Action
Secret Paradise Maldives resumes tour operations

Award winning local tour company Secret Paradise announced this week that day tour operations had once again resumed within the Greater Male region.
Their first tour guests joined Secret Paradise tour guide Mashir Ali on a Male City Walking Tour.
Mr and Mrs Longhino from Luxembourg said: ”It was a very nice experience, even with the masks we could feel the smiling welcome! The check in process was very structured, safety rules were well explained and it felt very professional. The guides are very knowledgeable, have a very good level in english. They openly speak about the history, values, beliefs and present situation of the country.
“A must do for a Maldives visit, we would recommend anyone to take a day to experience and learn a bit more about the country and this tour is a very good way to do so!”
Since April, the team have all worked hard with support from Neil Shorthouse from Shorthouse Hospitality International to ensure our guests would be able to travel safely with us upon their return to the Maldives.
Secret Paradise recently announced the successful implementation of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels protocols for Adventure Tourism.
The specially designed #safetravels stamp allows travellers and other travel and tourism stakeholders to recognise companies around the world that have implemented health and hygiene protocols that are aligned with WTTC’s Global Safe Travels Protocols.
“It’s fantastic for the guide team to have received such positive feedback and to know that their efforts have been worthwhile” Ruth Franklin, Co-Founder and Director at Secret Paradise, said.
The Secret Paradise #letusguideyou Safely Policy highlights the enhanced procedures and processes that guests can expect, from the moment they are met by their guide to the time when they are waved goodbye.
The policy will evolve as time goes on and as public health recommendations change, but what won’t change is Secret Paradise’s commitment to keeping guests safe as they explore the Maldives.
Secret Paradise is currently offering a variety of walking tours within the capital area including the Original Villimale Eco Tour with Save the Beach, as well as water based activities to discover and learn about the underwater world of the Maldives.
Guiding tours since 2012, Secret Paradise offers a carefully developed range of tours to ensure there is something for everyone, no matter the length of stay or the number of people travelling.
Guests can choose to travel on a guided tour with one of their local guides, or travel independently, safe in the knowledge that the team has all logistics covered.
All tours provide carefully selected and audited local accommodation and travel by local transport.
Secret Paradise provides education and opportunities to ‘give back’. Learn about corals, marine-life, sea grass, mangroves and what happens to plastic, through presentations and experiences provided by their local tour leaders.
Traveling with Secret Paradise isn’t just about exploring the Maldives and enjoying the beautiful beaches and tropical waters. It’s about discovering authentic experiences and off-the-beaten-path locations that you didn’t even know were there to discover.
Action
Umair Badheeu sets new, national freediving record at AIDA Philippines National Championship

Maldivian freediver Umair Badheeu has achieved a new national record with a dive to a depth of 62 meters in the bi-fin category. His accomplishment was made possible with the support of Kaimoo Resorts and Hotels, a key sponsor and advocate for Umair’s pursuit of excellence in freediving.
Competing among 14 international participants, Umair’s performance not only secured a new national record but also surpassed his previous bi-fin category record of 60 meters by a margin of two meters.
Reflecting on the challenges of transitioning from his training in Egypt to competing in the Philippines, Umair said: “Adapting to reduced buoyancy due to warmer waters and encountering jellyfish were part of the new environment.”
This marks the third national record Umair has achieved. He previously set two national records of 62 and 64 meters in the free immersion category of free diving at the Andrea Zuccari World Cup held in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt in October. Free immersion freediving is a discipline that requires divers to descend and ascend pulling a rope.
Umair’s switch from training in free immersion in Egypt to the bi-fin category for this tournament demonstrated his adaptability: “It felt like shifting gears, utilising distinct techniques, and returning to a more familiar discipline. This dive marks a confident depth for me, focusing not just on depth but also on refining dive times for a more enjoyable experience,” he remarked.
“Kaimoo’s support has been instrumental, offering me the freedom to train. This support has allowed me to focus on honing my skills and achieving new heights in my freediving,” Umair added.
“Umair’s third record-breaking dive this year is a testament to his exceptional skill and determination. Kaimoo is thrilled to continue supporting Umair’s journey in the world of freediving. His achievements inspire us, and we congratulate him on this impressive feat, looking for-ward to his continued success,” said Mohamed Manih Ahmed, Kaimoo’s Managing Director.
With this record-breaking achievement, Umair now looks forward to a period of rest before gearing up for the upcoming freediving season.
Kaimoo Resorts and Hotels is a leading tourism company in the Maldives that manages five properties across the country. In addition to Embudu Village and Summer Island Maldives, Kaimoo also operates Equator Village in Addu Atoll, and the Mookai Hotel and Mookai Suites in Male’.
Action
Kuramathi Maldives and Rasdhoo Divers dive into adventure with speciality courses

