Featured
Russia’s Rossiya Airlines to begin Maldives flights on Nov 14
Rossiya Airlines is set to launch flight operations to the Maldives.
From November 14, the Russian airline will fly once a week between Moscow and Male using a Boeing 747-400 jet.
Part of the Aeroflot Group, Rossiya Airlines is one of the largest carriers in Russia. With a fleet of 54 aircraft, the airline regularly flies to 53 destinations around the world.
With Rossiya Airlines starting service to the Maldives, Russian travellers will have even more options to enjoy a tropical getaway in the Indian Ocean tourist paradise this winter holiday season.
Russian flag carrier Aeroflot operates four weekly services, while Nordwind Airlines offers travellers twice a week service to the Maldives. Azur Air also flies three times a week between Vnukovo International Airport and Velana International Airport.
Expanding air connectivity between Moscow and Male will be a major boost to the Maldives’ efforts to revive the country’s tourism-dependent economy after reopening its borders on July 15.
Tourism promotion authorities in Maldives have also launched an advertising campaign on a leading TV channel in Russia.
Russian tourists accounted for over 74,000 or close to five per cent of Maldives’ foreign visitors last year, the sixth biggest market after China, India, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Before the current coronavirus pandemic, Aeroflot was operating daily flights between Moscow Sheremetyevo and Velana International Airport in Male.
With the border reopening, 30-day free on-arrival visa is issued to all tourists with a confirmed booking for a stay at any registered tourist facility in the country.
There is no mandatory quarantine or testing on arrival, but tourists have to complete an online health declaration form and provide a negative PCR test result taken at least 96 hours prior to their departure.
Visitors with symptoms of the Covid-19 respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus or those travelling with someone who has similar symptoms are also tested at their own expense.
Awards
Milaidhoo Maldives’ Serenity Spa wins Best Hotel Spa at Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2027
Milaidhoo Maldives’ overwater Serenity Spa has received the Best Hotel Spa award at the 2027 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence, recognising the resort’s personalised wellness services and spa experiences.
The awards ceremony was held at The Montcalm Mayfair in London on Monday, 2 November 2026. Milaidhoo Maldives was represented by Georgie Westley, Corporate Director of Marketing and Communications at Versa Hospitality, alongside representatives from ROVE PR UK.
Located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Serenity Spa offers a range of wellness treatments and services in an overwater setting.
The spa provides personalised wellness programmes supported by an on-island wellbeing consultant, daily yoga classes and an extensive selection of treatments designed to meet individual guest requirements.
Guests can receive treatments at the overwater spa or in the privacy of their villas. The treatment menu includes massages, beauty therapies and specialised wellness treatments incorporating advanced technologies.
Among the technologies available at Serenity Spa are the LYMA Laser, Archedaway Cupping Therapy and M2T Blade. The spa also uses products from wellness and beauty brands including Natura Bissé, Aromatherapy Associates, Obsidian for Men and Margaret Dabbs.
Milaidhoo Maldives incorporates wellness into other aspects of its guest experience, including its culinary offerings. The resort’s approach includes meals prepared using fresh ingredients from its Chef’s Garden, alongside daily yoga sessions and activities centred on relaxation and wellbeing.
Paul van Frank, General Manager of Milaidhoo Maldives, said the award recognised the spa team’s commitment to delivering personalised services.
“We are incredibly proud of this recognition. Our Serenity Spa is a special part of the Milaidhoo experience and our team, the Milaidhoo Family, takes great care to ensure every guest receives the attention and personalisation they deserve. From expert treatments to the simple pleasure of taking time for yourself, we want guests to leave feeling refreshed and reconnected,” he said.
The recognition highlights Milaidhoo Maldives’ wellness offerings, which combine spa treatments, specialist therapies, personalised services and wellness-focused dining experiences.
The resort continues to incorporate wellness into its hospitality offering through its Serenity Spa, culinary programmes and recreational activities.
Featured
JOALI rewards returning guests with exclusive digital art collectibles
JOALI has introduced a personalised festive gifting initiative for selected returning VIP guests, featuring original non-fungible token (NFT) digital artworks inspired by the resort’s geographical location and surrounding marine environment.
