Featured
Visit Maldives ready to welcome millionth traveller
The isles of Maldives are truly beyond compare. Scattered like pearls across the crystalline waters of the Indian oceans, travellers all across the world dream of Maldives.
Last year, Maldives was one of the first destinations to open borders for international travellers. We entered 2021 with hope and optimism, and in a few weeks, we will welcome the millionth traveler to visit the Maldives this year.
A reflection
The Maldives success and achievements is a reflection and testament to the perseverance, ingenuity, creativity, and passion of the tourism industry, the health sector, and beyond.
As we approach the milestone of welcoming the one millionth visitor for the year, we at Maldives Marketing Public Relations and Corporation (MMPRC) take a look back at the effort, dedication and the work we have done, with the sincere aim of making this a reality.
We entered 2021 with a difficult task at hand. At a time when people across the world showed increasing reluctance to travel, and with travel restrictions in place across the globe, it was our mission to promote the Maldives and show the world that we are a safe haven.
The blessings of our unique geography, with our scattered islands and our unique ‘one-island-one-resort’ concept makes us one of the safest destinations in the world.
And ultimately, we were responsible for regaining travellers’ trust and confidence by promoting the Maldives as a safe haven during those challenging times. Needless to say, it was not an easy feat.
Ever since the onset of the pandemic, our strategy was to maintain destination presence across the globe so that travellers will keep dreaming of the Maldives. We aimed to position Maldives as the top of the mind destination for travellers as soon as borders opened for leisure travel once again in these markets.
Work of MMPRC
So far in 2021, we have taken part in 25 leading fairs across the world and conducted five physical roadshows and one virtual roadshow.
At each of these events, we provided the opportunity for our industry partners to take part along withVisit Maldives to showcase their sought-after products and unique experiences.
The Maldives pavilions are always beautifully constructed – designed carefully to showcase the aesthetics that makes the Maldives so beautiful. It is not rare for us to hear that the Maldives stands out at fairs and events that we have been part of.
So far this year, we have conducted over 39 campaigns with various stakeholders on a variety of platforms. We have conducted campaigns with leading travel agencies across the globe, world-famous publications, major airlines such as Qatar Airways, and on TV channels such as CNN, among many others.
These are simply a few of the many countless stakeholders we have conducted campaigns with.
If you have seen pictures of the turquoise waters of Maldives flood social media, part of it is due to the many familiarisation trips we have conducted with leading media, celebrities, and so on. In fact, we have conducted 22 familiarisation trips so far this year.
We have also conducted six global campaigns this year. We are collaborating with Expedia, InsideFlyer, Skyscanner, Qatar Airways and CNN on these global campaigns. Through these campaigns, we have reached a staggering 59,738,116,794 potential travelers, with an estimated media value of $119,595,365.
Each marketing activity is possible due to the hard-working marketeers, industry partners, stakeholders and others. It is our mandate to provide equal and fair opportunities for all our industry stakeholders in all of the marketing campaigns we conduct. Whichever fair we take part in, we do so with our industry partners. Whichever roadshow we host, we provide the opportunity for our partners to showcase their products and connect with the global travel trade.
Millionth travellers
The success of the marketing activities are ultimately reflected through two elements; the positive image and adoration travellers have for the Maldives and quantitatively it is reflected in the arrival figures. As we are preparing to welcome the one millionth traveler to the
Maldives this year, we reflect upon the past months and are proud to say that the marketing activities conducted at MMPRC are showing positive results.
We at MMPRC hope for nothing but success in the future to come. We are also confident that whatever crisis comes our way, we are well-equipped and prepared to face the challenges head on and persevere.
Featured
‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Siyam, has announced its festive programme, “Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom”, which will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.
The seasonal programme features activities and experiences for guests of all ages. Dining will take centre stage with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala dinners by the water, exclusive Chef’s Table experiences and seafood barbecues on the beach.
The evening entertainment programme will include live acoustic performances, island DJ sets, aerial dance shows and Maldivian cultural performances.
