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Manta Air, UNICEF join forces to support skills development for Maldivian youth

Manta Air and UNICEF on Saturday teamed up to provide early exposure for young Maldivians interested in working in the aviation industry.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Manta Air and UNICEF, Manta Air will provided the opportunity for young people interested in working in the aviation industry to acquire basic knowledge and skills. This will be facilitated through a company wide-internship programme for young Maldivian women and men, with 12 interns set to be enrolled during the first year of the programme.
“This is another milestone for Manta Air, to embark on this mission with UNICEF to develop young people where we take pride in contributing to the local community. Our commitment from the beginning has always been to keep building the capacities needed to further develop and contribute to ensure the future growth of the industry. We believe that this initiative with UNICEF will be a key component in achieving our commitment. We are privileged to work with UNICEF and we hope that this is the start of an amazing journey,” Manta Air CEO Mohamed Khaleel said, after signing the agreement.
The UNICEF-Manta Air internship programme is a unique opportunity for young people who have a passion for the airline industry to gain first-hand experience and exposure to key areas such as flight and ground operations, aircraft engineering, safety/compliance, commercial and marketing. The individuals will get the opportunity to work in all the above disciplines and be closely supervised by experts from Manta Air.
The programme is designed with close monitoring and mentoring support from both Manta Air and UNICEF. It is structured to develop and inspire young people to pursue a career in the aviation sector, through a unique and creative learning experience.
“Globally, the annual growth in the number of young people entering the labour market exceeds the rate of growth in the number of new jobs created by the labour market. In the Maldives, a large number of young people are unemployed. We need to be creative in opening new job horizons for them,” Dr Munir Safieldin, UNICEF Representative to the Maldives, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
“The partnership between UNICEF and Manta Air opens a new horizon of skills development for potential future employment in civil aviation. Manta Air will provide groups of young women and men with a structured and guided exposure to the civil aviation industry.”
The MoU between Manta Air and UNICEF also covers additional areas such as support for advocacy on children and young people’s rights and issues via Manta Air’s in-flight magazine, RAYS. Both organisations will also join hands in celebrating key events for children and youth, including the World Children’s Day and World Youth Day, to create awareness and engage the public on children’s rights and issues related to the wellbeing of children and young people.
Manta Air, the new experience in the skies of Maldives, began its operations in February.
The first two ATR 72-600s of Manta Air, secured through Nordic Aviation Capital, were delivered in late 2018, and a third aircraft was delivered in March 2019. With their dual-class configuration of 64 seats, Manta Air’s brand new ATR 72-600s have helped boost connectivity for the hospitality industry in the beautiful Maldivian atolls.
Manta Air currently operates scheduled daily service from the main Velana International Airport in Male to Dhaalu Airport, the airline’s main hub located on the island of Kudahuvadhoo in Dhaalu atoll, and Dharavandhoo Airport in Baa atoll.
The airline is also in the process of acquiring Twin Otter seaplanes in order to launch its seaplane service in the second quarter of 2019.
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Transformative wellness retreat with Jono Castano at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

In the heart of the Maldives, where turquoise waters meet powder-white sands, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is introducing an extraordinary wellness offering through a special collaboration with leading fitness expert Jono Castano and his premium fitness brand, ACERO. Renowned for his dynamic and holistic approach to training, Castano will bring his signature sessions—grounded in the ACERO philosophy of performance, lifestyle, and transformation—to one of the world’s most picturesque destinations.
During his visit, Castano will lead a series of exclusive sessions on 17 and 18 December, inviting guests to deepen their wellness journey. His Beach Boot Camp transforms the shoreline into a natural training ground, combining strength, endurance, and flexibility exercises with the elements of sand and sea breeze. Complementing this, the Aqua Fitness programme utilises the resistance of the crystal-clear waters to provide a low-impact, full-body workout suitable for all fitness levels.
This collaboration reflects not only Castano’s personal mission to inspire and empower, but also embodies the essence of the ACERO brand. The experience showcases ACERO’s core values of premium training, elevated lifestyle, and meaningful transformation—offering guests a unique opportunity to engage with the brand in an environment that naturally nurtures mind and body.
The partnership aligns seamlessly with the resort’s commitment to holistic wellbeing. In addition to its luxurious villas and exceptional service, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is dedicated to promoting physical and mental wellness through its state-of-the-art fitness centre and the acclaimed Iridium Spa. These facilities provide a sanctuary where guests can rejuvenate, restore balance, and elevate their sense of wellbeing.
Castano’s sessions are designed to motivate and invigorate, catering to both seasoned athletes and those simply seeking a revitalising wellness experience during their stay. “The Maldives is the perfect place to reconnect with one’s body and mind,” says Castano. “Bringing my fitness philosophy and the ACERO brand to such a stunning location allows guests to experience true transformation, immersed in the beauty of nature.”
A vision of barefoot luxury and refined elegance, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort blends striking tropical modernist architecture with Maldivian inspiration. Its 77 villas—each offering sweeping views of either the Indian Ocean or lush jungle—are enhanced by the resort’s signature St. Regis Butler Service. Guests can balance invigorating fitness routines with indulgent spa treatments or embark on private yachting adventures aboard the resort’s exclusive Azimut Flybridge.
For those seeking a harmonious blend of indulgence, wellbeing, and natural splendour, this collaboration with Jono Castano and ACERO presents a rare opportunity to elevate their stay. Both fitness enthusiasts and wellness-minded travellers alike can anticipate a transformative experience, guided by one of the industry’s most respected figures and his renowned brand.
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Solo travel with purpose at Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah

