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Sales, marketing takes spotlight at Kandooma Maldives

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Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has strengthened its Sales & Marketing division with a series of appointments to support the resorts renewed focus on India, Europe/UK, USA, China and Middle East target markets.

“Like many resorts worldwide, following Covid-19, we’ve taken a close look at our business, where it’s coming from and what geographical markets need more focus. We are excited with the changes we have implemented to drive revenue and customer experience,” said Mark Eletr, General Manager Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives.

“Our team are all hands-on contributors in their field of expertise. We work well collaboratively balancing individual opinions of some strong personalities with strategic decision making. Let me just say our revenue meetings are a lot of fun.” he added.

With the impending departure of Inad Ibrahim who held the role for several years, taking the overall lead is newly appointed, Mike Tan Yan as Director of Sales & Marketing based on the island who will start 1 May.

In April, Dhawal Vyas, joined as Director of Sales – India. Well known in his market, Dhawal is spending time in-market driving leisure business as well as spending time on the island.

With a network of global operators, travel agents and DMC’s Simona Dobre, with 25+ years in senior level Sales & Marketing roles most recently in the UAE, has joined as Director of Sales – Europe/USA. Simona is an expert in the wholesale/leisure space and splits her time between Miami USA and Romania.

Another veteran with 25+ years experience is Sharon Garrett who is remotely leading Marketing from New Zealand. With extensive experience in Asia Pacific and the Middle East with well known brands, she is responsible for Marketing, Communications, Partnerships, PR and product development.

Priyanka Sarkar has been recently appointed as the resort’s Marketing Communications Manager, with a heavy focus on influencer visits and new media. Priyanka is the glue that brings the operation and marketing minds together. This is her first role in the Maldives.

Experienced graphic designer Shaimaa Shebl from Egypt has recently celebrated her one year anniversary with the team providing on-property creative development with a focus on short video reels to support the property’s efforts in the social media landscape.

Maldivian Fahud Ali is a key team member responsible for eCommerce and managing the onsite reservations team. Though not a new appointment, Fahud has worked his way up with IHG over 11+ years and rounds out the team. He is central to achieving the resort’s goals with a keen focus on OTAs and direct bookings.

Keeping this group of passionate minds focused on commercial goals and revenue is Justine Thomas, Director of Revenue based in Bangkok who joined the team at the end of 2022. Justine brings several years experience in revenue with high profile brands to the team.

The property has also appointed additional Sales support team members on the island including Ying Wang a Chinese national who has been appointed Sales Executive with responsibility for the China market, and a soon to be announced island-based Sales Manager to support the leisure sales directors. Specialised agencies providing support in key target markets and niche disciplines have been appointed around the world.

“The world we now live in, enjoys greater acceptance of remote and flexible working. That combined with the technology and tools to make it a success, meant we could look to people with the experience we need without them having to actually live on the island where we have limited accommodation. I think it’s a win-win, but time will tell if the strategy gives us the bottom line we are seeking,” added Mark.

“As a four-star resort serving the mid-market in what is known as a luxury destination, we have exciting plans ahead and are delighted to have assembled a strong and experienced team to drive those plans forward from a Sales & Marketing perspective. Had we tried to attain this level of experience through a normal hiring model our budgets simply wouldn’t stretch. By utilising remote working we can manage payroll and payroll related costs and attract great talent. It is just reframing and looking at things through a different lens.”

General Manager, Mark Eletr will be joined by new Director of Sales & Marketing, Mike Tan Yan on the Visit Maldives stand at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai 1 – 4 May, 2023. (Stand No. AS6110)

Located in the South Male atoll just 40 mins from the airport by boat, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is a beautiful island paradise. White sandy beaches, swaying coconut palms and turquoise waters form the backdrop for a wide variety of leisure pursuits and some of the best diving in the Maldives. Guests can choose from Garden and Beach Villas, two storey Beach Houses and the popular Overwater Villas for their stay. Families are well catered for with a choice of 2- and 3-bed villas as well as the Kandoo Kids’ Club and its full activities programme. Six food and beverage outlets ensure healthy appetites are satisfied and the flavours of the Maldives are explored. For those guests who desire the ultimate in relaxation, sun loungers and hammocks are located around the island and the Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala offers the ultimate in tranquility and escape for body and mind.

For more information, visit www.maldives.holidayinnresorts.com

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‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season

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Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Siyam, has announced its festive programme, “Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom”, which will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.

