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Maldives gets praise as unparalleled natural wonder

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“Maldivian? You are lucky,” is the kind of response I got while I was covering the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) fair in Dubai when anyone realised I was from Maldives.

These people were in a city popular as a modern and high-end tourism destination that flourished in the barren desert of the UAE. Starting with beautiful beaches and luxury services, it’s also home to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. It is also the UAE’s main business hub. But for almost all of them, it was the tiny island nation of Maldives that has stolen their heart.

There was a man standing near Maldives’ beautiful stand at the ATM fair. He was watching people who had climbed into the 360 photo booths set up in the stand and was clicking pictures. When I asked him if the stand was nice, he said it was beautiful. Although the stand showcased the country’s scenery, the man had never been to the Maldives.

“I’ve never been to the Maldives yet, but someday [I’ll go]. It’s on my bucket list,” he said.

Everyone who came to the Maldives stand during the fair made similar comments. Maldives, which won the Best Stand Feature award at the fair, was lauded.

A big portion of Dubai’s three million strong population is workers from different countries. From taxi and delivery services to tourism business and other sectors, foreigners are often seen at different levels in different sectors. I got to meet and speak to so many of them every day.

I discussed Dubai with a Pakistani taxi driver I met one day. Since I was not on vacation and had not been out sight-seeing much, I told the driver that all i saw were high-rise buildings and not much else. His next question to me was where I was from. When I said I was from the Maldives, he did not know which country it was. So I Googled and showed him pictures of Maldives on my phone.

“It is so beautiful! I have never seen a place like this,” he replied, widening his eyes and responding in the exact same way that anyone who sees Maldives for the first time does.

“If this is where you come from, how will you like anywhere else?”

During my visit to the ATM fair, I met someone who had worked in the Maldives in the past. The Indian had moved to Dubai and now works at a hotel there.

“I used to work at a resort in the Maldives, but due to the pandemic, I lost my job and had to go back,” he said.

Asking about the situation in the Maldives post-pandemic, he said he still wants to return to Maldives. He said there is no place like the Maldives.

Not without reason. I also asked various people I met like this about life in Dubai. Everyone says that in Dubai they earn much better than working in their own countries. According to them, it is also easier to get a UAE visa.

Then there is the question of the cost of visiting the Maldives. Everyone I met said they wanted to go to Maldives even if for once in their lives. Their question is how to manage the big responsibilities in their lives and make the trip to visit an expensive place like Maldives.

It’s true. The Maldives is an exotic tourist destination. That’s how it is known for. But with guesthouse tourism, there is now a chance to experience the Maldives on a budget. In addition to that, there are budget airlines operating to the country. I passed this information on and told them that people from different walks of life can experience the Maldives now.

People’s praise rained on Maldives even at a high-end place like Dubai. Those who have visited still want to come back again. Those who have not, are waiting for the opportunity.

Arab businessmen also know that there is no place like the Maldives. The Maldives has won the World’s Leading Destination, the most prestigious award given by the World Travel Awards, for three consecutive years since 2020. Dubai was on the nominated list of places on all three occasions.

The Maldives has set an example for Saudi Arabia in their efforts to enter the tourism sector as part of their economic diversification plans. Efforts are underway to develop resorts similar to those in the Maldives and open some of them this year. The Maldives is a unique place. The concept of ‘One Island, One Resort’ has been developed and mastered by the Maldives, unique to the Maldives and accepted by the whole world.

The next question is whether the replication of Maldivian resort concepts in another country will have any negative impact on the demand for resorts in the Maldives.

When asked about this on the last day of the ATM, MMPRC Managing Director Thoyyib Mohamed said that Maldivian tourism will be adversely affected if efforts are not made to promote the Maldives, regardless of the concept being recreated or not.

“There will be places that are like ours, or different from the Maldives. There will be  in the future too. But will that have an impact? It will affect us even if it is not like Maldives if we stay idle like this without working,” he said.

“We have to explain how we are unique, what are the natural differences, and our experience is that we we always explain what food is available where, what can be done at different locations and explain the specialised features of different resorts. This is what we try to sell. We see if we can describe the experiences that could be had in the country and promote it.”

Thoyyib’s point was that we need not focus on the fact that places similar to the Maldives are being built, but rather, focus on how we can better market the Maldives to the world as the unique travel destination it is. The idea should be to market it properly. Both at the ATM fair and in Dubai, people’s perception of the Maldives and the level of demand for the place was evident. All that is left is to advertise properly.