The initiative is designed to recognise returning guests and strengthen relationships with those who have visited the resort on multiple occasions.
The centrepiece of the gifting programme is an original digital artwork developed using JOALI’s geographical coordinates as its creative inspiration. The coordinates have been incorporated into a three-dimensional underwater artwork representing the marine environment and biodiversity surrounding the island.
Each selected guest will receive an individual version of the artwork, creating a unique digital collectible associated with their experiences at JOALI.
The NFT format also allows recipients to trade or sell their digital artworks through compatible NFT marketplaces, should they choose to do so.
The initiative forms part of JOALI’s approach to personalised hospitality, extending guest engagement beyond their stays through digital art and creative experiences.
By incorporating geographical data, underwater imagery and blockchain-based digital collectibles, the resort aims to provide returning guests with a personalised connection to the destination.
The festive gifting programme also reflects JOALI’s continued focus on integrating art, creativity and the natural environment into its guest experiences, while recognising the relationships established with its returning visitors.
Action
Avani+ Fares Maldives offers young guests football training with Martin Kelly
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort will host an Exclusive Kids’ Football Camp featuring former Liverpool FC defender Martin Kelly from 15 to 18 November 2026, offering young football enthusiasts an opportunity to train with a former Premier League player.
The four-day programme is open to children aged five to 13 of all skill levels and will combine professional football coaching with recreational activities at the resort in Baa Atoll.
The event follows three football camps previously hosted by Avani+ Fares Maldives with former England and Liverpool FC striker Michael Owen, as the resort continues to develop sporting experiences for younger guests.
The upcoming camp will feature daily afternoon training sessions led by Kelly, alongside a welcome meet-and-greet, beach games, pool parties, FIFA tournaments and other recreational activities.
Each participant will receive an official football camp kit comprising two customised jerseys, shorts and socks. The programme will conclude with a closing ceremony, during which participants will receive medals and certificates.
“A football camp is about so much more than what happens on the pitch. It’s about helping young players enjoy the game, believe in themselves and learn how much they can achieve as part of a team,” Kelly said.
“I’m looking forward to sharing some of what I’ve learnt throughout my career and, most importantly, having fun with the kids in such an incredible setting.”
Kelly, a graduate of Liverpool FC’s academy, made 62 senior appearances for the club and was part of the squad that won the League Cup in 2012. He later continued his Premier League career with Crystal Palace, where he spent several seasons.
The football camp comes in a year when Avani+ Fares Maldives was recognised as Best Family Resort at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards & Gala 2026.
Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, the resort offers a range of accommodation options for families, including Overwater Villas, Two-Bedroom Ocean View Pavilions and Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villas.
In addition to the football camp, guests can participate in activities such as house reef snorkelling, sunset fishing, watersports and beach recreation. The resort also offers activities for younger guests at AvaniKids, while wellness treatments are available at AvaniSpa.
The Exclusive Kids’ Football Camp will take place from 15 to 18 November 2026, with a participation fee of USD 399 per child.
A five-night accommodation package starts from USD 3,784 per room for two adults and one child staying in a Premium Ocean View Room.
The package includes accommodation, half-board dining, football camp participation for one child, seaplane transfers, and applicable taxes and service charges.
-
News5 days agoananea Madivaru Maldives unveils personalised island concierge experience
-
Drink1 week agoRare vintages meet island luxury: Glenelly Estate takes over RAAYA and VARU by Atmosphere
-
Awards1 week agoRitz-Carlton Maldives earns Two MICHELIN Keys, St. Regis Vommuli named among Asia Pacific’s best hotels
-
Cooking1 week agoGili Lankanfushi Executive Chef Hari releases plant-based cookbook celebrating sustainable cuisine
-
News1 week agoCentara unveils Festival of Lights celebrations across Maldives resorts
-
News1 week agoSun Siyam Vilu Reef celebrates 28 years with new beach club and Italian restaurant
-
Action1 week agoDaniil Medvedev, Paula Badosa and Donna Vekić head to St. Regis Maldives for tennis series
-
Cooking1 week agoHeritance Aarah brings Chiang Mai’s The House by Ginger to Maldives


