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Women in Hospitality: Aaidha Majdhy’s trailblazing journey in Maldives hospitality
Aaidha Majdhy, the Assistant Director of Sales at Le Méridien Maldives, is a trailblazer in the Maldives’ hospitality industry. Her career journey started after graduating with a degree in International Business Administration from Luther College in the United States. She then joined Marriott in Arizona for a rotational internship, which opened her eyes to the exciting world of hospitality. Since then, she has worked at Four Seasons Maldives and moved up the ranks, landing her current role at Le Méridien Maldives, one of the newest resorts in the Maldives.
Aaidha’s journey into hospitality was not easy, especially as a Maldivian woman. She recalls the industry being a “boys’ club” and having to deal with questions about her marital status during job interviews. But she has seen a shift in the industry’s mentality in recent years, with resorts actively recruiting Maldivian women. Aaidha is proud of the many young Maldivian women now working in the industry and is always eager to work with them.
Aaidha’s biggest professional accomplishment is being part of the Sales and Marketing team that worked on three successful pre-opening projects in the Maldives. Starting as a Sales Coordinator and now being an Assistant Director of Sales is something she takes pride in. But, as someone who is outspoken, she admits that she has learned the hard way that sometimes her message may not always be well-received, despite the best of intentions. She emphasizes that learning when to hold back is a crucial lesson in this industry.
When asked what colleagues need to know about working with her, Aaidha shares her four principles: promoting gender equality, approaching work with a sense of humor, taking care of one’s physical and mental health, and achieving a healthy work-life balance. She also advises young women starting their careers in hospitality to be rebels, to do what feels right, and to speak up because their voices matter.
Aaidha has always been passionate about gender equality, and her current role at Le Méridien Maldives allows her to advocate for it in the industry. Since the resort’s opening in 2021, their goal has been to achieve a 50/50 balance with their female to male ratio among their associates. Currently, 28% of their associates are female, and Aaidha believes that this number will continue to improve. Le Méridien Maldives’ Sales and Marketing team is predominantly made up of female associates, but Aaidha admits that they still have a long way to go in terms of representation.
Aaidha’s journey is one of resilience, passion, and advocacy. She is paving the way for gender equality in the Maldives’ hospitality industry and encouraging young women to be rebels and to speak up for themselves. Her work at Le Méridien Maldives is a testament to her unwavering commitment to promoting gender equality and diversity in the workplace.
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort has introduced its Family Fun Summer offer, aimed at families seeking longer island stays built around shared activities and rest. The offer is available for booking from 15 April to 15 June 2026, with a minimum stay of four nights for travel through to 20 December 2026.
Located within Baa Atoll, the Maldives’ first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort is positioning the offer around family wellness, marine experiences and time spent together in a natural island setting. Seasonal snorkelling with manta rays in Hanifaru Bay remains one of the area’s key attractions, while the resort’s collection of beach and overwater villas is designed to accommodate families looking for space and flexibility during their stay.
For larger families and groups, the resort also offers the two-bedroom Heavenly Beach Residence, which includes a living room, kitchen and dining area intended to support longer and more relaxed island stays.
The resort says the guest experience can be shaped around both activity and downtime, supported by Westin’s Sleep Well concept and Heavenly Bed. Children have access to the Westin Family Kids Club, which includes a children’s pool and pirate ship, while parents can make use of Heavenly Spa by Westin.
Away from the villa, the resort is also promoting shared family experiences through Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy activities focused on the culture and environment of Baa Atoll. These include traditional lacquer craft workshops, visits to local islands and guided marine activities in surrounding waters.
The Family Fun Summer package includes three meals per day, with children under 12 dining free of charge. It also includes a one-time dolphin cruise for two adults and two children, a 30-minute photography session with one printed photo, and a USD 150 resort credit.
Reethi Faru Resort has been recognised at the 2026 Haute Grandeur Global Excellence Awards, receiving honours in four categories: Best Beach Villa in Indian Ocean, Best Pool Villa in Indian Ocean, Best Eco-Friendly Resort in Maldives, and Best Sustainable Hotel in Maldives.
The awards recognise performance across villa accommodation and environmentally focused hospitality, reflecting the resort’s emphasis on guest experience alongside sustainability and environmental stewardship.
According to the resort, the recognition supports its positioning within the Maldives market as a property that combines natural surroundings, accommodation standards and responsible hospitality practices.
Located on Filaidhoo in Raa Atoll, Reethi Faru Resort features 145 villas, including beachfront and overwater accommodation designed in a style that combines Maldivian elements with contemporary comfort.
The resort’s food and beverage offering includes six restaurants and six bars, while its leisure facilities cover watersports, diving, yoga, spa treatments and fitness activities. Surrounded by coral reefs, the resort also offers guests access to marine-based experiences in the Indian Ocean.
Sustainability remains a central part of the resort’s operations, with initiatives that include coral reef restoration and guest experiences linked to environmental awareness.
Through its recognition at the 2026 Haute Grandeur Global Excellence Awards, Reethi Faru Resort has added to its profile as a Maldives resort with a focus on both accommodation standards and sustainability.
To mark Earth Day, Sun Siyam Olhuveli, part of the Lifestyle Collection within the House of Siyam, launched its new marine conservation initiative, the Adopt A Coral Frame experience, during a morning event held on 22 April at Milano Beach on Dream Island.
The initiative forms part of the resort’s wider marine conservation efforts and is designed to give guests a direct way to engage with coral restoration while supporting the protection of the surrounding reef ecosystem.
During the launch, guests were introduced to the coral restoration process through a hands-on experience that explained how new coral growth can be supported through frame-based planting. Under the programme, guests are invited to select and adopt a coral frame, attach healthy coral fragments to it, and take part in placing it within the lagoon to help form a new reef structure.
The process begins with the collection of healthy coral fragments under the guidance of the resort’s marine biologist. These fragments are then secured to specially designed coral frames and placed in selected areas within the resort’s coral garden, where conditions are intended to support growth and marine biodiversity. Guests who adopt a frame will also receive updates on its progress, including photographs shared every six months.
The resort said the programme is intended to make coral conservation more accessible to guests while also highlighting the role of reefs in supporting marine life, protecting coastlines and maintaining ocean ecosystems.
Chaminda Upul, Group Sustainability Manager for Sun Siyam, said the initiative was designed to give guests an opportunity to contribute in a direct way.
“Earth Day is a reminder that even the smallest actions can shape something far greater,” he said. “With Adopt-A-Coral Frame, we wanted to create an experience where our guests can leave a positive mark on the ocean. It’s simple, it’s meaningful, and it stays with you.”
Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli, said the resort wanted to create an experience that combines guest participation with long-term environmental value.
“At Olhuveli, we believe the best experiences are the ones that stay with you long after you leave. Adopt-A-Coral is our way of inviting guests to be part of something lasting, while caring for the natural beauty that makes this place so special,” he said.
Part of the proceeds from each coral adoption will go towards Sun Siyam Care, the group’s sustainability platform, supporting marine conservation and reef restoration efforts.
Through the launch of Adopt A Coral Frame, Sun Siyam Olhuveli is combining guest experience with reef restoration, reflecting a wider focus on environmental engagement within its island operations.
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