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Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Angsana Ihuru to mark World Cleanup Day with Male cleanup
Marking 25 years as a responsible hospitality organisation, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Angsana Ihuru has organised a cleanup in the Maldives’ capital city Male, supporting both the International Coastal Cleanup and World Cleanup Day 2019.
The cleanup, organised in memory of Banyan Tree Group’s roots in creating Asia’s first and largest integrated resort, Laguna Phuket, at an abandoned tin mine in Phuket, will take place on September 21, aligning with the International Coastal Cleanup and World Cleanup Day 2019.
This is being organised and conducted in collaboration with valued partners: the American Centre Maldives (ACM), Maldives Girl Guides Association (MGGA), Dive Desk, Let’s Do It Maldives (World Cleanup Day) and Parley; who share the same philosophies about environmental conservation and social empowerment. By rallying together with those who share a common goal, collecting and documenting the trash that litters the coastline of Male, Banyan Tree and its partners strive to protect, conserve and preserve the environment for the future generations to come.
Individuals or groups who are interested in joining the International Coastal Cleanup and World Cleanup Day are invited to be present at Alimas Carnival on Saturday, September 21 at 8.30am. All participants are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles to the cleanup event to ensure a minimal plastic footprint.
The Maldives is somewhat of a haven, pristine white sand beaches lined with swaying palm trees and endless blue sky that melts into the aqua-marine waters, surrounding some 1,200 islands that are scattered across the Indian Ocean.
Nevertheless, it is easy to overlook the current challenges being faced to maintain this picture-perfect, diverse and abundant ecosystem. Each year, eight million tonnes of plastic are dumped into our oceans, with the Maldives being especially impacted; since only one per cent of the entire Maldives is covered with land while 99 per cent is open ocean. Like a giant sieve, these fragile coral islands sift through the marine garbage circulating the Indian Ocean. One only needs to walk around the shorelines of these islands or besides the ferry terminals in the capital city Male to experience the issues faced by the country, in regard to effective waste management.
Cleaning activities organised by Banyan Tree, and held in collaboration with local partners and communities, aim to remediate and cleanse local surroundings, to maintain the pristine environment for all society to enjoy. Banyan Tree aims to conduct a minimum of four cleanups per year to raise awareness about effective waste management.
So far in 2019, over one tonne of waste has been collected with the help of more than 750 people; engaging local councils, community members, school children and both guests and associates from the two Banyan Tree properties in North Male Atoll.
“The organisation believes that it is essential to raise awareness about the importance of responsible consumption and production to combat the wider problem,” a statement issued by Banyan Tree read.
Since pledging to become single-use plastic free on Earth Day 2018, the two Banyan Tree properties in North Male Atoll have achieved a combined total reduction of 75 per cent of targeted categories of single-use plastic items, including the complete elimination of items such as straws, plastic bottles, cocktail stirrers, takeaway containers and disposable cutlery. The ambitious target of eliminating 100 per cent of single-use plastic items across all 43 Banyan Tree Properties worldwide, remains the ultimate goal.
This year, the Banyan Tree Group celebrates its 25th anniversary, a significant milestone marking its unique journey rooted in sustainability, from the very first Banyan Tree property – an abandoned tin mine in Phuket that began with a painstaking task of cleansing and remediating the toxic and polluted land surrounding. This led to the creation of Asia’s first and largest integrated resort, Laguna Phuket.
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru opened its door in 1995 and is the first international chain resort in the Maldives. With just 48 pool villas dotting around the island, privacy and relaxation can easily be attained. The resort has a restaurant, bar, PADI Gold Palm five-star resort dive centre and a Banyan Tree Spa. It is also home to the Banyan Tree Maldives Marine Lab, the first of its kind to be funded and built on a private resort, where guests can learn about marine conservation and partake in the many sustainability activities on offer including coral planting, reef cleaning and daily stingray feeding sessions.
Angsana Ihuru is surrounded by one of the most vibrant and well preserved coral house reefs in the Maldives. The resort has 45 villas, a restaurant and a bar, a PADI Gold Palm five-star resort dive centre and an Angsana Spa.
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Angsana Ihuru are located in North Male Atoll, just 25 minutes away by speedboat from the airport. The two resorts are just five minutes by boat away from each other.
Villa Nautica will embrace the festive spirit from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, offering guests an easy island rhythm that flows from bright mornings by the water to music-filled evenings on the sand. The season begins with illuminated beaches and relaxed barbecues, gradually building through creative afternoons and live performances. Christmas Eve will feature a gala dinner, followed by Santa’s arrival on 25 December. The celebrations will culminate in a vibrant New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks, before settling into a calm reset on New Year’s Day and concluding with Orthodox Christmas.
