Featured
Marriott Bonvoy draws 2021 to a close with gratitude
Asia Pacific-wide #TravelMakesUsThankful campaign invites everyone to say thank you with positive messages and their best moves
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s portfolio of 30 hotel brands and award-winning travel programme, launches #TravelMakesUsThankful, a gratitude campaign encouraging everyone to savour the good moments, whether big or small, that came out of 2021.
Coinciding with the year-end festive season traditionally regarded as a time to take stock and reflect on the year, #TravelMakesUsThankful urges travellers, guests, associates, and netizens alike to express what they’re thankful for – whether though messages of gratitude shared over social media, or through a ‘gratitude dance’ with the aid of a specially-launched Instagram filter and animated dance partner.
Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China), Marriott International said, “While there’s no denying the pall cast by the pandemic this past year, it also brought to light many things that we can delight in and be thankful for. Amidst the start-stop border re-openings and closures, we’re grateful for the continued trust and confidence our owners, partners and guests have for us. And more importantly, this campaign is a dedication to our hotel associates for their incredible resilience during these turbulent times. #TravelMakesUsThankful is a profound reminder to look forward to better days ahead.”
“Our global ‘Power of Travel’ campaign that launched earlier this year was a reminder on the transformative power of travel. People around the world were invited to join the conversation and connect with one another by sharing their memories of how travel makes them feel to reignite the spirit of travel,” said Julie Purser, Vice President, Marketing, Loyalty & Partnerships, Asia Pacific, Marriott International. “We continue to leverage and tell that story as the year comes to a close, highlighting the travels that we miss but yet still are thankful for the many indelible memories.”
To take part in #TravelMakesUsThankful, simply:
- Search for the ‘Travel Makes Us’ filter on Instagram stories, under ‘Browse Effects’ and save the filter on your device
- Follow the dance partner and record the best gratitude dance
- Post it on Instagram or Facebook as a video post (accounts must be public).
- Add a caption highlighting reasons for being grateful this year
- Include hashtags #TravelMakesUsThankful and #MarriottBonvoy
Videos posted on Instagram and Facebook will be featured on digital walls across selected properties in Asia Pacific.
Putting people first has always been at the core of Marriott International and despite another challenging year, our associates rallied together to support one another. Amongst the many initiatives, the company mobilised the Asia Pacific Disaster Relief Fund to support in-need associates across the region.
As borders gradually reopen and with economic recovery underway, Marriott International continues is commitment to good travel and supporting communities in which it operates.
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel programme and marketplace, gives members access to transformative, eye-opening experiences around the corner and across the globe.
Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world.
Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, as well as through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards.
Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques.
With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalisation and contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind.
To enrol for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com.
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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