Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA), the world’s largest seaplane operator, has once again strengthened its position as a global aviation leader with new accolades at the World Travel Awards 2025. The airline was named the World’s Leading Seaplane Operator 2025 and the Indian Ocean’s Leading Seaplane Operator 2025, acknowledging its continued contribution to air connectivity across the Maldives. The 32nd Annual World Travel Awards ceremony took place at Exhibition World Bahrain and was attended by more than 300 leaders from the international tourism industry.

Established in 1993, TMA has played a central role in shaping the Maldives’ aviation and tourism sectors. Operating the world’s largest seaplane fleet with 65 DHC-6 Twin Otters and serving over 80 resort destinations, the airline provides vital connectivity across the archipelago with a focus on safety, reliability, and operational efficiency. Conducting more than 400 flights daily, TMA remains essential in enabling access to resort islands nationwide.

Commenting on the achievement, A.U.M. Fawzy, CEO of Trans Maldivian Airways, said: “This prestigious recognition from the World Travel Awards, year after year, reflects the trust placed in our team by our partners and guests, and the responsibility we carry as the primary air service provider connecting resort destinations across the Maldives. At TMA, our focus remains on continuous improvement and building on decades of service excellence. As the tourism industry in the Maldives continues to evolve and grow, we will continue strengthening our operations and supporting the long-term development of the Maldives as a world-leading destination.”

TMA continues to enhance its operational capabilities through ongoing investments in fleet upgrades, infrastructure, staff training, and technology-driven improvements, ensuring it meets rising demand while maintaining its hallmark of dependable service.

As the Maldives prepares for further growth in visitor arrivals, Trans Maldivian Airways remains committed to working closely with industry partners, supporting national tourism objectives, and ensuring a seamless and reliable travel experience for guests visiting the country’s island destinations.

Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, an island celebrated for barefoot luxury and refined romance, has announced its Valentine’s Day 2026 programme, Through the Sands of Time. Designed as a poetic journey honouring love in all its forms, the curated experience invites couples to pause, reconnect, and create memories that linger long after the waves have smoothed away their footprints.

Set amidst turquoise waters and powder-soft sands, the resort is widely regarded as one of the Maldives’ most romantic hideaways, with accommodation that naturally lends itself to intimate moments. The Water Villa with Private Pool, poised elegantly above the lagoon, offers uninterrupted ocean views and complete seclusion — ideal for couples seeking privacy wrapped in Maldivian tranquillity. On land, the Beach Villa with Private Pool is nestled in lush greenery with a private stretch of sand just steps away, creating a serene sanctuary for sunset rituals and gentle, unhurried mornings together. These villas provide the perfect setting for Valentine’s escapes, honeymoons, proposals, anniversaries, and destination celebrations throughout the year.

This year’s Valentine’s programme highlights the resort’s diverse approach to culinary romance. The celebration begins with an indulgent Valentine’s Buffet at The Restaurant, featuring tropical flavours, live cooking displays, and an artisanal dessert selection. For those seeking a more intimate dining experience, Mar-Umi will present two five-course degustation menus — Seafood or Vegetarian — both infused with delicate Nikkei influences and complemented by a glass of Champagne, with the option of a sommelier-curated wine pairing. Couples wishing to start the day with romance may opt for the sought-after Aqua Breakfast, served floating in the privacy of the villa pool with Brut Rosé Champagne.

Beyond 14 February, Kuda Villingili remains one of the Maldives’ most romantic dining destinations year-round, offering a range of beautifully staged destination dining experiences — from candlelit beach dinners and sandbank feasts to secluded in-villa soirées — each designed to turn special moments into unforgettable memories.

For Valentine’s Day 2026, the resort presents a thoughtfully crafted collection of romantic experiences designed to deepen connection. Couples may choose the Pool Escape, an experience beside the Maldives’ largest pool complete with cocktails, Champagne, and a refined multi-course menu, or the Beach Escape, a cinematic candlelit dinner on the sand framed by lanterns and uninterrupted ocean views.

