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Constance Halaveli gets Green Globe certification for sixth year

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Green Globe recently has re-certified Constance Halaveli for the sixth consecutive year.

Constance Halaveli is an intimate and luxurious hideaway located on the Maldives’ North Ari Atoll. The tropical resort remains committed to its sustainability goals and has successfully implemented numerous green initiatives over the past two years.

“Constance Halaveli maintains its Green Globe Gold status in 2020. This prestigious acknowledgement is a great accomplishment for Constance Halaveli and the dedication, passion and continuous efforts by all our teams has enabled us to bring improvements to all respective areas within the resort. As we move forward into the next five years, we will endeavour to meet and exceed the green targets that are currently in place,” Tangi Le Grand, General Manager of Constance Halaveli, was quoted in a statement, as saying.

Collaboration with Parley

Constance Halaveli first partnered with Parley Ocean School in 2018 as part of its plastic recycling efforts. Around 51,300kg of plastic bottles — that’s equivalent to 9.5 Asian Elephants — are collected on the island, transported to capital Male and then on to Germany for recycling where they are made into items such as Adidas sport shoes.

Nature guide booklet

The resort’s Nature Walk Booklet, distributed in villas, contains information by resident biologists about the ecological history of the island, its native wildlife and the many plant species. Sections are dedicated to marine creatures and birdlife such as Sally-Light -Foot Crabs and Black-Naped Terns as well as indigenous Banyan Palms and Halaveli Bushes. Maps, photos and detailed descriptions are provided for self-guided walks.

Green News Magazine

To raise awareness and promote the resort’s sustainability efforts, a Green News Magazine is displayed on an in-house TV channel in guest villas.

The magazine announces annual environmental events including World Environment Day, Earth Hour and World Oceans Day when fun activities such as sand sculpting, lagoon cleaning and gardening are organised.

Charitable events sponsored by Constance Halaveli are also highlighted such as the Dhiraagu Road Race, the largest annual run held in the Maldives, where people and communities from all over the country gather together to support the protection of children. In addition, Breast Cancer Fun Runs and donations of stationery supplies for local school children are other social activities organised by the property.

Sustainability efforts at Constance Halaveli are communicated regularly via the magazine.

“Sustainability within the Constance Hotels & Resorts is defined as carrying out our business in line with the company’s guiding principles of being conscious of global environmental issues and acknowledging our responsibility towards the environment,” Tangi Le Grand said.

“At Constance Halaveli, we are constantly aware of the risks of our operations to the natural surroundings and local communities. We realise that our operations may produce significant environmental impacts as we consume large quantities of resources and generate waste. We also recognise that our activities can have both a positive and negative affect on these areas and that we have responsibilities to manage these impacts.”

Plastic bags and straws are banned and have been replaced with reusable bags and paper straws. Also, to encourage guests’ participation in nature preservation actions, a Batteries Recycling Bag is provided for visitors to take their old batteries (as well as those used by others) back home for recycling as there are no recycling facilities located nearby.

Furthermore, guests are educated about ethical souvenirs and encouraged to purchase and support native crafts that use traditional plant materials like coconut husk or leaves for woodwork and woven products. This deters proliferating any demand for items using coral, shells and turtle shell materials that leads to loss of biodiversity.

“When you think of the Maldives you picture islands surrounded by white sandy beaches and calm, sparkling turquoise waters. Unfortunately, as with many seaside resorts, plastic waste and other non-biodegradable materials have caused detrimental effects on the environment,” Tangi Le Grand said.

“Luckily, there are some key organisations in the Maldives that care about the environment and are making a huge effort, on a local level, to involve not only tourists but also community members to raise awareness of this situation and help make a difference in protecting fragile ecosystems. We work alongside local people toward marine conservation and preserving the pristine environment of the Maldives.”

Designed to reflect the curved shape of a traditional Maldivian dhoni, Constance Halaveli Maldives is located in the North Male Atoll and is accessible by a 35-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport.

The resort offers beach and water villas, family villas and a presidential villa, which can include luxurious amenities of private terraces, plunge pools and more.

A range of superb fine wine-and-dining options are available, as the resort features five restaurants and bars, including the Asian and European fusion cuisine of Jing and Jahaz. A variety of traditional Japanese sushi rolls, sashimi and Maoki’s are served up at Kaika Sushi Bar, where guests can dine inside or on the terrace. Meeru provides beach dining for guests, where the remarkably white sand contrasts with the lush green forest of the island, complemented by the aqua blue ocean.

During the evening, a selection of fresh seafood and meats from the à la carte menu can be grilled in front of guests, bringing authentic gastronomy to the shoreline.

Excursions

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives reports rare whale shark encounter

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Divers from Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives recorded a whale shark sighting last month during a dive at Kandooma Thila in South Malé Atoll.

