Business
Maldives continues exciting global campaign with CNN International
Following two incredibly successful global campaigns with CNN, Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC / Visit Maldives) has signed an advertising and branded content agreement with CNN International Commercial to promote the Maldives to a global audience through persuasive storytelling.
This campaign with CNN will be conducted from June till the end of October 2022.
MMPRC’s campaigns with CNN in the past two years focused on promoting local talents, artists, and stories on a global scale. The success of these campaigns inspired MMPRC to continue its partnership with CNN in order to promote Maldives through local talents.
The agreement was signed during a ceremony held at MMPRC headquarters on 25th May 2022 by Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of MMPRC, Thoyyib Mohamed, and by Abhijeet Dhar, Director Sales, South Asia, CNN International Commercial.
CEO & MD Thoyyib stated that CNN had been instrumental in promoting the Maldives through immersive storytelling over the past few years. He said that the campaign will amplify the story of 50 successful years of tourism in the Maldives through a combination of storytelling with emotional resonance and cultural relevance, to elevate perceptions of the Maldives in the minds of travellers.
Speaking about the campaign, Abhijeet Dhar, Director Sales South Asia, CNN International Commercial, said, “We are thrilled to take our campaign with MMPRC into the 3rd consecutive year for a global cross-platform campaign that brings Maldives’ travel experiences to life – especially when this beautiful country celebrates its 50th year of Tourism. Our campaign is a compelling combination of rich storytelling, adept branded content and unparalleled engagement that CNN has with its audience. This year we’ve also brought to fore a brand new immersive story-telling experience for our audiences to showcase the hidden gems of Maldives that are beautiful and undiscovered to our audiences across the globe.”
CNNIC’s global brand studio Create will also roll out a branded content production under the concept ‘Rediscover Paradise’. This production will appeal to travellers through emotion, resonance, and relatability, and provide an opportunity for them to rediscover paradise. TV productions, digital videos and articles, social media campaigns, photo galleries, and audio tours are some of the diverse approaches CNN will utilise in its content production. This campaign will run adjacent to new upcoming travel and lifestyle content that CNN is developing about the Maldives to run across its TV and digital platforms.
The purpose of the campaign is to promote the Maldives beyond the sun, sand, and sea, delving deep into the rich culture, heritage, and threads of Maldivian society and lifestyle. Stories will be interwoven with the breathtaking beauty and wonder of the Maldives’ natural environment. The content produced in this campaign is designed to reach a global audience. MMPRC focuses heavily on providing exposure and opportunities for local talents and artists during global campaigns such as these. Therefore, we will emphasise promoting local talents during this year’s campaign with CNN as well.
This is the third time we have signed a global campaign agreement with CNN in the past two years. Our first campaign was during the pandemic, and CNN was instrumental in promoting the Maldives as a safe haven in the global market. Our campaign in 2021 with CNN under the theme of ‘Reconnect Maldives’ explored different stories within the tourism industry, the different products and experiences available here, and why the Maldives remains one of the safest destinations. We are confident that our continued campaign with CNN will yield a successful outcome and maintain the Maldives as one of the leading tourist destinations in the world.
Since 1990, Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) has been at the core of the Maldives’ hospitality supply chain. More than a distributor, BBM has become a trusted partner in shaping talent, raising standards, and building long-term capacity across the industry.
That commitment continues in 2025 through its title sponsorship of the Hotelier Maldives Awards, and its growing investment in culinary development and cross-industry collaboration.
Supporting the Ecosystem, Not Just the Event
BBM is the preferred partner for over 60 international brands. However, its true value lies in how it supports the people behind the brands. From chefs and service staff to back-of-house professionals, BBM works across the sector to create real impact.
This year, the Hotelier Maldives Awards 2025 expands its recognition with four new categories:
- Watersports Personality of the Year
- Diving Personality of the Year
- Airport Representative of the Year
- Resort Manager of the Year
These additions reflect a simple belief. Everyone who shapes the guest experience deserves to be seen. Not just the visible few. Everyone.
Hotel Asia and the Rise of Culinary Confidence
For more than two decades, BBM has served as the main sponsor of the Hotel Asia Exhibition and International Culinary Challenge, endorsed by the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS).
This platform has consistently raised the bar by bringing over 25 WACS A-Grade international jurors to the Maldives each year. Through this effort, local chefs get to test their skills on a global scale.
To further encourage excellence, BBM launched the Chairman’s Trophy, awarded annually to the most promising Maldivian chef:
- 2023 — Chef Mohamed Adhil
- 2024 — Chef Ahmed Mazim
Each name marks a growing movement. Maldivian chefs no longer compete to participate. They compete to win.
