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Mövenpick Maldives, UNICEF team up to train Maldivian youth for hospitality jobs

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Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives and UNICEF have signed an agreement to advocate for children’s rights, support skill development and foster career-exploration in the hospitality industry for the Maldivian youth.

Maciej Gruszecki, General Manager of Mövenpick Maldives, and Dr Munir Safieldin, UNICEF Representative to the Maldives, formalised the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a signing ceremony on October 6 at the resort. Witnessing the occasion were members of the Noonu Atoll Council, principal of the school in the neighbouring island of Manadhoo. and the resort’s management team.

Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives is the first resort in the Maldives to collaborate with UNICEF to provide opportunities for young locals to acquire skills and experience and improve their employability in the Maldives’ growing tourism industry.

“We are privileged to partner with UNICEF in helping local youth by offering an avenue in which they can shape their future,” Maciej Gruszecki, General Manager of Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives, was quoted in a statement, as saying.

“As part of a global leading hospitality group, we feel strongly about our obligation to contribute to the growth and development of our local community. Sharing our time and expertise by opening our doors to youths wishing to pursue a career in the tourism industry is something that we believe will have a very positive impact.”

Suitable candidates, identified by UNICEF, will receive hands-on training through a six-month vocational training programme or a 12-month, paid apprenticeship scheme at the Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives.

Building the right skills for the current work environment is key and training for ethics, customer relations, interpersonal skills, and the English language is vital to give young people the required edge to be employed in the challenging hospitality industry of the Maldives.

During the course of the programme, candidates will have the chance to work in different departments, including front office, housekeeping, food & beverage, and the culinary brigade, whilst receiving mentoring from various department heads. Access to training modules will also be provided to participants in order to enhance their learning experience.

A graduation ceremony will mark the completion of the internship and apprenticeship programmes, with opportunities for students to take on permanent jobs based on their performance.

“The tourism sector is a key contributor to the Maldivian economy yet, few young Maldivians are employed in this sector. This sector has the potential to absorb many young Maldivian men and women searching for jobs. The partnership between UNICEF and the Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives aims to equip young Maldivians with the skills and work experience required for valuable jobs in the tourism sector,” Dr Safieldin, UNICEF Representative to the Maldives, said.

As part of the agreement, Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives and UNICEF will also join forces to advocate for child rights through public events to mark key moments such as the World Children’s Day, International Youth Day and World Water Day, in the islands of Noonu atoll together with local communities.

The Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives and UNICEF partnership also sets out to provide safe drinking water and reading materials to selected schools in the Noonu atoll. Ensuring water security through the provision of water filters and reusable water bottles will ensure the promotion of environmentally friendly practices and reduce single-use plastic items.

Nestled on a private island in Noonu atoll, situated in the northern part of the Maldives, Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives promised serene seclusion and tropical tranquility when it opened in November 2018. As Mövenpick Hotels & Resort’s inaugural property in the Maldives, it brought a fresh perspective to the country’s hospitality scene.

The resort is designed in a contemporary style with emphasis on comfortable accommodation and a private yet stimulating resort experience. Every modern convenience is incorporated amidst desert-island luxury, reflecting Mövenpick’s renowned commitment to genuine comforts, delivered exceptionally well.

Everywhere around Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives boats superior indulgence — from 105 spacious villas each complemented with its private pool, well-appointed Little Birds’ Kids Club, stunning Sun Spa, superb gastronomic experiences and luxurious guests amenities to unparalleled under- and over-water adventures.

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‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season

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Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Siyam, has announced its festive programme, “Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom”, which will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.

The seasonal programme features activities and experiences for guests of all ages. Dining will take centre stage with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala dinners by the water, exclusive Chef’s Table experiences and seafood barbecues on the beach.

The evening entertainment programme will include live acoustic performances, island DJ sets, aerial dance shows and Maldivian cultural performances.

During the day, guests will be able to explore the resort’s lagoon through activities such as house reef snorkelling, sunset Jet Car rides and sandbank excursions. The Spa will offer wellness rituals and couples’ therapies, while younger guests can take part in gingerbread decorating, a fashion show and Santa’s arrival on the beach.

