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Visit Maldives conducts destination webinar for Thai market

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Visit Maldives has conducted a virtual webinar for the Thailand travel trade in order to promote Maldives as a safe haven for travellers as Maldives prepares to welcome travellers from the market with the gradual re-opening of Thailand’s borders for international leisure travel.

This is the second webinar conducted in a series of webinars planned by Visit Maldives to strengthen the Maldives brand across the key markets under the theme ‘Connect with Maldives – Your Safe Haven’.

The virtual event was held on Visit Maldives’ recently launched virtual platform ‘My Virtual Maldives’. The state-of-the-art platform, representing the beauty of the Maldivian islands, is designed to host virtual roadshows, virtual exhibitions, webinars, and a variety of other virtual events.

The webinar aims to strengthen the relationship between Maldivian tourism industry and the Thailand market and to provide the latest destination information, travel guidelines, and to promote Maldives as one of the leading safest tourist destinations in the world.

Thoyyib Mohamed, The Managing Director of Visit Maldives, addressed the Thailand travel trade during the exclusive webinar.

He remarked on the tourism success story of Maldives amid the pandemic, the important relationship between the Thailand market and Maldives, and the planned celebrations and excitement for the Golden Jubilee Year of the Maldivian tourism industry.

“It is my deepest hope that travellers from the Southeast Asian market will once again feel the Maldivian sand, sun, and sea. We wish to welcome you all to the beautifully scattered islands of Maldives, a safe haven,” he said.

The Ambassador of Maldives to Thailand, Mohamed Jinah, also contributed to the webinar and spoke about the foreign policies and the travel corridors implemented in reopening borders.

Visit Maldives presented an informative destination presentation in both English and Thai languages during the webinar showcasing the breathtaking beauty and allure of the Maldives.

The presentation shed light on the four tourism products of Maldives (resorts, guesthouse, liveaboards, hotels) and the unique experiences travellers can have in Maldives such as staying in a private over-water villa, sleeping in a bubble tent on the beach, and diving in bio-diverse hotspots.

In addition, the presentation highlighted the safety provided by the natural socially distanced unique geography of Maldives in order to promote Maldives as a safe haven for travellers in the Thailand market.

The webinar provided an important platform for Visit Maldives’ industry partners to showcase their latest products to a wide-reaching travel trade audience in the Thailand market. Atolls World, Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives and The Residence Maldives presented the latest information on the unique products and experiences respective to each property.

A total of 95 travel trade representatives from the Thailand market took part in the exclusive webinar.

The session ended with a Q&A in which the Thailand travel trade cleared specific information regarding the destination, the latest travel and health guidelines, Covid-19 situation, and the stringent safety measures in place.

The recently initiated ‘I’m Vaccinated’ campaign, launched in order to promote the vaccination drive and make Maldives tourism industry the first fully vaccinated tourism industry in the world, was also discussed during the Q&A session.

During the Q&A session a poll was conducted in regards to the attendees’ travel plans and their preferred travel destination after border reopening. 52 per cent of attendees responded Covid-19 has not affected their decision of where they will travel to, whilst 48 per cent of attendees will limit their travel to short-haul destinations. Additionally, 80 per cent of attendees prefer Maldives as their top travel choice.

Over the years, Maldives has seen a steady growth in terms of tourist arrivals from the Southeast Asian region making it a promising market with great fight connectivity to the Maldives.

In 2019 Maldives welcomed over 87,636 tourists from the Southeast Asian market.

Despite travel restrictions, Visit Maldives is promoting the destination in the Southeast Asian market to ensure that Maldives remains as a top of the mind destination among travellers and to ensure that Maldives is the most preferred destination for Southeast Asian travellers once borders reopen for leisure travel and travel restrictions are lifted.

Visit Maldives has conducted several campaigns targeting the Southeast Asian market to ensure Maldives remains the top of the mind destination.

Visit Maldives has taken part in Travel Meet Asia – South East Asia, Travel Meet Asia – MICE and Corporate, Antavaya Virtual Travel Fair, IMM Asia Virtual and a Destination Maldives Webinar with the High Commission of Maldives in Singapore & NATAS. In addition,

Visit Maldives has conducted promotional activities with Travel+Leisure as well as ‘Have, Halal, Will Travel’ to promote Maldives targeting Muslim travellers.

Awards

Coco Bodu Hithi wins ‘Best Service’ at 2025 Condé Nast Johansens Awards

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Coco Bodu Hithi, a renowned boutique resort in the Maldives celebrated for its Maldivian-inspired elegance, has received recognition at the 2025 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence.

