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Parley recognises Maldives as Future Island Nation’, launches 10-year action plan on waste management

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Parley for the Oceans has recognised the Maldives as the first ‘Future Island Nation’, as the environmental organisation and the island nation extend their partnership to reduce plastic waste.

The Maldives and Parley have extended their partnership to create a scalable, nationwide framework for solutions towards the achievement of SDG 7, SDG 9, SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 13, SDG 14 and SDG 15 under the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The island nation was the first to answer a global call to action led by Parley in collaboration with the UN-OHRLLS to demonstrate how small island developing states (SIDS) can become leaders in the fight to end marine plastic pollution by implementing the Parley AIR Strategy (Avoid, Intercept, Redesign) in a collaborative, innovative approach to solutions.

With the successful completion of an initial pilot phase, Parley recognises the Maldives as the first ‘Future Island Nation.’ The expanding collaboration now includes the Ministry of Environment and the national waste management company WAMCO in a 10-year action plan.

Immediate steps include policy change, the expansion of recycling infrastructure, cleanups and community education initiatives across all levels of society, industry and government. Education and direct action initiatives will also be offered to tourists visiting the country, empowering visitors to become messengers for the oceans who bring change back to their homeland.

“As a small island nation, we are faced with many economic and environmental challenges. We suffer from problems that we didn’t create, and materials we didn’t invent. Plastic pollution is an example of that. We need to protect our ocean, because it is our national treasure, and we need to find ways to establish a new, vibrant blue economy,” Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Maldives, was quoted in a statement, as saying.

“That is why we decided to take the path of ocean conservation, collaboration and Eco-Innovation with Parley for the Oceans. Together, we will tackle plastic pollution, harness alternative, clean energy sources, and protect Maldivian waters from illegal fishing. I truly believe in the innovative power and resilience of my country, and its young and creative people.”

Declaring the Maldives as the base and epicentre for its next chapter, Parley is calling for a ‘Material Revolution’ and is gathering the world’s leading creators and scientists to replace all harmful materials and products used in the supply chains of its brand partners within the next seven years.

The base for this global eco-innovation initiative will be a small island in the southern atolls of the Maldives, where Parley is building, in collaboration with the Maldives, a permanent collaboration space, Parley Station One.

Parley Station One, located on the island of Kondey Mathee Laabadhoo in the southern Gaafu Alifu atoll, will provide a unique destination and collaboration space for creators, leaders and thinkers – connecting art, design, science, technology and business in an eco-innovation driver for a new, blue economy. This programme will turn the Maldives into a launchpad for future technology, research and development, and creative collaboration.

“To leave toxic materials in the past, we need to do more than intercept them. We need to develop and test new materials, new technologies and question existing product concepts and business models. By inventing Ocean Plastic, Parley turned a problem into an economic opportunity, and with our AIR Strategy, we are creating the blueprints for systemic change,” Cyrill Gutsch, Founder and CEO of Parley for the Oceans said.

“The Republic of the Maldives was early to believe in our vision and to act on our strategy. We’re honoured to call the Maldives the first ‘Future Island Nation’, because we see this magic country as a Symbol of Change and a canvas for the new. Together we are now not only combatting marine plastic pollution but piloting solutions for Climate Change and Illegal Fishing.”

The Maldives first entered into a collaboration with Parley in September 2016, during the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Since piloting the project, Parley has introduced programmes to reduce reliance on single-use plastics, as well as plastic interception and baling sites in island communities and more than 70 schools. Parley has also led collaborative cleanups on affected coastlines and opened the first-ever recycling centre and innovation lab in the island nation’s capital Male.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, local schools and NGOs, Parley Ocean School programmes have helped more than 100,000 youth and their parents go swimming and snorkelling to experience the world beneath the blue surface, many for the very first time.

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Four Seasons Resorts Maldives blend family travel with marine discovery

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As family travel patterns continue to evolve, with multigenerational holidays and “schoolcations” becoming a growing part of the market, Four Seasons is positioning its Maldives resorts as destinations where families can combine leisure with learning, exploration and shared experiences. Through programmes at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, the brand is offering a Maldives-based approach to family travel that extends beyond the traditional resort stay.

In the Maldives, the focus is placed on experiences that allow families to spend time together while engaging with the natural environment in direct and practical ways. At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, marine education forms a central part of the family offering. Children and teenagers can take part in hands-on initiatives alongside experts from The Manta Trust, learning about coral restoration, manta ray research and ocean conservation. The programme gives younger guests an opportunity to understand the marine ecosystems that define the Maldives while participating in activities linked to ongoing conservation work.

