News
MATATO and IATO signs partnership to enhance Maldives-India tourism
The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO). This strategic partnership aims to enhance tourism cooperation between the Maldives and India, fostering closer collaboration and mutual growth in the travel industry.
The agreement marks a significant milestone in promoting tourism between the two nations. By leveraging the strengths and networks of both MATATO and IATO, the partnership seeks to create more opportunities for travel and cultural exchange. Key objectives of the MOU include:
- Promoting bilateral tourism through joint marketing initiatives
- Sharing best practices to improve service standards and operational efficiencies
- Organizing joint events, roadshows, and fairs to highlight travel opportunities
- Promoting sustainable tourism practices that benefit both nations
Following the MOU signing, MATATO held a productive follow-up meeting with the High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, H.E. Munu Mahawar. This meeting was a continuation of discussions held on April 9, 2024, and focused on enhancing tourism ties between the two countries.
A major upcoming event is the roadshow designed to showcase Maldivian tourism to the Indian market. Scheduled to take place in Mumbai, New Delhi, and Bangalore—cities with the best flight connectivity to the Maldives—the roadshow aims to strengthen tourism ties. During the discussions, the importance of this roadshow was emphasized, with agreements on:
- Enhanced cooperation to further tourism collaborations
- Detailed planning to ensure maximum impact
- Promoting cultural exchanges to deepen mutual understanding and appreciation
- Securing support from stakeholders, including airlines, hotels, and travel agencies, to ensure the roadshow’s success
MATATO is a leading organization dedicated to the development and promotion of the travel and tourism industry in the Maldives. Representing the interests of travel agents and tour operators, MATATO advocates for policies that benefit the industry and works to enhance the Maldives’ position as a top travel destination. IATO, India’s premier travel trade body, represents over 1,800 tour operators across India. Committed to promoting and developing tourism in India, IATO ensures high standards of service and fosters international partnerships to enhance the travel experience for visitors.
Culture
Family adventures and romantic escapes await this Eid at Kandooma Maldives
When the world feels noisy and the pace of everyday life unrelenting, there is something quietly powerful about stepping onto a stretch of powder-white sand and letting the Indian Ocean do its work. Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, nestled in the South Malé Atoll just 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, is inviting families and couples to do exactly that this Eid.
Whether you are travelling with children in tow or looking for uninterrupted time with the person you love, Kandooma has shaped experiences around both, without compromise.
Kandooma is an island that understands what you need right now explains Sharon Garrett, Director of Marketing and Sustainability at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives.
“Short breaks and getaways are even more essential now. Being able to reconnect to yourself and with those you love matters deeply. Our private island paradise offers the backdrop for that kind of reset,” she said.
“People are looking for real value, especially given the cost-of-living pressures so many are facing globally. Kandooma sits in that sweet spot of mid-market pricing with a delivery that genuinely exceeds expectations. You get the turquoise ocean, the white sandy beaches, the tropical warmth and the kind of friendly Maldivian hospitality that stays with you long after you leave.”
Exclusive Packages, Only When You Book Direct
Booking directly from the resort unlocks packages unavailable elsewhere, including two standout Eid offers:
- Family Getaway (minimum 4 nights): Accommodation, WiFi, daily breakfast and dinner are all included. Children under 13 receive a special Kandoo Kids’ Club welcome gift, and on one day the whole family gets to make their own pizza lunch together, one of those small, sticky-fingered memories that lasts for years. On one evening, while the kids enjoy Movie Night at the Kids Club, parents slip away for a romantic beach dinner (set-up) just for two. The package also qualifies for IHG’s Kids Eat and Stay Free offer (children under 13) and Kandooma’s celebrated Dive Free Programme, which gives two certified divers two complimentary dives per day, with all equipment included. Terms and conditions apply.
- Island Romance (3 nights): Three nights built around the two of you. Accommodation, daily buffet breakfast and dinner for two, and in-villa welcome touches set the tone. During your stay, you will enjoy one breakfast in bed, a romantic beach picnic lunch and a beach dinner under the stars. Certified scuba divers also qualify for the Dive Free Programme, with up to two complimentary dives per certified diver per day, including all gear and air/Nitrox. Terms and conditions apply.
Kandooma’s reputation has been built over years of consistent delivery. The resort’s Kandooma Right surf break is one of the Indian Ocean’s most celebrated waves, drawing surfers from around the world. Its surrounding dive sites are considered among the finest in the Maldives, earning recognition from the diving community year after year.
The Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala, a globally respected wellness brand, brings considered, holistic treatments to an already serene island setting. Six dining venues offer everything from relaxed beachside plates to candlelit dinners, drawing on international flavours and the freshest ingredients.
