Featured
Seaside Finolhu appoints Edyta Peszko as sales, marketing director
Seaside Finolhu, the newest addition to the German company Seaside Collection, has appointed Edyta Peszko as its Director of Sales and Marketing.
She will be responsible for leading and further improving all aspects of commercial, marketing and brand positioning of Seaside Finolhu.
Edyta joins Seaside Finolhu from Minor Hotels, where she held the position of Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing at Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli and Naladhu Private Island Maldives. Prior to relocating to Maldives, Edyta held senior managerial positions in sales and marketing departments of Diethelm Travel Group, AccorHotels and Hotelbeds whilst being based in Bangkok, Thailand.
Originally from Poland, Edyta has been working in Asia for 18 years, and brings extensive experience in the international hospitality and travel sectors. Her passion and strength in driving sales, generating business leads, as well as developing and managing client relationships has been recognised by Corporate Maldives, landing her a spot in the Top 20 Most Influential Sales and Marketing Personalities in the Maldives last year.
“It is great to welcome Edyta to the growing Finolhu Family. Whilst she will oversee and direct all aspects of sales and marketing activities in the property, from planning to implementation, she will also be working closely with me in taking Seaside Finolhu to a global level,” Marc Reader, the General Manager at Seaside Finolhu, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
Edyta possesses great leadership skills, strong dedication for excellence, and talent for developing teams to maximise their full potentials. Outside work, she enjoys yoga, travelling and trying new vegetarian restaurants.
Luxury hotel chain, Seaside Hotels, which now operates as Seaside Collection, has successfully acquired Finolhu, a luxury island resort in Baa atoll of the Maldives. Modern and fun, Finolhu is the hotel chain’s 11th boutique property and its first in the Maldives.
German sibling hoteliers, Gregor and Anouchka Gerlach, purchased the resort early this year after an extensive search for a winter-sun resort that would appeal to the European market.
Gregor Gerlach commented: “Whilst the long stretches of beach, crystal clear waters and the abundance of marine life were almost enough to seal to the deal, it was also important that the resort aligned with the Seaside Collections’ brand values. Environmental protection is an important theme at the Seaside Collection and is something we have won awards for. Finolhu is largely self-sufficient and works closely with marine biologists and environmental experts, so it was a good fit for us.”
Finolhu, meaning sandbank, is considered one of the finest resorts in Baa atoll, a biosphere reserve protected by UNESCO. An environmental study for each hotel on the Baa atoll determines what can be built and how things need to be maintained. In addition to working closely with the Parley for Oceans organisation, an in-house marine biologist takes care of the responsible interaction of guests and the environment. To avoid plastic pollution, Finolhu has created its own facility for bottling drinking water, stopped the use of plastic straws and discouraged guests from bringing plastic bottles to the resort.
“Another key focus for the Seaside Collection is gastronomy. We pride ourselves on providing high quality dining experiences for our guests and look forward to putting the Seaside gastronomy stamp on Finolhu,” Gerlach said.
Finolhu’s partner hotel will be the award-winning Seaside Hotel, Grand Hotel Residencia. The grand luxury five-star hotel is located in Gran Canaria and belongs to the Leading Hotels of the World.
The hotel’s Michelin-starred chef, Wolfgang Grobauer, has been working closely with the chefs at Finolhu to optimise the menus across all four restaurants. In addition, after recognising that the Fish & Crab Shack restaurant at Finolhu is a favourite amongst guests, opening hours are now extended for sunset cocktails and snacks.
Featured
Noku Maldives unveils long-term Sea Turtle Conservation Programme
Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection, has announced the launch of a dedicated Sea Turtle Conservation Programme, developed in partnership with the Atoll Marine Conservation Centre (AMCC). Beginning on 25 November 2025, this long-term initiative strengthens the resort’s commitment to the Vignette Collection pillar Means for Good, reflecting a considered approach to environmental stewardship and responsible hospitality.
The waters surrounding Noku Maldives support a naturally thriving ecosystem, characterised by extensive seagrass meadows, coral-rich shallows, and warm lagoons that provide an essential refuge for sea turtles. In recent years, the island has recorded multiple nesting events along its shores — a rare and significant indicator of the health of its marine environment. The new programme aims to safeguard and enhance this natural heritage.
As part of the collaboration, a full-time AMCC marine biologist will be stationed on the island to lead a comprehensive portfolio of conservation activities. This will include monitoring the local sea turtle population, assessing reef and coral health, supporting long-term scientific research, and conducting fieldwork and outreach initiatives across neighbouring islands.
The programme will also enhance guest engagement through educational talks, guided snorkelling experiences, and hands-on conservation workshops, offering visitors the opportunity to connect with the underwater world in an enriching and meaningful way.
