Featured
Sun Siyam Resorts promotes Mohammed Shihab to Group Director of Sales & Marketing, Ahmed Naufal to Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing
To boost and strengthen its business development team and to take the company’s commercial strategy to new heights, Sun Siyam Resorts has recently promoted Mohammed Shihab to Group Director of Sales & Marketing, and Ahmed Naufal to Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing.
In his new role, Shihab will be heading the sales & marketing teams at all six Sun Siyam Resort properties in the Maldives & Sri Lanka by creating and developing strong and effective sales & marketing growth strategies as well as overseeing all global relationships with key partners to successfully drive business.
Shihab joined the company in 2020 as Assistant Director of Sales and Marketing at Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives, moved up the career ladder to Director of Sales and Marketing before taking on a new project under the Sun Siyam Resorts umbrella, and to be part of an exciting pre-opening team, when he joined Siyam World in 2021 as Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing. Based at Siyam World, Shihab effectively led the Sales & Marketing team through the successful opening of the most revolutionary island resort and gamechanger to hit the Maldives tourism industry, and headed all Sales & Marketing matters for Sun Siyam Iru Fushi at the same time.
He has been proficient in the hotel industry since September 2011, starting his career as Sales & Marketing Supervisor at Meeru Island Resort and Spa, Maldives. He then took on a new challenge in the MICE sector, in September 2015, when he joined Westin Langkawi Resort and Spa as Senior Catering & Conventions Manager. Shihab also held the position of Director of Catering & Conventions at the same property before joining The Standard, Huravalhi Maldives in 2019 as Director of Sales & Marketing.
Born and raised in India and proudly half-Maldivian, Shihab speaks fluently Hindi, English & Dhivehi and brings more than 13 years of sales experiences in the hospitality industry with him.
Holding a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Bangalore, India and a passion for the hospitality industry, he is also avid about driving a business and successfully set new heights for this industry in days to come.
Based at Sun Siyam Olhuveli, Naufal takes on his new role as Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing from March 2023, overseeing all sales & marketing activities for Sun Siyam Iru Veli & Sun Siyam Olhuveli. He was promoted from his previous position as Director of Sales and Marketing at Sun Siyam Olhuveli, where he spearheaded the three connecting island property’s sales activities globally.
Originally from the Maldives, Naufal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Tourism Management from the Maldives National University, and has over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry in the Maldives. He additionally holds two successfully completed course certificates from internationally renowned Cornell University in Business Strategy and Revenue Management 360.
His Maldives hospitality career began at One & Only Kanuhura in 2008, where he worked as Reservations Agent and then Baros Maldives in 2011 where he worked his way up for over six years from Reservations & Sales Executive to Cluster Assistant Sales Reservations Manager.
He then joined Dhevanafushi Maldives Luxury Resort in 2017 as Associate Director of Sales and also held the post of Director of Sales at Raffles Maldives Meradhoo from 2017-2018. Naufal later joined the Radisson Blu Resort Maldives in 2019 and Movenpick Maldives 2020 as Director of Sales before taking on his most recent role at Sun Siyam Olhuveli in 2021.
Deepak Booneady, CEO at Sun Siyam Resorts says; “We are incredibly proud to be able to promote such trusted and skilled team members within our company, since growing and supporting our people is part of our core values at Sun Siyam Resorts. We are confident that with Shihab’s & Naufal’s impressive professional experience and their “can do” attitude, the company will be able to reach its targeted achievements and definitely makes a splash in the industry.”
To find out more visit www.sunsiyam.com
Featured
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives introduces summer offer across four island resorts
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has introduced a summer offer aimed at travellers seeking longer stays across its four island resorts.
Guests booking stays of seven nights or more will receive complimentary return transfers for two people, while shorter stays will include complimentary one-way transfers. At participating resorts, up to two children under the age of 12 can also stay and dine free.
The offer includes savings on selected excursions and activities and is available for bookings and stays until 31 October 2026.
