibrant Maamutaa House Reef — a thriving underwater ecosystem situated just 100 meters from the resort’s shoreline. Boasting rich marine biodiversity and easy access, this reef presents a rare opportunity to explore the aquatic wonders of the Maldives without venturing far from shore.
The reef is home to an impressive array of marine life, including graceful green and hawksbill turtles, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, schools of colourful parrotfish and angelfish, as well as occasional sightings of eagle rays and octopuses. According to the resort’s in-house marine biologist, the reef is not only highly accessible but also remarkably active, offering guests the chance to engage directly with a thriving marine ecosystem.
Visitors begin their journey with a swim through a flourishing seagrass bed — a crucial habitat in its own right — before reaching the reef drop-off, where the underwater spectacle unfolds. The reef’s hard and soft coral formations remain in excellent condition, protected by the atoll’s geography and sustained by strong ocean currents.
From July 13 to 20, 2025, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa will host Aqua Week 2025, an immersive celebration of underwater discovery, innovation, and environmental responsibility. This event marks the official launch of Phase 1 of the resort’s Seagrass Mapping & Awareness Project, offering guests the opportunity to participate in guided snorkeling tours, collect visual data, and learn about the importance of seagrass meadows in supporting marine biodiversity and mitigating climate change.
Aqua Week will also feature several high-profile collaborations. Insta360 will lead underwater content creation workshops, enabling guests to capture their marine adventures in 360-degree detail. Edge K5 will provide smart drive underwater scooters for a more dynamic exploration of the reef. Additionally, certified mermaid Gloria Xue will offer mermaid classes, host underwater photoshoots, and perform captivating mermaid shows in the resort’s Aqua Villa.
Bringing together sustainability, technology, and immersive storytelling, Aqua Week 2025 promises to be a memorable celebration beneath the waves.
As part of its broader commitment to environmental sustainability and in line with Green Globe’s certification standards, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa has launched a comprehensive three-phase Seagrass Mapping & Awareness Project. The initiative aims to highlight the ecological significance of seagrass meadows, which serve as nurseries for marine life and play a key role in carbon sequestration.
The project includes:
- Phase 1 (July): Seagrass identification and mapping in collaboration with resort staff and guests.
- Phase 2 (August–September): Guided snorkeling tours to collect visual data and raise awareness, continuing during Aqua Week.
- Phase 3 (October): The premiere of a short documentary film that captures the project’s progress and outcomes.
- This initiative not only contributes to the protection of a vital marine habitat but also encourages guest participation in meaningful conservation efforts.
The reef at Pullman Maldives Maamutaa serves as the foundation for a range of signature guest experiences designed to educate, inspire, and engage:
- Expert-led guided snorkeling tours
- Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) sessions directly from the beach
- Night snorkeling under UV light to reveal biofluorescence
- Citizen science programs focused on seasonal seagrass research
- Kids’ Ocean Explorers — a playful educational program tailored for young marine enthusiasts
Whether seasoned divers, casual snorkellers, or curious beginners, guests at Pullman Maldives Maamutaa can enjoy direct access to the wonders of the Indian Ocean with ease and unforgettable reward.
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