News
AirAsia’s Thrilling ‘No Clue Escape’ promotion whisks passengers to Maldives
Last Friday, twenty passengers boarded an AirAsia A320 in Hong Kong, completely unaware of where their journey would end. They had no clue about their destination and only discovered it mid-flight, cruising at 30,000 feet somewhere between Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.
In August, AirAsia and CLS Holiday launched the “No Clue Escape,” offering travellers a surprise trip for HK$4,888 (around $634) without revealing the destination. Despite the mystery, the package quickly sold out, reflecting the enthusiasm of Hong Kongers for adventure and the unknown.
AirAsia added to the excitement by handing out surprise boxes and unique souvenirs. The final destination was revealed during a signature AirAsia event onboard the flight. At 30,000 feet, the passengers discovered they were heading to the Maldives, with a brief stopover in Kuala Lumpur.
Excitement filled the cabin on AirAsia flight AK139 from Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur as the secret destination was unveiled. The group is now spending five days at Bandos Maldives, enjoying various tourist activities or simply relaxing in the island paradise.
The “No Clue Escape” is a unique promotion by AirAsia and CLS Holiday aimed at increasing awareness of AirAsia’s extensive network across Asia and the Pacific. It encourages travellers to explore new or popular destinations affordably, with easy connections.
AirAsia, known as the world’s first low-cost carrier network, connects Hong Kong to key hubs like Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Manila, and soon Jakarta. From these hubs, passengers can travel across Asia, Australia, and Africa. Terence So, AirAsia’s Head of Marketing for Greater China, expressed the airline’s excitement over the positive response to the event. He noted how it aligns with AirAsia’s motto of “Small Win, Big Happiness,” and encouraged travellers to discover more of Asia and beyond, with access to 130 destinations.
Earlier this year, AirAsia’s co-founder Tony Fernandes shared his vision of creating the world’s first low-cost carrier network, and the “No Clue Escape” embodies this idea. The event showcases the airline’s seamless and affordable connections across continents, from Asia and Australia to Africa starting in November.
The Hong Kong-to-Maldives route via Kuala Lumpur exemplifies AirAsia’s FlyThru service, which allows passengers to transfer smoothly between AirAsia flights without the hassle of re-checking luggage. This service facilitates journeys like flying from Melbourne to Nairobi, Kenya, with a quick connection in Kuala Lumpur, showcasing the efficiency of AirAsia’s global network.
News
Fushifaru Maldives blends cultural experiences with new in-house activities
Fushifaru Maldives has introduced a refreshed programme of guest activities and experiences as it enters 2026, combining cultural elements with new forms of entertainment across the resort.
The boutique resort has expanded its in-house activities to cater to a wide range of age groups. New offerings include circus-style sessions for children, hula hoop classes, aerial performances, fire shows and CYR wheel displays, aimed at providing structured entertainment for both families and adult guests.
The resort marked the end of 2025 with a Gatsby-themed farewell event, featuring a cocktail evening where guests were invited to dress in period-inspired attire. New Year’s Eve celebrations centred on a dinner service prepared by the resort’s culinary team, with a menu that included beef ribs, roasted turkey, grilled lobster, salmon and oysters, alongside seafood selections, Japanese dishes, Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, and live cooking stations. The evening concluded with desserts and tropical fruit offerings.
For 2026, Fushifaru Maldives has also updated its daily activity schedule. Themed dinner nights continue to form a core part of the guest experience, with a Maldivian-themed dinner held every Friday. This includes a live cooking demonstration based on traditional Maldivian preparation methods, highlighting the step-by-step process of making local curries.
According to the resort, the updated programmes are designed to strengthen guest engagement while maintaining links to Maldivian heritage. The focus remains on offering structured experiences that reflect both cultural practices and contemporary resort entertainment.
Fushifaru Maldives stated that it plans to continue developing its activity and dining concepts throughout the year, with further updates to be shared with guests and industry partners.
Action
Niyama Private Islands enhances surf lifestyle with stylish new surf venue
Niyama Private Islands Maldives now offers what is considered the most luxurious surf experience in the Maldives, enhanced by the introduction of its new Surf Shack — a stylish beachfront hangout serving gourmet bites, drinks, sunset views and lively parties.
Known as Nature’s Playground, the resort has long attracted surf professionals from around the globe. Located in the southern Maldives, where swells are at their strongest, it is a preferred base during peak surf season. Waves break directly on shore, with additional surf spots accessible within minutes by speedboat.
Niyama’s signature waves roll in at Vodi Point, situated on the westernmost tip of its twin islands. It is here that the resort has unveiled the new Surf Shack, designed to make time off the waves equally appealing. The thatched-roof venue encourages a barefoot, relaxed atmosphere, offering an upper deck for sunset viewing and picnic-style seating below. Reflecting Niyama’s sustainability ethos, Area Chief of Engineering Michael Patrick Slevin notes that 75 per cent of construction materials were repurposed, blending beach casual with environmentally conscious design.
Guests can enjoy gourmet dishes served from service windows, with a menu inspired by iconic surf destinations worldwide: Australian fish and chips, Indonesian satay, Mexican nachos and Japanese takoyaki. The drinks list pays tribute to rum, featuring an extensive collection and signature cocktails inspired by renowned surf breaks.
While the Surf Shack maintains a laidback feel during the day, the beachfront transforms at dusk as the tides shift and the DJ elevates the atmosphere. The resort’s rum and reggae Sundays have already become a celebrated weekly event.
Surfers at Niyama can design their days as they wish — chasing waves or relaxing ashore. The Surf Centre offers equipment and guidance, while Drift by Niyama provides recovery treatments to soothe muscles, repair sun-exposed skin and restore energy. Resident professional surfers remain available to advise on technique and wave conditions.
“The new Surf Shack forms part of the renewed Niyama experience, which includes significant refurbishments across the resort, inventive culinary additions and a greater emphasis on active living and wellness,” said Hafidh Al Busaidy, General Manager of Niyama Private Islands Maldives. “With more developments on the way, we look forward to sharing what comes next.”
Featured
Intimate island experiences shape Valentine’s Day at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
This Valentine’s Day, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort invites couples to celebrate love through a collection of carefully curated experiences designed to unfold in intimate moments across the island.
Framed by the natural beauty of Maamunagau Island, the resort’s Valentine’s programme centres on a series of limited-edition dining and wellness experiences created exclusively for the occasion. From private beachfront dining and moonlit dinners along Café Umi Beach to an elevated Valentine’s evening at the signature Lighthouse venue, romance is conveyed through setting, atmosphere and thoughtful detail rather than elaborate gestures.
Culinary experiences sit at the heart of the celebration, with bespoke Valentine’s menus intended to be savoured slowly, paired with curated wines and accompanied by uninterrupted ocean views. Each dining experience is crafted to feel personal, whether enjoyed beneath the night sky or in one of the island’s more private spaces.
Beyond dining, couples are encouraged to reconnect through shared wellness experiences at AVI Spa. Signature rituals and indulgent treatments offer a quieter expression of romance, giving guests the opportunity to unwind together in a calm, oceanfront environment. Those seeking complete privacy may opt for bespoke in-villa treatments, allowing the occasion to be marked within the comfort of their own surroundings.
Throughout Valentine’s Day, subtle touches across the resort—from crafted cocktails to curated wine moments—enhance the celebration without overwhelming it, reflecting InterContinental Maldives’ belief that genuine luxury is rooted in balance, intention and authenticity.
At InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, Valentine’s Day is shaped not by excess, but by considered, enduring moments that create shared memories long after the day has passed.
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