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Marriott International Maldives Celebrates First Graduating Class of Apprenticeship Program and Empowers Youth

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Marriott International Maldives hosted a graduation ceremony yesterday at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa to commemorate the achievements of its inaugural class of apprentices. The event was graced by the presence of the esteemed Honorable Ibrahim Waheed, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts.

The Marriott International Maldives Apprenticeship Program, launched in May 2023 as a pilot initiative, is a product of a remarkable collaboration between the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment, Maldives Institute of Technology (MIT), and Marriott International. The program marks a significant milestone, with Marriott International being the first international hospitality brand to partner with the government’s apprenticeship program.

The 10-month program combined theoretical education provided by MIT with practical experience across various departments at Marriott International’s Maldivian resorts, including renowned names like The Ritz-Carlton Maldives and W Maldives.

Yesterday’s ceremony celebrated the 43 young graduates who successfully completed the program and earned a Level-3 certification from the Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA). This initiative, aligned with Marriott International’s Take Care corporate social responsibility platform, aims to identify and empower local talent, particularly marginalized youth, by equipping them with essential skills for success in the Maldivian tourism industry.

The Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts, Honorable Ibrahim Waheed, lauded the program’s commitment to fostering young talent within the hospitality sector. Speeches by Marriott International representatives, Gautam Bhandari, Senior Vice President of Hotel Development & Operations, and Mark Fletcher, Area Director of Human Resources for Singapore & Maldives, further emphasized the significance of the partnership in promoting youth empowerment and professional development.

“The Marriott International Maldives Apprenticeship Program reflects our dedication to cultivating local talent and equipping them with the skills to excel in the Maldives’ thriving tourism industry,” commented Gautam Bhandari. “We are delighted to offer positions to a number of graduates, and we look forward to their rewarding Marriott experience that will propel their career aspirations.”

The graduation ceremony marks a crucial step towards building a robust pipeline of local talent for the Maldivian tourism industry. Marriott International is committed to the continued success of the program and its graduates as they embark on promising careers in hospitality.

Awards

Wellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura named among world’s top 100 spas

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Wellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura has been named among the Top 100 Spas of the World 2026 by Luxury Lifestyle Awards, recognising the spa’s wellness services in Malé.

Located on Level 3 of Barceló Nasandhura, Wellness by Mandara caters to both international visitors and local residents, offering spa treatments and wellness services within the capital. Unlike spas located at island resorts, the facility provides an urban wellness option for guests seeking relaxation, physical recovery and regular self-care.

The spa draws on traditional Eastern healing practices and offers a range of treatments, including Mandara’s signature multi-hand massage therapies, ELEMIS facials, body treatments and specialised nail care packages.

Treatments are tailored to individual requirements by the spa’s therapists, with services designed to relieve muscle tension, support physical recovery and promote relaxation.

Trent Munday of Mandara Spa said the recognition reflected the team’s commitment to providing Asian spa therapies in Malé while serving both hotel guests and the local community.

Wellness by Mandara operates daily, offering treatments and spa packages to Barceló Nasandhura guests, Malé residents and day visitors.

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Awards

Jalboot Group claims three honours at World Luxury Travel Awards 2026

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Jalboot Group has won three awards at the 2026 World Luxury Travel Awards, marking the second consecutive year the marine leisure and transport services provider has received recognition at the event.

The awards were presented during a gala ceremony held on 24 October at the Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, Thailand.

Jalboot Group and its marine leisure brand, Koamas by Jalboot, received awards in three categories:

  • Best Diving Experience in Maldives: Koamas by Jalboot
  • Best Luxury Water Transfer in Indian Ocean: Jalboot Group
  • Best Water Sport & Activities in Indian Ocean Islands: Koamas by Jalboot

The awards recognise the company’s operations across marine leisure and transport services in the Maldives, including watersports, resort-based recreational activities and inter-island water transfers.

RJ Reddy, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Jalboot Group, said the recognition reflected the contributions of the company’s team across its operations.

“We are deeply honoured to be recognised across three categories at the 2026 World Luxury Travel Awards. This milestone reflects the passion, professionalism and teamwork of everyone at Jalboot. Our goal has always been to create experiences that reflect the essence of luxury and the warmth of Maldivian hospitality, both on and beneath the water.”

Jalboot Group continues to expand its operations in the Maldives as a provider of integrated maritime solutions, including luxury yacht charters, marine transport and resort-based leisure services.

The three awards further recognise the company’s presence in the Indian Ocean’s marine tourism and transport sectors.

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Kandooma Maldives adds pickleball to recreational offerings

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Kandooma Maldives has introduced a new pickleball court, expanding its recreational facilities as the paddle sport continues to gain popularity worldwide.

Combining elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, pickleball is a sport that is relatively easy to learn and suitable for players of different ages and abilities. The new facility allows guests to participate in singles or doubles matches, offering an additional recreational activity for families, couples and groups staying at the resort.

The pickleball court is open daily from 6am to 6pm, with paddles and balls available for guests to borrow from Reception.

Court reservations can be made through the resort’s Recreation or Front Office team. Each villa is entitled to one complimentary hour of court use per day.

The introduction of pickleball forms part of Kandooma Maldives’ efforts to expand its recreational offerings and provide guests with more opportunities to participate in sports and group activities during their stay.

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