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

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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 

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Angsana Velavaru shines in T+L Luxury Awards 2025 with top pool and GM honours

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Angsana Velavaru, part of the esteemed Banyan Group, has secured prestigious placements in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, ranking #8 for Best Resort Pool and #3 for Best General Manager in the Maldives. These accolades underscore the resort’s dedication to outstanding service, thoughtfully crafted accommodations, and guest-centric innovation.

Located in the unspoiled South Nilandhe Atoll, Angsana Velavaru features 113 villas—79 of which are equipped with private infinity pools. Among them are the celebrated Beach Villas and the signature InOcean Pool Villas, which extend elegantly over the lagoon’s turquoise expanse. Each villa is designed to offer a harmonious blend of sophistication and comfort, enabling guests to immerse themselves in nature with both privacy and style.

Central to the resort’s social ambiance is the Kuredhi Pool Bar, a lively and inviting venue that offers more than just refreshments. It serves as a communal hub where guests can enjoy curated experiences such as DJ nights, aqua aerobics, and wellness sessions. This programming reflects the resort’s vision of merging serenity with social vibrancy.

Spearheading this success is General Manager Ahmed Zahir, who was recognised as the #3 Best General Manager in the Maldives. Zahir’s inspiring career began three decades ago as a Laundry Supervisor and has since evolved into a historic milestone—becoming the first Maldivian General Manager within the Banyan Group. His leadership is characterised by a deep understanding of local culture, empathy, and hands-on experience across resort operations.

“This recognition is not only an honour—it’s a reflection of how far we’ve come as a team and as an industry,” Zahir shared. “I’m proud to lead with values shaped by the Maldives itself: resilience, hospitality, and heart. At Angsana Velavaru, we aim to deliver something genuine and lasting—for our guests, our people, and our community.”

Under Zahir’s stewardship, Angsana Velavaru has fostered a culture rooted in authenticity, local empowerment, and purposeful guest engagement. The resort remains committed to evolving as a destination that honours tradition while embracing forward-thinking experiences.

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Oaga Art Resort’s Samaasaa takes centre stage in Dubai’s art scene

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Under the desert sky of Dubai, Oaga Art Resort made its international debut with a striking performance by Raai Badeeu at the closing night of renowned light calligrapher Karim Jabbari’s exhibition, Vertical Horizon / 361 Degrees, held at Inloco Gallery. The performance introduced audiences to Samaasaa, the resort’s original theatrical dining concept where storytelling intertwines with seasonal cuisine, and folklore comes alive through immersive performance.

Samaasaa represents a distinctive fusion of art and gastronomy, with each course unfolding as an edible chapter of a story. The concept invites guests into a world where tradition meets innovation, rooted deeply in Maldivian heritage.

The venue for the performance, Inloco Gallery, is an emerging boutique art space in Dubai known for pushing creative boundaries. Its third season was dedicated to ‘vanishing urban landscapes’—a reflection on the echoes of fading cityscapes. Central to this season was the work of Karim Jabbari, whose intricate light calligraphy transforms traditional Arabic script into contemporary expressions of cultural memory. His Vertical Horizon / 361 Degrees exhibition explored the theme of ‘Lost Tradition,’ featuring a collaborative project with artist Khalil Abdulwahid that documented Al Satwa’s disappearing historic fabric and reclaimed calligraphy’s original role as a vehicle for communication and preservation.

In collaboration with Inloco Gallery and Karim Jabbari, Oaga Art Resort presented Raai Badeeu as part of the finissage—a moving farewell performance that seamlessly blended calligraphy, choreography, and storytelling. The immersive show transformed the gallery into a space of ancestral memory, myth, and poetic expression, embodying the artistic ethos of Oaga.

The performance also offered audiences an exclusive preview of Samaasaa Presents: The First Coconuts, Oaga’s upcoming theatrical dining experience. A specially curated segment from the show was performed, offering a glimpse into the mythical origins of island life through expressive movement and narrative.

As Oaga Art Resort expands its creative reach beyond the Maldives, this performance in Dubai marks the beginning of a broader journey. Guided by a spirit that is playful, poetic, and deeply rooted in island culture, Oaga is poised to share its unique stories with the world.

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JOALI Maldives welcomes FIX’s iconic chocolate in first-ever global expansion

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Dubai-based artisanal brand FIX Dessert Chocolatier, renowned for its viral chocolate creations, has partnered with JOALI Maldives – the Indian Ocean’s first art-immersive luxury island resort. Starting 2 July 2025, guests at JOALI Maldives will have the exclusive opportunity to indulge in FIX’s signature creation, The Original Dubai Chocolate, marking the first time the coveted dessert will be available outside the UAE.

Famed for its bold creativity, intricate layering, and unforgettable textures, FIX has redefined the modern dessert experience. This collaboration brings together two worlds of sensory delight – the imaginative world of FIX and the refined, story-driven luxury of JOALI Maldives.

As part of this partnership, FIX introduces Time To Mango, a brand-new chocolate bar inspired by tropical fruits, warm breezes, and the playful spirit of summer. Blending mango-forward flavours with nostalgic childhood treats and a whimsical touch of popping candy, the creation delivers a multi-sensory experience wrapped in rich chocolate.

FIX Dessert Chocolatier’s signature artistry and innovative flavour combinations align seamlessly with the philosophy of JOALI Maldives, a resort celebrated for its immersive art, sublime design, and curated experiences. According to FIX co-founder Sarah Hamouda, “This collaboration is about more than flavour – it’s about sparking wonder and delivering delight in unexpected ways. Seeing our creation featured at JOALI Maldives feels like the perfect match of storytelling and indulgence.”

Guests at JOALI Maldives will encounter FIX’s chocolates across various curated settings – from the private airport lounge and the resort’s artisanal ice cream shop to bespoke in-villa amenities and select evening turndown rituals. Every piece is hand-crafted in Dubai, carefully transported, and presented under the Maldivian sun as a true edible work of art.

Commenting on the partnership, Semiha Askin, Global Director of Sales and Marketing at JOALI, stated, “At JOALI, we embrace art in all its forms – from visual and spatial to culinary. Partnering with FIX Dessert Chocolatier allows us to extend that ethos into the realm of artisanal sweets. Their chocolate is more than a dessert – it’s an immersive experience our guests will remember, one bite at a time.”

This marks FIX’s first international placement, making JOALI Maldives the only destination outside of the UAE to offer the brand’s signature chocolate. The collaboration exemplifies a shared dedication to luxury, creativity, and culinary innovation.

Located in one of the largest and deepest atolls in the world, JOALI Maldives offers 73 elegantly appointed beach and over-water villas, each accompanied by a personal Jadugar (meaning “skilled magician” in Dhivehi). The resort is a sanctuary of sustainability, immersive programming, and next-level wellbeing offerings, including the JOALI BEING Cure – the first outpost of sister retreat JOALI BEING, the Maldives’ pioneering wellness island.

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