Guests who book directly through Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives will have access to additional benefits, including options to personalise their stays with beach dining, spa treatments and island activities. Members of the brand’s loyalty programme will receive further savings and earn double Discovery Dollars during the promotional period.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers beachfront accommodation, a range of activities and speedboat transfers from Malé. Its accommodation and family-focused programmes are designed for guests seeking a combination of recreation and time together.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives provides accommodation, dining options, wellness services and water-based activities within an island setting. The resort caters to couples, families and travellers visiting the Maldives for the first time.
Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, located across two islands in Meemu Atoll, is positioned for couples and honeymooners. Guest experiences include sunset dining, spa treatments and access to the surrounding lagoon.
Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon caters to divers and snorkellers through its house reef, marine life and access to dive sites. The resort provides direct access to underwater experiences in the Indian Ocean.
The summer offer provides savings of up to 65% across Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives’ four properties.
Awards
JOALI Maldives wins two honours at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia
JOALI Maldives has been recognised in two categories at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia 2026, receiving honours among the Best Resorts in the Maldives and for the Most Outrageous Villa.
The recognition reflects the resort’s Creative Living philosophy, which brings together art, nature, wellbeing, sustainability and hospitality within the guest experience.
Located in Raa Atoll, approximately 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, JOALI Maldives opened as the Maldives’ first art-immersive luxury resort. Art installations, dining experiences, wellbeing programmes and accommodation are integrated across the island as part of its approach to resort living.
The property features 73 beach and overwater villas and residences, positioned across the island and above the Indian Ocean. The accommodation has been designed to provide privacy, space and access to views of the surrounding environment.
Each villa combines contemporary design with materials including timber, marble, bamboo and terrazzo, as well as handcrafted finishes. Floor-to-ceiling glass provides views of the ocean, while private pools connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Artworks and design pieces are also incorporated into each villa, reflecting the resort’s Creative Living concept and extending the art experience into the accommodation.
Guests can choose from Beach Villas, Water Villas and multi-bedroom Residences, with options designed for couples, families and groups. The larger residences provide additional living areas, pools and facilities for guests seeking more space and privacy.
Each villa is supported by a dedicated Jadugar, a term used by the resort to describe its butler service. The Jadugar assists guests throughout their stay by arranging dining experiences, island activities, celebrations and other personalised services.
Guests are also provided with bicycles to explore the island’s pathways, gardens and viewpoints.
JOALI Maldives said the awards reflected the work of its team and the support of its guests, partners and wider community. The resort also said it would continue developing experiences focused on creativity, wellbeing and connection.
The recognition adds to JOALI Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury resort sector, where its art-led design and Creative Living philosophy form the basis of its guest experience.
Cooking
Michelin-Starred Chef Grégoire Berger to host dining experience at Lily Beach Resort & Spa
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has announced a culinary collaboration with Chef Grégoire Berger, chef and co-owner of the Dubai restaurant Kraken.
Known for progressive French cuisine influenced by the ocean, Berger has received a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Dubai from 2022 to 2024. His restaurant has also been included among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, while his work has received recognition through several international culinary awards.
Berger’s approach draws on the sea as a source of ingredients, ideas and presentation. His menus combine French culinary techniques with marine influences, with each dish developed around a narrative connected to the ocean.
As part of his visit to Lily Beach in August 2026, Berger will host a fine-dining dinner for a limited number of guests. He will also introduce a signature dish at AQVA Bar & Restaurant during the collaboration.

The programme forms part of Lily Beach’s efforts to expand its culinary offering and introduce visiting chefs and dining concepts to guests in the Maldives.
Located in South Ari Atoll, the resort will provide guests with an opportunity to experience Berger’s cuisine within its all-inclusive hospitality concept. The collaboration will combine his Michelin-recognised approach with the resort’s existing food and beverage programme.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has established its hospitality offering around its premium all-inclusive model, supported by a range of dining venues. Its restaurants offer overwater dining, international buffet selections, seafood and Asian-inspired dishes.
The resort’s culinary programme is supported by the Platinum Plan, an all-inclusive package that includes dining experiences, a selection of wines and spirits, excursions and personalised services.
Through the collaboration with Berger, Lily Beach aims to add another dining experience to its guest programme while continuing to develop its position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality market.
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