Featured
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives: Guarding its precious island treasure
Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives is Park Hotel Group’s first luxury resort nestled in North Male Atoll, Maldives. The resort island is part of a sensitive coral reef ecosystem with an abundance of marine life – including nationally protected species such as corals, turtles, sharks, dolphins, and lobsters. The terrestrial island ecosystem also includes protected fauna such as several bird species.
Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives is committed to achieving environmental and socio-cultural sustainability. Recently recertified by Green Globe for its second year the resort aims to be a Sustainability Champion in the future by seeking to be a leader in sustainable and responsible tourism.
Raffaele Solferino, General Manager Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives says, “Receiving Green Globe certification has been extremely encouraging for the team as we continue our journey towards operating more sustainably. I am very proud of the entire Green Team and the leaders around me, my job was only to inspire them, and support them in their initiatives and practices. Overall, it was a team effort.”
“The recognition has also been important for all stakeholders involved, including the Maldives as a destination. I hope that our achievement can serve as an example to other resorts to invest in sustainable tourism and encourage their own environmentally friendly practices,.”
The resort’s Green Team has the responsibility and skills to ensure effective ongoing environmental and sociocultural measures are in place and performance monitored. In addition, Grand Park Kodhipparu employs a Sustainability Manager who engages guests and staff on the resort’s natural ecosystems and carries out underwater conservation and restoration of the surrounding coral reef ecosystem.
In the first two years of its Green Globe certification, Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives has achieved an enviable collection of environmental and social achievements, which can be found at their dedicated sustainability web page.
Just over a year ago on Earth Day 2021, the resort launched its solar power system which produces 478,080 Kwh of clean energy annually. This initiative has significantly reduced the island resort’s carbon emissions, saving up to 150,000 litres of diesel fuel and approximately 172 tons of CO2e
On a small island surrounded by ocean, water management is also a priority and Grand Park Kodhipparu has installed an on-site bottling plant to provide drinking water in glass bottles to team members and guests. Drinking water is sourced via the island’s desalination plant and so far 150,000 litres of have been served without plastic. This initiative has also brought an economic benefit, saving USD $29,000 by not purchasing single use plastic bottles; approximately 10,000 plastic bottles per month.
Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives places importance in creating a culture of belonging, embracing diversity and building an environment where all team members feel welcome, respected and given the opportunity to grow to their fullest potential.
The resort team consist of members from 20 countries, including the Maldives, Asia (East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia), Europe and Africa. Local hire is a priority, bringing economic advantages to Maldivians who make up the majority of staff, at 52% of all employees. The female workforce in the Maldives is recorded to be 20.2% (based on World Bank data, 2021.) The resort’s female team members account of 12% of the total out of which, 5 team members are holding managerial positions.
Grand Park Kodhipparu’s Green Team are responsible for implementing the resort’s Sustainability Management Plan through a variety of hand-on actions. International Environmental Awareness Days such as Earth Hour, Earth Day, World Environment and World Oceans Day are celebrated with activities such as tree-planting and reef cleaning. An estimated 100kg of litter have been removed in reef-cleaning and island cleaning activities so far.
Since its opening in 2017, the resort has established several coral gardening projects, where coral pieces from the House Reef are attached to purposely built underwater structures. One of the first sights guests see when arriving at the resort is an artificial reef installed below the reception deck, which attracts marine life including many juvenile reef fish species.
The goal of the resort’s Coral Reef Restoration program is to regrow corals in areas where populations have diminished or been lost. This is mostly required in areas which have been impacted by bleaching and sedimentation. This is achieved through methods such as collecting and rehabilitating naturally broken coral fragments on coral trees, which are nurseries for branching coral.
Grand Park Kodhipparu GM Raffaele Solferino is convinced the resort is on the right course: “Being sustainable in our operations makes absolute business sense as travel and tourism relies heavily on the wellness of our environment to thrive. This is especially so for any resort in the Maldives.”
“Leading more sustainable lives is a non-negotiable attitude we must adopt. The sustainability efforts and eco-initiatives we practice at GPK are simply us doing our part for the Maldives as a destination, well-being of our tourists and local community, and the planet. Going completely green is a long-term goal we will continue striving for, while always keeping an open mind to new initiatives we can adopt for a better future.”
Divers from Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives recorded a whale shark sighting last month during a dive at Kandooma Thila in South Malé Atoll.
The encounter took place on 13 April during a guided dive led by Dive Centre Manager Ibrahim Shaan. The whale shark, estimated to be approximately six metres in length, is believed to be a juvenile aged between eight and 15 years. The animal remained in the vicinity of the divers for more than 30 minutes before leaving the area.