Accommodation choices span Garden, Beach and Overwater Villas through to expansive two-storey Beach Houses, suiting everyone from honeymooners wanting seclusion to families who simply need more space to breathe. Families appreciate the Family Beach Houses, the stunning 2-bedroom Overwater Villa with its spectacular sea view and the 3-bedroom Beach Pool Villa.
The full range of Eid Al-Adha Special Offers is available from the resort’s website.
News
Milaidhoo Maldives embraces mindfulness, movement and nourishment for Global Wellness Day
Milaidhoo Maldives invites guests to celebrate Global Wellness Day 2026 under the theme “#JoyMagenta”, embracing its signature wellbeing philosophy built around three interconnected pillars: food, physical balance and peace of mind. Nestled within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Baa Atoll, the island offers a sanctuary where nature-led experiences, mindful nourishment and restorative practices come together to support holistic wellbeing.
Throughout the day, guests are guided through immersive experiences designed to awaken gratitude, creativity, connection and movement, each reflecting Milaidhoo’s commitment to wellbeing in harmony with the oceanic environment.
Morning begins with Gratitude on the Compass Pool Bar deck, where mindfulness meditation and breathwork invite stillness and clarity. Mid-morning, Creativity unfolds at Serenity Spa with a DIY coconut scrub workshop using natural island ingredients, celebrating sustainable self-care and the island’s nourishing food philosophy through the use of locally inspired botanicals.
Mid-afternoon brings Connection at the overwater Yoga Pavilion with couples stretching and sound healing sessions designed to deepen presence and emotional harmony. As evening approaches, Movement takes place during a sunset Vinyasa yoga flow at Ocean Stories Beach, where breath, motion and ocean rhythm align.
Throughout the experience, Milaidhoo’s culinary wellbeing approach complements the journey, with mindful dining options that emphasise fresh, locally inspired and nutritionally balanced cuisine to support physical vitality and inner peace. Food is presented not only as nourishment but also as a sensory extension of the island’s healing environment, reinforcing the connection between body and nature.
Milaidhoo Maldives’ Global Wellness Day celebration reflects the island’s deeper philosophy of holistic living, where food, physical movement and peace of mind are seamlessly integrated into every guest experience. The island’s intimate setting encourages reconnection with nature and self, allowing each moment to be experienced with intention and joy.
The day concludes with a renewed sense of vitality, emotional balance and calm presence, embodying the essence of “joy” that defines this year’s theme. Milaidhoo continues to place well-being at the heart of its experience, ensuring every stay supports lasting harmony in one of the world’s most tranquil island sanctuaries.
For those seeking to continue their journey of calm and renewal, explore the full Milaidhoo wellbeing experience here.
News
Fushifaru Maldives unveils overnight ‘Sleep Under the Stars’ escape
From candlelit dinners to sleeping beneath a canopy of stars on the largest natural sandbank in Lhaviyani Atoll, Fushifaru Maldives by BeKind Hospitality Group invites couples to experience one of the Maldives’ most unforgettable overnight escapes.
Surrounded by crystal-clear waters, Fushifaru Maldives is redefining romantic island escapes with its extraordinary “Sleep Under the Stars” experience – an unforgettable overnight stay on the resort’s breathtaking private sandbank. This once-in-a-lifetime experience invites couples to disconnect from the world and reconnect with each other beneath a sky illuminated by countless stars. Combining barefoot luxury, romance and the raw beauty of the Maldives, the experience has been thoughtfully designed to create memories that last forever.
As the sun begins to set over the horizon, guests are whisked away to the secluded sandbank where an enchanting evening awaits. Candlelit dining by the ocean sets the tone for the night, with the sound of gentle waves providing the perfect soundtrack. Guests can then cosy up beneath the stars for a private open-air movie screening, before retreating to their beautifully prepared beachfront bed for a night unlike any other.
With no distractions, no crowds and nothing but the soothing ocean surrounding them, guests are given the rare opportunity to experience the Maldives in its purest and most intimate form. As dawn breaks across the horizon, the experience continues with a hearty breakfast served directly on the sandbank – the perfect way to begin the day before returning to the resort.
“At Fushifaru, we continuously seek to create meaningful and unforgettable experiences that connect guests with the natural beauty of the Maldives,” said Jumana Muhammad, Resident Manager of Fushifaru Maldives. “Our ‘Sleep Under the Stars’ experience is designed to offer something truly special – a rare opportunity for guests to disconnect from the world and reconnect with each other amidst the serenity of our stunning natural sandbank and a sky full of stars.”
More than simply an excursion, “Sleep Under the Stars” is a celebration of romance, nature and unforgettable moments. Whether marking a honeymoon, anniversary, proposal or simply a special escape together, the experience captures the magic of the Maldives in a truly unique and deeply personal way.
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