Throughout the day, couples are invited to enjoy shared experiences including sunrise couples’ yoga, a mid-morning painting session, and a soothing sunset yoga flow. For deeper emotional harmony, private sound healing sessions use calming vibrations to align energy between partners, while an open-air Valentine’s Movie Date under the stars sets the tone for a truly enchanting evening.

The highlight of the wellness offerings is the Valentine’s Couples Spa experience — The Coconut Affair. This 2.5-hour ritual includes a warm coconut oil massage, body scrub, facial treatment, steam session, and a floral bath, all within the resort’s private island spa comprising eight standalone treatment villas designed for absolute serenity.

Whether marking an anniversary, renewing vows, or planning a memorable proposal, couples will find the island’s natural beauty, thoughtful architecture, world-class dining, and wellness experiences to be an ever-inspiring canvas for romance.

With its poetic theme, refined experiences, curated culinary journeys, and settings designed for intimacy, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives invites couples to celebrate Through the Sands of Time — a day where love slows, deepens, and becomes a memory held forever in the heart.

There is a distinct kind of magic that emerges when island sanctuaries are shaped by a visionary dream. Five years ago, that magic found its name: THE OZEN COLLECTION. What began as two intimate havens in the Maldivian seascape—the profoundly private OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and the contemporary OZEN LIFE MAADHOO—has since evolved into a refined hospitality philosophy that whispers luxury rather than declares it.

Founded in the heart of the Indian Ocean, THE OZEN COLLECTION established its legacy through two distinct Maldivian retreats: the ultra-exclusive OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and the bespoke OZEN LIFE MAADHOO. The brand quickly distinguished itself through its pioneering interpretation of all-inclusive luxury, expressed through its signature RESERVE™ Plan and INDULGENCE™ Plan. Far more than pricing models, these concepts serve as guiding philosophies, transforming each holiday into a seamlessly personalised narrative of indulgence shaped entirely around the guest.

This commitment to excellence has been consistently recognised through prestigious international accolades. OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI exemplifies distinction, with its Royal RESERVE named Maldives’ Leading Luxury Hotel Villa at the World Travel Awards. The property’s MICHELIN Key further affirms its exceptional style and service, while its award for Best All-Inclusive Wine List at the 2025 World’s Best Wine Lists Awards highlights its sophisticated culinary identity.

OZEN LIFE MAADHOO has crafted its own celebrated path. A recipient of Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best 2025—an honour reserved for the top one percent of properties worldwide—it stands as a testament to consistently memorable guest experiences. Its recognition as Sustainable Champion at the Hotelier Maldives Awards reinforces the brand’s belief that profound luxury and responsible environmental stewardship are naturally connected.

Building on this foundation of success, THE OZEN COLLECTION is now embarking on an ambitious new chapter of global expansion. The brand is set to extend its signature elegance and personalised service beyond the Maldives with forthcoming openings in India: OZEN VILLAS JAIPUR, OZEN MANSION KOLKATA, and OZEN PRIVADO GOA. Simultaneously, it will deepen its presence in the Maldives with the exclusive OZEN PRIVÉ ATHIRI GILI, promising a new horizon of secluded luxury.

Reflecting on the journey, Stéphane Laguette, Chief Commercial Officer of Atmosphere Core, said: “Our first five years were about listening and refining our guests’ unspoken wishes, guiding us to the quiet verge of luxury. We learned that true excellence is not about being the largest, but the most meaningful. As we turn the page, we carry these lessons to new shores, ready to craft the next chapter of intimate, unforgettable escapes.”

As THE OZEN COLLECTION steps into its next era, its compass remains firmly aligned with its original purpose: the art of crafting sanctuaries where narrative is paramount. Here, architecture blends harmoniously with nature, service flows with intuitive grace, and every curated experience is designed to honour the unique story of each guest. This is more than hospitality; it is the preservation of moments that linger long after the journey ends—a legacy etched not in sand, but in memory.