Business
Dhiraagu to introduce AI-powered hotel voice assistant WooHoo

Dhiraagu is collaborating with SmartBeings Inc and Leia Inc to introduce WooHoo, a contactless Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered voice assistant for the hospitality industry.
SmartBeings Inc is a Silicon Valley-based company and the developer of WooHoo, an award-winning enterprise voice AI assistant speaker for the hospitality industry.
The WooHoo voice AI assistant speakers (powered by JBL by Harman) brings the convenience to order and personalise guest needs quickly and efficiently using their voice commands.
“We are excited to collaborate with Dhiraagu, the leading digital service provider in the Maldives,” Himanshu Kaul, the Chief Innovation Officer at SmartBeings Inc, said.
“With a huge demand for Contactless solutions, WooHoo is powered by next-generation cognitive AI platform where brands can customise and redefine a luxurious experience with the power of voice.”
Leia Inc is the leading provider of Lightfield hardware and content services for mobile devices. Leia’s Lume Pad is the first 3D Lightfield Tablet in the world that lets you experience 3D imagery with a natural sensation of depth and feel for textures, materials, and lights — no eyewear required.
The Lume Pad — Hospitality Edition will fully integrate with WooHoo’s platform to help upsell in-room services and further uplift the guest experience.
“We are excited to bring Lightfield imagery to the world of luxury hospitality through this partnership,” David Fattal, Leia Inc’s co-founder and CEO, said.
“Combining voice commands and holographic interactions creates the perfect marriage to elevate the guest experience and create new revenue streams for hoteliers.”
As the Covid-19 pandemic has heavily impacted the hospitality industry across the globe, it is a common understanding that the tourism landscape will not be the same even after the lockdowns and travel restrictions have been lifted.
The road to recovery will be even far more challenging and to navigate through that, Dhiraagu is introducing WooHoo — a platform which will help minimise the need for physical contact, provide tele-health services, and enable guest requests to be attended via a voice assistant.
“We are happy to be collaborating with Silicon Valley companies like SmartBeings Inc and their partners Leia Inc to offer a contactless voice assistant, to support our hospitality partners where they can digitise their guest experience in resorts, rooms, restaurants, beaches, entertainment, and daily tasks,” Mahmoud Dasser, the Chief Marketing Officer at Dhiraagu, said.
“We want to help them connect and optimise their operations while they ensure the guests are safe when delivering a luxurious experience.”
WooHoo is integrated with more than 40+ hospitality solutions like property management systems, in-room automation, housekeeping, point of sales systems, and PBX.
With WooHoo and Dhiraagu’s smart hospitality solutions, hotel guests can now order food and beverages, toiletries, play music, get instant answers to their queries, call reception and control room temperature, lighting, or curtains, among other many interactions, through a simple voice command.
Dhiraagu has continued to bring innovative business solutions to its customers. The expansion of a comprehensive product portfolio and collaborative partnerships are a true testament to Dhiraagu’s commitment to enriching lives through digital services.
Business
Dubai Chocolate Brownies in Maldives: BBM, Dreidoppel conclude pastry tour

BBM’s exclusive Dreidoppel Demo Tour, led by Master Pâtissier Frankie Robin, concluded successfully on Apr 30th, after a 10-day pastry training series across 15 leading Maldivian resorts that requested the training. Two city bakeries were also trained on the 30th. The initiative brought together global expertise and a strong commitment to raising pastry standards in the local hospitality industry.
This year’s sessions focused on practical pastry solutions using Dreidoppel’s premium ingredient range to create Panettone, Dubai chocolate brownies, Mousses, Crème Brûlée, Fill & Gloss applications, and Caramel Chocolate Snacks.

A standout feature of the tour was the passion shown by young chefs across the islands.
Chef Frankie Robin remarked, “What truly impressed me was how prepared and passionate the young chefs were. Their eagerness to learn, experiment, and take their skills to world-class standards made every session an absolute joy.”

