News
JOALI Maldives, JOALI BEING to feature in BBC’s Series Five of Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond The Lobby
BBC Viewers will be taken behind the scenes of JOALI Maldives and JOALI BEING , airing later this month on 13 August 2023. It’s the first time the popular BBC show will go behind the scenes at a luxury resort in the Maldivian Archipelago, known for its picturesque location.
In series five, viewers can expect the usual mix of awe-inspiring location and innovative facilities taking a closer look at the day-to-day running of the resorts, as presenters Monica Galetti and Rob Rinder work alongside the teams on hand to discover the everyday running of the two exclusive resorts which are accessible by boat, a short 20-minutes apart.
In addition to exploring the accommodation options at both resorts, no episode of Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby would be complete without a closer look at the dining experiences on offer. JOALI BEING, the focus remains firmly on cuisine aimed at improving wellbeing with earth-to-table concepts throughout its restaurants with emphasis on eating seasonally, where possible. JOALI Maldives offers menus curated by world-renowned Michelin chefs.
“We’re thrilled to be the focus of one of the episodes of the new BBC series. We have been huge fans for a while and we’re in good company, as they’ve featured so many incredible locations from around the world over the years. And we really loved having the team here getting to grips with the day-to-day running of each resort,” Hakan Öztürk, Tourism Group Managing Director of Gurok Group, parent company of JOALI.
“In addition to our beautiful surroundings and incredible facilities and experiences, we hope viewers also enjoy seeing the community aspect of our resorts which is at the heart of everything that we do. We are a working family and that helps us deliver incredible service. A brand that supports and uplifts its community, breeds longevity and trust.”
The Amazing Hotel’s team also visited local neighbouring islands to get a feel for the region and its communities which ties in well with JOALI’s commitment to the environment and community. JOALI’s Joy of Caring programme is their dedication to the local community. These include dedicated grant schemes with added focus on safeguarding the planet, fostering community wellbeing through education around food and sustainability (and farming) along with additional initiatives with local schools; plus helping to create platforms for women with focus on empowerment through education, training and work equality plus nurturing ethical consumption through green farming on land and sea.
The JOALI Reef Restoration programme is crucial to the rehabilitation of the coral reef following the devastating coral bleaching that occurred back in 2016 where 85% of the Maldives’ corals died. Using a two-step gardening concept, the resort is growing corals in a mid-water nursery before planting back in the reef. The environmentally conscious resort’s design was built around the natural landscape preserving over 1,000 trees in the process of rebuilding. Single-use plastic is also banned from the island.
News
Ventive Hospitality aligns Maldives portfolio with Green Fins marine sustainability platform
Ventive Hospitality Limited, a leading owner, developer, and asset manager of luxury and upper-upscale hospitality assets in India and the Maldives, on Monday announced that three of its Maldives resorts — Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, RAAYA by Atmosphere, and Anantara Dhigu and Veli — have been inducted as Green Fins Digital Members, aligning the portfolio with the world’s first global marine tourism sustainability platform.
Developed by The Reef-World Foundation in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Green Fins Hub is a landmark digital initiative designed to scale responsible marine tourism practices from approximately 700 operators in 14 countries today to a potential 30,000 operators worldwide, significantly amplifying coral reef protection efforts at a global level.
For Ventive Hospitality, this recognition goes beyond certification, it represents the institutionalisation of science-based marine conservation standards across assets located in one of the world’s most ecologically sensitive tourism destinations.
Coral reefs support at least 25% of marine life and contribute up to 40% of GDP in some island nations. Yet they remain among the most climate vulnerable ecosystems globally, with even marginal temperature increases posing existential threats.
By joining the Green Fins Digital Membership framework, Ventive’s Maldives resorts commit to structured sustainability action plans with defined environmental targets, annual self-evaluation and environmental impact scoring, continuous monitoring and measurable progress tracking, access to over 100 proven operational solutions for reducing marine impact, alignment of diving, snorkelling, and marine recreation with globally benchmarked reef protection standards.
The programme equips operators with practical, cost efficient tools to reduce environmental footprint while strengthening transparency and accountability, increasingly critical as sustainability shapes global travel decisions.
Ranjit Batra, CEO, Ventive Hospitality Limited, said: “The Maldives’ marine ecosystems are among the most extraordinary natural assets in global tourism and among the most vulnerable. As long-term custodians of these destinations, we believe sustainability must be embedded into operational systems, not treated as a peripheral initiative. Through Green Fins, we are institutionalising global best practices across our portfolio and reinforcing our commitment to responsible growth, environmental accountability, and long-term value creation.”
Recent industry research conducted by The Reef-World Foundation found that 83% of dive tourists seek stronger sustainability education, 75% are willing to pay more for responsible experiences, 85% find it difficult to identify truly sustainable operators. The Green Fins Hub addresses this gap by introducing structured environmental scoring systems and clear performance thresholds, catalysing a measurable shift toward sustainability across marine tourism.
Dr Oriana Migliaccio, Sustainability Manager & Marine Biologist (PhD) at Anantara Dhigu and Veli, said: “Seeing our guests actively engage in conservation makes every effort worthwhile. When people become part of the solution, we move closer to protecting the ocean we all depend on.”
Ventive Hospitality continues to advance a disciplined, ESG aligned asset management strategy. The Green Fins Digital Membership strengthens the company’s positioning as a responsible hospitality platform that integrates environmental science, operational excellence, and destination preservation into its broader growth roadmap.
Jessica Miller, Marine Biologist at Conrad Maldives, says: “Protecting coral reefs is not optional, it is fundamental to the future of island tourism. By integrating science with sustainable practice, we ensure these ecosystems endure for generations to come.
As global tourism accelerates toward sustainability driven decision making, Ventive Hospitality’s Maldives portfolio stands aligned with international conservation benchmarks, contributing to a more resilient future for coral reefs and marine biodiversity worldwide
Awards
Double gold win for OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO at Junior Travel Awards
OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO in the Maldives have been awarded The JOINT GOLD winner of the ‘Best All-Inclusive Hotel for Families’ in the inaugural Junior Travel Awards 2026.
This significant win comes in the primary year of these brand-new awards, hosted by Junior magazine—one of the UK’s most influential family titles. Renowned for expertly curating essential advice for the parenting journey, Junior is a trusted authority that champions premium brands and businesses of all sizes.
In awarding GOLD to OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO, the award recognises that: “The all-inclusive offering at both resorts is refreshingly complete with dining, spa treatments, snorkelling trips, and daily activities all included, letting families focus on spending time together instead of planning”.
The judges continue, “Accommodation can suit families of every size and the thoughtfully planned two-bedroom villas offer privacy for parents and space for children, while playful overwater suites with slides add a sense of adventure without losing sight of comfort or design. Everything feels considered, from layouts to location”.

