Business
As Hotel Asia Exhibition returns, Alan Palmer sets eyes on nurturing Maldivian talent
By Shamman Zahir
South Asia’s largest hospitality tradeshow, Hotel Asia will take place this October after a hiatus due to the pandemic with the much-awaited International Culinary Challenge kicking off a day ahead. The exhibition, organised by Maldives Exhibition and Conference Services and supported by Bestbuy Maldives, is to be held at Dharubaaaruge, for which several resorts, hotels, restaurants, food and beverage establishments have also confirmed participation.
Alan Palmer who has been the Programme Director since its inception in 2002 reflects on how the Hotel Asia Exhibition and International Culinary Challenge is going to be after a three-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s exhibition marks the 16th edition of this jam-packed event, with over 600 competitions over the course of four days of the International Culinary Challenge. The timing also coincides with the Maldives celebrating the golden jubilee of tourism.




Palmer has an impressive career spanning 59 years having got his start at the age of 16. Since 1963, his career has taken him to various continents during their key development stages of the hotel industry of the respective countries such as Switzerland and Singapore.
Palmer’s first visit to the Maldives was in 1996 when he arrived in the country as a judge for a competition organised by the tourism ministry. His next visit was for Hotel Asia, which was started by Maldives Exhibition and Conference Services and Bestbuy Maldives with just tents and canopy. It has come a long way since!
“The idea behind Hotel Asia was born with the idea in mind to showcase Maldivian talent, to give Maldivians an international stage to compete and learn from world-class chefs from around the globe, all the while attracting interest from local youth and businesses to join in the industry,” Palmer says.


As tourism is the biggest contributor to the Maldivian economy, it was a necessity to establish a platform like Hotel Asia. As demand grew, since 2011, Maldives Exhibition and Conference Services and Bestbuy Maldives have held the event year up until 2019 when COVID-19 shut the tourism industry down.
At Hotel Asia, 15 judges from around the globe certify the winners, and some winners are sent abroad for further training and competitions thanks to the generous support of Bestbuy Maldives. The platform, spearheaded by Maldives Exhibition and Conference Services and Bestbuy Maldives, is committed to the development of Maldivian talent. With a waitlist of companies, it is clearly popular, but it is not without its hurdles. The infrastructure improvements are vital to provide space for more exhibitors, as new hotels open up across the archipelago.
“Understandably, Maldives being a small island nation needs a convention centre that is functional to implement as a MICE (Meetings Incentives Conferences Exhibitions) market,” Palmer says.
“Despite Maldives being scattered, the resolve and organisation of hotels sending their chefs and the chefs themselves to have the commitment to make the journey despite logistical challenges to participate is admirable.”



Palmer’s advice to the youth is that if they remained consistent and persevere, they would be able to climb the ladder as a chef and a judge beyond their home soil to be renowned globally. There is a career to be made to those who have the passion and maintain a standard. As the Programme Director of the International Culinary Challenge, the aim is to nurture more local talent and skilled professionals. The vision for the future is to further improve and expand the exhibition to cater to the evolving needs of the industry.
The 16th edition of the Hotel Asia Exhibition and International Culinary Challenge, organised by Maldives Exhibition and Conference Services and sponsored by Bestbuy Maldives, will be held from October 10-12, 2022 at Dharubaaaruge in capital Male. The free to enter exhibition estimates a turnout of 4,000 people this year.
Business
BBM Hulhumalé Phase 2 opening promotion winner receives Honda Airblade
Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) has presented a brand-new Honda Airblade motorbike to the winner of a lucky draw held to mark the opening of its newest wholesale outlet in Hulhumalé Phase 2.
The outlet, located at Lot 20286 on Nirolhu Magu, opened on 16 February 2026 as part of BBM’s expansion of its wholesale operations.
To celebrate the opening and thank customers for their continued support, BBM introduced a special lucky draw exclusively for customers who made purchases from the new outlet on its opening day.

Customers who purchased products during the opening were eligible to enter the draw, with a Honda Airblade motorbike offered as the grand prize.
The lucky draw was conducted on 13 August 2026, with Ibrahim Shifaz of Vagthun Vaguthah outlet selected as the winner.
Shifaz was recently presented with the ceremonial key to the Honda Airblade by AVS Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer of Bestbuy Maldives.

