Business
Raffles Maldives Internship Programme introduced
Raffles Maldives Meradhoo initiates a one of a kind community centric project for the very first time in the history of the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll.
The resort is proud to introduce the Raffles Maldives Internship Program, a uniquely curated and career focused skills development initiative to recruit and build local communities’ knowledge and interest in the hospitality sector, by providing young talents to learn and rediscover their passion for hospitality.
Raffles being a pioneer in the Hospitality sector since 1887, has revolutionised the way forward for more than a century and continues to do so.
Apart from being renowned worldwide for its legendary services in curating bespoke luxury experiences, Raffles holds true to nurturing some of finest men and women the industry has ever seen. And having access to a vast set of resources and knowledge from across 110 plus countries through Accor makes it one of the leading brands to grow with.
The Raffles Maldives Meradhoo Internship Programme was conceptualised two years ago when the property was opened back in 2019, and had to be put on hold due to the global pandemic.
As now we move into the new normal, Raffles is staying true to its ideology to mobilise local talents, officially launched the program on 5th Nov 2021 at the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Education Centre.
Under the patronage of Raffles Maldives Meradhoo’ s General Manager Amila Handunwala and Director of Talent and culture Dhakshina Moorthy along with the School Principal, its staff, parents and students, the first batch of seven Interns were handed over their letters of appointment to commence their journey in the hospitality sector with Raffles Maldives Meradhoo.
The event was also graced by local council member Zaleef Abdulla who was humbled by the efforts of a global hospitality brand such as Raffles in taking the initiative to develop young talents especially far south of Male, where there is much work needed in skills development especially in the tourism sector.
Raffles Maldives Meradhoo, sees opportunity in local talents and strongly upholds the values of industry, its norms and is proud to be part of grooming the next generation of hospitality professionals in the Maldives, in the Raffles style of work and culture, adhering to some of the finest standards both locally and internationally.
By introducing this programme, Raffles doesn’t just change the lives of the recently recruited Interns but opens a doorway to one of the largest Atolls and in turn the whole of Maldives to learn and grow together, what they call, sharing the heartiest experience with the world and growing together to foster a sustainable future for both the resort and surrounding communities alike.
Both teachers and parents were quite thrilled and honoured to have their students and children to be part of such a prestigious programme. They believe this opens doors to the currently graduating students from their high school with a diploma in hospitality and encourages others alike to follow in such programmes, as tourism is a growing industry in the Maldives and the need for highly skilled workforce is forever in demand.
The General Manager along with Raffles Talents and Culture see this as an opportunity to reinstate the core values of Raffles as a global hospitality leader and seeks to be a beacon of hope and encouragement towards a sustainable development programme for tourism in the southern parts of Maldives.
Maldives on Thursday welcomed the one millionth tourist to visit this year.
The one millionth tourist is a Thai named Sutapa Amonwivat, who arrived from Singapore with her husband and two children. This is her second visit to Maldives.
Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and the Ministry of Tourism gave a warm welcome to Sutapa at the Velana International Airport (VIA) Thursday afternoon. She was welcomed at the VIA by tourism minister Ibrahim Faisal, MMPRC Managing Director Ibrahim Shiury and senior officials of various relevant agencies.
After welcoming her with traditional offerings, she was presented with various gifts by the ministry, MMPRC, customs, immigration, Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) and Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA).
Maldives reached one million tourists in June, three weeks earlier than last year. The number of tourists reached one million on July 16, 2023.
Maldives expects to reach 2 million tourists this year.
Chongqing Airlines on Monday began its inaugural flights to Maldives.
The Chongqing-Male route, scheduled three times a week, is expected to strengthen the bonds between China and the Maldives, opening up exciting new opportunities for tourism and cultural exchange.
The inaugural flight was welcomed upon its arrival at Velana International Airport (VIA) in Maldives, where local officials and tourism representatives expressed their enthusiasm for this new development.
“We warmly welcome our friends from China to our beautiful islands. This new connection strengthens our bonds and opens up new opportunities for tourism,” the tourism ministry said on X.
Maldives currently welcomes four airlines from China, including China Eastern, Beijing Capital Airlines, Xiamen Airlines.
In January, Maldives government urged tourism stakeholders in both Maldives and China to ramp up efforts to restore China’s position as the primary source market for Maldives tourism, a status held before the onset of Covid-19.
China, being the largest source market for Maldives tourism before the pandemic, saw a resumption of tourist arrivals from January 2023 after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. In 2023, the Maldives welcomed 187,118 Chinese tourists, marking a significant recovery in numbers. This year, the Maldives has welcomed the most number of tourists from China, with over 107,940 or 11.5 percent of total arrivals by June 12.
CROSSROADS Maldives has introduced WeChat Pay, widely known as Weixin Pay in China, across its world-class resorts, SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives. This payment option is made available to enhance the convenience and overall experience for guests from China, making their stay in the Maldives more enjoyable and hassle-free.
Understanding the needs of the diverse guests, CROSSROADS Maldives has integrated WeChat Pay into operations, allowing guests from China to easily and securely conduct transactions using a payment method familiar to them. The introduction of WeChat Pay is a testament to CROSSROADS Maldives’ dedication to enhancing guest satisfaction by offering exceptional experiences at every turn. What is also expected through this initiative is that the guests could benefit from better foreign exchange rates, translating to better savings on their expenditures during their stay.
The option is available for guests in-house conveniently at both resorts as well as across the Marina at CROSSROADS Maldives where a wider variety of unparalleled dining and retail experiences are available for all guests. The day visitors from China will also therefore equally benefit from this new introduction at the Maldives’ premier multi-island integrated leisure destination.
SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, is a vibrant tropical escape that offers unique and locally inspired experiences. The resort features spacious rooms and villas, a variety of dining options, and an array of recreational activities designed to cater to the desires of modern travellers. Guests can escape to the island’s SAiisational natural beauty, enjoy water sports, and indulge in spa treatments, all while relishing the personalised service that defines Hilton’s Curio Collection.
Hard Rock Hotel Maldives brings the iconic Hard Rock spirit to the tranquil shores of the Maldives. This family-friendly resort offers a perfect blend of relaxation and entertainment, featuring music-inspired experiences, live performances, and the brand’s signature amenities. With luxurious accommodations, diverse dining options, and a plethora of activities for all ages, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives ensures an unforgettable holiday experience for every guest.
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