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Maldives Working Towards A Low Carbon Development Strategy

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Maldives Promotion House – One of the travel and tourism industry’s most exclusive and prestigious events last weekend drew Hollywood A-listers, top business CEOs, a head of state and senior environmental campaigners together in the Maldives to discuss how to make tourism a benefit rather than a threat to the planet’s environment.

The SLOWLIFE Symposium, organised by the luxury resort company Six Senses drew actors Daryl Hannah and Edward Norton, business leader and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, the heads of two solar power companies and green thinkers Jonathon Porritt and Tim Smit to Soneva Fushi resort in Baa Atoll, Maldives.

They were joined by President Nasheed of the Maldives, who has committed his country to becoming carbon neutral by 2020, and delivered a keynote speech outlining the progress his administration has so far made towards achieving the goal. This includes publishing an online plan for carbon neutral electricity, moving towards a 60 percent solar power goal and changing import duties to encourage electric vehicles.

President Nasheed told delegates that what the Maldives is doing should be a model for others. “Interest in new technology is a blessing for the Maldives,” he said. “We won’t save the world by becoming carbon neutral. We emit nothing compared with other countries, but if we can demonstrate a low carbon development strategy that can be copied elsewhere, it will be a step in the right direction.”

Overall the aviation industry accounts for more than 5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, which are responsible for causing global warming – more than the whole continent of Africa. Virgin Group entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson told the Symposium that dealing with aircraft emissions was a must. “We have been diverting our profit from airlines into developing fuel for aircraft that won’t damage the environment,” he said. Since leaving the Maldives, Branson has announced a new target for making several Virgin Atlantic routes carbon neutral by using new fuels.

The tone of the conference was extremely positive, with many speakers emphasising the opportunities inherent in making tourism sustainable. Branson said that winning the climate battle was the “biggest entrepreneurial opportunity of our lifetime”, whilst President Nasheed also emphasised that he saw green growth as an opportunity for his country rather than a cost and hoped that the Maldives could become a laboratory for new clean technologies appropriate for tropical island locations worldwide.

The actor Edward Norton – whose world-leading work with the Maasai people in Kenya is already helping tourism raise millions to fund conservation – congratulated President Nasheed on his policies. Norton also showcased his work with the Baswood company, which pioneers ecologically-friendly sewage treatment options for islands and cities alike. Daryl Hannah focused in particular on marine biodiversity, praising the new designation of Baa Atoll as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Six Senses is now working with other resort companies in the atoll to pioneer a funding model to conserve the coral reefs and the fish species in the area through no-take zones and other measures.

Six Senses has also committed to making Soneva Fushi a zero-carbon resort by 2013, and is in the process of installing a second large solar photovoltaic facility on the island. Both business leaders and politicians – including the Maldives environment and tourism ministers, both also present at the conference – are now discussing ways to bring multi-megawatt solar power generation to more Maldives islands on an accelerated scale.

“The SLOW LIFE Symposium brought together some incredible minds in the field of sustainable tourism and business. I fully expect some wonderful initiatives to come out of the work done last week,” Six Senses CEO Sonu Shivdasani, host of the meeting said. Mr Shivdasani added that he was already thinking of next year’s event, and hoped that returning attendees could report back substantial progress.

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Constance Hotels & Resorts Honors Manjoola Dowlutrao’s 20-Year Career Journey

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Constance Hotels & Resorts celebrates the dedication and excellence of Manjoola Dowlutrao, recognizing her remarkable 20-year journey within the group.

Dowlutrao’s story began in 2001 as part of the inaugural class of the Constance Academy’s Management Training Program. This experience launched an exceptional career within the prestigious hotel group.

Starting at Constance Lemuria Seychelles as a Reservations Supervisor, Dowlutrao has consistently demonstrated exceptional growth and leadership. Her path led her to Constance Prince Maurice in Mauritius, where she spent two decades honing her skills. She rose from Sales/Guest Relations Manager to Executive Assistant Manager, embodying a true commitment to providing exceptional hospitality experiences.

Dowlutrao’s recent appointment as Executive Assistant Manager in the Maldives signifies both her valuable contributions and the confidence Constance Hotels & Resorts holds in her abilities. Her career trajectory exemplifies the supportive and empowering environment the group fosters, encouraging individuals to excel and assume leadership roles within the luxury hospitality industry.