Kuramathi Maldives, in collaboration with Rasdhoo Divers, is elevating the underwater experience by offering a captivating range of Dive Speciality Courses, tailored for both novices and seasoned divers alike. These courses go beyond the ordinary, immersing participants in topics such as Perfect Buoyancy, Wave, Tides and Currents, Turtle Ecology, Manta Ecology, Marine Ecology, Deep Diver Speciality, and Enriched Air Nitrox Speciality.
Perfect Buoyancy: Master the art of achieving and maintaining perfect buoyancy underwater, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable diving experience.
Wave, Tides, and Currents: Dive enthusiasts can now confidently navigate ocean dynamics, enhancing their skills in diverse underwater conditions.
Turtle Ecology: Gain insights into the captivating world of sea turtles, understanding their behavior, and contributing to their conservation.

Manta Ecology: Delve into the mysterious realm of majestic mantas, exploring their habitat, behavior, and the crucial role they play in marine ecosystems.
Marine Ecology: Discover the delicate balance of marine ecosystems and learn how divers can contribute to their preservation through responsible and sustainable practices.
Deep Diver Speciality: Embark on a thrilling adventure below 18 meters, gaining advanced skills for deep-sea exploration and mastering safe diving techniques and pressure management.
Enriched Air Nitrox Speciality: Unlock the secrets of the deep with Nitrox, ensuring safer and longer dives. Enhance your dive planning, elevate safety, and indulge in extended reef adventures.
These Dive Speciality Courses at Kuramathi Maldives are designed not only to enhance participants’ diving skills but also to instill a sense of environmental awareness and responsibility. As custodians of the pristine underwater environment, Kuramathi Maldives is committed to nurturing a community of conscientious divers dedicated to appreciating and protecting delicate marine ecosystems.
Led by certified dive instructors from Rasdhoo Divers Kuramathi, these courses provide a safe and enjoyable learning experience. Whether you are a beginner eager to explore the underwater wonders or an experienced diver looking to expand your knowledge, Kuramathi Maldives invites you to embark on a journey of discovery beneath the azure waves.
Action
Visit Maldives collaborates with Surf Session and Kyllian Guerin to promote the Maldives as a leading surf destination

Visit Maldives has collaborated with ‘Surf Session’, a media platform dedicated to surfing. An exciting familiarisation trip and a digital campaign was conducted to promote the Maldives as a leading surf destination in the French market. The digital campaign was conducted on social media and the Surf Session website.
During the first part of the campaign, a young surfer, Kyllian Guerin, accompanied Surf Session on a week-long trip where he surfed and explored the best waves of the Maldives. Ayada Maldives, Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi, and Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives hosted this familiarisation trip. Kyllians’ journey was captured and brand content in the form of Instagram stories, posts, articles and banners were disseminated on Kyllian Guerin and Surf Session social media platforms and official website. As for the second part of the campaign, digital and print articles highlighted the surf lifestyle in the Maldives and were published on Surf Session website. Additionally, an exciting video of Kyllian’s journey in the Maldives was posted on YouTube, showcasing the beauty of the surf spots of the destination.
The campaign strengthened Maldives’ presence as a premium surf destination and drove excitement among Surf Session’s readership and surfing community. The campaign increased visibility for French surfers and further strengthened the Maldives brand in the French market. Collaborating with prestigious media like Surf Session and influential personalities like Kyllian Guerin allows MMPRC to capture the attention of potential surfers and travel enthusiasts alike, encouraging them to choose the Maldives as their preferred holiday destination. The entire campaign resulted in over a collective reach of 919,209.00.
The current ranking of France is at #8 with 41,072 arrivals as of 31st October 2023. MMPRC is consistently promoting the Maldives in the French market through various marketing activities. This year, we conducted a campaign with Vogue France and IFTM Top Resa 2023. We also plan to promote the Maldives at ILTM Cannes 2023 later this year. These marketing activities ensure the Maldives remain a top-of-mind destination for travellers from the French market.
-
News1 week ago
Raffles Maldives Meradhoo and Maldives National University forge partnership for human resources development
-
News3 days ago
Sheraton Maldives announces spectacular Festive Artisan Market: A day of culture, creativity, and community
-
News3 days ago
Angsana Velavaru welcomes new Executive Assistant Manager for Food and Beverage; ready to enhance culinary experience for “Festive Moments in our Hearts”
-
Awards1 week ago
Amari Raaya Maldives receives Golden Travel Award for Best New Luxury Resort Maldives 2023
-
Action1 week ago
Visit Maldives collaborates with Surf Session and Kyllian Guerin to promote the Maldives as a leading surf destination
-
Celebration1 week ago
SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, whisks up the Festive Season with Christmas Cake-Mixing Ceremony
-
Insiders1 week ago
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort appoints Santosh Singh as Yoga & Fitness Trainer and RunWestin Ambassador
-
Awards6 days ago
Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa honored as Unrivaled Luxury Leader of 2023