News
OV Traveller Club unveils new era of regenerative luxury
On November 18, 2024, Patina Maldives hosted a memorable evening as OV Holidays unveiled its new identity as OV Traveller Club. The rebranding marked a significant evolution, reflecting a commitment to sustainability, luxury, and meaningful connections, encapsulated in the new motto: “Discover Yourself.”
The evening commenced with opening remarks from Emma, Strategic Partnership Manager, who welcomed guests and introduced the themes of transformation, sustainability, and the vision behind OV Traveller Club. Her speech offered insight into the journey that led to the rebranding.
Ellice, the Chief Operating Officer, elaborated on this transformation during her keynote address. She highlighted how the brand, initially focused on bespoke luxury travel, became a preferred choice for global celebrities, royal families, and discerning travellers from regions such as the Middle East. However, challenges in the evolving travel industry, including market saturation and compromised service quality in the Maldives, prompted OV Traveller Club to chart a new course. This transformation focused on exclusivity, sustainability, and exceptional service. Ellice also acknowledged the pivotal role of Shafraz Fazley, Founder and Managing Director, whose vision and leadership laid the groundwork for this evolution. Fazley’s dedication to innovation and excellence was instrumental in shaping the strategic direction of OV Traveller Club.
Dr. Nisha Abu Bakar, Director of OV Traveller Club, delivered an impactful address on the growing trend of conscious travel and the importance of integrating luxury with sustainability. She underscored the brand’s mission to combine ecological preservation, cultural sustainability, and luxury experiences. This vision aligns with the Maldives Fifth Tourism Master Plan 2023–2027 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr. Nisha pointed to the pandemic as a transformative moment for the travel industry, shifting travellers’ perspectives and emphasising the need for “conscious paradise” destinations. OV Traveller Club embraces this shift by offering purpose-driven journeys that balance nature, culture, and sustainability. She described the brand as a custodian and architect of tomorrow’s paradise, dedicated to delivering transformative travel experiences without compromising luxury.
The evening also featured the introduction of initiatives such as “Gentle Footprints,” showcasing OV Traveller Club’s dedication to regenerative tourism—leaving destinations in better condition than they were found. Dr. Nisha detailed key strategies such as reducing carbon footprints, wildlife conservation, supporting local communities, and promoting cultural sustainability. These efforts align with global sustainability standards, including GSTC indicators, and support local initiatives to enhance sustainable tourism practices.
The brand’s commitment to education and inclusivity was also emphasised. Initiatives include customer education programs, staff development, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) commitments. OV Traveller Club aims to leave a positive legacy by fostering meaningful engagement, mentorship workshops, local employment, women’s empowerment in tourism, and cultural preservation.
Dr. Nisha concluded by emphasising the brand’s goal of achieving not just sustainability but regenerative sustainability, aiming to create improved environments for communities and travellers while promoting slow, authentic travel experiences as a cornerstone of modern tourism.
Guests participated in a coral planting session led by Patina’s marine biologists, reflecting OV Traveller Club’s dedication to marine conservation. The evening concluded with a beachside BBQ, vibrant cultural performances, and reflections on the partnerships that have been instrumental in the brand’s success.
The launch of OV Traveller Club marks a bold new chapter in luxury travel, prioritising meaningful connections, sustainability, and excellence. By aligning with both national and global goals, OV Traveller Club is setting new standards for luxury tourism in the Maldives and beyond.
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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