Featured
Anna Karas launches AK Communications: A new era in marketing and branding
Anna Karas, a seasoned Marketing Communications professional with a diverse international background in the luxury travel and visual communication sectors, has recently launched AK Communications, a dynamic marketing communications and branding agency. With a wealth of experience and expertise in B2B and B2C marketing, digital marketing, graphic design, and Public Relations, including collaborations with international media and PR agencies, Anna Karas is set to revolutionize the way businesses approach their marketing strategies.
Education has played a crucial role in shaping Anna Karas’s career. She holds a Master’s Degree in English Linguistics from the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, which has provided her with a solid foundation in effective communication. Additionally, she obtained a Diploma in Visual Communication from the prestigious London College of Communication, University of the Arts London, in 2008, enhancing her skills in delivering impactful visual messaging.
Anna Karas’s professional journey spans over a decade, during which she has worked with some of the most prominent hospitality brands in the industry. As the Director of Marketing & Communications at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi and Mövenpick Kuredhivaru Resort Maldives, she showcased her strategic prowess and helped elevate the brands to new heights. Her role as Cluster Director of Marketing & Public Relations at AYANA Hotels in Indonesia (Bali and Labuan Bajo) and Director of Communications & Public Relations at W Hotels Maldives further solidified her expertise in creating compelling marketing campaigns and managing successful PR initiatives. Anna also served as the PR & Marketing Manager at Warwick Hotel Dubai and the Area Marketing Communications Manager at Anantara Hotels & Resorts, where she honed her skills in driving brand awareness and fostering strategic partnerships.
At AK Communications, Anna Karas shares her passion for delivering impactful results with her over a decade of experience in luxury hospitality. Together with other collaborators, she works collaboratively to develop innovative marketing strategies tailored to each client’s unique needs, and offer an even wider spectrum of services. Whether it’s refining brand positioning, creating engaging digital marketing campaigns, or implementing effective PR initiatives, AK Communications is committed to helping businesses achieve their commercial goals and stay ahead in today’s competitive landscape.
In her new venture, Anna expressed her enthusiasm for focusing on her extensive knowledge of the Maldives luxury hospitality sector, a place that has truly become her second home.
With Anna Karas’s extensive experience, international exposure, and creative vision, AK Communications is poised to make a significant impact in the marketing and branding industry. By combining strategic thinking, cutting-edge techniques, and a deep understanding of consumer behavior, AK Communications sets out to create memorable experiences that resonate with target audiences and drive tangible business outcomes.
As businesses navigate an increasingly complex and ever-evolving marketing landscape, AK Communications stands as a reliable partner, ready to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that arise. With their expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence, Anna Karas and her team are poised to lead businesses towards success and shape the future of marketing and branding.
To explore more about AK Communications, visit www.ak-communications.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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