Rich Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia can build facilities similar to Maldivian resorts. But the experience here is not something that can be replicated. Historical places cannot be copied. The beauty of the country is purely natural. Even if imitated, it will not be as perfect as is divinely crafted.

Business

Atmosphere Core appoints Maurice Van Den Bosch as GM of RAAYA by Atmosphere, Milan Mookerjee as VP of Human Resources

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International hospitality company Atmosphere Core has announced the appointment of Milan Mookerjee as Vice President of Human Resources.

This appointment reflects Atmosphere Core’s ongoing commitment to enhancing guest experiences and fostering a people-centric culture across its portfolio of three brands and nine resorts.

Veteran Human Resources leader, Milan Mookerjee will oversee talent management and employee growth initiatives across the Atmosphere Core’s resorts in the Maldives. With over 15 years of industry experience, Milan is a seasoned professional known for aligning HR initiatives with business goals and fostering a human-centric culture.

Reflecting on his approach to human resources, Milan said, “Leadership is a privilege that we owe to our team. Intentionality with direction and purpose drives results, and I am committed to fostering a culture that empowers our people to grow and succeed. In hospitality, success begins with a motivated, engaged workforce, and I believe in creating an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to deliver exceptional guest experiences. This includes investing in continuous learning, nurturing talent, and promoting a strong sense of belonging within the team.”

Before joining Atmosphere Core, Milan served as Head of Human Resources and Training at Encalm Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., where he led HR and training functions to drive business growth. He has also held several HR leadership roles at prominent companies in India, with a proven ability to develop talent and design learning programmes tailored to business needs.

Meanwhile, Maurice Lucien Van Den Bosch recently returned to the Atmosphere Core family as General Manager of RAAYA by Atmosphere.

Born in Australia, Maurice Lucien Van Den Bosch draws from the country’s renowned laid-back yet dynamic culture in his leadership style, fostering a spirit of inclusivity, adventure, and warm hospitality. He brings over 24 years of expertise in resort management, with a demonstrated ability to exceed profit targets, cost-effectively develop new projects, and lead culturally diverse teams with motivation and efficiency.

Maurice’s extensive experience includes leadership roles at some of the world’s top hospitality brands in the Maldives, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. A familiar face within the Atmosphere Core family, Maurice has served as General Manager at both OZEN LIFE MAADHOO and Atmosphere Kanifushi.

As the General Manager of RAAYA by Atmosphere, Maurice will leverage his deep understanding of the brand to lead the resort with a focus on anticipating, crafting, and elevating guest experiences. “The culture and hospitality inspired by the Joy of Giving resonate deeply with me, and this shared value brings me back to the Atmosphere family”, Maurice said. “At RAAYA by Atmosphere, we are creating a castaway island experience of choice, a guest experience like no other, with a fine balance of escapism and energy. And I look forward to foster a collaborative working environment so that we create unforgettable moments for our guests.”

Ashwin Handa, Senior Vice President of Operations at Atmosphere Core, emphasised the importance of a strong leadership team. “At Atmosphere Core, we foster a people-first culture built on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect, ensuring that every employee takes pride in their work. This dedication extends to curating experiences that guests cherish and return for. Maurice’s deep industry expertise and understanding of our brand, combined with Milan’s people-centric approach, will significantly enhance our operations and guest satisfaction across our resorts”.

Atmosphere Core is a dynamic international hospitality company with three distinctive lifestyle brands, THE OZEN COLLECTION, COLOURS OF OBLU, and Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts. The company operates nine resorts in the Maldives and has a strong pipeline of one resort in the Maldives, one resort in Sri Lanka, and fourteen hotels and resorts across India – all set to open within the next three years. Distinctive design, an authentic sense of place, inspiring service styles, and the freshest and finest cuisine lend a unique flavour to every Atmosphere Core property.

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Business

Maldives makes export of baled PET waste for recycling with support from The Coca-Cola Foundation

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The Coca-Cola Foundation and partners have announced that a container of baled post-consumer Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic was exported from Male as a part of Sustainable Island Waste Management and Plastic Recycling Initiative.

Completed on World Cleanup Day 2024, the event also marked the handover of The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF)-funded infrastructure, which includes pickups and balers, to the government-owned Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO).

The TCCF-funded initiative is a collaboration between the Maldives Ocean Plastics Alliance (MOPA), and WAMCO, and represents an important development to strengthen the PET collection process and address the issue of plastic waste in the Maldives.

This initiative will export baled PET to Malaysia and China for recycling. While PET bottles have been exported in the past, baling the waste significantly improves the efficiency of storage and transport, marking an advancement in the process.

