Featured
Escape beckons: New destination sales, marketing team to elevate Marriott Bonvoy’s Maldives portfolio
With an escape from our homes being on everyone’s mind over the past months, Marriott Bonvoy Portfolio in the Maldives on Monday announced the formation of a Market Sales & Marketing Team to further develop the demand for the destination, taking the resorts and Marriott International’s positioning to greater heights.
The Market Team comprises of experienced professionals who bring to their roles strong destination and discipline skills which speaks of the company’s commitment to support its enhanced footprint and growth plans as well as drive consumer preference and enhance performance in perhaps what is currently the world’s most desirable leisure destination.
Led by Ali Nihad, in the capacity of Market Director, Sales and Marketing – Maldives, the team will provide dedicated support to the company’s thriving destination portfolio and will be responsible for driving top line revenue, ensuring the Sales and Marketing strategy leverages the interest and demand for the destination and is aligned with the company’s vision and priorities.
The team will support JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, W Maldives, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa and The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort.
Commenting on the announcement, Peter Foreman, Senior Director, Sales & Distribution – Singapore, Malaysia & Maldives said: “The leadership team we are announcing today is important to foster greater synergies, teamwork, accountability and nimble decision-making, all critical to laying a strong foundation that will support our ambitious plans in Maldives.”
“I am extremely excited to work together with such a talented and diverse group of leaders who bring with them exceptional domain expertise as well as regional and source market insights that will enable us to create a more vibrant organisation that delivers value for all stakeholders.”

On being appointed to his new role, Ali Nihad said: “I’m excited to return to the Maldives at a stage where the demand for the destination is ripe, and I look forward to working with the energetic market team as we forge ahead in the achievement of our goal.”
The Market Sales and Marketing Team for Maldives has been formed with the following seasoned hospitality professionals.
Ali Nihad: Market Director, Sales & Marketing
Ali Nihad returns home to the Maldives to lead the formation of the cluster team, bringing to this role over 18 years of hospitality experience.
He joins the team from Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bali where he held the commercial responsibility as Director of Sales and Marketing.
With a career panning luxury brands like St. Regis, Anantara and W Hotels among others, at various positions of leadership in the Sales & Marketing function, Ali is all set to take over the new Marriott International Maldives cluster as Market Director, Sales & Marketing and lead from the front.
He has worked across multiple hotels in the island nation, his last assignment in Maldives being the Assistant Director, Sales & Marketing at The St. Regis Maldives Vomulli Resort, and thus holds a strong connect and relationship with key partners from source markets.
Hanny Wahyuni: Market Director, Marketing & Communications
Hanny brings more than 15 years of marketing and communications experience to this role.
A pre-opening and restructuring specialist, she has held roles with The Ritz-Carlton hotels in Jakarta and Qatar, Kempinski Soma Bay, Egypt, Rosewood Phnom Penh, Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman and most recently with W Koh Samui.
Nelli Listunova: Market Director, Sales – Russia & CIS
Nelli has a wealth of customer knowledge with 12 years of experience at Marriott’s Luxury Brands portfolio.
She was previously Director of Sales at W Maldives and has also held a destination sales role with The Luxury Collection hotels of Costa Smeralda, Sardinia and Porto Cervo.
Fawaz Ibrahim: Market Director, Sales – Europe
Fawaz began his career at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa and W Maldives where he held various roles before transferring to Thailand where he worked with The Luxury Collection and Sheraton Resorts in Koh Samui.
Following his return to the Maldives and two years with Anantara Resorts Maldives, Fawaz re-joined Marriott as Director of Sales with The St. Regis Maldives Vomulli Resort where he held the on-island leadership role for the Sales, Reservations & the Marketing team.
Wendy Kew: Market Director, eCommerce
Wendy brings to the role a wealth of digital marketing experience along with a deep understanding of Marriott’s digital ecosystem, most recently working with W Hotels, The Luxury Collection and Courtyard by Marriott in Malaysia.
Saadhvi Mehra: Market Director, Communications
Having been with the company since 2012, Saadhvi is no stranger to the Maldives having previously held a project role with The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort.
Throughout her career, Saadhvi has held roles with W Hotels, Sheraton and Le Méridien hotels in South Asia. Most recently, Saadhvi was with W Hotels in Abu Dhabi.
Sonali Khadka: Assistant Market Director, Marketing
Sonali has lived and worked in the Maldives since 2018, holding roles with Faarufushi before joining The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort as part of the pre-opening team.
From cruising with beloved sea mammals at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, to breath-taking snorkelling at W Maldives, swimming with Manta Rays at The Westin Miriandhoo Resort to experiencing a sanctuary of scenic luxury at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of resorts in Maldives presents an unrivalled white-sand, blue-sky escape that is second to none.
To know more about Marriott International’s presence in the Maldives, visit https://destinations.marriottbonvoyasia.com/en/destination/maldives.
Featured
Villa Nautica’s festive glow: Yoga at sunrise, fireworks at midnight
Villa Nautica will embrace the festive spirit from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, offering guests an easy island rhythm that flows from bright mornings by the water to music-filled evenings on the sand. The season begins with illuminated beaches and relaxed barbecues, gradually building through creative afternoons and live performances. Christmas Eve will feature a gala dinner, followed by Santa’s arrival on 25 December. The celebrations will culminate in a vibrant New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks, before settling into a calm reset on New Year’s Day and concluding with Orthodox Christmas.
