Featured
Ali Shakir joins OBLU Nature Helengeli; becomes first Maldivian to head an Atmosphere Hotels’ property
Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts (AH&R) has appointed Ali Shakir as the Resort Manager at OBLU NATURE Helengeli. This appointment marks an important milestone, as Ali Shakir is the first Maldivian in the company to be completely in charge of a resort.
At Helengeli island, Ali Shakir will be solely responsible for the day-to-day operations and lead the team to ensure impeccable service standards and a joyful natural holiday experience for guests.
Ali Shakir joined Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts in 2019 as the Resort Manager at VARU By Atmosphere. Since then, he has been a part of the successful pre-opening of four properties: OBLU Xperience Ailafushi, OBLU SELECT Lobigili, OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, and VARU By Atmosphere. Before his appointment at AH&R, Ali worked at reputed resorts such as Angsana Velavaru, Hulhule Island Hotel, and Paradise Island Resort and Spa.
A multi-talented professional, Ali has over 26 years of experience in the tourism industry. Having managed sales, front office, reservations, housekeeping, security, transportation, HR, and F&B teams, Ali has a deep understanding of resort management.
He won the prestigious Maldives CX Leader Of The Year 2018 Award by the Customer Experience Foundation Maldives. Ali has also been a Tourism Sector and Technical Council Member at the Ministry of Higher Education, Employment and Social Security.
“I am excited to lead the OBLU NATURE Helengeli team, supporting local talent while creating a harmonious, inclusive culture built on trust and respect so that we can all bring alive the Joy of Giving for our guests and each other,” says Ali Shakir.
A thrilling 50-minute speedboat ride from Malé International Airport, OBLU NATURE Helengeli offers up all the magic of flora and fauna. Comprising 116 villas with vibrant, tropical interiors, the resort has its very own house reef just metres from the shore.
Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts is a dynamic and fast-growing international hospitality company. Currently, the company is operating eight resorts within the Maldives and is set to further expand in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan.
AH&R’s distinguished portfolio comprises THE OZEN COLLECTION, COLOURS OF OBLU, and By Atmosphere, with a rich diversity of experiences within each of these brands. The company recently launched two new COLOURS OF OBLU resorts: OBLU SELECT Lobigili opened on 24 March 2022 and OBLU Xperience Ailafushi opened on 2 June 2022.
Celebration
Sirru Fen Fushi to host Eid al-Adha celebration from 27–29 May
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.
Featured
Reethi Faru Resort awarded Green Globe certification
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.
Featured
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort marks loyalty week with member and staff recognition
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is marking IHG Global Loyalty Week 2026, a group-wide initiative recognising IHG One Rewards members and the employees who contribute to guest experiences across the brand.
The observance will take place from 11 to 17 May 2026 and is aligned with IHG’s wider theme of “bringing loyalty to life”, focusing on guest recognition and service-led engagement.
As the Maldives’ first all-Club InterContinental resort, InterContinental Maldives is using the occasion to highlight its emphasis on personalised service and guest recognition. During the week, the resort will present a series of experiences and gestures intended to acknowledge IHG One Rewards members through tailored hospitality touches.
A central feature of the programme will be “Member Moments”, which are designed to reflect guest preferences, milestones and individual travel experiences. These will include personalised welcome arrangements, selected in-room amenities, culinary offerings and family-focused gestures.
The resort will also use the week to recognise its employees, whose service contributes to guest loyalty and repeat visits. Under its “Inspire Incredible” service culture, InterContinental Maldives will hold staff appreciation activities and internal recognition initiatives during the week.
Commenting on the occasion, General Manager Reinhold Johann said the initiative highlights the importance of making guests feel recognised and welcomed, while also acknowledging the role of employees in delivering those experiences.
Through IHG One Rewards, members have access to benefits and travel privileges across more than 6,800 hotels worldwide. At InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, these benefits are integrated into the resort’s all-Club InterContinental offering, which combines personalised service with resort-based experiences in Raa Atoll.
Through its participation in IHG Global Loyalty Week 2026, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is positioning guest recognition and service culture as key elements of its hospitality approach.
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