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‘Beyond the Equator’: Addu City’s new brand identity to elevate its tourism appeal
In a significant development for Addu City’s tourism sector, the Addu City Council’s Secretariat introduced the new Addu Tourism brand identity at Canareef Resort. This initiative, spearheaded by the recently established Addu Destination Management Office (ADMO) under the City Council, aims to position Addu as a premier destination, showcasing the area’s distinct charm and natural beauty within the Maldives’ luxury tourism landscape. The brand launch underscores the Council’s commitment to creating a sustainable and thriving tourism sector in Addu.
The event featured notable attendees, including His Excellency Minister Faisal, Mayor Ali Nizar, and distinguished members of the City Council, who together unveiled the Addu Tourism brand film and officially launched the brand identity and tagline, “Beyond the Equator.” The brand highlights Addu’s unique positioning as one of the few places in the Maldives situated south of the equator, capturing the atoll’s rich heritage, vibrant marine ecosystems, and pristine landscapes.
Mayor Nizar, in his speech, elaborated on the vision behind Addu’s new tourism identity, emphasising its role in establishing Addu as a top destination in the Maldives. “Our goal is to make Addu a must-visit destination for every tourist coming to the Maldives. This new brand encapsulates the authenticity of our atoll while aligning with the Maldives’ reputation for luxury and unmatched hospitality. We aim to deliver an experience that marries Addu’s heritage with the high standards of Maldives’ premium tourism,” Mayor Nizar stated.
Councillor Zareer, head of the Addu Destination Management Office, highlighted the brand launch as a crucial part of Addu’s broader tourism strategy. “This brand represents more than a logo; it’s an invitation for international tourists to experience Addu’s unique charm. We are presenting Addu as a premium, culturally rich destination that aligns with the Maldives’ renowned appeal,” shared Councillor Zareer. “The success of Addu’s brand depends on the collective effort of our community, businesses, and stakeholders. This brand is something we all carry forward together.”
During the brand presentation by Encrea Studio, the creative team explained the inspiration behind “Beyond the Equator.” Addu, uniquely situated along the equator, has a distinct identity celebrated in travel literature for its equatorial allure. This unique trait informed the tagline and brand concept, which emphasises Addu’s natural landscape, including its pristine reefs and lush mangroves. The logo features the equator’s spherical path around Earth, centred at the heart of the Addu map.
Encrea Studio introduced five thematic areas to promote Addu’s brand identity: Beyond Ordinary: The Dive Destination, Beyond Beaches: The Heart of Islands, Beyond Horizons: Beauty in Sunrises and Sunsets, Beyond Serenity: The Biosphere, and Beyond Dreams: Atoll of Adventure. These themes are designed to position Addu as a place where visitors can explore beyond the usual, from historical landmarks to untouched natural beauty.
This new identity will drive ADMO’s upcoming tourism initiatives, aligning with Addu’s development goals to meet international standards while preserving its cultural heritage.
The unveiling of Addu’s brand identity signals a new chapter for tourism in Addu, guided by a shared vision of sustainable growth and distinctive visitor experiences that truly resonate “Beyond the Equator.”
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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