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Amilla Maldives shares IncluCare experiences with the Ministry of Education
Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences, a naturally lush private island paradise nestled in the midst of Baa atoll is the first IncluCare-certified resort in the world. UK-based accessible travel experts, IncluCare and Amilla are working closely together towards better accessibility and to reduce barriers when traveling to the Maldives, to ensure commitment to retaining a level of excellence and to improving accessibility each year with support, training and auditing.
The representatives from Ministry of Education, Department of Inclusive Education who arrived to Amilla Maldives for the discussion on 27 April 2023 were Ms. Fathimath Nishan (Deputy Minister), Mr. Fathuhulla Mohamed (Director General), Ms. Aishath Zaeema, Ms. Fathmath Azna, Mr. Adhila Rushdee, Ms. Anula Saleem, Ms. Haleemath Hussain and Mr. Ahmed Muneeb Hussain. The representatives were greeted by the leaders at Amilla and the information session took place in one of the beautiful, spacious residences of Amilla. Following the informative session, lunch was served for the guests from the Ministry of Education at the Emperor’s Beach Club (EBC).
IncluCare is gaining recognition worldwide, and Amilla Maldives is the first resort in the world to be certified by Inclutel for accommodating guests with different restrictions. Amilla strives to reduce the barriers at the front of the house as well as the heart of the house in the medium term. With over 3,000 young Maldivian adults with different abilities finding difficulty to work in resorts, Amilla and the Ministry of Education discussed ways to overcome this and to find pathways through education and into the Maldives hospitality industry and to find solutions to change this perception in the Maldives.
The Ministry of Education has stated that 8% of their students were registered with some form of disability. Vocation training has been highlighted as a hope for pathways into the Maldives workforce for these students and to provide fulfilling roles where they can feel like an important part of the team they are with, by providing valuable contributions to the industry.
At the front of the house at Amilla, they are learning, growing and adapting to more guests with different needs who are requesting to visit the Maldives. Most recently, Amilla’s perseverance, passion for inclusion, knowledge and understanding were tested when a guest with cerebral palsy reserved a villa at the resort. The team at Amilla worked harmoniously and tirelessly with each other to overcome new barriers. The guest was very informative, understanding and comfortable with sharing her capabilities with the team and despite six other resorts being unable to accommodate her holiday visit, Amilla took on the challenge with an open mind. Amilla’s team was able to cater to the guests’ needs to ensure that her holiday experience was like no other. Utilizing the evacuation chair and sling for the seaplane journey and beach and swimming wheelchair for guests with mobility issues, the team at Amilla were able to exceed her expectations by not only being able to swim in the ocean, but going on her first snorkeling trip and sunset dolphin cruise, something she had dreamt of.
While Amilla Maldives encourages other resorts to look at this market for inclusive travel, the Ministry of Education and the resort have a mutual understanding to see what the resort has in place for IncluCare for the Ministry to learn from, and to help find job opportunities for differently abled candidates. The visit was concluded by The Ministry of Education representatives presenting a small token of appreciation to Amilla Maldives, in the form of a beautiful wooden carving of a traditional Maldivian Dhoni.
This October, SO/ Maldives alters the world’s most iconic beer festival into a chic island activation, blending Bavarian tradition with the resort’s signature flair for fashion-led experiences. Guests are invited to trade their lederhosen for linen and toast to Oktoberfest in true Maldivian style with Bratwurst & Beats by the Beach, a one-night-only beachfront celebration at Lazuli Beach Hut on Sunday, 5 October 2025, from 7 PM to 10 PM.
As the waves set the rhythm, the evening unfolds with a Bavarian-inspired BBQ featuring bratwurst fresh from the grill, golden pretzels, tangy sauerkraut, and all the authentic fixings paired with unlimited free-flowing beers. Once the sun melts into the horizon, a live DJ takes over, layering energetic beats with the island’s natural soundtrack. More than just a feast, the activation brings together community, culture, and celebration in a way only SO/ Maldives can deliver.
Nestled in the vibrant Emboodhoo Lagoon, SO/ Maldives is a private island playground where avant-garde design meets barefoot luxury. The resort’s 80 beachfront and overwater villas are crafted for open-plan living, each complete with a private pool and sweeping ocean views. Designed across eight categories, including spacious two- and three-bedroom villas, SO/ Maldives offers stylish sanctuaries for couples, families, and groups seeking a fashionable island escape.
The culinary journey at SO/ Maldives is as bold as its design. Guests can explore three distinct dining destinations: The Citronelle Club, an oceanfront venue serving Pan-Asian delights with a European twist; Lazuli Beach Club, a sun-kissed Mediterranean-inspired lounge radiating Côte d’Azur vibes; and Hadaba, the signature Levantine restaurant where smoky delicacies meet endless sea views.
Wellness and play are equally celebrated at the resort. Spa is a sanctuary of rejuvenation featuring Vichy rainforest showers, steam and sauna rooms, and a fitness sphere with panoramic ocean vistas. Families are drawn to The Nest Kids Club and The Zone games lounge, while explorers dive into the watersports hub for island adventures on and beneath the waves.
“Oktoberfest is all about bringing people together, and at SO/ Maldives we love adding our own fashionable twist,” said Olivier MOIES-DELVAL, General Manager of SO/ Maldives. “Imagine celebrating with bratwurst and beer on a white sandy beach, with music, laughter, and the Maldivian sunset it’s an Oktoberfest you’ll never forget.”
The Maldives has once again been recognised as the leading spa destination in the region, having secured the title of Indian Ocean’s Best Spa Destination 2025 at the World Spa Awards.
The award reaffirms the Maldives’ standing as a wellness and spa destination, offering experiences that combine natural surroundings, luxury hospitality and holistic wellbeing. Alongside the national accolade, several Maldivian resorts were also honoured in various categories at this year’s ceremony.
The Maldives has a strong record at the World Spa Awards. In 2016, the country was named World’s Best Spa Destination for the first time, and regained the global title in 2018. In the same year, it was also awarded Indian Ocean’s Best Spa Destination, a title it has retained on multiple occasions, most recently in 2024 at the 10th Annual World Spa Awards. These consistent achievements highlight the Maldives’ role in leading wellness tourism, as it continues to attract visitors seeking relaxation and rejuvenation in a distinctive natural setting.
With wellness and experiential travel among the fastest-growing tourism segments worldwide, the Maldives continues to integrate wellness into its resorts, retreats and cultural experiences, further strengthening its global appeal.
Barceló Nasandhura marked World Wellness Weekend 2025 with a programme of rejuvenating experiences in collaboration with Wellness by Mandara. The celebration, held on Saturday, welcomed guests and visitors to a day centred on relaxation and self-care.
The schedule included a range of wellness-focused activities, from welcome drinks and skincare consultations to interactive sessions, product demonstrations, and giveaways, creating an engaging and restorative atmosphere for participants.
The event reflected Barceló Nasandhura’s commitment to encouraging a holistic lifestyle, providing both guests and the wider community with opportunities to take part in wellness-oriented experiences.
Wellness by Mandara, located within Barceló Nasandhura, is open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The spa offers a wide selection of treatments and therapies designed to relax, rejuvenate, and restore balance, alongside monthly promotions that provide exclusive offers on treatments and wellness experiences throughout the year.
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