Featured
Visit Maldives conducts destination webinar for Thai market

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
Ifuru Island Maldives wins Best Premium All-Inclusive Resort at Golden Travel Awards 2025

Ifuru Island Maldives has been officially named Best Premium All-Inclusive Resort Maldives 2025 by the prestigious Golden Travel Award, recognising the resort’s exceptional guest experience and innovative all-inclusive offering. The resort distinguished itself through its commitment to redefining the premium all-inclusive concept with a bold combination of curated adventures, gourmet dining, and a true sense of luxury.
Marcel Sawyer, General Manager of Ifuru Island Maldives, expressed pride in the recognition, noting that it celebrates the dedication and passion the team invests in creating unforgettable moments for every guest. He emphasised that the resort’s experience is designed to offer guests the freedom to relax, explore, and feel truly at home, all within the comforts of a premium all-inclusive package.
Ifuru Island Maldives has quickly established a strong reputation with its thoughtfully crafted ‘Exclusively Yours’ Premium All-Inclusive package. With a fresh approach to luxury and authenticity, the resort continues to resonate with modern travellers who seek both comfort and meaningful connections.
This acknowledgment from the Golden Travel Award further solidifies Ifuru Island’s growing reputation as one of the Maldives’ most distinctive and experience-driven destinations.
Featured
Float & Flow Yoga debuts at Holiday Inn Kandooma Maldives

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives now offers guests a unique wellness activity: Float & Flow Yoga. Set amidst the picturesque surroundings of crystal-clear waters, this innovative session blends balance, movement, and mindfulness on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), fostering a joyful connection with nature.
Designed to accommodate both experienced yogis and beginners, Float & Flow Yoga provides a 60-minute session on the resort’s SUP Yoga Dock. This specially designed floating platform, shaped like a flower, features eight “petals,” each securing a SUP board around a central space designated for the instructor. Participants are guided through gentle yoga sequences that emphasise balance, breath, and flow.
Courtney Chambers, the resident Yoga Instructor at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, describes the activity as a joyful and liberating experience. She notes that SUP yoga encourages participants to embrace the playful side of the practice while reconnecting with nature.
Classes take place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 10:00 am, with a maximum of eight participants per session to maintain an intimate and supportive atmosphere. A minimum of three guests is required for each session. The class fee is priced at US$45 per person, inclusive of taxes and service charges.
Additionally, a professional drone photo and video package is available for US$25 per person, providing guests with a memorable keepsake of their experience.
Participants are advised to wear comfortable swimwear or yoga attire and to arrive 10 minutes early at the Perfect Wave Surf Shop for a pre-session briefing.
Whether the goal is mindfulness, gentle movement, or simply a splash of fun, Float & Flow Yoga at Kandooma offers an unforgettable opportunity to reconnect with both self and sea.
Featured
Five-course Indian fine dining by Atrangi to feature at Jumeirah Olhahali Island’s June pop-up

Jumeirah Olhahali Island has announced an exclusive culinary pop-up in collaboration with Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia, the renowned Indian restaurant located at Jumeirah Al Qasr in Dubai. Scheduled from 7 to 12 June 2025, this special event will feature Atrangi’s Head Chef, Aniket Chatterjee, who will partner with the resort’s culinary team to present a refined five-course dining experience. This unique collaboration aims to reinterpret regional Indian dishes through a contemporary perspective.
Atrangi, inspired by the vision of acclaimed chef and restaurateur Ritu Dalmia, is celebrated for its bold and eclectic approach to Indian cuisine. Ritu Dalmia, a self-taught chef, began her culinary journey by launching Delhi’s first standalone Italian restaurant at just twenty-two. Over the years, she has established a portfolio of acclaimed restaurants across India and Europe, earning her widespread recognition in the culinary world. Representing her creative vision in the Maldives, Chef Aniket Chatterjee brings a modern sensibility and a profound respect for Indian culinary traditions, promising a dining experience that is both sophisticated and soulful.
For this special occasion, Chef Aniket has curated a bespoke menu that masterfully blends traditional Indian techniques with global influences. Guests will be treated to intimate oceanfront dinners and relaxed beach grills under the stars, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian tasting menus available.
The dining journey will commence with a playful twist on the nostalgic chilli cheese toast, followed by pickled doodhi and smoked dahi. Main course offerings include Malvani chicken tikka with confit garlic, or for vegetarians, paneer peeli mirch tikka accompanied by spring onion curry. A whipped butter board will serve as a palate cleanser before guests savour dishes such as kappa meen curry or satu pulao with dalma, parwal, and burnt tomato chutney, celebrating the rich diversity of Indian flavours. The meal will conclude with an indulgent Indian sweet, followed by mignardise featuring pistachio soan papdi and a mini jalebi with rabri.
Chef Ritu Dalmia expressed her excitement about the event, stating, “The Maldives has always been a special country for me, having visited several times. It is a thrill to bring Atrangi to Jumeirah Olhahali Island, where we can showcase community-inspired dishes while celebrating the best produce the Maldives has to offer.”
The beach grill dinner at Shimmers Beach on 10 June will be priced at USD 225 plus taxes per person. On other evenings, the five-course set menu will be served at a designated ocean-view location for USD 195 plus taxes per person.
-
Featured1 week ago
Ayada Maldives earns elite recognition in 2025 Travellers’ Choice Awards
-
Featured1 week ago
Summer Island Maldives named among top 10% of hotels worldwide by TripAdvisor
-
Featured1 week ago
Tripadvisor honours Constance Moofushi among Best of the Best Luxury Hotels in Asia
-
Cooking1 week ago
Exquisite culinary journey awaits at Cinnamon Velifushi’s Marlin
-
News1 week ago
Exclusive private island escape at Intercontinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
-
Awards1 week ago
Amilla Maldives celebrates recognition in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards 2025
-
Awards6 days ago
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives recognised among ‘Reader’s Favourite Overseas Hotels’ by Travel + Leisure China 2024
-
News1 week ago
Siyam World Maldives achieves multiple wins in Tripadvisor 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards