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Local, international speakers take to stage at TEDxBaaAtoll

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The Baa Atoll recently hosted the Maldives’ first-ever edition of TEDx on March 19, 2022. Joining the international community of TED-inspired events, TEDxBaaAtoll saw around 100 invited guests including international guests, island council representatives and local Maldivians attend the talks live at Soneva Fushi, a world-renowned resort on Kunfunadhoo, one of the largest islands in the atoll and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. In addition to the guests at the resort, participants from around the globe were able to join the live stream of the event.

The independently organised event, licensed by TED, featured local and international voices and TED talk videos under the theme of ‘Slow Life’. In a world where everything happens at full speed, Slow Life focuses on the ways we can find a deeper purpose beyond the superficial by reconnecting with the earth to living in harmony with the natural environment; as well as working hand-in-hand with communities to make the world a better place; and nurturing our physical and mental wellbeing to be the very best we can be.

As the sun began to set over the Indian Ocean, the event kicked off with a sustainability market and glass exhibition, which highlighted some of the sustainability initiatives currently in place on the island. A warm welcome and an opening announcement by the event moderator was then followed by an introductory video from TED curator Chris Anderson.

Under the light of the stars above them and with the sound of waves crashing in the background, each speaker took to the stage to share their own unique stories and ideas on what Slow Life means to them.

First up to the platform and sporting a full respirator mask and pesticide sprayer, entomologist Akib Jahir laid out his ambitious plan to tackle the world’s most dangerous animal – the mosquito – without the need for toxic chemical solutions. Determined to reduce the number of mosquitoes with nothing but the use of a revolutionary mosquito trap, Akib and his team have virtually eliminated the risk of mosquito-borne disease on the island.

Maldivian professional diver and surfer, as well as an advocate for marine conservation, Shaziya ‘Saazu’ Saeed followed to discuss how being more mindful and in tune with the ocean, or what she terms as “oceaned”, can hold the key to a healthier, happier life.

Bruce Bromley, a highly experienced Chief Financial Officer and trustee for a not-for-profit foundation focused on mitigating the impacts of climate change, delved into the world of finance to reveal why every CFO should also be a company’s Chief Sustainability Officer.

The youngest of the speakers, thirteen-year-old Maldivian school girl Yala Shameem talked about why it is so important for schools to adapt their teaching methods to prepare children to become future leaders. Sharing her own experiences as a student, Yala eloquently went on to explain how by removing the pressure of test papers and grading systems, students can build their self-confidence as equals amongst their peers.

Founder and managing director of a Swiss NGO working on coral restoration projects in the Maldives, Ahmad ‘Aki’ Allahgholi looked at how with just a little help from technology, we can restore and preserve our coral reefs.

Technology management specialist and local Maldivian, Aishath Adnan discussed ways to encourage more women to pursue a career in the tech industry.

Maldivian cultural anthropologist, Malsa Maaz who is currently studying how the human body holds and transmits cultural knowledge, highlighted ways to truly learn and appreciate culture.

Local entrepreneur and mentor, Hussain ‘Sendi’ Rasheed, a pioneer of the region’s diving industry and the Maldives’ first PADI-certified course director, shared why seaweed is much more than a weed and how it could be an essential ingredient in our fight against climate change.

And Carissa Nimah, a Guardian of the Brand (Chief Commercial Officer), who has worked with some of the world’s leading luxury brands, looked at why a job title might matter more than we think and what would happen if everyone had a job title that motivated and inspired them to become the most creative and purpose-driven version of themselves?

Adding a local touch, attendees were also treated to live performances of the boduberu, a traditional form of Maldivian drumming, by Dharavandhoo-based group Chanbeylee as well as traditional Maldivian songs by performers Huya & Shan.

The event was supported by Soneva, Manta Air, Dhiraagu, Blueworld Dharavandhoo, Violet Inn, The Council of Dharavandhoo and Analice Costa.

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Feydhoo Hall opens at dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives as new event space

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Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has announced the opening of Feydhoo Hall, a landmark event venue at dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, redefining the possibilities for meetings, celebrations, and destination events in the Maldives.

Designed to bring scale, flexibility, and creativity to island gatherings, Feydhoo Hall represents a bold step forward in positioning the Maldives as a dynamic destination for conferences, weddings, and large-scale social occasions.

Feydhoo Hall offers a versatile event complex designed to accommodate a wide range of gatherings, from corporate meetings and conferences to weddings and social celebrations.

At its core is the 390 sqm Main Hall, capable of hosting:

  • Up to 300 guests in theatre-style setup
  • Up to 240 guests for dining and banquet-style events
  • Up to 200 guests for cocktail-style receptions
  • Up to 144 guests in cluster-round configuration

Enhancing the flexibility of the venue are additional dedicated spaces, including:

  • A 110 sqm Veranda Terrace, ideal for welcome receptions, breakout sessions, and pre-event gatherings, accommodating up to 100 guests for cocktail-style events.
  • A spacious 1,000 sqm Lawn Space, perfect for large-scale outdoor celebrations, destination weddings, and open-air events, accommodating up to 400 guests for cocktail receptions and up to 350 guests for dining setups.
  • The 55 sqm Ekugai Meeting Room, designed for smaller meetings and executive sessions, accommodating up to 30 guests in theatre or dining setup and 24 guests in cluster-round format.

Together, these integrated spaces create a seamless indoor-outdoor event experience, allowing planners to design dynamic and personalised event journeys.

True to the dusitD2 brand’s lifestyle-driven philosophy, Feydhoo Hall introduces a fresh approach to meetings and events — where productivity meets creativity in an inspiring island setting.

The venue offers flexible meeting formats designed to suit different event needs, including:

  • Half-Day Meeting Package (4 hours) — ideal for focused sessions, executive meetings, and creative workshops.
  • Full-Day Meeting Package (8 hours) — designed for immersive conferences, extended workshops, and large-scale corporate gatherings.

These thoughtfully structured packages provide planners with the flexibility to create impactful and seamless experiences, whether hosting intimate strategy sessions or dynamic full-day events.

Located just seven minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives combines accessibility with vibrant lifestyle energy, offering event planners and guests a rare balance between convenience and tropical escape.

With the introduction of Feydhoo Hall, the resort strengthens its position as a versatile destination — not only for leisure travellers but also for international conferences, creative retreats, luxury weddings, and large-scale social celebrations seeking something refreshingly different in the Maldives.

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BBM expands retail presence with new Hulhumalé outlet

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Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) opened a new wholesale store in Hulhumalé Phase 2 on Monday.

The outlet is located on the ground floor of Lot 20286, Nirolhu Magu, and is intended to improve access to BBM’s imported goods for residents of Hulhumalé Phase 2 and for businesses operating in the area.

According to the company, the opening forms part of its plan to expand services closer to customers in line with population growth in Hulhumalé.

With the opening of the new store, BBM’s full range of imported and distributed products will be available at the Hulhumalé Phase 2 location. These include consumer goods from international brands such as Lifebuoy, Vaseline and Unilever.

The store will also stock wholesale food products from brands including Daily, Cavin’s and Redman.

BBM has supplied goods to resorts, hotels and retail outlets across the Maldives for several years.

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Ataraxis Grand & Spa hosts integrated work-and-dive corporate retreat in Fuvahmulah

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Ataraxis Grand & Spa recently hosted a week-long, closed corporate offsite in Fuvahmulah for a US-based artificial intelligence company, highlighting the island’s growing suitability for integrated work-and-experience retreats. The retreat brought a group of 36 international professionals to the property, which was reserved exclusively for the programme.

Designed as a private company offsite, the stay combined structured daily work sessions with guided diving and beginner-friendly surf experiences, creating a balanced format that blended focused collaboration with physical reset.

A notable component of the programme was dive training and certification. During the retreat, 17 participants completed their Open Water certification, while a further six undertook the Advanced Open Water course, with training and dives scheduled alongside work sessions as part of the integrated itinerary.

Throughout the week, participants worked on-site using dedicated shared spaces supported by reliable high-speed internet, allowing meetings, informal collaboration and scheduled activities to take place within a single, uninterrupted environment. This setup enabled teams to move seamlessly between work periods and organised ocean activities without leaving the property.

Fuvahmulah’s natural and operational advantages formed a key part of the retreat’s appeal. As one of the Maldives’ largest inhabited islands, it offers immediate access to pelagic dive sites, internationally recognised shark diving and surf breaks suitable for instruction, alongside the infrastructure required to support extended group stays.

The offsite reflects a growing preference among technology and knowledge-sector teams for small-scale retreats that prioritise concentrated work environments and team cohesion over traditional conference formats. Such programmes typically involve longer stays and higher per-capita spend, aligning with sustainable, quality-driven tourism models.

The retreat also demonstrates how locally operated properties such as Ataraxis Grand & Spa are supporting this shift by delivering unified environments where accommodation, workspaces, connectivity and curated experiences operate as a single programme rather than separate services.

As organisations continue to explore alternative formats for strategy sessions, team resets and creative offsites, Ataraxis Grand & Spa’s experience positions Fuvahmulah as an increasingly viable destination for integrated corporate retreats.

Ataraxis Grand & Spa offers work-and-dive retreat programmes in Fuvahmulah that combine accommodation, dedicated workspaces, high-speed connectivity and organised diving and surfing.

Further information on retreat formats and dive-inclusive stays is available via the Ataraxis Grand & Spa website.

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