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Visit Maldives welcomes Bollywood star Janani Iyer

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Visit Maldives has welcomed Indian movie star Janani Iyer to the Maldives on a familiarisation trip, aiming to showcase the nation as the most-preferred holiday destination for Indian travellers.

Janani Iyer – alongside her family – stayed in the Maldives from March 28 to April 2, and explore the different types of activities available, providing coverage through her social media platforms.

Janani Iyer is an Indian actress famous for Tamil and Malayalam movies, and has appeared in notable films such as the crime thriller Thegidi and the police drama 7th Day.

In addition to her celebrity status, Janani also has more than 4.6 million followers on her social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

In this familiarisation trip, Janani and family stayed at The Residence Maldives Dhigurah, where they experienced the resort’s signature cuisines, health and wellness offerings, snorkelling, watersports activities and sunset cruises, alongside the many other unique experiences.

These experiences were shared to her followers during her stay in Maldives.

Maldives has been one of the most preferred destinations among Indian celebrities over the past few months. Bollywood celebrities such as Taapsee Pannu, Varun Dhawan, Tiger Shroff, Disha Patani and Neha Dhupia are among some of the celebrities who spent their vacation in the island nation.

The exposure from celebrity vacations have greatly increased the awareness within India about Maldives as one of the most preferred and safe destinations.

The month of March continues to be fruitful for the Maldives in terms of arrivals from the Indian market as the very first offline events in India were also kicked off on March 22. This included a high-level press conference followed by a Roadshow in Delhi hosted by Visit Maldives.

In addition, the Maldives was also showcased at the South Asia’s Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) in Delhi from March 24-26.

Maldives reopened its borders on July 15 with stringent safety measures to ensure the safety for all tourists and the citizens, and to utilise the naturally distanced nature of the islands for all tourists.

Additionally, the Covid-19 vaccination programme has been commenced across the Maldives, and the country’s tourism is recovering with impressive results in 2021.

With regards to the Indian market, there are several activities ongoing and planned to promote Maldives as a safe haven for travellers. Visit Maldives is currently collaborating with Wedding Sutra, Thomas Cook, and MakeMyTrip, and is in discussion to conduct other similar activities to promote the destination within the region.

Statistics published by the tourism ministry reveal that India is currently the top source market for tourism in the Maldives. As of March 24, the Maldives had welcomed a total of 269,504 travellers with an arrival figure of 64,059 travellers from India.

Visit Maldives plans to continue this momentum of growth by conducting several marketing activities in India.

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Coco Collection brings conservation and low-waste living into resort experience

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Coco Collection, a Maldivian-owned resort brand, has invited guests to experience a more conscious approach to luxury at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and Coco Bodu Hithi.

Across its two island resorts, Coco Collection has incorporated environmental responsibility into the guest experience through its Coco Cares philosophy. From nature-led experiences inspired by the islands’ ecosystems to culinary offerings based on fresh, locally grown ingredients, the resorts have been designed to reflect the natural setting of the Maldives while integrating sustainability into daily operations.

At Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, this commitment is reflected in the Maldives’ veterinary-led Marine Turtle Rescue Centre, which is operated in partnership with the Olive Ridley Project. As a founding partner of the facility, the resort provides care for injured sea turtles and supports marine conservation awareness. Since its establishment, the centre has treated and released 152 injured turtles, with a rehabilitation success rate of 60%. The resort also continues seagrass preservation efforts aimed at protecting marine habitats and supporting biodiversity in the surrounding waters.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu also applies low-waste practices, mindful sourcing, and resource-conscious operations across the resort. This approach extends to Coco Farm, where homegrown produce, handcrafted preserves, and garden-to-table dining experiences are used to bring local flavour and seasonality to the table.

At Coco Bodu Hithi, the same approach is reflected in its food and beverage offerings. To mark Earth Day, the resort has introduced a green-inspired cocktail experience focused on eco-conscious mixology, using fresh ingredients grown on the island.

The resort said its low-waste approach informs all aspects of the guest experience, with attention given to responsible resource use. From the choice of herbs and fruits to preparation and presentation, the offering is intended to reflect respect for the natural environment.

This approach also extends across the resort’s wider culinary programme, which focuses on locally sourced ingredients, house-made preserves, and dishes inspired by the Maldives’ natural produce. Through seasonal menus, conscious sourcing, and resource management, Coco Bodu Hithi aims to offer an experience that combines hospitality with environmental responsibility.

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Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026

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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.

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Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day

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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.

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