Business
Maldives Marine Expo 2019 begins
Fifth edition of Maldives Marine Expo, the official exhibition of the country’s liveaboard industry, began on Wednesday.
During a ceremony held Wednesday afternoon at the expo grounds, economic minister Fayyaz Ismail inaugurated expo.
“After 12 years, the Liveaboard Association has received national status and changed to National Boating Association of Maldives. We, the government, will hear and consider the voice of the organisation when making decisions regarding the development of tourism and marine industry,” the minister said.
“Approximately, 300 vessels are operating in the Maldives including safari boats, diving dhonis and fishing vessels. Almost 8,000 locals are employed on these vessels. In a very near future, a harbour will be built that is safe and closer to both Hulhule and Male.”

Top officials from the National Boating Association of Maldives and representatives from the marine industry attended the ceremony.
“This event has expanded over the years, especially this year. An event like this has always been a challenge. We appreciate the support from the event manager and industry,” Ismail Hameed Vice President of the National Boating Association of Maldives, said, in his opening remarks.
“This is the longest running event in the marine industry and the purpose of an event such as this is to bring the industry together on one platform and share their products with other businesses and state-of-the-art options available in the market.”

Held from Wednesday to Friday at the main convention centre of Dharubaaruge and the Fishermen’s Park in capital Male, the Maldives Marine Expo 2019 features 30 exhibitors occupying 52 stalls.
With the theme of marine technology, the fifth edition of the expo aims to explore new developments with the help of experts and specialists in the field. Technological developments that would improve maritime operations are being showcased during this expo.

This year’s expo also features a ‘Water Display Area’ at the Fishermen’s Park in capital Male, where exhibitors are showcasing their vessels.
Gulf Craft serves as the main sponsor of the Maldives Marine Expo 2019, whilst Al-Shaali Marine has been appointed as a co-sponsor. Other partners include:
- Dhiraagu: Digital Service Partner
- Event Maldives: Sound & Lights Partner
- Mihaaru: Media Partner
- Floating Asia: Magazine Partner
- Design Gallery: Production Partner
- Eliyz: Photography Partner
- Crowe Maldives LLP: Audit Partner
- Absolute Security & Advance Protection: Security Partner
- Habitat Pvt Ltd: Flooring Partner
- The Civil Coffee Society: Specialty Coffee Partner
- Print Lab: Printing Partner
- Loopcraft: Creative Partner
- Aqua Vita Residencies: Real Estate Partner
- Virtual Technologies LLP: Technology Partner
- Sunfront Pvt Ltd: Furnishing Partner
- Toddy Inc.: Apparels partner
Organised by Blak, the Maldives Marine Expo is an international platform that presents a diverse range of exhibitors that contribute to the marine industry.
Over the past five years, the Maldives Marine Expo has served as a link between manufacturers, suppliers and service providers, and has facilitated connections between large corporations and stand-alone businesses. The expo, held as the official exhibition of the National Boating Association of Maldives, continues to introduce newcomers and innovative technologies to the market.
The National Boating Association of Maldives, formerly known as Liveaboard Association of Maldives (LAM), is the official representative body for the Maldives’ liveaboard industry.
Business
BBM renews as Title Partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards under multi-year agreement
Hotelier Maldives has announced Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) as the Title Partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 under a multi-year agreement, reaffirming one of the longest-standing partnerships behind the publication’s flagship hospitality recognition platform.
The 2026 edition marks the third consecutive year that BBM has served as Title Partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards, having supported the event in the same capacity since its launch in 2024. BBM has also backed Hotelier Maldives’ second flagship event, GM Forum, every year since 2023, with 2026 set to mark its fourth year as a Silver Partner of the forum.
The continued partnership reflects a shared commitment to recognising the people behind the Maldives’ tourism industry while supporting platforms that encourage industry dialogue, leadership and professional development.
Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 entered its public voting phase on 15 March 2026, with voting set to remain open for one month. Winners will be announced at the gala ceremony on 26 April 2026 at NIVA Kurumba Maldives.
Commenting on the partnership, Ali Naafiz, Editor of Hotelier Maldives, said: “BBM has been a valued partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards since the very beginning, and we are pleased to formalise this continued support through a multi-year agreement. Their decision to return as Title Partner for a third consecutive year reflects not only the strength of our relationship, but also a shared belief in the importance of recognising the people who drive excellence across the Maldives’ hospitality industry.
“BBM has also consistently supported GM Forum over the years, making them one of the most committed partners across our event platforms. We are proud to continue working together as we strengthen both Hotelier Maldives Awards and GM Forum as annual fixtures for the industry.”
AVS Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer of BBM, said: “At BBM, we have always believed that a strong hospitality industry is built by strong people, and Hotelier Maldives Awards provides an important national platform to recognise the professionals whose work often takes place behind the scenes. We are pleased to continue as Title Partner of the awards under this multi-year agreement, while also extending our support to GM Forum for a fourth consecutive year.
“As a company that has grown alongside the Maldives’ hospitality sector, we value opportunities that celebrate talent, encourage professional pride and contribute to the long-term development of the industry. Our continued partnership with Hotelier Maldives reflects that commitment.”
Bestbuy Maldives is one of the country’s leading importers and distributors, serving the hospitality, HORECA and retail sectors with a broad portfolio of international brands. The company positions itself as a partner to the Maldivian hospitality industry, supplying products from around the world across key business verticals including resorts, foodservice and retail.
Hotelier Maldives Awards continues to recognise the contributions of resort-based hospitality professionals across the Maldives, highlighting both individual excellence and team performance. The awards programme remains the country’s only dedicated recognition platform focused on professionals working in resort operations. The current public voting round allows industry stakeholders, colleagues, guests and the wider public to take part in selecting this year’s winners.
The growing list of confirmed partners for Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 includes Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) as Title Partner, Dhiraagu as Platinum Partner, Storm Events as Organising Partner, NIVA, Kurumba Maldives as Host Partner, Souvenir Marine as Transport Partner, ALIA as Associate Sponsor, and Lightsout Studios as Associate Partner. More partners and sponsors will be announced soon.
Business
Feydhoo Hall opens at dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives as new event space
Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has announced the opening of Feydhoo Hall, a landmark event venue at dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, redefining the possibilities for meetings, celebrations, and destination events in the Maldives.
Designed to bring scale, flexibility, and creativity to island gatherings, Feydhoo Hall represents a bold step forward in positioning the Maldives as a dynamic destination for conferences, weddings, and large-scale social occasions.
Feydhoo Hall offers a versatile event complex designed to accommodate a wide range of gatherings, from corporate meetings and conferences to weddings and social celebrations.