The programme balances practicality with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Mornings will bring sunrise yoga, family pool activities, and interactive cooking sessions, while evenings will feature poolside soirées, wine-paired dinners, and sunset cruises. With simple yet photogenic settings, the lagoon and sky take centre stage in shaping the mood. Guests—whether couples, friends, or families—can participate freely without losing the island’s easy pace.
For younger visitors, the festivities will centre around the kids’ club, where cookie and cupcake decorating, beach games, origami and craft sessions, storytelling, and cosy movie nights will take place. Small groups and attentive care ensure that creativity and play remain the focus, allowing parents to enjoy uninterrupted moments around the island.
A highlight of the season will be the Champagne Lucky Draw & Disco. From 1 to 31 December, each bottle of champagne purchased at resort bars or restaurants will serve as an entry to the draw. Guests are advised to keep their entry stubs for the live draw, held at 01:00 during the New Year’s celebration, where the prize will be a seven-night stay in a Water Villa for two.
Throughout the festive period, private experiences will feel as memorable as the larger celebrations. Guests may enjoy candlelit dinners on the sand, floating breakfasts, or early morning snorkelling sessions to begin the year anew. Whether seeking a lively shoreline celebration or a quiet evening stroll beneath lanterns and palms, Villa Nautica offers an atmosphere where every festive moment can glow in its own way.
JOALI BEING, the world’s first well-being island, has announced the launch of its new global brand campaign titled “Joyful Journeys of Well-Living.” The campaign celebrates the art of self-discovery, inviting travellers to reconnect with their inner selves through bespoke and transformative experiences.
Building upon JOALI BEING’s core philosophy of the “Joy of Weightlessness,” the campaign embodies the essence of harmony between mind, body, and spirit. It encourages guests to explore holistic pathways designed to restore balance and inspire personal growth.
Joyful Journeys of Well-Living serves as an invitation to travellers seeking meaningful change and renewal. The campaign narrates stories of individuals discovering joy through purposeful living, mindful connection, and immersive well-being experiences at JOALI BEING.
The visuals capture the island’s tranquil landscapes and nurturing spaces — from oceanfront sanctuaries to treetop villas and transformative healing sessions led by resident experts. The campaign presents JOALI BEING as more than a destination; it is a journey towards well-being, creativity, and self-transformation.
Each guest journey at JOALI BEING is founded on the resort’s Four Pillars of Well-Being — Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy. Through tailored programmes, guests can embark on integrative wellness experiences encompassing sound therapy, movement and fitness, hydrotherapy, nutritional guidance, and energy-healing sessions curated by specialists.
The island features a series of advanced well-being spaces, including:
- CORE: a movement and fitness zone
- AREKA: a transformative treatment centre
- KAASHI: a hydrotherapy hall
- SEDA: a sound-healing room
- Ocean Sala: an open-air meditation and relaxation deck
Each space is designed to nurture a profound connection with nature and the self.
The Joyful Journeys of Well-Living campaign has been conceptualised and produced by JOALI BEING’s in-house team in collaboration with creative partners and visual storytellers from across the globe. The multi-platform campaign integrates film, digital, and print media to convey JOALI BEING’s ethos — a celebration of joy, transformation, and harmony.
The visual narrative draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the Maldives, reflecting JOALI BEING’s immersive design philosophy. The imagery captures the rhythm of the ocean, the play of light, and the flow of energy that define the spirit of the island.
Coco Bodu Hithi has been recognised on the global stage, winning Best Waterside Hotel (Riverside, Lakeside, Seaside) at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2026, held on 3 November 2025 in the UK. It is the second consecutive year the resort has been honoured by the publication, following last year’s win for Best Service, reaffirming its focus on heartfelt Maldivian hospitality and refined island living.
Described by Condé Nast Johansens as an “over-water, over-indulgent Maldivian island outpost,” Coco Bodu Hithi offers an intimate retreat of comfort and calm. The resort’s 32 Water Villas and 24 Coco Residences, each measuring 184 square metres and featuring private pools, provide secluded spaces set above the lagoon, where nature, design, and comfort come together to reflect the island’s romantic ambience.
Known for contemporary design infused with Maldivian heritage, the resort continues to welcome travellers seeking time by the sea, complemented by culinary collaborations with celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs. The experience balances privacy and comfort throughout a guest’s stay. With turquoise waters, quiet spaces, and experiences designed for connection and shared discovery, the resort presents a considered take on island living.
Located 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the island combines accessibility with seclusion—close enough for convenience, yet removed for privacy and serenity. As part of Coco Collection, the resort offers bespoke experiences, attentive service, and sustainable practices, shaping stays that feel personal and reflective of relaxed, authentic island life.
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