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Spain’s Barceló Hotel Group enters Asian market with three-hotel development in Maldives

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Spanish hotel company Barceló Hotel Group has announced its entry into Asia through a joint investment in developing a three-hotel complex in Maldives.

For its entry into the Asian market, Barceló has signed an agreement with Sri Lanka’s Browns Investments PLC to develop a three-hotel complex in North Male Atoll, Maldives, and to manage five leisure properties of Browns Hotels and Resorts in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

The leading Spanish hotel company will join Browns Investments in developing three five-star hotels with 470 keys in North Male Atoll. It will invest USD 30 million for a 33.33 per cent stake in Browns Investments’ subsidiary, Bodufaru Beach Resorts Pvt Ltd, which holds the head lease rights to three plots of lagoon in the North Male Atoll.

Barceló will be the operator for the three-hotel development, which is valued at USD 150 million.

“We are extremely pleased to be joining with The Barceló Hotel Group, a world renowned hotel chain, and extend our gratitude for their confidence in choosing the LOLC Group as their partners, in this their first venture into the Asian region. We believe this historic venture will bring great synergies for the LOLC Group’s Leisure business, particularly as we commence with this unique leisure property in North Male valued at USD 150 mn,” Ishara Nanayakkara, Chairman of Browns Group, was quoted in a statement, as saying.

Under the agreement with Brown Investments, Barceló will also manage another property (100 keys) under construction on the island of Bodufinolhu in the Maldives’ South Ari Atoll.

Barceló will also operate the iconic Nasandhura Palace Hotel in Maldives’ capital Male, which is being reconstructed as the biggest hotel and residential development in the city after a 2015 acquisition by Browns Investments and its affiliates.

“Entry into the global tourist hotspots of Sri Lanka and the Maldives has always been a part of our long-term strategic geographic expansion plan. However, entering such a new region comes with risks which are unknown to us,” Raúl González, Chief Executive Officer of Barceló Hotel Group, was quoted in a statement, as saying.

“Therefore, it was important for us to enter the region with the right partner and LOLC backed Browns Hotels & Resorts was to us the best fit. Not only were we impressed with the quality of the portfolio and the scale they offered to us in the region but also their proactive attitude towards the search for the best agreement considering the interests of both parties and expectations of joint growth in the region.”

Barceló Hotel Group, founded in Palma de Mallorca (Spain) 88 years ago and still run as a family business, operates 247 hotels in 21 countries under four different brands: Royal Hideaway Luxury Hotels & Resorts, Barceló Hotels & Resorts, Occidental Hotels & Resorts, and Allegro Hotels.

In addition to the plots of lagoon in North Male Atoll, the island in South Ari Atoll and the hotel in capital Male, Browns Investments, part of LOLC Group, one of the biggest and most diversified conglomerates in Sri Lanka, had also acquired leasehold rights to an island in Raa atoll. However, it is unclear if any development had taken place on the island.

Maldives is set to welcome 20 new resort openings this year.

Eleven new resorts came into operation in 2016, followed by at least 15 new resorts in 2017 and 20 new properties last year.

Over the past few years, dozens of uninhabited islands have been leased to local and foreign resort developers. Several international brands have entered into the market, increasing the number of resorts in operation to more than 140.

Singapore’s Park Hotel Group has opened its first resort in the Maldives, whilst major international hotel chains such as AccorHotels have entered the Maldives with five openings, including Mercure Maldives Kooddoo ResortFairmont Maldives Sirru Fen FushiMӧvenpick Resort Kuredhivaru MaldivesRaffles Maldives Meradhoo Resort, and Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort. Brands like Hard Rock InternationalCapella Hotel GroupCarlson Rezidor Hotel GroupEmaar Hospitality GroupBaglioni HotelsEmerald Collection and Meliá Hotels International have announced their entry to the Maldives as well.

Existing international players are also upping their presence, with Marriott International launching Westin and JW Marriott in Maldives, Hilton Worldwide re-introducing its top-end luxury brand Waldorf Astoria, Aitken Spence introducing its Heritance brand, Minor Hotel Group to introduce its AVANI brand, Onyx Hospitality Group to introduce its OZO brand with its second property in the island nation, and LUX* Hotels and Resorts opening its second resort in the Maldives. The Residence by Cenizaro has also opened its second Maldivian property, whilst Thai hospitality group Centara Hotels & Resorts has announced the development of its fifth resort in Maldives.

Leading local hotel groups, including Atmosphere Hotels and ResortsSun Siyam Resorts, and Crown and Champa Resorts, are also on an expansion drive.

Meanwhile, the first integrated tourism developments in the Maldives — Emboodhoo Lagoon project and Rah Falhu Huraa lagoon project — are underway, with the first phase of the Crossroads Maldives integrated destination at Emboodhoo Lagoon already open to visitors.

