Featured
Maldives Mahautsav 2025: bringing the Sunny Side of Life to India
Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) announced the Maldives Carnival 2025, ‘Maldives Mahautsav,’ organised by Pickyourtrail and endorsed by Visit Maldives. The event took place from January 11th to 12th, 2025, at the Ambience Mall in Gurgaon, India, and was officially inaugurated by Aishath Azeema, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives to India. The two-day event offered interactive activities and immersive experiences, highlighting the unique offerings available in the Maldives, also known as the Sunny Side of Life.
The Maldives Carnival 2025 included 17 resort booths where visitors could explore premium resort options and learn about the distinctive islands of the Maldives. Representatives from Pickyourtrail were present at each booth to provide personalised information and engage with attendees, offering tailored travel advice. Various activities were also designed to bring elements of the Maldives experience to life for the Indian audience.
The event aimed to connect Indian travellers with the Maldives’ unparalleled beauty and luxury, particularly during the peak North Indian wedding season. It highlighted opportunities for honeymoons, destination weddings, and other memorable getaways. Organised by Pickyourtrail, the initiative provided resorts with a platform to showcase their exceptional offerings to the Indian market. It also aimed to strengthen relationships between travel stakeholders and potential buyers while positioning the Maldives as a premier destination for family vacations, romantic escapes, and adventure experiences.
Pickyourtrail, a leading travel-tech platform specialising in personalised international itineraries, was founded in 2014. The platform allows users to customise all aspects of their trips, including flights, accommodations, activities, and experiences, focusing on seamless planning for popular destinations such as the Maldives. In recognition of its innovative approach, Pickyourtrail received the Best Holiday Brand award in 2024.
Awards
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo wins triple honours at World Luxury Awards 2025
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort has received three titles at the 2025 World Luxury Awards, named Luxury Adults Only Resort, Luxury Island Resort, and Luxury Cultural Resort in the Indian Ocean.
The awards highlight the brand’s focus on locally rooted hospitality, with stays shaped by place, service and community. The resort presents Maldivian culture through curated experiences, pairing contemporary comforts with island traditions.
Positioned as an adults-only retreat, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo integrates culinary influences and cultural programming to offer guests a stay informed by the rhythm of local life and delivered with consistent service standards.
“These awards are a true reflection of our team’s passion for creating experiences that feel both local and memorable. Every detail, from the design to the service, is guided by the authenticity that defines Mercure. We are grateful to our guests for being part of this journey,” said Riaan Drever, Cluster General Manager.
The World Luxury Awards recognise excellence in global hospitality, honouring properties that consistently deliver strong guest experiences and celebrate diversity across the travel sector.
Awards
Hat-trick for Pullman Maldives Maamutaa at 2025 World Luxury Awards
Pullman Maldives Maamutaa has received three honours at the 2025 World Luxury Awards, securing titles for Best Luxury All-Inclusive Hotel, Best Luxury Wellness Hotel, and Best Luxury Family Hotel in the Indian Ocean.
The awards underscore the resort’s approach to experience-led hospitality, combining design, wellbeing and guest engagement. The recognition also reflects Pullman’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity and sustainability, which sit at the centre of the brand’s strategy.
Since opening, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa has developed an all-inclusive offering that brings together adventure, wellness and a close connection to the natural environment. Its portfolio includes an underwater villa, wellness concepts and family-oriented experiences.
“We are honoured to receive this recognition at the 2025 World Luxury Awards. These awards celebrate the heart of what we do—creating inspiring moments for every guest, whether they come to reconnect, recharge, or simply play. This achievement belongs to our incredible team, whose passion and dedication make Pullman Maldives Maamutaa what it is today,” said Riaan Drever, Cluster General Manager.
The World Luxury Awards recognise excellence in global hospitality, highlighting hotels that consistently deliver strong guest experiences and demonstrate innovation in service and design.
Featured
Halloween at Sun Siyam Iru Veli turns fantasy, not fright
Sun Siyam Iru Veli marked Halloween with a one-day island celebration, “Whimsy Over Wicked,” reimagining the tradition of fright as a fairytale of fantasy on 31 October. The programme invited guests of all ages to immerse themselves in themed workshops, entertainment, and dining experiences designed to encourage creativity and the joy of make-believe.
At the Turtle Kidz Club, children joined a full-house Pumpkin Workshop, decorating pumpkins with gemstones, bright colours, and playful patterns. As the sun set over Fresh Water Beach, the festivities shifted to a Masquerade Evening, where guests enjoyed island beats and signature cocktails and mocktails against a golden horizon. The celebration continued at Turtle Beach with a Beach BBQ Dinner, presenting a Halloween-inspired menu in a storybook setting with live music by the sea.
The night concluded with a private “Cinema Under the Stars” screening, offering an open-air experience that captured the spirit of the occasion.
Through “Whimsy Over Wicked,” Sun Siyam Iru Veli highlighted creativity, connection, and the island’s natural setting. Guests departed with memories shaped by laughter, imagination, and a shared celebration under the Maldivian night sky.
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