The programme balances practicality with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Mornings will bring sunrise yoga, family pool activities, and interactive cooking sessions, while evenings will feature poolside soirées, wine-paired dinners, and sunset cruises. With simple yet photogenic settings, the lagoon and sky take centre stage in shaping the mood. Guests—whether couples, friends, or families—can participate freely without losing the island’s easy pace.
For younger visitors, the festivities will centre around the kids’ club, where cookie and cupcake decorating, beach games, origami and craft sessions, storytelling, and cosy movie nights will take place. Small groups and attentive care ensure that creativity and play remain the focus, allowing parents to enjoy uninterrupted moments around the island.
A highlight of the season will be the Champagne Lucky Draw & Disco. From 1 to 31 December, each bottle of champagne purchased at resort bars or restaurants will serve as an entry to the draw. Guests are advised to keep their entry stubs for the live draw, held at 01:00 during the New Year’s celebration, where the prize will be a seven-night stay in a Water Villa for two.
Throughout the festive period, private experiences will feel as memorable as the larger celebrations. Guests may enjoy candlelit dinners on the sand, floating breakfasts, or early morning snorkelling sessions to begin the year anew. Whether seeking a lively shoreline celebration or a quiet evening stroll beneath lanterns and palms, Villa Nautica offers an atmosphere where every festive moment can glow in its own way.
Featured
JOALI BEING launches global campaign ‘Joyful Journeys of Well-Living’
JOALI BEING, the world’s first well-being island, has announced the launch of its new global brand campaign titled “Joyful Journeys of Well-Living.” The campaign celebrates the art of self-discovery, inviting travellers to reconnect with their inner selves through bespoke and transformative experiences.
Building upon JOALI BEING’s core philosophy of the “Joy of Weightlessness,” the campaign embodies the essence of harmony between mind, body, and spirit. It encourages guests to explore holistic pathways designed to restore balance and inspire personal growth.
Joyful Journeys of Well-Living serves as an invitation to travellers seeking meaningful change and renewal. The campaign narrates stories of individuals discovering joy through purposeful living, mindful connection, and immersive well-being experiences at JOALI BEING.
The visuals capture the island’s tranquil landscapes and nurturing spaces — from oceanfront sanctuaries to treetop villas and transformative healing sessions led by resident experts. The campaign presents JOALI BEING as more than a destination; it is a journey towards well-being, creativity, and self-transformation.
Each guest journey at JOALI BEING is founded on the resort’s Four Pillars of Well-Being — Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy. Through tailored programmes, guests can embark on integrative wellness experiences encompassing sound therapy, movement and fitness, hydrotherapy, nutritional guidance, and energy-healing sessions curated by specialists.
The island features a series of advanced well-being spaces, including:
- CORE: a movement and fitness zone
- AREKA: a transformative treatment centre
- KAASHI: a hydrotherapy hall
- SEDA: a sound-healing room
- Ocean Sala: an open-air meditation and relaxation deck
Each space is designed to nurture a profound connection with nature and the self.
The Joyful Journeys of Well-Living campaign has been conceptualised and produced by JOALI BEING’s in-house team in collaboration with creative partners and visual storytellers from across the globe. The multi-platform campaign integrates film, digital, and print media to convey JOALI BEING’s ethos — a celebration of joy, transformation, and harmony.
The visual narrative draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the Maldives, reflecting JOALI BEING’s immersive design philosophy. The imagery captures the rhythm of the ocean, the play of light, and the flow of energy that define the spirit of the island.
Awards
Coco Bodu Hithi wins Best Waterside Hotel at Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2026
Coco Bodu Hithi has been recognised on the global stage, winning Best Waterside Hotel (Riverside, Lakeside, Seaside) at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2026, held on 3 November 2025 in the UK. It is the second consecutive year the resort has been honoured by the publication, following last year’s win for Best Service, reaffirming its focus on heartfelt Maldivian hospitality and refined island living.
Described by Condé Nast Johansens as an “over-water, over-indulgent Maldivian island outpost,” Coco Bodu Hithi offers an intimate retreat of comfort and calm. The resort’s 32 Water Villas and 24 Coco Residences, each measuring 184 square metres and featuring private pools, provide secluded spaces set above the lagoon, where nature, design, and comfort come together to reflect the island’s romantic ambience.
Known for contemporary design infused with Maldivian heritage, the resort continues to welcome travellers seeking time by the sea, complemented by culinary collaborations with celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs. The experience balances privacy and comfort throughout a guest’s stay. With turquoise waters, quiet spaces, and experiences designed for connection and shared discovery, the resort presents a considered take on island living.
Located 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the island combines accessibility with seclusion—close enough for convenience, yet removed for privacy and serenity. As part of Coco Collection, the resort offers bespoke experiences, attentive service, and sustainable practices, shaping stays that feel personal and reflective of relaxed, authentic island life.
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Celebration6 days agoVilla Park sets holiday line-up with sunset welcome, Santa visit and NYE gala


