Featured
Visit Maldives hosts top journalists from Russia, CIS market
Visit Maldives is hosting key journalists from the Russia and CIS market to promote Maldives as a safe haven for travellers and to showcase the unique experiences in the Maldives with a specific focus on safety, luxury and eco-initiatives of the destination.
From February 5-12, journalists from Kazakhstan were in the Maldives. The press team include chief editors from Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Esquire and Harper’s Bazaar which has a huge circulation and reach in the market.
In addition to the group from Kazakhstan, a team of Russian journalists arrived Thursday. The team of chief editors from top publications such as KP.ru, RIA and Hello!Russia will also experience similar luxury and eco initiatives offered in the host resorts.
The media team from Kazakhstan stayed at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort and Spa for the first half of their stay where they experienced activities such as sustainable initiatives implemented by the property, signature cuisines in unique locations, snorkelling, water sports and cultural activities.
For the latter half of their stay, the team stayed at Kuramathi Maldives, and had the opportunity to visit the resort’s Eco Centre, a guided tour of the house reef and the resort’s signature spa.
The Russian team of journalists will also stay in Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort and shift to Robinson Club Noonu for the second half of their stay. The team is also expected to experience the unique activities offered by each of the host properties.
The Russia market is a traditionally strong market to the Maldives and is performing exceptionally well since the reopening of the borders on July 15. Presently, Russia is the top market in terms of arrival to the Maldives.
In addition to this, markets from the CIS region such as Ukraine and Kazakhstan has been showing increased growth in terms of arrivals with Kazakhstan being among the top 10 in terms of arrivals since the start of direct flights from Almaty by Air Astana in December.
Several initiatives are underway to market the destination in Russia & CIS region. In this regard, high impact campaigns on both offline and online platforms are in the pipeline for the market with several collaborations with key stakeholders in the market.
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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