At its core is the 390 sqm Main Hall, capable of hosting:
- Up to 300 guests in theatre-style setup
- Up to 240 guests for dining and banquet-style events
- Up to 200 guests for cocktail-style receptions
- Up to 144 guests in cluster-round configuration
Enhancing the flexibility of the venue are additional dedicated spaces, including:
- A 110 sqm Veranda Terrace, ideal for welcome receptions, breakout sessions, and pre-event gatherings, accommodating up to 100 guests for cocktail-style events.
- A spacious 1,000 sqm Lawn Space, perfect for large-scale outdoor celebrations, destination weddings, and open-air events, accommodating up to 400 guests for cocktail receptions and up to 350 guests for dining setups.
- The 55 sqm Ekugai Meeting Room, designed for smaller meetings and executive sessions, accommodating up to 30 guests in theatre or dining setup and 24 guests in cluster-round format.
Together, these integrated spaces create a seamless indoor-outdoor event experience, allowing planners to design dynamic and personalised event journeys.
True to the dusitD2 brand’s lifestyle-driven philosophy, Feydhoo Hall introduces a fresh approach to meetings and events — where productivity meets creativity in an inspiring island setting.
The venue offers flexible meeting formats designed to suit different event needs, including:
- Half-Day Meeting Package (4 hours) — ideal for focused sessions, executive meetings, and creative workshops.
- Full-Day Meeting Package (8 hours) — designed for immersive conferences, extended workshops, and large-scale corporate gatherings.
These thoughtfully structured packages provide planners with the flexibility to create impactful and seamless experiences, whether hosting intimate strategy sessions or dynamic full-day events.

Located just seven minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives combines accessibility with vibrant lifestyle energy, offering event planners and guests a rare balance between convenience and tropical escape.
With the introduction of Feydhoo Hall, the resort strengthens its position as a versatile destination — not only for leisure travellers but also for international conferences, creative retreats, luxury weddings, and large-scale social celebrations seeking something refreshingly different in the Maldives.
Business
BBM expands retail presence with new Hulhumalé outlet
Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) opened a new wholesale store in Hulhumalé Phase 2 on Monday.
The outlet is located on the ground floor of Lot 20286, Nirolhu Magu, and is intended to improve access to BBM’s imported goods for residents of Hulhumalé Phase 2 and for businesses operating in the area.
According to the company, the opening forms part of its plan to expand services closer to customers in line with population growth in Hulhumalé.
With the opening of the new store, BBM’s full range of imported and distributed products will be available at the Hulhumalé Phase 2 location. These include consumer goods from international brands such as Lifebuoy, Vaseline and Unilever.
The store will also stock wholesale food products from brands including Daily, Cavin’s and Redman.
BBM has supplied goods to resorts, hotels and retail outlets across the Maldives for several years.
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