The promotion formed part of BBM’s activities surrounding the opening of its Hulhumalé Phase 2 outlet, which provides customers with access to the company’s range of wholesale products from the growing residential and commercial area.
Bestbuy Maldives is a supplier and distributor serving businesses across the Maldives, including customers in the hospitality, food service and retail sectors.
Business
Football legends receive FIFA World Cup 2026 match balls signed by President Muizzu
Male’ Aerated Water Company (MAWC), the authorised bottler of The Coca-Cola Company in the Maldives, on Thursday hosted the Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Match Ball Handover Ceremony, presenting Football Legends of Maldives with official FIFA World Cup 2026™ match balls signed personally by Dr Mohamed Muizzu, President of Maldives.
Held in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness, the ceremony recognised former national footballers whose achievements, service and influence have helped shape football in the Maldives and inspired generations of players and supporters.
The Coca-Cola Company has been an official partner of FIFA since 1974, making it one of the longest-standing partnerships in the global sport. For MAWC, the handover brought that global partnership to life locally by connecting the FIFA World Cup with people who have contributed to Maldivian football history.
As the sole authorised Coca-Cola bottler in the Maldives for over 35 years, MAWC has supported local sport through partnerships, campaigns and community initiatives. The ceremony continued that commitment by recognising the legacy of players who represented the Maldives and contributed to the growth of football in the country.
“Maldives’ football legends have given generations of supporters moments of pride and have played an important role in shaping the country’s sporting history. At MAWC, we believe recognising their contribution is as important as supporting the next generation. Through our partnership with Coca-Cola and FIFA, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness, we are honoured to celebrate their legacy. These match balls are a token of our appreciation for what they have given to Maldivian football,” said Milind Derasari, Chief Operating Officer, MAWC.
Adding to the excitement of the football season, MAWC ran a nationwide FIFA World Cup 2026™ consumer promotion from 21 March to 24 May 2026. Eight winners received an all-expenses-paid experience for two to attend a FIFA World Cup 2026™ match. Hundreds more won Coca-Cola branded merchandise and other prizes during the campaign, bringing the excitement of the world’s largest football tournament to consumers across the Maldives.
MAWC remains committed to building partnerships that support the development of sports across the Maldives, working with the Government of Maldives and other partners.
Business
Coca-Cola Maldives launches World Cup-themed promotion
Coca-Cola Maldives is turning up the excitement with the launch of its 2026 football campaign, bringing fans across the country a season packed with prizes, shared moments and exciting ways to celebrate the game together.
As the build-up to the FIFA World Cup 2026 begins, Coca-Cola Maldives is inviting consumers to join in the fun with a campaign built around everything that makes football special: the anticipation, the matchday thrill, the watch parties, the celebrations and the memories made along the way.
From March to May, consumers in the Maldives will have the chance to take part in the Coca-Cola Maldives FIFA World Cup 2026 promotion, with weekly prizes, branded merchandise and a grand prize experience linked to one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
As part of the campaign, Coca-Cola Maldives is rolling out the UTC Promo from March 21 to May 24, giving consumers even more ways to be part of the football excitement. Special promotional packs will feature a unique code either under the cap or under the tab, depending on the product format. For 500ml, 1.25L and 2L PET bottles, codes will appear under the special Golden Caps on Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta Orange and Fanta Strawberry. For 330ml cans, codes will appear under the tab on Coca-Cola. Consumers can enter by sending the code via SMS to 2626 for the chance to win a range of prizes throughout the campaign period.
The promotion will run across 330ml cans as well as 500ml, 1.25L and 2L PET bottles, making it easy for consumers to join in whether they are picking up a drink for themselves, sharing with friends, or stocking up for a matchday gathering. With multiple participating brands and pack formats included in the promotion, Coca-Cola Maldives is creating more opportunities for consumers across the country to take part in the campaign and enjoy the football season together.
At the top tier, eight winners will receive an all-expenses-paid experience for two to watch a FIFA World Cup match live, creating a once-in-a-lifetime football moment. Under Tier 2, 60 winners will receive Coca-Cola branded mini-coolers, while 120 winners will take home Coca-Cola branded football-shaped personal coolers. Under Tier 3, 180 winners will receive Coke and FIFA branded footballs, adding even more play and energy to the season.
Adding a live moment to the excitement, the first set of winners will be announced on ICE TV on April 6 at 9pm, with winner announcements continuing every week throughout the promotion. This weekly reveal is set to bring an added sense of anticipation and shared excitement as the campaign unfolds across the Maldives.
The campaign is designed to bring fans closer to the game and make every football moment even more enjoyable. Whether it is watching a match with family at home, catching the action with friends at a café, or picking up a favourite Coca-Cola pack from a neighbourhood store, Coca-Cola Maldives aims to be part of the moments that make football season unforgettable.
“Football has a way of bringing people together like nothing else, and that is what inspired this campaign,” said Mario Perera, Country Head for Sri Lanka and the Maldives. “In the Maldives, the game is enjoyed in such a lively and social way, and Coca-Cola Maldives wanted to create a campaign that feels fun, relevant and easy for people to be part of. It is about celebrating the season, enjoying the experience with others, and giving fans something extra to look forward to.”
Adding to the excitement, Coca-Cola Maldives will also launch collectible country packs in the Maldives from May to July, giving fans the chance to celebrate the global game in a new way. Inspired by some of football’s most recognised nations, these limited-edition packs will bring a colourful and collectible twist to the season.
Across the Maldives, Coca-Cola Maldives will work with retail partners to bring the campaign to life through in-store visibility, promotional touchpoints and selected local activations that capture the spirit of football and community.
“The Maldives is a unique market, and Coca-Cola Maldives wanted this campaign to connect with the way people here enjoy football, together, with energy, and with a real sense of occasion. Coca-Cola Maldives is excited to bring that spirit to life in the months ahead,” added Mario Perera.
This marks the start of Coca-Cola Maldives’ 2026 journey in the market. With more fan moments, more excitement and more ways to join in still to come, Coca-Cola Maldives is looking forward to celebrating the football season with consumers across the country.
-
News1 week agoTHE OZEN COLLECTION brings festive magic to the Maldives this holiday season
-
Action1 week agoGrand Park Kodhipparu introduces experience-led stay built around its house reef
-
News1 week agoFrom Galaxy of Dreams to Beneath the Blue: Cinnamon Resorts reveal festive programmes
-
News1 week agoMandara Spa introduces new ELEMIS treatments and LED facial technology
-
News1 week agoCentara unveils KSA National Day holiday offers across Maldives resorts
-
Awards1 week agoSoneva Fushi, Jani and Secret earn place on Forbes Travel Guide Edge List 2026
-
News1 week agoAnantara Kihavah celebrates 25 years of Anantara with Maldives stargazing experience
-
News6 days agoPixie Lott to headline InterContinental Maldives’ New Year celebrations