The Junior Travel Awards judges could see that children are incredibly well catered for at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO. Both resorts offer spacious and engaging kids’ clubs, guided marine excursions with resident biologists, complimentary bicycles, and an array of water sports to ensure all ages can be entertained. For slightly older children, the teens can explore the lagoon or dive into activities, while the younger children enjoy calm, shallow waters and soft white beaches.
Furthermore, the experience is defined by unparalleled personal service. Each villa is assigned a dedicated butler, known as a Hiyani, who is available 24/7 via WhatsApp. This ensures that every guest request, whether grand or simple, is transformed into a flawlessly seamless and effortless moment.
Bonita Turner, editor of Junior commented “Having experienced both resorts, it’s hard to choose one over the other. However, for families, I’d confidently point you toward Bolifushi, home to the largest kids’ club in the Maldives, no less! Both are set in out-of-this-world surroundings, where every little luxury you could want from a dream getaway is right in front of you – no pressure, no purse, and truly no place like it.”
THE OZEN COLLECTION is also featured by the UK’s premier tour operators, including Best at Travel, Inspiring Travel, Elegant Resorts, Virgin Holidays, Carrier, and Destinology. Together with these esteemed partners, the premium brand is redefining the future of family luxury travel, transforming the all-inclusive experience into a seamless journey of joy, discovery, and unforgettable connection.
Overnight rates at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI start from USD 2,295, two sharing an Earth Pool Villa with the RESERVE™ Plan, including complimentary luxury catamaran transfers to and from Velana International Airport, Malé. Overnight rates at OZEN LIFE MAADHOO start from USD 1,646 two sharing an Earth Villa with the INDULGENCE™ Plan, including complimentary luxury speedboat transfers to and from Velana International Airport, Malé.
Cooking
From shoreline to hotpot: New dining experiences at Sun Siyam Iru Veli
Sun Siyam Iru Veli has unveiled two new dining experiences this February: the beachfront Sunk in Sand Dining Experience and the interactive Hotpot Lunch and Dinner. Designed to enhance the island’s Privé collection offering, the new concepts centre on intimacy, shared moments, and flavour-led exploration, launching alongside the resort’s Valentine’s and Lunar New Year celebrations.

The newly introduced Sunk in Sand Dining Experience was officially unveiled during the Valentine’s celebrations, beginning with a beachfront breakfast concept. Guests can begin their day with a curated breakfast served directly on the shoreline, seated within the sand itself with uninterrupted views of the horizon. Complemented by a bottle of sparkling wine, the experience offers an intimate setting surrounded by the natural beauty of the Maldivian coastline. Priced at USD 250 per couple for breakfast, the concept extends beyond morning dining, allowing guests to reserve the experience at any time of day, including specially curated sunset and evening moments.

The new Hotpot Lunch and Dinner further expands the resort’s culinary offerings, with a selection of premium ingredients, aromatic broths, fresh seafood, meats, and vegetables. This dining experience centres on shared dining and interactive enjoyment. Guests may choose between a Vegetarian Hotpot at USD 99 or a Meat & Seafood Hotpot at USD 155. Launched alongside the island’s Lunar New Year celebrations, the offering provides visitors with an opportunity to experience flavours traditionally associated with the festive season, aligning the dining concept with the cultural highlights observed at the resort.

Together, these new dining experiences reflect Sun Siyam Iru Veli’s continued focus on diversifying guest experiences through thoughtful culinary innovation. By pairing immersive settings with flavour-led concepts, the resort continues to evolve its dining landscape while creating moments that complement both seasonal celebrations and everyday island stays.
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