During the day, guests will be able to explore the resort’s lagoon through activities such as house reef snorkelling, sunset Jet Car rides and sandbank excursions. The Spa will offer wellness rituals and couples’ therapies, while younger guests can take part in gingerbread decorating, a fashion show and Santa’s arrival on the beach.
“Eutopia is our invitation to celebrate and embrace nature, meaningful moments, and the relaxed luxury that defines Sun Siyam Vilu Reef through our festivities,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager.
“From unforgettable ocean adventures to starlit beach celebrations, every experience has been thoughtfully designed to create lasting memories that will continue to flourish long after the season ends.”
The programme will culminate with a New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach on 31 December, featuring live music, midnight toasts and a fireworks display over the water.
The resort’s festive programme is available to view online, with bookings open for stays between 22 December 2026 and 7 January 2027.
Awards
Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards
Fresh from being named Best Honeymoon Destination in 2025, Sun Siyam Iru Veli was recognised as Best Wedding Destination at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards & Gala 2026, held at Crossroads Maldives on 27 August. The award further reinforces the resort’s commitment to celebrating romance in all its forms.
Surrounded by turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches, Iru Veli provides a natural setting for couples seeking an intimate island retreat. Every villa features a private pool, while secluded beaches, private sandbanks and a 24-hour all-inclusive dine-around experience offer guests privacy and flexibility throughout their stay.
The resort hosts celebrations of different scales, ranging from barefoot ceremonies by the ocean to larger events encompassing the entire island. Dedicated wedding planners work closely with each couple to personalise every element, ensuring that both the ceremony and the wider stay reflect their individual story.
This flexibility extends beyond the resort’s wedding packages. Simple Romance, Grand Gesture and Sandbank Magic provide couples with a starting point, with each celebration customisable through décor, dining, wellness, entertainment and island experiences. For occasions requiring complete exclusivity, full-island buyouts allow the resort experience to be tailored around the couple and their guests.
The celebrations can continue beyond the ceremony through candlelit dinners beneath the stars, spa rituals for two, sunset cruises and time spent together across the island. These experiences enable couples to shape the occasion around their preferences, with personal moments unfolding throughout their stay.
“Every couple arrives with a different story and a different vision for their celebration. There is no template here. From intimate ceremonies for two to full-island celebrations with family and friends, our role is to create moments that feel completely personal. That is exactly what our team does. They listen first and then create a ceremony that truly reflects the couple. This award is a testament to the dedication and care they put into making every moment memorable,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.
The annual TTM Awards & Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers to recognise achievements across the Maldivian hospitality industry. Iru Veli’s latest award further strengthens its position among the Maldives’ leading destinations for weddings and romantic escapes.
Action
Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme
Niva Dhigali Maldives will welcome visiting chef Jake Norman and British pickleball champion Molly O’Donoghue for a curated programme of island experiences this November, bringing together dining and active wellbeing in the Maldives.
Norman began his culinary career making pizza in the markets of Guadalajara, Mexico, before working in several London restaurants, including St John, Ottolenghi and Sabor. He now leads the kitchen at Updown Farmhouse in Kent, where his cooking focuses on seasonal ingredients, live-fire techniques and Mediterranean influences.
On 18 November, Norman will host an exclusive dinner at Faru, presenting a menu that combines Mediterranean flavours with influences from Mexico and the Middle East, while incorporating ingredients sourced from the Maldives.
The shared dining experience will feature Indian Ocean produce, grilled dishes and smoky flavours, with a menu designed to reflect the setting and encourage guests to dine at a relaxed pace.
The programme will also include pickleball sessions hosted by British champion Molly O’Donoghue. A national champion in mixed and women’s doubles, as well as a European champion in mixed doubles, O’Donoghue first discovered the sport while studying in Australia. She has since competed internationally and worked to introduce the sport to players around the world.
At Niva Dhigali, O’Donoghue will conduct beginner sessions and advanced coaching, giving guests of different skill levels the opportunity to learn, play and develop their technique.
Located in Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali Maldives is surrounded by tropical vegetation, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. The November programme, featuring Norman’s dining experience and O’Donoghue’s pickleball sessions, forms part of the resort’s approach to offering guest experiences centred on food, wellbeing and the island environment.
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