The overall objective of the TCCF-funded Island PET Collection Project is to help provide a countrywide solution for plastic waste recycling in Maldives by establishing both the infrastructure and systems required.

Currently, much of the waste in Maldives is disposed of or incinerated in K. Thilafushi industrial island, and this project represents a shift toward better waste management practices.

The project focuses on expanding PET collection systems beyond Greater Male’, improving collection efficiency across the nation until local recycling capacity is developed.

“This project is a turning point for the Maldives in our fight against plastic waste,” said MOPA President Ahmed Maumoon. “By educating communities and aligning with national partners like WAMCO, we are not only improving how waste is managed today but also setting the stage for long-term sustainability and environmental health.”

By collaborating with WAMCO, MOPA has supported the roll-out of community education programs and has worked to ensure the infrastructure deployed with funding from TCCF, such as compactors and pickups are used effectively across Greater Male’ and across other islands.

“This initiative represents a crucial step toward improving plastic waste management and enhancing recycling efforts in the Maldives,” said WAMCO Managing Director Mujthaba Jaleel. “By equipping islands with the tools and infrastructure needed to collect and process PET waste, we are not only helping address the immediate challenge of plastic pollution but also building a foundation for a more sustainable future.”

WAMCO’s role is pivotal in overseeing the operational aspects of PET waste collection, ensuring that baling and export processes run efficiently.

“Our commitment to this project extends beyond waste collection,” said Carlos Pagoaga, President, The Coca-Cola Foundation. “By funding work of MOPA and WAMCO, we aim to foster a culture of sustainability in the Maldives and help support a circular economy.”

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Events

Italian and Spanish media experience Maldivian paradise on exclusive journey with Atmosphere Core

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From September 28th to October 4th, 2024, Atmosphere Core hosted an exclusive media trip to the Maldives for ten prominent journalists and PR professionals from Spain and Italy. The group experienced the serene and captivating lifestyle of two stunning private islands—OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi and RAAYA by Atmosphere—both renowned for their distinctive hospitality, thoughtfully curated holiday plans, and the unique “Joy of Giving” philosophy.

“At Atmosphere Core, we believe in a more creative approach to media trips,” said Euan Blake, Assistant Vice President of Communications. “The Italian and Spanish markets have been expanding for the Maldives, with a notable increase in room nights and revenue compared to last year. Over the past two years, we’ve been building strong relationships in these regions, and this journey through our islands aims to leave journalists with not only cherished memories but also lifelong friendships.”

The trip began at OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi, a lively four-star resort just 15 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport. Journalists were welcomed with breathtaking lagoon views and vibrant social gatherings at the X360 Bar. A standout experience was the customised Martín Códax Wine Masterclass at the Element X restaurant, led by Ms. Celina, a representative of Bodegas Martín Códax, and Nicolas Laguette, Director of Wines at Atmosphere Core. Representing 600 winemaking families from northern Spain, Ms. Celina guided the group through an exquisite multi-course wine tasting, featuring a selection of wines perfectly suited for the tropical climate and fresh seafood.

This was followed by an unforgettable underwater dining experience at the Only BLU restaurant and a visit to the neighbouring “island of love,” OBLU SELECT Lobigili, where they enjoyed a chic lunch at Ylang Ylang. The island’s lively, party atmosphere provided the journalists with a full immersion into the vibrant and relaxing resort lifestyle.

Next, a scenic seaplane journey transported the group to RAAYA by Atmosphere—a picturesque escape offering a blend of fairytale island charm and authentic Maldivian experiences. The 45-minute flight over the stunning atolls’ turquoise waters set the stage for their arrival in paradise, presenting the perfect introduction to the Maldives’ breathtaking beauty.

At RAAYA, the journalists experienced an ideal mix of energy and tranquility. A private dinner atop a secluded watchtower, inspired by the legendary sailor Seb, captured the essence of the resort’s castaway theme. The group explored the island’s natural wonders, took part in customised activities, and dined at RAAYA’s signature restaurants, including Seb’s Shack, Ampers&nd, and the Italian-inspired The Village.

Throughout their stay at both islands, the media guests were treated to rejuvenating spa therapies and wellness sessions at ELE|NA Ayur, Atmosphere Core’s signature spa and wellness brand. This immersive journey offered the journalists a true taste of tropical luxury, intertwining indulgence and adventure into every experience. Their stories are sure to inspire countless Spanish and Italian travellers to discover the hidden treasures of OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi and RAAYA by Atmosphere firsthand.

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