Grounded in real kitchen challenges—speed, flavour, and efficiency—Chef Frankie’s demos showcased how smart ingredient choices can drive both creativity and performance.
A.V.S. Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer at BBM, added, “At BBM, we believe in more than just supplying ingredients—we are committed to the professional growth of the industry. Collaborations like this empower culinary teams with global techniques and greater confidence.”
The tour reflects BBM’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the Maldivian foodservice industry through knowledge-sharing and access to world-class products.
Business
BBM brings Vaseline, Hellmann’s, BRU Coffee to Maldives market

Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) extended their strong and decades old partnership with Unilever International, by adding to their brand portfolio – Vaseline, Hellmann’s, and BRU Coffee for the Maldivian market.
The collaboration was announced at a Business gathering held at the Manhattan Business Hotel, attended by over 300 trade partners from across Maldives.

With this partnership, BBM strengthens its retail offerings across the Maldives archipelago. Vaseline, a trusted name in skincare, and Hellmann’s, known globally for quality food products, will now be available through BBM’s distribution network.
“Vaseline is a name that generations trust for skin care. And Hellmann’s is a global icon in flavours. We’re proud to bring both to shelves across the Maldives and enrich everyday living for our customers,” said Muksith Hussain, Business Head – Retail.
In the hospitality sector, BBM introduces Bru Coffee as an addition to its HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant, Café) offerings. BRU Coffee provides a quality beverage option for hotels, resorts, and restaurants across the Maldives.

“BRU is one of the most loved coffee brands in the region. With this launch, we’re giving our hospitality partners a versatile product that delivers on both taste and reliability that can be consumed as a beverage and for the purpose of dessert preparation, something they can serve with confidence,” said Hisham Girsy, Business Head – HORECA.
The gathering served as a platform for BBM to engage with its valued trade partners and introduce these new brands to the market.
A.V.S Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer at BBM, remarked: “BBM is built on relationships. This event reflects our commitment to not just introduce great products but to support, connect, and elevate our trade partners. We’re in this together, and the journey ahead is promising.”

As BBM continues to grow its portfolio and global partnerships, the focus remains clear delivering excellence, building trust, and shaping the future of trade in the Maldives.
Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) is a leading distribution company in the Maldives, connecting international brands with local businesses across retail and hospitality sectors. With a customer-focused approach and extensive distribution network, BBM continues to be a trusted partner in the Maldivian market.
Business
Redefining corporate retreats at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives

MICE travel is undergoing a sea change—quite literally. No longer limited to traditional conference rooms and structured schedules, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) are now about creating moments that inspire, rejuvenate, and bring teams closer together. At Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, the boundaries between business and leisure blur, offering a setting that transforms work into a pleasure.

Just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Malé, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is the ideal destination for teams looking to escape the expected. Here, brainstorming sessions take place on powder-soft beaches, where the rhythmic waves set the pace for new ideas. Mornings might begin with yoga by the ocean, followed by strategy meetings in open-air pavilions. Afternoons invite collaborative workshops under swaying palms or team-building activities that include snorkelling, paddleboarding, or even a friendly beach volleyball match.

Dining at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives elevates every corporate event with fresh, sea-to-table cuisine, designed to fuel both body and mind. From curated group dinners under star-streaked skies to themed private banquets, every meal becomes an experience in itself. For those looking to celebrate milestones or reward top performers, the resort’s scenic locations offer the perfect backdrop for gala evenings or intimate cocktail gatherings.

Accommodation blends comfort with elegance, offering ocean-view suites and beachside retreats that allow participants to rest, recharge, and return with a fresh perspective. Despite the remote charm, connectivity is never an issue—seamless Wi-Fi and business-friendly amenities ensure that productivity doesn’t pause, even in paradise.

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives turns corporate travel into something memorable. Whether it’s a leadership retreat, a high-level conference, or an incentive escape, the resort offers a canvas for events that leave lasting impressions. Here, business goals are pursued in harmony with nature, creativity flows effortlessly, and the line between work and well-being fades.
Let your next MICE experience be more than a meeting—make it a journey worth sharing.
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