Connect with us

Featured

With emotional ‘farewell’, Maldives’ first resort takes break amidst coronavirus outbreak

Published

on

The coronavirus pandemic has hit the Maldivian economy hard, as travel restrictions and other preventive measures affect the country’s lucrative tourism industry, which contributes the bulk of the island nation’s state revenue and foreign reserves.

Before the pandemic, the government had been bullish about tourism prospects, targeting two million, high-spending holidaymakers this year after last year’s record 1.7 million.

However, tourist arrivals saw a year-over-year decline of 22.8 per cent in the first 10 days of March. With arrival numbers falling, several resorts across the Maldives are being closed.

One notable resort that is suspending its operations is Kurumba Maldives, the very first resort that introduced tourism to the Maldives and whose opening in 1972 kicked off the island nation’s transformation from one of the world’s poorest countries to a world-class holiday destination favoured by the rich and famous.

Below is a message Kurumba, part of Universal Resorts which is closing all of its eight resorts for three months, shared on Facebook, as it closed on Wednesday for a three-month period — perhaps the longest break in the resort’s 47 years of operations:

So here it goes. Another chapter in the long history of Kurumba, and this time we are truly heading out into uncharted waters. Today marks the first day of our three-month resort closure. For the very first resort to open here in the Maldives, this was indeed a very difficult decision, however, bearing in mind the safety of our team and our guests, and the crippling effect of the Covid-19 virus on the global tourism industry, it was to say the least, super necessary.

Who would have imagined just a couple of months ago, that it would ever come to this? We were looking at one of the best quarters in recent years. January and February targets achieved, March was already in the bag, and Easter in April was looking great! Guest satisfaction was sky high, and team morale was booming! What a great way to start the year. Yes, the virus situation had already started in Wuhan, and the loss of incoming business from China would have an impact, but like the rest of the world, we were not bothered. Life was good, business was good, this would not impact us, and no way could this get any worse… Fast forward to April 1, 2020, and we are sitting here finalising the closing inventories for the resort, coordinating with the teams on how we will get our 400 remaining team members back home to their families.

As those of you who follow Kurumba, and for those of you who have stayed here, you all know that the team is what makes this resort so special. Their hard work, their smiles and their natural warmth is what has built Kurumba, and made it such a popular resort. Even with all of the uncertainty we are all faced with, they kept working with a genuine smile on their face, and even after the last guest departure a few days back, that smile remains, and the hard work continues. With these upcoming daily entries, I hope to be able to share with you some pictures and some of the activities taking place here at Kurumba over these next few months. Hopefully it will bring back some fond memories, and it will keep us all connected during these challenging times.

STAY HOME. STAY SAFE. STAY HEALTHY. AND WE WILL SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN.

Featured

ELE|NA marks World Asthma Day with guided wellness experiences

Published

on

ELE|NA marked World Asthma Day with a series of wellness activities across its properties, focusing on the role of breath in overall wellbeing.

The programme was designed to highlight the connection between breathing, movement and daily health practices. According to the company, the initiative aimed to position respiratory health as an integral part of routine wellness rather than a purely clinical concern.

Activities began with guided breath awareness sessions combined with stretching exercises. These sessions focused on controlled movement and breathing techniques intended to improve mobility and support more regulated breathing patterns. The approach was structured to help participants reduce tension and restore a steady physical rhythm.

The programme also included Floating Sound Healing sessions, where participants were positioned on water while exposed to therapeutic sound frequencies. The sessions were designed to support relaxation and mental focus through controlled sensory input.

The overall programme combined breathwork, movement and sound-based therapy as part of a structured wellness approach. ELE|NA indicated that these practices were intended to support awareness, relaxation and physical balance.

The company operates across 12 properties, including OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, OZEN LIFE MAADHOO, OBLU SELECT Sangeli, OBLU SELECT Lobigili, OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi, VARU by Atmosphere, OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO and RAAYA by Atmosphere, as well as properties in India.

Through the initiative, ELE|NA presented its wellness framework as extending beyond spa treatments, incorporating routine practices centred on breathing, movement and relaxation.

Continue Reading

Action

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives offers Dive Free programme

Published

on

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is offering guests access to a range of dive sites in South Malé Atoll through its Dive Free programme, aimed at divers seeking structured and accessible diving experiences during their stay.

Located approximately 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the resort provides proximity to multiple dive sites within a 10 to 30-minute boat radius. The surrounding waters are known for varied reef structures, current-driven channels and regular marine life encounters, allowing for multiple dives per day.

The Dive Free programme is available to guests staying three nights or more, offering up to two complimentary scuba dives per day for up to two certified divers per villa.

According to Dive Centre Manager Ibrahim Shaan, the location enables access to a range of dive environments within a short distance, including reef and channel dives. He noted that sites such as Kandooma Thila can be reached within minutes, while additional sites offering different conditions are accessible within half an hour.

Director of Marketing and Sustainability Sharon Garrett stated that the programme is designed to integrate diving into the overall guest experience, reducing both time and cost considerations for certified divers.

Water conditions in the area remain suitable for diving throughout the year, with visibility often exceeding 20 metres. The dive sites accessible from the resort include:

  • Kandooma Thila, a coral-covered pinnacle known for sightings of reef sharks and eagle rays
  • Guraidhoo Corner, a channel dive site with strong currents attracting schools of fish and larger species
  • Cocoa Corner, featuring reef walls and drop-offs with occasional pelagic encounters
  • Kuda Giri Wreck, a sheltered site with a wreck and reef supporting reef fish and macro life
  • Kandooma Caves, characterised by overhangs and reef formations with diverse marine species

Additional nearby sites include Manta Point, Lhosfushi, Medhu Faru and Waggiri, offering a mix of reef and channel diving, with seasonal manta ray sightings.

The resort operates a PADI five-star dive centre with guided excursions and access to multiple sites within short travel distances. The Dive Free programme is positioned as an option for divers seeking to maximise time in the water without the need for domestic transfers, providing direct access to dive locations from a single island base.

Continue Reading

Featured

Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives unveils Eid al-Adha experience

Published

on

Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives has introduced a curated Eid al-Adha offering aimed at travellers seeking a structured yet flexible way to mark the occasion in a resort setting.

Branded “Island Celebrations: Eid – Connect in Paradise”, the experience is positioned for guests from the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, with a focus on shared experiences, personal time and engagement with the surrounding environment.

Located approximately 20 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the resort is accessible for short-stay and family travel during peak holiday periods. The property features 120 beach and overwater villas, alongside an overwater spa, house reef and multiple dining outlets.

The Eid experience will begin with an in-villa welcome offering, including Arabic sweets, dates and fruit. The programme is structured around a series of optional activities rather than a fixed schedule. These include lagoon-based experiences, daily yoga sessions at sunrise and sunset, spa treatments, sunset cruises and dining options designed for private or shared settings.

The resort has indicated that the programme is intended to allow guests to engage with activities at their own pace, rather than follow a defined itinerary.

In line with the preferences of Muslim travellers, the resort has incorporated halal-friendly dining options, flexible meal arrangements and an expanded range of non-alcoholic beverages. Villa layouts are also designed to support privacy.
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives has reported guest ratings of 9.2 out of 10 on halal travel platforms, reflecting demand within this segment.

The introduction of the Eid programme aligns with broader trends in the Maldives tourism sector, where travel experiences are increasingly structured around personalisation, cultural considerations and smaller-scale experiences.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.