Along with the new resort openings come the challenge of increasing demand from budget travellers who choose guesthouses over luxury resorts that the Maldives is known for. The guesthouse sector has rapidly expanded with over 500 guesthouses in operation today.

The previous government had announced new steps to maintain a structured growth in tourism, including a slowdown in leasing islands for resort development and increased marketing efforts in key markets such as China and the Middle East in order to reach an ambitious target of a record 1.5 million tourist arrivals this year.

Meanwhile, the new government has pledged to ramp up tourism promotion.

Reflecting the new government’s pledge, the state budget for 2019 includes MVR 104,200,000 (USD 6.7 million) for tourism promotion, up from MVR 34,733,333 (USD 2.2 million) this year and the previous year.

Business

Atmosphere Core appoints Maurice Van Den Bosch as GM of RAAYA by Atmosphere, Milan Mookerjee as VP of Human Resources

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International hospitality company Atmosphere Core has announced the appointment of Milan Mookerjee as Vice President of Human Resources.

This appointment reflects Atmosphere Core’s ongoing commitment to enhancing guest experiences and fostering a people-centric culture across its portfolio of three brands and nine resorts.

Veteran Human Resources leader, Milan Mookerjee will oversee talent management and employee growth initiatives across the Atmosphere Core’s resorts in the Maldives. With over 15 years of industry experience, Milan is a seasoned professional known for aligning HR initiatives with business goals and fostering a human-centric culture.

Reflecting on his approach to human resources, Milan said, “Leadership is a privilege that we owe to our team. Intentionality with direction and purpose drives results, and I am committed to fostering a culture that empowers our people to grow and succeed. In hospitality, success begins with a motivated, engaged workforce, and I believe in creating an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to deliver exceptional guest experiences. This includes investing in continuous learning, nurturing talent, and promoting a strong sense of belonging within the team.”

Before joining Atmosphere Core, Milan served as Head of Human Resources and Training at Encalm Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., where he led HR and training functions to drive business growth. He has also held several HR leadership roles at prominent companies in India, with a proven ability to develop talent and design learning programmes tailored to business needs.

Meanwhile, Maurice Lucien Van Den Bosch recently returned to the Atmosphere Core family as General Manager of RAAYA by Atmosphere.

Born in Australia, Maurice Lucien Van Den Bosch draws from the country’s renowned laid-back yet dynamic culture in his leadership style, fostering a spirit of inclusivity, adventure, and warm hospitality. He brings over 24 years of expertise in resort management, with a demonstrated ability to exceed profit targets, cost-effectively develop new projects, and lead culturally diverse teams with motivation and efficiency.

Maurice’s extensive experience includes leadership roles at some of the world’s top hospitality brands in the Maldives, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. A familiar face within the Atmosphere Core family, Maurice has served as General Manager at both OZEN LIFE MAADHOO and Atmosphere Kanifushi.

As the General Manager of RAAYA by Atmosphere, Maurice will leverage his deep understanding of the brand to lead the resort with a focus on anticipating, crafting, and elevating guest experiences. “The culture and hospitality inspired by the Joy of Giving resonate deeply with me, and this shared value brings me back to the Atmosphere family”, Maurice said. “At RAAYA by Atmosphere, we are creating a castaway island experience of choice, a guest experience like no other, with a fine balance of escapism and energy. And I look forward to foster a collaborative working environment so that we create unforgettable moments for our guests.”

Ashwin Handa, Senior Vice President of Operations at Atmosphere Core, emphasised the importance of a strong leadership team. “At Atmosphere Core, we foster a people-first culture built on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect, ensuring that every employee takes pride in their work. This dedication extends to curating experiences that guests cherish and return for. Maurice’s deep industry expertise and understanding of our brand, combined with Milan’s people-centric approach, will significantly enhance our operations and guest satisfaction across our resorts”.

Atmosphere Core is a dynamic international hospitality company with three distinctive lifestyle brands, THE OZEN COLLECTION, COLOURS OF OBLU, and Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts. The company operates nine resorts in the Maldives and has a strong pipeline of one resort in the Maldives, one resort in Sri Lanka, and fourteen hotels and resorts across India – all set to open within the next three years. Distinctive design, an authentic sense of place, inspiring service styles, and the freshest and finest cuisine lend a unique flavour to every Atmosphere Core property.

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Business

Maldives makes export of baled PET waste for recycling with support from The Coca-Cola Foundation

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The Coca-Cola Foundation and partners have announced that a container of baled post-consumer Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic was exported from Male as a part of Sustainable Island Waste Management and Plastic Recycling Initiative.

Completed on World Cleanup Day 2024, the event also marked the handover of The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF)-funded infrastructure, which includes pickups and balers, to the government-owned Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO).