The encounter took place on 13 April during a guided dive led by Dive Centre Manager Ibrahim Shaan. The whale shark, estimated to be approximately six metres in length, is believed to be a juvenile aged between eight and 15 years. The animal remained in the vicinity of the divers for more than 30 minutes before leaving the area.

Shaan said the whale shark entered the dive site calmly, circled alongside the group and remained present for an extended period. He described the encounter as one of the most notable experiences observed at the site.

Whale shark sightings are considered uncommon in South Malé Atoll, where the species is not typically resident. They are more frequently associated with the South Ari Atoll Marine Protected Area, one of the primary aggregation areas for whale sharks in the country.

The Maldives is regarded as a key destination for whale shark encounters due to environmental conditions including warm waters, nutrient-rich currents and seasonal plankton blooms. Whale sharks are filter feeders and migrate across large distances, often following food sources.

The sighting at Kandooma Thila is understood to be linked to broader migratory movement through the atoll system, with the animal potentially following plankton concentrations or feeding opportunities created by ocean currents.

Kandooma Thila is known for its coral-covered structure, current-driven conditions and marine biodiversity, factors which may attract larger pelagic species on a temporary basis.

Following the sighting, the resort has submitted photographs and video footage to the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) for potential identification through its national database. Whale sharks can be identified through unique spot patterns located behind the gills and along their flanks.

The MWSRP’s Big Fish Network database has recorded more than 800 individual whale sharks in the Maldives, contributing to long-term research on migration patterns, population dynamics and species health.

Sharon Garrett, Director of Marketing and Sustainability at the resort, said the data collected would support ongoing research and conservation efforts. She noted that such information contributes to understanding seasonal movement patterns, assessing environmental conditions and informing marine protection measures.

The resort has also reiterated the importance of responsible interaction with marine wildlife. Recommended practices include maintaining distance, avoiding physical contact, refraining from flash photography and ensuring appropriate buoyancy control.

Boat strike incidents remain a recognised threat to whale sharks in Maldivian waters, highlighting the need for careful vessel operation in areas where marine life is present.

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is located approximately 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport and provides access to multiple dive sites in South Malé Atoll. The resort also operates a Dive Free programme, offering up to two complimentary dives per day for certified divers staying a minimum of three nights.

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Celebration

Sirru Fen Fushi to host Eid al-Adha celebration from 27–29 May

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Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort has announced its “Eid in Harmony” programme for Eid al-Adha, scheduled from 27 to 29 May 2026, offering guests a series of curated experiences centred on dining, cultural elements and leisure activities.

The programme is designed to provide a structured yet relaxed approach to the celebration, with a focus on shared experiences and engagement with the island environment. According to the resort, the initiative aims to bring together cultural traditions and hospitality offerings within a resort setting.

A central feature of the programme will be the Eid al-Adha Feast, a dining experience presenting a selection of dishes prepared for the occasion. The event will be set in a themed environment reflecting elements associated with Eid.

The resort will also introduce an “Eid Gift with Purpose” initiative, positioned as a gesture aligned with the values of giving and reflection associated with the occasion.

In addition, guests will have the option to participate in a Guest Archery Competition, offering a recreational activity designed to complement the island setting and provide an alternative form of engagement during the celebration period.

Alongside the programme, the resort has launched an “Eid Island Escape” offer, which includes a range of inclusions for guests staying during the period. These include a 30-minute jet lag recovery massage, daily breakfast at Raha Market, dinner on a dine-around basis across selected restaurants, and a one-time floating breakfast experience.

In a statement, the resort’s management said the programme is intended to reflect the values of togetherness and reflection associated with Eid al-Adha, while offering guests opportunities to spend time with family and participate in shared experiences.

Through the three-day programme, Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort is presenting Eid al-Adha as a combination of dining, leisure and cultural activities within a resort environment.

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Featured

Reethi Faru Resort awarded Green Globe certification

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Reethi Faru Resort has received Green Globe certification, recognising its compliance with international standards for sustainable tourism.

The certification reflects the resort’s stated commitment to responsible hospitality, with a focus on environmental management, social responsibility and operational practices across the property.

Green Globe certification is awarded following an assessment based on established sustainability criteria and verified through independent third-party audits. The standard reviews performance in areas including environmental management, energy efficiency, resource conservation, community engagement and sustainable operations.

With the certification, Reethi Faru Resort joins a group of hospitality operators worldwide that have met Green Globe’s sustainability requirements and demonstrated an ongoing commitment to improvement in tourism practices.

In a statement, the management of Reethi Faru Resort said the recognition reflects the resort’s continued focus on preserving the natural environment of the Maldives while maintaining the guest experience. The management added that sustainability forms part of the resort’s daily operations.

The Green Globe standard includes more than 40 core criteria supported by over 380 compliance indicators, providing a framework for assessing sustainability performance in the hospitality sector.

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