Featured
Maldives welcomes first visitor of 2022 with vibrant ceremony
The Maldives has welcomed the first tourist visitor for this year, Georgina Canning from the UK with a special ceremony held at Velana International Airport (VIA) this morning.
A spectacular start to what promises to be a spectacular year for the Maldives Tourism Industry, our first visitor for this year arrived on Gulf Air (Flight no: GF144) at around 0610 hrs this morning.

She was greeted by senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism and the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives), along with representatives from Maldives Immigration and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).
Georgina was accompanied on this trip by her partner. This is her second visit to the Maldives.

The first visitor received a 5-night holiday with a full board meal plan for 2 persons at Adaaran Prestige Vadoo. Other special gifts were also conferred to the first visitor of 2022, including gifts from MMPRC / Visit Maldives, Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Immigration and MACL. Gifts were also presented to the first visitor by Dhiraagu and Koel Eyewear.
The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director (CEO and MD) of MMPRC expressed his delight with the swift recovery of the Maldives tourism industry following the setbacks from Covid-19 over the previous two years.
He stated that: “Our nation’s success, despite the difficulties faced by the global pandemic, stands testament to our optimism and strength of solidarity – these are fundamental elements of the continued success of our tourism industry. With that optimism, we warmly welcome our first visitor for this year. And with that strength of solidarity, we take another step into the golden jubilee year of Maldivian tourism”.
Minister of Tourism Dr Abdulla Mausoom also remarked upon the success of the Maldivian tourism industry.
“In spite of the global challenges, the year 2021 has been a very successful year for Maldives tourism. Tourist bed capacity increased by 9.4% and the bed nights exceeded 11 million breaking the previous record of 10.7 nights. Furthermore, Maldives won the World’s Leading Destination Award by World Travel Awards for the 2nd time consecutively. I appreciate the continuous engagement, contributions and support of all the tourism industry stakeholders, related authorities and agencies, the hardworking staff of the tourism sector, the lovely people of Maldives and the tourists,” he said.