This prestigious accolade honours outstanding quality across recommended properties worldwide and serves as a trusted benchmark for travellers and industry professionals alike. Coco Bodu Hithi was awarded the title of ‘Best Service’ by Condé Nast Johansens for its exceptional hospitality, which seamlessly blends serene surroundings with meticulous, personalised service.

Additionally, the resort was recently recognised in the 2024 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards as one of the top resorts in the Indian Ocean, cementing its position as a leader in luxury travel. Offering a thoughtfully curated guest experience, Coco Bodu Hithi continues to set itself apart within the industry.

The resort also excels in culinary innovation, boasting four exceptional restaurants. Renowned Michelin-starred chefs frequently collaborate with Group Culinary Director and Michelin-starred chef Martin Cahill to craft exquisite dining experiences, reflecting Coco Bodu Hithi’s unwavering commitment to service excellence and world-class gastronomy.

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Drink

Cocktail art meets tropical bliss: Tao Zrafi transforms Oaga Art Resort’s Sobi Bar

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Oaga Art Resort has transformed its Sobi Bar into a Mixology Garden, showcasing a collaboration with internationally acclaimed Beverage Artist and Netflix’s ‘Drink Masters’ finalist, Tao Zrafi.

Far from the typical poolside bar, the revamped Sobi Bar offers a unique experience where artistic cocktails take centre stage. Standard drinks are replaced with Tao Zrafi’s creations, which expertly blend local Maldivian flavours with surprising twists, providing a sensory journey for visitors.

Each cocktail at Sobi Bar is a testament to Tao Zrafi’s creativity. His exclusive menu combines stunning visual presentation with complex, delightful flavours, elevating the drink experience into an art form.

The Mixology Garden caters to diverse tastes. In addition to Tao Zrafi’s signature creations, Sobi Bar offers a curated selection of international gins and artisanal beers, ensuring every guest finds the perfect beverage to suit their preferences.

To commemorate the launch of the Mixology Garden, Oaga Art Resort is hosting several special events:

  • Cocktail Masterclasses (November 29 and December 6): Guests can learn from Tao Zrafi himself, discovering the secrets behind his innovative cocktails.
  • The Grand Unveiling (December 5): This evening celebration features Tao’s signature cocktails, a buffet, live music, interactive mural painting, and spectacular fire shows. Guests can enjoy a sunset soiree combining art, music, and unforgettable flavours.

Sneak peeks of Tao Zrafi’s creations are available on Oaga Art Resort’s social media platforms, offering a teaser of the enchanting cocktails awaiting guests at Sobi Bar.

Whether seeking relaxation, artistic inspiration, or an elevated cocktail experience, the Mixology Garden at Sobi Bar promises something extraordinary. With its blend of stunning flavors, unique atmosphere, and unforgettable events, Oaga Art Resort ensures every visitor leaves with cherished memories of paradise.

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Featured

Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa announces exclusive collaboration with Maldivian

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Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, a luxury destination located in the pristine Haa Alifu Atoll of the Maldives, has announced its exclusive partnership with Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, for all seaplane and domestic flight transfers. Starting from November 1st, 2024, this collaboration aims to provide guests with unparalleled convenience and seamless travel to the resort, ensuring daily service, with additional transfers available depending on the season.

The resort is known for its spacious villas, exceptional privacy, a wide array of experiences, world-class amenities, and personalised service, all set in a lush, natural island paradise. With Maldivian as its exclusive seaplane transfer partner, guests can enjoy a direct, swift, and scenic journey from Velana International Airport to the resort’s doorstep.

Ahmed Hafeez, Managing Director of Lily Hotels, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to partner with Maldivian to elevate our guests’ arrival and departure experience. This collaboration ensures a smooth and luxurious transition, allowing guests to begin their unforgettable holiday the moment they step off the plane.”

Upon arrival at Velana International Airport, guests are welcomed by the resort’s dedicated airport representatives, who escort them to the exclusive Lily Hotels Lounge at the Noovilu Seaplane Terminal. Here, they can relax and enjoy panoramic views, complimentary refreshments, and Wi-Fi while awaiting their transfer.

In addition to seaplane transfers, Maldivian will also manage domestic flight transfers for guests who prefer this alternative. This comprehensive approach highlights Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa’s commitment to providing flexible and convenient travel solutions.

The partnership with Maldivian also positions the resort for future growth, particularly with the upcoming upgrade of Hanimaadhoo International Airport. This development is expected to enhance accessibility and offer more travel options for the resort’s clientele. The collaboration is anticipated to generate increased interest in the less-explored northern Maldives, an area known for its untouched natural beauty and more tranquil, underwater experiences.

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