The TCCF-funded initiative is a collaboration between the Maldives Ocean Plastics Alliance (MOPA), and WAMCO, and represents an important development to strengthen the PET collection process and address the issue of plastic waste in the Maldives.

This initiative will export baled PET to Malaysia and China for recycling. While PET bottles have been exported in the past, baling the waste significantly improves the efficiency of storage and transport, marking an advancement in the process.

The overall objective of the TCCF-funded Island PET Collection Project is to help provide a countrywide solution for plastic waste recycling in Maldives by establishing both the infrastructure and systems required.

Currently, much of the waste in Maldives is disposed of or incinerated in K. Thilafushi industrial island, and this project represents a shift toward better waste management practices.

The project focuses on expanding PET collection systems beyond Greater Male’, improving collection efficiency across the nation until local recycling capacity is developed.

“This project is a turning point for the Maldives in our fight against plastic waste,” said MOPA President Ahmed Maumoon. “By educating communities and aligning with national partners like WAMCO, we are not only improving how waste is managed today but also setting the stage for long-term sustainability and environmental health.”

By collaborating with WAMCO, MOPA has supported the roll-out of community education programs and has worked to ensure the infrastructure deployed with funding from TCCF, such as compactors and pickups are used effectively across Greater Male’ and across other islands.

“This initiative represents a crucial step toward improving plastic waste management and enhancing recycling efforts in the Maldives,” said WAMCO Managing Director Mujthaba Jaleel. “By equipping islands with the tools and infrastructure needed to collect and process PET waste, we are not only helping address the immediate challenge of plastic pollution but also building a foundation for a more sustainable future.”

WAMCO’s role is pivotal in overseeing the operational aspects of PET waste collection, ensuring that baling and export processes run efficiently.

“Our commitment to this project extends beyond waste collection,” said Carlos Pagoaga, President, The Coca-Cola Foundation. “By funding work of MOPA and WAMCO, we aim to foster a culture of sustainability in the Maldives and help support a circular economy.”

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Italian and Spanish media experience Maldivian paradise on exclusive journey with Atmosphere Core

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From September 28th to October 4th, 2024, Atmosphere Core hosted an exclusive media trip to the Maldives for ten prominent journalists and PR professionals from Spain and Italy. The group experienced the serene and captivating lifestyle of two stunning private islands—OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi and RAAYA by Atmosphere—both renowned for their distinctive hospitality, thoughtfully curated holiday plans, and the unique “Joy of Giving” philosophy.

“At Atmosphere Core, we believe in a more creative approach to media trips,” said Euan Blake, Assistant Vice President of Communications. “The Italian and Spanish markets have been expanding for the Maldives, with a notable increase in room nights and revenue compared to last year. Over the past two years, we’ve been building strong relationships in these regions, and this journey through our islands aims to leave journalists with not only cherished memories but also lifelong friendships.”

The trip began at OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi, a lively four-star resort just 15 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport. Journalists were welcomed with breathtaking lagoon views and vibrant social gatherings at the X360 Bar. A standout experience was the customised Martín Códax Wine Masterclass at the Element X restaurant, led by Ms. Celina, a representative of Bodegas Martín Códax, and Nicolas Laguette, Director of Wines at Atmosphere Core. Representing 600 winemaking families from northern Spain, Ms. Celina guided the group through an exquisite multi-course wine tasting, featuring a selection of wines perfectly suited for the tropical climate and fresh seafood.

This was followed by an unforgettable underwater dining experience at the Only BLU restaurant and a visit to the neighbouring “island of love,” OBLU SELECT Lobigili, where they enjoyed a chic lunch at Ylang Ylang. The island’s lively, party atmosphere provided the journalists with a full immersion into the vibrant and relaxing resort lifestyle.

Next, a scenic seaplane journey transported the group to RAAYA by Atmosphere—a picturesque escape offering a blend of fairytale island charm and authentic Maldivian experiences. The 45-minute flight over the stunning atolls’ turquoise waters set the stage for their arrival in paradise, presenting the perfect introduction to the Maldives’ breathtaking beauty.

At RAAYA, the journalists experienced an ideal mix of energy and tranquility. A private dinner atop a secluded watchtower, inspired by the legendary sailor Seb, captured the essence of the resort’s castaway theme. The group explored the island’s natural wonders, took part in customised activities, and dined at RAAYA’s signature restaurants, including Seb’s Shack, Ampers&nd, and the Italian-inspired The Village.

Throughout their stay at both islands, the media guests were treated to rejuvenating spa therapies and wellness sessions at ELE|NA Ayur, Atmosphere Core’s signature spa and wellness brand. This immersive journey offered the journalists a true taste of tropical luxury, intertwining indulgence and adventure into every experience. Their stories are sure to inspire countless Spanish and Italian travellers to discover the hidden treasures of OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi and RAAYA by Atmosphere firsthand.

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