Backing Global Exposure for Local Talent
BBM has directly sponsored Maldivian chefs to represent the country at global events, including:
- HOFEX 2017 in Hong Kong, where Chef Ahmed Fatheen and Chef Ismail Naseer earned silver
- La Sial 2018 in Abu Dhabi, where Chef Mohamed Adhil won both gold and silver
- FHA 2018 in Singapore, supporting emerging talent
- Asian Pastry Cup 2018, where Chef Aminath Hameed was recognized as a pioneering female chef
- Chinese Cuisine World Championship 2019, where Chef Ahmed Mazim won bronze
- World Chefs Congress and Expo 2022, where BBM sponsored six MNU students under its Building Young Talent initiative
Creating Spaces for Knowledge Transfer
Beyond competitions, BBM hosts world-class chefs to lead pro bono Masterclasses, including:
- Chef Bruno Ménard, holder of three Michelin stars
- Chef Edwin Leow, gold medalist at the IKA Culinary Olympics
These sessions are designed to be open, practical, and rooted in the everyday reality of resort kitchens.
Recognition with Purpose
BBM’s sponsorship of the Hotelier Maldives Awards 2025 is part of a larger support system. These awards are not marketing. They are memories. They capture the faces, names, and efforts of those who make the Maldives one of the most admired hospitality destinations in the world.
“When people are seen, they rise,” said Ali Afrah Hassan, Head of HR, Admin, and Corporate Affairs at BBM. “This platform is our way of saying you matter. Not just once a year, but every day you show up to serve.”
Whether through product support, recognition, training, or infrastructure, BBM is building something larger than supply chains. It is helping shape the culture of Maldivian hospitality.
BBM’s exclusive Dreidoppel Demo Tour, led by Master Pâtissier Frankie Robin, concluded successfully on Apr 30th, after a 10-day pastry training series across 15 leading Maldivian resorts that requested the training. Two city bakeries were also trained on the 30th. The initiative brought together global expertise and a strong commitment to raising pastry standards in the local hospitality industry.
This year’s sessions focused on practical pastry solutions using Dreidoppel’s premium ingredient range to create Panettone, Dubai chocolate brownies, Mousses, Crème Brûlée, Fill & Gloss applications, and Caramel Chocolate Snacks.
A standout feature of the tour was the passion shown by young chefs across the islands.
Chef Frankie Robin remarked, “What truly impressed me was how prepared and passionate the young chefs were. Their eagerness to learn, experiment, and take their skills to world-class standards made every session an absolute joy.”
Grounded in real kitchen challenges—speed, flavour, and efficiency—Chef Frankie’s demos showcased how smart ingredient choices can drive both creativity and performance.
A.V.S. Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer at BBM, added, “At BBM, we believe in more than just supplying ingredients—we are committed to the professional growth of the industry. Collaborations like this empower culinary teams with global techniques and greater confidence.”
The tour reflects BBM’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the Maldivian foodservice industry through knowledge-sharing and access to world-class products.
Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) extended their strong and decades old partnership with Unilever International, by adding to their brand portfolio – Vaseline, Hellmann’s, and BRU Coffee for the Maldivian market.
The collaboration was announced at a Business gathering held at the Manhattan Business Hotel, attended by over 300 trade partners from across Maldives.
With this partnership, BBM strengthens its retail offerings across the Maldives archipelago. Vaseline, a trusted name in skincare, and Hellmann’s, known globally for quality food products, will now be available through BBM’s distribution network.
“Vaseline is a name that generations trust for skin care. And Hellmann’s is a global icon in flavours. We’re proud to bring both to shelves across the Maldives and enrich everyday living for our customers,” said Muksith Hussain, Business Head – Retail.
In the hospitality sector, BBM introduces Bru Coffee as an addition to its HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant, Café) offerings. BRU Coffee provides a quality beverage option for hotels, resorts, and restaurants across the Maldives.
“BRU is one of the most loved coffee brands in the region. With this launch, we’re giving our hospitality partners a versatile product that delivers on both taste and reliability that can be consumed as a beverage and for the purpose of dessert preparation, something they can serve with confidence,” said Hisham Girsy, Business Head – HORECA.
The gathering served as a platform for BBM to engage with its valued trade partners and introduce these new brands to the market.
A.V.S Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer at BBM, remarked: “BBM is built on relationships. This event reflects our commitment to not just introduce great products but to support, connect, and elevate our trade partners. We’re in this together, and the journey ahead is promising.”
As BBM continues to grow its portfolio and global partnerships, the focus remains clear delivering excellence, building trust, and shaping the future of trade in the Maldives.
Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) is a leading distribution company in the Maldives, connecting international brands with local businesses across retail and hospitality sectors. With a customer-focused approach and extensive distribution network, BBM continues to be a trusted partner in the Maldivian market.
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