Ibrahim Thoha, Acting in-charge of Maldives Airports Company Ltd, stated: “Last year, Maldives exceeded its target of 1.3 million visitors, and I can proudly say that Team Maldives did an outstanding job in promoting Maldives as a safe destination. As a significant contributor to the aviation and tourism industry, we believe that by providing attractive incentive packages to our Partner Airlines we have boosted growth in our Tourism Industry.
“Additionally with our high safety standards, Velana International Airport was awarded the ACI Health Accreditation Certificate as the 2nd Airport from Asia Pacific. All these efforts have been rewarded by the rising number of passengers flying in each month, approaching pre-Covid levels. As we welcome the first visitor of 2022, I want to emphasise that the Maldives’ future looks bright and I want to express my gratitude to all our stakeholders who have helped make the Maldives such a wonderful place to visit.”
As the parent company responsible for marketing the Maldives as a destination abroad, MMPRC carried out 244 different marketing activities in 24 global markets last year, including fairs, roadshows, familiarisation trips, marketing campaigns, webinars, and interviews.
MMPRC and the Maldives Tourism Industry’s concerted drive to provide visitors with options to relax and rejuvenate after the effects of the global pandemic bore fruit as hundreds of thousands of visitors flocked to the Maldives with the assurances of a safe vacation.
Thanks to ‘natural social distancing’ as an archipelago nation, the safety of holidaymakers in the Maldives is further enhanced under our distinctive ‘one island, one resort’ concept and close attention to covid safety guidelines at every turn.
The greatest testament to the success of these activities came late last year, as the Maldives secured the title of ‘World’s Leading Destination’ (among several other accolades) at the 2021 World Travel Awards, globally recognised as the hallmark of industry excellence. This is the second consecutive year that the Maldives had successfully earned this prestigious title, a shining testimony of the trust placed in the ‘magic of Maldivian hospitality’ by travellers from all over the globe.
This year also celebrates an exceptional year to visit the Maldives – the Golden Jubilee celebration of tourism in the Maldives kicked off earlier last year with plans to conduct new and exciting activities throughout the year. MMPRC has planned over 60 in-person events for the year 2022, including 17 fairs, roadshows and events scheduled for just the first quarter.
Family
Ayada Maldives presents Easter week of family and wellness activities
Ayada Maldives has announced a series of experiences to mark the Easter season, inviting guests to celebrate the occasion through a week of activities centred on family time, relaxation and shared island moments.
As the season approaches, the resort will host a programme designed to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for guests. Families are encouraged to spend time together in the island’s natural surroundings, while children take part in a variety of activities and explore the island environment.
Throughout the week, Easter-themed experiences will be integrated into daily island life. At the Zuzuu Kids Club, younger guests will have access to a range of creative and interactive activities designed to encourage imagination and discovery. Meanwhile, adults can take advantage of wellness experiences including sunrise yoga sessions, spa treatments at AySpa, and quiet moments by private pools or along the beach.
Evenings will feature a range of social and culinary experiences, including beachside gatherings, live music and dining events set against the island’s coastal setting. These activities are intended to create a relaxed yet festive environment for guests to come together and enjoy the Easter holiday.
According to the resort, the Easter programme focuses on creating opportunities for guests to reconnect with family and friends while enjoying the island’s surroundings. The celebrations are designed to highlight shared experiences rather than a single event, allowing guests to enjoy the season at their own pace.
Through the programme, Ayada Maldives aims to offer visitors an opportunity to celebrate Easter in a setting defined by natural beauty, hospitality and time spent together.
Featured
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef marks International Women’s Day with beach celebration
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Sun Siyam Resorts Privé Collection, marked International Women’s Day by celebrating the contributions of female team members and guests, recognising their role in shaping the experiences that define the island.
The resort hosted a white-themed sunset cocktail gathering on the beach on 8 March, where guests and female colleagues came together to mark the occasion. The event provided an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of women across various roles within the resort.
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef highlighted the role of its female team members in delivering guest experiences, from operational support and administrative roles to culinary and guest service positions. The resort noted that these contributions play a significant role in shaping the overall guest journey on the island.
As part of the evening’s programme, the resort’s resident artist conducted a live painting session, reflecting the creativity and energy women bring to the hospitality sector. Guests were also served a selection of specially curated “White Theme” cocktails prepared by the resort’s bartending team to mark the occasion.
Commenting on the celebration, Thoha Yoosuf said the resort’s female colleagues bring intuition and warmth to their roles, helping create memorable experiences for guests. He added that the celebration recognised their dedication, leadership and commitment.
Through the event, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef highlighted the diverse roles played by women within its team, while recognising the culture and individuality that contribute to the resort’s working community.
Featured
Angsana Velavaru plans Easter weekend of activities and dining
Angsana Velavaru is inviting guests to celebrate Easter with a two-day island programme featuring family activities, ocean experiences and seasonal dining from 4 to 5 April 2026.
Located within a lagoon in South Nilandhe Atoll, the resort will host a series of activities designed for families, couples and travellers seeking a seasonal getaway by the sea. The programme includes a combination of wellness sessions, marine experiences and leisure activities intended to bring guests together during the Easter holiday period.
Mornings begin with yoga sessions overlooking the lagoon, followed by opportunities to explore the island’s marine environment through guided snorkelling excursions and discovery experiences organised by the Endheri Marine Centre.
Throughout the day, guests can take part in a range of recreational activities across the island. These include beach kite flying, aqua aerobics sessions and bird feeding at the island’s sanctuary. Adventure-focused experiences are also available, with water sports such as family tube rides and sunset cruises offering guests the opportunity to explore the surrounding lagoon.
Dining experiences form a central part of the Easter programme. Guests can participate in interactive activities including cocktail-making sessions and the Wok & Toss dining experience, which allows visitors to engage with the resort’s culinary team. The programme also includes Easter buffet lunch and dinner at Kaani Restaurant, where seasonal dishes are served in a relaxed island setting.
Evening entertainment includes live music performances, DJ sessions and outdoor film screenings under the stars, creating a relaxed atmosphere for guests to gather and socialise.
Children’s activities are organised through the Ranger’s Club, where a dedicated Easter programme features creative workshops such as bunny mask making, Easter egg painting and string art. Traditional activities including Easter egg hunts and beach races are also planned for younger guests.
The Easter programme at Angsana Velavaru combines marine exploration, family-friendly activities and seasonal dining experiences, offering guests an opportunity to celebrate the holiday while enjoying the island’s natural surroundings.
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