Manjoola’s remarkable journey across Constance’s esteemed properties in Seychelles, Mauritius, and now the Maldives, stands as a testament to her vast knowledge and her dedication to enhancing the guest experience over the years.

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Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas Welcomes Award-Winning Joachim Textor as New Executive Chef

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Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has announced the appointment of Joachim Textor as the luxury resort’s new executive chef. With over 40 years of experience in delivering premium culinary services around the world, Chef Joachim is now ready to bring his exciting new variety of innovative dining experiences to the resort’s discerning guests.

A native of Germany, Chef Joachim Textor began his illustrious career as a cook at various world-class hotels in Switzerland. After honing his skills at the Hilton in Basel, the Park Hotel in Vitznau and the Hyatt Hotel in Montreux, he decided to expand his culinary repertoire by exploring the tastes and cuisines of the world. Across 42 years of travelling, his amazing culinary journey has taken him to 93 countries and countless five-star kitchens across the planet.

Chef Joachim’s incredible journey of gastronomic discovery has led him to gain invaluable experience as an executive chef in some of the world’s most prestigious hotel chains, including The Peninsula Hotels, InterContinental, Hilton, Mandarin Oriental, Shangri-La, and Hyatt. He has received critically acclaimed awards and was also the Opening Executive Chef of Anantara Dubai Palm where he spearheaded the opening of the resort’s signature restaurants and dining experiences back in 2013.

Regarded as one of the most pioneering chefs in the industry, Chef Joachim has also opened multiple award-winning hotels and dozens of restaurants in both the Middle East and the Far East, while he has also cooked for a number of famous politicians, Hollywood celebrities, and royalty all over the world. His past assignments include the G12 Asian Summit Conference in Busan, where he cooked for such prestigious world leaders as George W. Bush, Angela Merkel and Li Peng.

A positive and cheerful personality with an energetic passion for innovation in his creations, Chef Joachim is now set for the next adventure in his culinary journey. Still as hungry to learn and explore as ever, Chef Joachim will bring phenomenal dining experiences for gastronomes at Anantara Kihavah with a number of new innovations already planned. Sharing the knowledge he has accumulated through his travels across six continents, Chef Joachim will also act as a mentor for budding young cooks, introducing his repertoire of world cuisines to the next generation of aspiring gastronomic innovators. In Chef Joachim’s own words, “The best is yet to come. Life is a journey and not a destination; travel it safe and well.”

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JOALI Appoints Özgür Cengiz as Global Wellness Development Director

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JOALI, the luxury hospitality and lifestyle brand, has announced the appointment of Özgür Cengiz as its Tourism Group Global Wellness Development Director, effective February 15th, 2024.

Cengiz brings over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and wellness industry. His career began with the opening team of Turkey’s first wellness resort, Richmond Nua Wellness, followed by leadership roles at Jumeirah in Azerbaijan and One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives.

In 2016, Cengiz joined JOALI as the Resort Manager for JOALI Maldives, the brand’s first art-immersive resort. He then played a pivotal role in establishing JOALI BEING, the Maldives’ first wellbeing island, as its General Manager.

Under Cengiz’s leadership, JOALI BEING garnered global recognition as a leading wellness destination. He is credited with creating the unique concept, curating a team of specialists, and introducing a diverse range of treatments – solidifying JOALI’s position as a wellness powerhouse.

Cengiz’s dedication extends beyond JOALI. He served as the Maldivian ambassador for Global Wellness Day for seven years, is a respected speaker in international wellness forums, and judges the Global Spa & Wellness Awards. His innovative approach and solution-oriented mindset have earned him widespread respect within the industry.

Hakan Öztürk, Tourism Group Managing Director of Gürok Group (JOALI’s parent company), commented on the appointment, stating that Cengiz’s “extensive knowledge and passion will truly redefine the wellness offerings for the brand from a broader perspective” as JOALI expands its portfolio.

In his new role, Cengiz will oversee the wellness strategy for the entire Gürok Tourism Group, encompassing innovative activations, expansion plans, and strategic development for both JOALI BEING and JOALI BEING Cure.

Cengiz’s appointment strengthens JOALI’s commitment to providing exceptional wellness experiences and signifies their continued dedication to pushing boundaries within the industry.

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