Long before solo travel became fashionable, certain discerning travellers understood a profound truth: the most transformative journeys are those taken within. At Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, these seekers of introspection are not merely travelling alone—they are reserving an entire island to experience solitude, sanctuary, and the rare luxury of simply being.
Whether the purpose is healing, recalibration, or a retreat from the noise of everyday life, Voavah responds with five acres of secluded serenity in the Indian Ocean. Nestled within a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this private island offers more than just privacy—it offers presence. With no neighbours in sight and a dedicated team of 28 intuitive staff, each guest is welcomed with gentle, personalised care, entirely on their own terms.
The true magic of Voavah lies not only in its tranquillity but in the meaningful quality of connection it fosters.
- For Those Seeking More Than Escape: Voavah presents solo travellers with a different kind of luxury—the luxury of space, stillness, and sovereignty. Here, the aim is not to retreat from the world, but to reconnect with oneself within it. Every detail is designed to be personal, purposeful, and curated with quiet thoughtfulness.
- An Entire Island, Reserved: Seven bedrooms are spread across two private villas and a three-storey Beach House, offering expansive, unencumbered accommodation with no compromises and no intrusions.
- Support, When Desired: A handpicked team—comprising butlers, chefs, marine biologists, and spa therapists—stands ready to offer whatever level of engagement is preferred, whether that be discreet companionship, insightful conversation, or complete privacy.
- Wellbeing as a Way of Life: At the Ocean of Consciousness Spa, bespoke wellness experiences include sound healing, Ayurvedic therapies, and sunrise yoga sessions—each crafted to support inner renewal and reconnection.
- A Yacht to Call One’s Own: Guests may enjoy private use of Voavah Summer, a 19-metre yacht available by day or night for manta snorkelling, contemplative journalling with the salt breeze, or silent moonlit sails across Maldivian waters.
- Connection, On Their Own Terms: Whether through coral restoration dives with marine experts, intimate starlit dinners with the island’s chef, or simply unplugging from the digital world, Voavah offers connection in its purest and most personal forms.
At Voavah, solo travel is not about isolation—it is about reclaiming space in every sense: physical, emotional, and spiritual. It is a quiet return to the self, an invitation to move with intention and live with presence. For those ready to begin, the island quietly awaits.
Featured
Ada Ooi brings integrative wellness to The Island Spa at Four Seasons Kuda Huraa

This summer, The Island Spa at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa is set to welcome globally acclaimed integrative medicine practitioner Ada Ooi for a limited-time residency. From 9 to 20 August 2025, guests will have the rare opportunity to restore their nervous system, address underlying health concerns, and achieve radiant skin from within.
Ada Ooi, founder of the award-winning Harley Street clinic 001 London, will be bringing a bespoke menu of diagnostic-led treatments to the Maldives. Her integrative approach fuses Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), neuropsychology, and holistic skincare, offering transformative results for those seeking genuine and lasting wellbeing. The residency also marks a significant step forward in The Island Spa’s evolution as a hub for deeply personalised and results-focused wellness experiences.
Renowned for her diagnostic precision, Ada works to uncover and address the root causes of various conditions, including male and female fertility issues, hormonal imbalances, fatigue, skin concerns, digestive troubles, and emotional stress. Her method blends acupuncture, herbal pharmacology, tuina massage, and dietary therapy with contemporary neurobiological insights.
Set against the shimmering blues of the Indian Ocean, guests at Kuda Huraa will also have access to Ada’s signature MicroSculpt facial – a technique hailed by Harper’s Bazaar as part of the “Red Carpet League” of skincare. Trusted by celebrities and global wellness leaders alike, Ada’s revolutionary techniques offer a holistic approach to beauty and health.
“The modern traveller no longer seeks surface-level wellness,” says Didier Jardin, General Manager at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa. “They want science, soul and substance. Ada delivers all three. Her residency underscores our commitment to establishing The Island Spa as a sanctuary for true transformation.”
Treatment highlights include:
- TCM Discovery (15 minutes, complimentary) – An introductory session to Traditional Chinese Medicine, perfect for first-timers.
- INTEGRATV Health Consultation (30 minutes, USD 250) – A comprehensive diagnostic session resulting in a personalised roadmap encompassing nutrition, movement, mental health and more.
- Express Acu-Facial Sculpt (30 minutes, USD 260) – A rapid lift and glow using scalp acupuncture and MicroSculpt techniques; ideal before an evening event or flight.
- Bespoke INTEGRATV Health Recalibration (60/90 minutes, USD 380/480) – A customised session combining acupuncture, meridian massage, gua sha, cupping and infrared therapy to address physical and emotional imbalances.
- Bespoke INTEGRATV Facial Resculpt & Nervous System Reset (60 minutes, USD 380) – A full-spectrum facial incorporating contouring, cranial acupressure, vagus nerve stimulation and LED infusion to lift facial contours and calm the nervous system.
Each treatment is informed by in-depth diagnostics and guided by Ada’s core philosophy: that true transformation occurs when mind, body, and skin are treated as an integrated whole. Nestled within the tranquil surroundings of The Island Spa, guests are invited to embark on a healing journey with lasting, resonant benefits.
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