The seasonal programme features activities and experiences for guests of all ages. Dining will take centre stage with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala dinners by the water, exclusive Chef’s Table experiences and seafood barbecues on the beach.

The evening entertainment programme will include live acoustic performances, island DJ sets, aerial dance shows and Maldivian cultural performances.

During the day, guests will be able to explore the resort’s lagoon through activities such as house reef snorkelling, sunset Jet Car rides and sandbank excursions. The Spa will offer wellness rituals and couples’ therapies, while younger guests can take part in gingerbread decorating, a fashion show and Santa’s arrival on the beach.

“Eutopia is our invitation to celebrate and embrace nature, meaningful moments, and the relaxed luxury that defines Sun Siyam Vilu Reef through our festivities,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager.

“From unforgettable ocean adventures to starlit beach celebrations, every experience has been thoughtfully designed to create lasting memories that will continue to flourish long after the season ends.”

The programme will culminate with a New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach on 31 December, featuring live music, midnight toasts and a fireworks display over the water.

The resort’s festive programme is available to view online, with bookings open for stays between 22 December 2026 and 7 January 2027.

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Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards

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Fresh from being named Best Honeymoon Destination in 2025, Sun Siyam Iru Veli was recognised as Best Wedding Destination at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards & Gala 2026, held at Crossroads Maldives on 27 August. The award further reinforces the resort’s commitment to celebrating romance in all its forms.

Surrounded by turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches, Iru Veli provides a natural setting for couples seeking an intimate island retreat. Every villa features a private pool, while secluded beaches, private sandbanks and a 24-hour all-inclusive dine-around experience offer guests privacy and flexibility throughout their stay.

The resort hosts celebrations of different scales, ranging from barefoot ceremonies by the ocean to larger events encompassing the entire island. Dedicated wedding planners work closely with each couple to personalise every element, ensuring that both the ceremony and the wider stay reflect their individual story.

This flexibility extends beyond the resort’s wedding packages. Simple Romance, Grand Gesture and Sandbank Magic provide couples with a starting point, with each celebration customisable through décor, dining, wellness, entertainment and island experiences. For occasions requiring complete exclusivity, full-island buyouts allow the resort experience to be tailored around the couple and their guests.

The celebrations can continue beyond the ceremony through candlelit dinners beneath the stars, spa rituals for two, sunset cruises and time spent together across the island. These experiences enable couples to shape the occasion around their preferences, with personal moments unfolding throughout their stay.

“Every couple arrives with a different story and a different vision for their celebration. There is no template here. From intimate ceremonies for two to full-island celebrations with family and friends, our role is to create moments that feel completely personal. That is exactly what our team does. They listen first and then create a ceremony that truly reflects the couple. This award is a testament to the dedication and care they put into making every moment memorable,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.

The annual TTM Awards & Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers to recognise achievements across the Maldivian hospitality industry. Iru Veli’s latest award further strengthens its position among the Maldives’ leading destinations for weddings and romantic escapes.

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Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme

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Niva Dhigali Maldives will welcome visiting chef Jake Norman and British pickleball champion Molly O’Donoghue for a curated programme of island experiences this November, bringing together dining and active wellbeing in the Maldives.

Norman began his culinary career making pizza in the markets of Guadalajara, Mexico, before working in several London restaurants, including St John, Ottolenghi and Sabor. He now leads the kitchen at Updown Farmhouse in Kent, where his cooking focuses on seasonal ingredients, live-fire techniques and Mediterranean influences.

On 18 November, Norman will host an exclusive dinner at Faru, presenting a menu that combines Mediterranean flavours with influences from Mexico and the Middle East, while incorporating ingredients sourced from the Maldives.

The shared dining experience will feature Indian Ocean produce, grilled dishes and smoky flavours, with a menu designed to reflect the setting and encourage guests to dine at a relaxed pace.

The programme will also include pickleball sessions hosted by British champion Molly O’Donoghue. A national champion in mixed and women’s doubles, as well as a European champion in mixed doubles, O’Donoghue first discovered the sport while studying in Australia. She has since competed internationally and worked to introduce the sport to players around the world.

At Niva Dhigali, O’Donoghue will conduct beginner sessions and advanced coaching, giving guests of different skill levels the opportunity to learn, play and develop their technique.

Located in Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali Maldives is surrounded by tropical vegetation, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. The November programme, featuring Norman’s dining experience and O’Donoghue’s pickleball sessions, forms part of the resort’s approach to offering guest experiences centred on food, wellbeing and the island environment.

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