Six Senses Laamu’s Education and Community Outreach Manager Adam Tholhath has been recognised on the global stage at this year’s Stelliers awards for inspiring the next generation of ocean stewards.

Adam received the Stelliers Award for the Sustainable Hotelier of the year during the Virtual Award Ceremony in December.

Stelliers is a Leading Hotelier Awards Platform with a mission to not only recognise the most talented hoteliers, but also to inspire the younger generations to pursue a career in hospitality.

The Sustainable Hotelier award is a new addition to awards categories, reserved for a host who is leading the industry through environmentally friendly and socially responsible initiatives.

In his role as Education and Community Outreach Manager, Adam drives Six Senses Laamu’s local community relations and leads the ‘Eku Eky’ (meaning ‘together’ in Dhivehi) initiative.

A series of meetings held throughout the year brings together stakeholders to the same table to discuss sustainable development plans and find solutions to the most pressing issues facing the atoll.

Adam also leads a school outreach programme, inspiring the next generation to advocate for their own island’s natural resources. This programme provides snorkelling sessions and marine books for all schools through guest donations.

Adam is also the driving force behind Plastic Free Laamu Atoll, which aims to eliminate single use plastics within the community.

In 2019, reverse osmosis water filtration systems were donated to various government institutions in the atoll, bringing the total number donated by Six Senses Laamu to 63. They provide clean, plastic free drinking water to approximately 4,384 people, thereby avoiding an estimated 1.6 million single use plastic water bottles annually.

“This award is extremely well-deserved” says a very proud Marteyne van Well, General Manager of Six Senses Laamu.

“Adam’s commitment and efforts have, and continue to, pave the way for more sustainable relationships with stakeholders in Laamu at all levels, as well as inspire and empower the resort team in realm of sustainability.”

This is the second Stelliers award to be presented to a Six Senses Laamu host, after Megan O’Beirne, former Sustainability Manager, was named South Asia’s CSR Hotelier of the Year in 2018.

Six Senses Laamu is the first and one of only two resorts in the pristine Laamu atoll. Most of the villas and facilities are built overwater, however beach villas and on-land dining are an option. All villas offer a sense of privacy and seclusion, with an amazing view to the ocean and Maldivian nature.

Six Senses Laamu offers a wide range of dining options, with cuisines from around the world, an ice cream parlour, an overwater wine cellar and a signature Chill Bar.

Many activities, excursions and options are available for everyone to enjoy, both overwater and underwater, in addition to the Six Senses Spa.

Six Senses Laamu hosts one of the largest teams of marine biologists in the Maldives, the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI). Staff from Six Senses Laamu and its three partner NGOs: Manta Trust, Blue Marine Foundation and Olive Ridley Project work together under the banner of MUI and seek to lead the tourism industry in the Maldives with meaningful marine conservation efforts based on research, education and community outreach.