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‘Beyyaa’ campaign: buy a t-shirt, plant a coconut palm
A campaign to plant a coconut palm for every t-shirt bought has been launched.
At a special ceremony held Saturday, The ‘Beyyaa’ (a Dhivehi slang, similar to ‘bro’ in English) campaign was inaugurated by Speaker Mohamed Nasheed.
The former president highlighted the importance of the campaign, adding that the number of coconut palms has decreased significantly.
“All customers purchasing a t-shirt are in reality purchasing a palm tree in their name,” he said.
As part the ‘Beyyaa’ campaign, conducted in collaboration with flagship carrier Maldivian, a coconut palm will be planted for every t-shirt bought from the ‘Beyyaa’ company.
Buyers will receive an email with details of the plant, including the island where it was planted.
The t-shirts will be available from company’s website and from Maldivian’s Moonimaa lounge at the main Velana International Airport. Each t-shirt retails for USD 30.
Maldivians place tremendous importance on the abundant coconut palms – they are represented in the national flag by the green rectangle. The coconut palm is also the national tree.
The picture of Maldives isn’t complete without the verdant presence of coconut palms. Its distinctive silhouette acts as a herald, with promises of sandy beaches and clear blue seas underneath.
Coconut palms are not just ornamental signs of the island paradise; often called the Tree of Life, they are one of the most useful trees in the world. From its woody trunk all the way up to the swaying fronds, the coconut palm has been providing a bounty of natural resources to the Maldivian people for generations.
Traditional Maldivian sailboats, known as dhoni, were built using coconut timber. Fibres extracted from the husk of the coconut, called coir, is used to make ropes and fishing nets.
Palm fronds were used to make baskets and mats. The green of the leaves was removed, leaving behind the wood-like strips in the middle, which were collected and tied together to make brooms. Dried palm fronds were used to thatch roofs- an architectural feature still seen today on the villas at our resorts.
Scraped coconut is one of the most common ingredients used to make many local dishes, as is coconut milk in almost all types of Maldivian curries. Even dried coconut shell halves were repurposed as bowls or attached to handles to make ladles.
Visitors to the Maldives will surely know that there is nothing as refreshing in this tropical heat as a cool helping of coconut water, straight from the source.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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