“Eutopia is our invitation to celebrate and embrace nature, meaningful moments, and the relaxed luxury that defines Sun Siyam Vilu Reef through our festivities,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager.

“From unforgettable ocean adventures to starlit beach celebrations, every experience has been thoughtfully designed to create lasting memories that will continue to flourish long after the season ends.”

The programme will culminate with a New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach on 31 December, featuring live music, midnight toasts and a fireworks display over the water.

The resort’s festive programme is available to view online, with bookings open for stays between 22 December 2026 and 7 January 2027.

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Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards

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Fresh from being named Best Honeymoon Destination in 2025, Sun Siyam Iru Veli was recognised as Best Wedding Destination at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards & Gala 2026, held at Crossroads Maldives on 27 August. The award further reinforces the resort’s commitment to celebrating romance in all its forms.

Surrounded by turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches, Iru Veli provides a natural setting for couples seeking an intimate island retreat. Every villa features a private pool, while secluded beaches, private sandbanks and a 24-hour all-inclusive dine-around experience offer guests privacy and flexibility throughout their stay.

The resort hosts celebrations of different scales, ranging from barefoot ceremonies by the ocean to larger events encompassing the entire island. Dedicated wedding planners work closely with each couple to personalise every element, ensuring that both the ceremony and the wider stay reflect their individual story.

This flexibility extends beyond the resort’s wedding packages. Simple Romance, Grand Gesture and Sandbank Magic provide couples with a starting point, with each celebration customisable through décor, dining, wellness, entertainment and island experiences. For occasions requiring complete exclusivity, full-island buyouts allow the resort experience to be tailored around the couple and their guests.

The celebrations can continue beyond the ceremony through candlelit dinners beneath the stars, spa rituals for two, sunset cruises and time spent together across the island. These experiences enable couples to shape the occasion around their preferences, with personal moments unfolding throughout their stay.

“Every couple arrives with a different story and a different vision for their celebration. There is no template here. From intimate ceremonies for two to full-island celebrations with family and friends, our role is to create moments that feel completely personal. That is exactly what our team does. They listen first and then create a ceremony that truly reflects the couple. This award is a testament to the dedication and care they put into making every moment memorable,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.

The annual TTM Awards & Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers to recognise achievements across the Maldivian hospitality industry. Iru Veli’s latest award further strengthens its position among the Maldives’ leading destinations for weddings and romantic escapes.

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Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme

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Niva Dhigali Maldives will welcome visiting chef Jake Norman and British pickleball champion Molly O’Donoghue for a curated programme of island experiences this November, bringing together dining and active wellbeing in the Maldives.

Norman began his culinary career making pizza in the markets of Guadalajara, Mexico, before working in several London restaurants, including St John, Ottolenghi and Sabor. He now leads the kitchen at Updown Farmhouse in Kent, where his cooking focuses on seasonal ingredients, live-fire techniques and Mediterranean influences.

On 18 November, Norman will host an exclusive dinner at Faru, presenting a menu that combines Mediterranean flavours with influences from Mexico and the Middle East, while incorporating ingredients sourced from the Maldives.

The shared dining experience will feature Indian Ocean produce, grilled dishes and smoky flavours, with a menu designed to reflect the setting and encourage guests to dine at a relaxed pace.

The programme will also include pickleball sessions hosted by British champion Molly O’Donoghue. A national champion in mixed and women’s doubles, as well as a European champion in mixed doubles, O’Donoghue first discovered the sport while studying in Australia. She has since competed internationally and worked to introduce the sport to players around the world.

At Niva Dhigali, O’Donoghue will conduct beginner sessions and advanced coaching, giving guests of different skill levels the opportunity to learn, play and develop their technique.

Located in Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali Maldives is surrounded by tropical vegetation, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. The November programme, featuring Norman’s dining experience and O’Donoghue’s pickleball sessions, forms part of the resort’s approach to offering guest experiences centred on food, wellbeing and the island environment.

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