At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, the family experience is also shaped by the surrounding lagoon and reef environment. Younger guests can take part in introductory diving, surfing and marine conservation activities designed to build early awareness of the ocean and its ecosystems. These experiences place the Maldives’ natural setting at the centre of the stay, allowing families to engage with the destination through activity as well as observation.

This emphasis on learning through travel reflects wider changes in family tourism, where parents are increasingly looking for holidays that combine recreation with educational value. In the Maldives, that approach has particular relevance, given the country’s dependence on marine ecosystems and its reputation as one of the world’s leading island destinations. By integrating conservation-focused experiences into resort programming, Four Seasons is presenting family travel not only as a period of rest, but also as an opportunity for younger travellers to develop a closer understanding of the environment around them.

The Maldives setting also supports multigenerational travel in practical terms. Resorts such as Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa are well suited to families travelling across age groups, where grandparents, parents and children may all be sharing the same holiday but looking for different forms of engagement. Accommodation, marine activities and wellness offerings can be structured in ways that allow families to spend time together while also catering to different interests and energy levels.

The family proposition is strengthened by the Maldives’ ability to combine relaxation with activities that are tied closely to place. Lagoon-based discovery, reef experiences and conservation work provide a clear alternative to more conventional beach holiday programming. Rather than limiting the stay to accommodation and dining, these activities allow the destination itself to shape the guest experience.

In this context, Four Seasons’ Maldives resorts reflect a broader shift in how luxury family travel is being positioned. The emphasis is no longer only on privacy and comfort, but also on engagement, shared discovery and experiences that carry value beyond the holiday itself. In the Maldives, where marine life and island environments remain central to the visitor experience, that model gives families a way to connect both with each other and with the destination.

Through Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa, Four Seasons is therefore presenting a Maldives offering that responds to changing family travel expectations. By combining marine education, outdoor activity and resort-based comfort, the brand is aligning its family travel strategy with the qualities that continue to set the Maldives apart. The result is a version of family travel that is shaped not only by where guests stay, but by what they are able to learn and experience together while they are there.

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Sirru Fen Fushi hosts Flor de Caña mixology event with Dinesh Mondkar

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The Behind The Bar Sirru Icon series recently hosted a mixology event at Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort, featuring Dinesh Mondkar, Flor de Caña’s brand ambassador for India.

The event gave guests an opportunity to explore a selection of rum cocktails while learning more about the craftsmanship and heritage behind the Flor de Caña brand. Set against a sunset backdrop over the ocean, the session combined cocktail-making techniques, brand storytelling and a relaxed island setting.

Guests were introduced to a range of cocktails that highlighted bold flavours and the versatility of rum in contemporary mixology. The evening also offered insight into the methods and presentation behind premium cocktail service, adding an interactive element to the experience.

The event formed part of the resort’s ongoing Behind The Bar Sirru Icon series, which continues to bring recognised figures from the international spirits industry to the Maldives. Through the series, the resort aims to expand its food and beverage offering with curated events that connect guests with global brands and industry expertise.

Such experiences are designed to complement the wider guest programme by combining destination dining and beverage concepts with the setting of the Maldives, while offering visitors a more immersive way to engage with the resort’s hospitality offerings.

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Angsana Velavaru marks reopening of upgraded futsal ground

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Angsana Velavaru has reopened its futsal facility as part of efforts to enhance guest experiences and staff engagement through sport and community activities.

The reopening ceremony was officiated by Dhaalu Atoll Council president Ahmed Shafiu and the resort’s general manager, Ahmed Zahir, who jointly cut the ribbon to mark the occasion.

Located within the island grounds, the futsal court measures 57 metres by 38 metres and is intended to serve as a space for both recreational use and organised activities for guests and resort associates.

The resort said the facility would form part of its wider recreational offering and would host workshops and expert-led collaborations aimed at providing guests with sports-based experiences while also supporting skill development and interaction. It added that the initiative also reflects its focus on staff wellbeing, teamwork and active living.

The opening event included friendly matches between the Angsana Velavaru men’s and women’s teams, as well as an inter-resort match between the Angsana Velavaru Orange Army and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru.

Adjacent to the futsal court is the resort’s upgraded watersports centre, which now includes updated guest facilities such as shower and changing areas.

Ahmed Zahir said the reopening of the futsal ground represented more than a recreational upgrade and reflected the resort’s commitment to creating meaningful experiences for both guests and associates. He said the facility would support active living, connection and wellbeing, while also serving as a space for learning and collaboration.

Angsana Velavaru, located in South Nilandhe Atoll, said the reopening of the futsal facility forms part of its wider efforts to expand its lifestyle and community-focused offerings.

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