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Marriott International Maldives celebrates inauguration of Apprenticeship Program
Marriott International Maldives held an inauguration ceremony on May 8, 2023, to mark the start of its Apprenticeship Program, to celebrate the commencement of 100 new apprenticeship opportunities under the National Apprenticeship Program. The event was held at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa and graced by the presence of His Excellency Faisal Naseem, Vice President of the Republic of Maldives, Honorable Ahmed Mahloof, Minister of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment, and Emma Jones, Area Director of Human Resources Singapore, Malaysia & Maldives, Marriott International.
The inauguration ceremony is a significant milestone for both Marriott International and the government of Maldives with Marriott International being the first international hospitality brand to collaborate with the government apprenticeship program, and this initiative is a step towards developing local talent for the hospitality market. The ceremony saw inspiring speeches delivered by the Vice President of Maldives and the Minister of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment, as well as Emma Jones, who all shared their enthusiasm for the program and the opportunities it presents to young people in the Maldives.
Speaking at the function, the Vice President reiterated the administration’s commitment to the development of youth and to providing higher education and training opportunities to build a resilient and robust workforce prepared for the ever-changing world. He emphasized that the administration had diligently invested in youth development, leading to a more prosperous and sustainable future. The Vice President stated that the government had identified the nation’s requirements for youth to focus their talents and that the administration had launched several programs targeting these requirements. He stressed that the Marriot International Maldives Apprenticeship Program is one such program aligned with the administration’s goal. Recalling his time working in the hotel industry as a youth, the Vice President called on the program participants to make the best use of this opportunity to fulfil their dreams.
The highlight of the event was the distribution of admission certificates to the program participants. These students will have the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in the Maldives’ thriving tourism industry and develop their skills over the coming months. Marriott International’s portfolio of seven resorts in the Maldives, including The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, W Maldives, Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa and The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort will serve as the apprenticeship venues.
“We are embarking in a mission to join hands with government and youth of this nation to build a future generation of highly qualified hospitality professionals from this global brand”, said Emma Jones, Area Director of Human Resources Singapore, Malaysia & Maldives, Marriott International. Expressing her enthusiasm on the program she added, “We are thrilled to have our new apprentices join us today, and we are excited about the contribution they will make to our company. We are confident that their experience with Marriott International will be both challenging and rewarding, and we hope that it will help them achieve their career aspirations.”
Under the Marriott Apprenticeship Program, MIT provides the theoretical part of the program, while the participants receive work experience at Marriott International resorts in the Maldives. The program offers selected young apprentices the chance to work across their placed disciplines within the respective resort while theory sessions will be taught to fulfill the requirements of a Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA) approved level-3 certificate. Upon completion of the program, apprentices will be equipped with skills that will make them highly employable in the hospitality industry and they will receive the level-3 certificate, which adheres to the Maldives National Skills Development Authority (MNSDA) national competency standards. The Marriott International Apprenticeship Program was launched as a result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on March 7, 2023, between Marriott International Maldives, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment, and Maldives Institute of Technology (MIT).
The event marks an important step towards building a successful pipeline of local talent in the Maldives, with the partnership expected to have a positive impact on the country’s tourism industry. The inauguration ceremony was a resounding success, and we look forward to seeing the apprentices grow and develop as they take their first steps towards a successful career in the hospitality industry.
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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