The initiative complements Noku Maldives’ growing suite of Means for Good activities, which already include reef conservation studies, coral restoration projects, cultural experiences, and community-led programmes. Together, these efforts underpin the resort’s commitment to delivering stays that are rooted in authenticity, responsibility, and deep respect for the natural environment.
“Our lagoon has always been a peaceful refuge for sea turtles and marine life,” said Hussain Shahid, General Manager of Noku Maldives. “This partnership with AMCC reflects our dedication to protecting these waters and ensuring they continue to flourish. By bringing conservation, community involvement, and guest education together, we hope to create meaningful and lasting impact for the atoll.”
Featured
From spa rituals to sunrise yoga: Angsana Velavaru champions mindful living
Surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of South Nilandhe Atoll, Angsana Velavaru invites guests to embark on a holistic journey of renewal that nurtures both body and mind.
At the centre of this experience is the award-winning Angsana Spa, inspired by the timeless essence of Asian wellness traditions. Here, the healing power of touch, scent, and nature come together in harmony. Guests can enjoy a range of treatments designed for both relaxation and family bonding, including restorative massages, revitalising body polishes, and signature rituals that incorporate natural ingredients such as coconut, honey, and tropical herbs. Each therapy aims to rejuvenate, soothe, and restore a deep sense of inner calm that reflects the island’s natural rhythm.
Wellness at Angsana Velavaru extends far beyond the spa. The resort’s approach to wellbeing embraces movement, mindfulness, and meaningful connection. Its modern tropical fitness centre provides a tranquil setting for guests to stay active while remaining close to nature. Activities such as aqua aerobics in the Kuredhi Pool and sunrise yoga on the beach combine physical vitality with mindful awareness.
Across the island, guests are encouraged to slow down and reconnect with their surroundings. Guided meditation, breathwork sessions, and sunset yoga create opportunities for reflection and relaxation. These practices are seamlessly woven into the resort’s environment, offering a sense of serenity that lingers long after the stay.
Under the guidance of Wellbeing Director Artemasius Harefa, Angsana Velavaru’s holistic programmes align with Banyan Group’s Eight Pillars of Wellbeing, with a focus on rest, movement, mindfulness, and connection. The result is a collection of experiences designed to inspire balance and renewal, giving guests the opportunity to embrace a more mindful way of living.
“Modern travellers seek more than rest; they seek renewal,” said Artemasius Harefa, Wellbeing Director at Angsana Velavaru. “Our goal is to create experiences that help guests reconnect with themselves and the natural world, turning wellness into a meaningful way of life.”
At Angsana Velavaru, wellbeing is not a moment but a continuous journey shaped by nature, connection, and the healing spirit of the Maldives.
Awards
Trans Maldivian Airways named World’s Leading Seaplane Operator 2025
Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA), the world’s largest seaplane operator, has once again strengthened its position as a global aviation leader with new accolades at the World Travel Awards 2025. The airline was named the World’s Leading Seaplane Operator 2025 and the Indian Ocean’s Leading Seaplane Operator 2025, acknowledging its continued contribution to air connectivity across the Maldives. The 32nd Annual World Travel Awards ceremony took place at Exhibition World Bahrain and was attended by more than 300 leaders from the international tourism industry.
Established in 1993, TMA has played a central role in shaping the Maldives’ aviation and tourism sectors. Operating the world’s largest seaplane fleet with 65 DHC-6 Twin Otters and serving over 80 resort destinations, the airline provides vital connectivity across the archipelago with a focus on safety, reliability, and operational efficiency. Conducting more than 400 flights daily, TMA remains essential in enabling access to resort islands nationwide.
Commenting on the achievement, A.U.M. Fawzy, CEO of Trans Maldivian Airways, said: “This prestigious recognition from the World Travel Awards, year after year, reflects the trust placed in our team by our partners and guests, and the responsibility we carry as the primary air service provider connecting resort destinations across the Maldives. At TMA, our focus remains on continuous improvement and building on decades of service excellence. As the tourism industry in the Maldives continues to evolve and grow, we will continue strengthening our operations and supporting the long-term development of the Maldives as a world-leading destination.”
TMA continues to enhance its operational capabilities through ongoing investments in fleet upgrades, infrastructure, staff training, and technology-driven improvements, ensuring it meets rising demand while maintaining its hallmark of dependable service.
As the Maldives prepares for further growth in visitor arrivals, Trans Maldivian Airways remains committed to working closely with industry partners, supporting national tourism objectives, and ensuring a seamless and reliable travel experience for guests visiting the country’s island destinations.
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