Shaan said the whale shark entered the dive site calmly, circled alongside the group and remained present for an extended period. He described the encounter as one of the most notable experiences observed at the site.
Whale shark sightings are considered uncommon in South Malé Atoll, where the species is not typically resident. They are more frequently associated with the South Ari Atoll Marine Protected Area, one of the primary aggregation areas for whale sharks in the country.
The Maldives is regarded as a key destination for whale shark encounters due to environmental conditions including warm waters, nutrient-rich currents and seasonal plankton blooms. Whale sharks are filter feeders and migrate across large distances, often following food sources.
The sighting at Kandooma Thila is understood to be linked to broader migratory movement through the atoll system, with the animal potentially following plankton concentrations or feeding opportunities created by ocean currents.
Kandooma Thila is known for its coral-covered structure, current-driven conditions and marine biodiversity, factors which may attract larger pelagic species on a temporary basis.
Following the sighting, the resort has submitted photographs and video footage to the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) for potential identification through its national database. Whale sharks can be identified through unique spot patterns located behind the gills and along their flanks.
The MWSRP’s Big Fish Network database has recorded more than 800 individual whale sharks in the Maldives, contributing to long-term research on migration patterns, population dynamics and species health.
Sharon Garrett, Director of Marketing and Sustainability at the resort, said the data collected would support ongoing research and conservation efforts. She noted that such information contributes to understanding seasonal movement patterns, assessing environmental conditions and informing marine protection measures.
The resort has also reiterated the importance of responsible interaction with marine wildlife. Recommended practices include maintaining distance, avoiding physical contact, refraining from flash photography and ensuring appropriate buoyancy control.
Boat strike incidents remain a recognised threat to whale sharks in Maldivian waters, highlighting the need for careful vessel operation in areas where marine life is present.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is located approximately 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport and provides access to multiple dive sites in South Malé Atoll. The resort also operates a Dive Free programme, offering up to two complimentary dives per day for certified divers staying a minimum of three nights.
Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort has announced its “Eid in Harmony” programme for Eid al-Adha, scheduled from 27 to 29 May 2026, offering guests a series of curated experiences centred on dining, cultural elements and leisure activities.
The programme is designed to provide a structured yet relaxed approach to the celebration, with a focus on shared experiences and engagement with the island environment. According to the resort, the initiative aims to bring together cultural traditions and hospitality offerings within a resort setting.
A central feature of the programme will be the Eid al-Adha Feast, a dining experience presenting a selection of dishes prepared for the occasion. The event will be set in a themed environment reflecting elements associated with Eid.
The resort will also introduce an “Eid Gift with Purpose” initiative, positioned as a gesture aligned with the values of giving and reflection associated with the occasion.
In addition, guests will have the option to participate in a Guest Archery Competition, offering a recreational activity designed to complement the island setting and provide an alternative form of engagement during the celebration period.
Alongside the programme, the resort has launched an “Eid Island Escape” offer, which includes a range of inclusions for guests staying during the period. These include a 30-minute jet lag recovery massage, daily breakfast at Raha Market, dinner on a dine-around basis across selected restaurants, and a one-time floating breakfast experience.
In a statement, the resort’s management said the programme is intended to reflect the values of togetherness and reflection associated with Eid al-Adha, while offering guests opportunities to spend time with family and participate in shared experiences.
Through the three-day programme, Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort is presenting Eid al-Adha as a combination of dining, leisure and cultural activities within a resort environment.
Reethi Faru Resort has received Green Globe certification, recognising its compliance with international standards for sustainable tourism.
The certification reflects the resort’s stated commitment to responsible hospitality, with a focus on environmental management, social responsibility and operational practices across the property.
Green Globe certification is awarded following an assessment based on established sustainability criteria and verified through independent third-party audits. The standard reviews performance in areas including environmental management, energy efficiency, resource conservation, community engagement and sustainable operations.
With the certification, Reethi Faru Resort joins a group of hospitality operators worldwide that have met Green Globe’s sustainability requirements and demonstrated an ongoing commitment to improvement in tourism practices.
In a statement, the management of Reethi Faru Resort said the recognition reflects the resort’s continued focus on preserving the natural environment of the Maldives while maintaining the guest experience. The management added that sustainability forms part of the resort’s daily operations.
The Green Globe standard includes more than 40 core criteria supported by over 380 compliance indicators, providing a framework for assessing sustainability performance in the hospitality sector.
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