Featured
Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023 social media competition kicks off with 50+ free trips to Maldives

Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) is excited to announce that the social media competition to select 50+ participants for MMPRC’s largest event held in the Maldives this year, the Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023, is now open! The competition will be open from 27th February to 25th March 2023.
The Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023, to be held from 30th May to 2nd June, brings together 50+ content creators from around the world to ‘Weave Your Maldivian Story’ at the largest gathering of travel writers, journalists, bloggers, influencers, and media experts in the Sunny Side of Life this year. We invite them to experience & explore our island nation and express their thoughts through videos, photos, articles & social media posts. The 50+ content creators will be selected through a Social Media Competition launched today.
The Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023 is styled under our ‘Redefining MICE’ concept; a relaxed atmosphere at the beach at Crossroads Maldives. Enjoy the conference beneath palm trees with your toes in the sand, barefoot amidst the endless blues of the ocean and the resplendent horizon. Participants of this conference will have the opportunity to take part in interesting discussions with renowned international storytellers on relevant and trending topics, such as sustainable efforts in tourism, the role of social media in marketing promotions, and more.
Attendees at the conference can take part in breakout sessions where they can learn about sustainable tourism, Maldivian culture, heritage, and learn about Maldives fisheries in gastronomy sessions, and more. The conference will also feature pop-up stalls from leading artists in the Maldives. The stalls will showcase authentic Maldivian products and the skill of the talented local artisans. To conclude the event, a gala dinner has been arranged for the storytellers, speakers, and VIP guests at the Crossroads Maldives Beach Club with live music and more.
At the end of the conference, the winners of the social media competition will get the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty, experiences, and hospitality of the Maldives. They can enjoy the best of what the Sunny Side of Life has to offer as per their preferred choice of activities.
Participants may enjoy experiences ranging from snorkelling with mantas and whale sharks to watersports, culinary tours, island-hopping, and even sandbank picnics. The sideline experiences will be conducted at the following 08 different regions of the Maldives, each with its distinctive features, activities, and experiences.
- Baa Atoll
- Dhaalu Atoll
- Laamu Atoll
- Ari Atoll
- Lhaviyani & Noonu Atoll
- Gnaviyani Atoll
- Malé Atoll
- Seenu Atoll
Those who wish to be invited to this conference, are required to create a unique piece of content showcasing their content creation skills while answering this question on their social media accounts (Facebook or Instagram, or both!) and then fill in and submit the application form on our website storytellers.visitmaldives.com as per the guidelines. For a complete step-by-step guide on how to apply, visit the competition page on our website storytellers.visitmaldives.com/contests.
Visit Maldives will review the submissions and select the top 50+ to attend the conference, where they will have the opportunity to network with industry professionals and experience the beauty of the Maldives firsthand. All 50+ winners will be invited to attend the Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023, along with 3 days and 2 nights (or this may vary) of authentic experiences in 08 unique regions of the Sunny Side of Life. All tickets, including international flights, domestic transfers, accommodations and meals will be provided on FOC basis.
For more information, please contact storytellers.visitmaldives.com/contact-us
Featured
Grand Park Kodhipparu highlights manta ray conservation on World Manta Day

Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives marked World Manta Day with a series of activities aimed at raising awareness about the importance of manta ray conservation and the threats these marine species face from international trade, overfishing, plastic pollution and habitat destruction.
The resort organised painting workshops where guests were invited to illustrate their impressions of manta rays and their underwater environment, fostering a connection with marine life through art. Using shimmering glitters, participants recreated the elegance and grace of manta rays, while others crafted large-scale designs on the beach, turning the shoreline into a visual tribute to the creatures.
As part of its commitment to environmental education, the resort released a special video highlighting the feeding habits, defence strategies and reproductive behaviours of manta rays. The video serves as an educational resource, reinforcing the significance of marine conservation through scientific understanding and community engagement.
Citra Suriah, Marketing Director of Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives, said the resort would continue to provide opportunities for guests to learn about and advocate for collective responsibility in protecting the ocean.
Entertainment
Halloween and Autumn celebrations at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, is preparing to welcome guests to a week-long Autumn Festival with Halloween-themed celebrations running from 30 October to 5 November. The programme features a variety of activities designed for families, couples, and individual travellers, with events ranging from treasure hunts and creative workshops to wellness sessions and exclusive dining experiences.
The celebrations begin on 30 October with a beachside Tabata workout followed by a pumpkin carving workshop at La Locanda. Activities for children and teens include the Magic of Mantas virtual reality exploration, Haunted Brick Builders, and the Autumn Costume Fashion Show. Parents are invited to a cocktail gathering on the shore before the evening concludes with a Culinary Maestro dinner by Michelin-starred Chef Max Strohe, as part of the resort’s Masters of Crafts series.
On 31 October, guests may join a morning Dynamic Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden or take part in a turtle snorkelling excursion. Children between four and twelve are encouraged to join the Flying Fox Quest, a Halloween-themed nature walk, while older children embark on an Island Treasure Quest. Seasonal workshops such as wreath decoration and creative pumpkin carving are available, and the day concludes with a Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt across the island and a Halloween Feast at La Locanda.
As the week progresses, the festival highlights wellness and creativity. Under the Masters of Crafts programme, mobility coach Anthony Green will host sessions on posture, flexibility, and spinal health. Seasonal crafts for younger guests include galaxy-themed pumpkin art, Halloween decorations, wand-making, and mask workshops. Family activities extend to Autumn Carnival Stalls, Magic Hat bowling, and themed cooking sessions. Evening entertainment includes a magic show, a piñata party, and further culinary experiences led by Chef Max Strohe.
The festival concludes on 5 November with a Vinsaya Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden, an art class featuring batfish designs on tote bags, and a children’s treasure hunt. Families are invited to join the Boos and Brews Halloween Dhoni Cruise before the celebrations end with a Luxury Sunset Cruise.
Through this programme, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, combines seasonal festivities with wellness, creativity, and gastronomy, offering guests a diverse celebration of autumn and Halloween in the Maldives.
Featured
Soneva Fushi awarded SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality 2025

Soneva Fushi, situated within the Maldives’ Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, has been named winner of the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award as part of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025. The accolade is one of two special awards announced ahead of the official ceremony on 30 October. The award is based on votes from more than 800 members of the Academy, who were asked to identify the hotel where they experienced their single-best hospitality moment within the two-year voting period.
The award recognises the quality of service that ensures guests feel cared for throughout their stay. It celebrates the work of a property and its entire team, acknowledging excellence in areas ranging from reception and housekeeping to amenities and food and beverage services. Voters were asked to consider ambience, unique experiential elements, and the warmth of the hospitality on offer.
Soneva Fushi, the original Soneva resort and regarded as the model for barefoot luxury, is located on one of the Maldives’ largest and least developed islands. The resort comprises 71 private villas, either set amidst dense jungle or positioned above the ocean. Guests are invited to embrace a slower pace of life, with experiences ranging from deserted island picnics and wellness treatments at Soneva Soul to curated events under the Soneva Stars calendar.
Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, said: “This award celebrates the foundation of hospitality and honours the emotional connection that guests have with a hotel and its team. For three decades, Soneva Fushi has been delivering memorable service at the highest level that puts the guest at the heart of every interaction. A mainstay of The World’s 50 Best Hotels list since the awards’ inception, Soneva Fushi is a worthy winner of the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award, setting a benchmark of all-encompassing excellence one stay at a time.”
Each villa offers extensive indoor and outdoor living space, private pools and ocean views. A distinctive feature of the resort is its Barefoot Guardians – dedicated butlers assigned to each villa to provide personalised service. Available at all times, they arrange every aspect of the guest experience, from zipline adventures and snorkelling at Hanifaru Bay to stargazing at the observatory or dining in one of 14 restaurants. The Barefoot Guardians also manage the Soneva Stars calendar, which hosts international chefs, wellness specialists and sporting figures.
Antony Paton, General Manager of Soneva Fushi, said: “This award belongs to the entire team at Soneva Fushi. It is a reflection of our shared purpose to create moments of joy, connection and wonder every single day. Being recognised by The World’s 50 Best Hotels affirms that the quiet magic we strive for is not only felt by our guests, but remembered. And that, to us, is the greatest reward.”
Giancarlo Mancino, Chief Executive Officer of SeiBellissimi, added: “At Soneva Fushi, hospitality is a seamless extension of a lifestyle deeply rooted in sustainability, wellness and mindful luxury. Founded with a slow life philosophy, every experience here is a tribute to living in harmony with nature, honouring health-conscious principles, and crafting each moment with genuine care. This devotion to sustainable elegance and the art of well-being is the perfect mirror of SeiBellissimi’s own values: Italian craftsmanship, conviviality, and a respect for quality that goes beyond the ordinary.”
The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 ceremony will take place at Old Billingsgate in London on Thursday 30 October, where Soneva Fushi will formally receive the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award.
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