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Four Seasons Maldives and Soneva Resorts Wins Condé Nast Traveler World Savers Award 2012

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Maldives Promotion House – Four Seasons Resorts Maldives and Soneva Resorts has won Condé Nast Traveler World Savers award 2012.

For this award Condé Nast Traveler recognizes tourism companies that are working hard toward making the world a better place. Categories considered for this award are education – building schools, openings minds; health – funding clinics, fighting decease; poverty – enriching local communities; preservation – championing heritage, greening the planet; wildlife – protecting habitats, saving species; and doing it all.

Four Seasons Resorts Maldives, Kuda Huraa and Landaa Giraavaru has won the award for ‘Doing It All’ and ‘Wildlife Conservation’ categories. They run a turtle conservation and a reef restoration program. The resorts have also planted more than 2,000 frames with coral attached to help revive the reefs, 90 percent of which died in 1998 due to ocean warming. An apprenticeship program trains 17- to 20-year-olds from other Maldivian islands; one of the 265 graduate is now executive chef to the Maldivian president.

Soneva Resorts won the award for ‘Doing It All’. The barefoot-chic Soneva Resorts are all about the surrounding turquoise waters, and the company has made water part of its commitment to doing the right thing. Soneva banned imported bottled water and instead sells its own water in reusable glass containers. The benefits are twofold: It eliminates carbon emissions from transporting plastic bottles, and 50 percent of the water revenue helps fund global water projects. More than $600,000 has been raised so far, helping about 600,000 people in 52 countries.

Doing good is part of founder Sonu Shivdasani’s SLOW LIFE philosophy—Sustainable, Local, Organic, Wellness, Learning, Inspiring, Fun, Experiences. Bungalows are made by locals, using sustainable materials, and most of the organic food is grown in the area. “We try to create experiences that have a sustainable approach and which get people in touch with nature in an unforgettable fashion. That’s true luxury,” says Arnfinn Oines, the company’s Social & Environmental Conscience (no kidding). Soneva dedicates 0.5 percent of its revenue to a fund that supports social and environmental projects around the world

 

Entertainment

QUEENZ OF PIANO to perform at Reethi Faru Resort this festive season

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Reethi Faru Resort has announced that internationally recognised piano duo QUEENZ OF PIANO will perform at the resort as part of its Christmas and New Year celebrations for the 2026/27 festive season.

The duo will present three live performances on 29 December 2026, 31 December 2026 (New Year’s Eve) and 2 January 2027, offering guests a series of musical experiences during the holiday period.

QUEENZ OF PIANO are known for combining classical music with contemporary pop, performing arrangements that bring together compositions from different musical periods and genres.

Their performances reinterpret well-known classical pieces and modern hits, incorporating elements of both musical styles to appeal to audiences of different ages and musical preferences.

The duo’s approach focuses on showcasing the versatility of the piano through arrangements that blend traditional classical techniques with contemporary musical influences.

The performances will form part of Reethi Faru Resort’s festive entertainment programme, providing live musical experiences for guests celebrating Christmas and New Year in the Maldives.

The three scheduled performances will take place during the resort’s year-end celebrations, including a special appearance on New Year’s Eve.

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Featured

Kandooma Maldives unveils ‘Pirates’ Festive Adventure’ for Christmas and New Year

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Kandooma Maldives has announced its Christmas and New Year programme, titled Pirates’ Festive Adventure, featuring festive dining, family activities, marine excursions, live entertainment and wellness experiences.

The programme will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, offering a range of activities and celebrations for guests staying at the resort in South Malé Atoll.

The festive programme forms part of Kandooma Maldives’ experience-led all-inclusive offering, which combines dining, recreational activities and marine experiences.

The resort provides round-the-clock dining at Kandooma Café, with meals and snacks available to accommodate international arrival and departure schedules. Eligible certified divers staying for four nights or longer can also participate in daily diving activities as part of the all-inclusive offering.

For families, Kandoo Kids’ Club will organise a series of themed activities throughout the festive period. These will include pirate-themed crafts, treasure-inspired games, creative challenges, festive card-making, gingerbread making and Christmas celebrations.

Younger guests will also have opportunities to participate in Christmas cookie decorating and other seasonal activities, while Santa Claus is scheduled to make an appearance as part of the festivities.

Marine excursions and watersports will feature throughout the programme, with activities including shark snorkelling, shipwreck safaris, turtle-point snorkelling, sunset cruises and night fishing.

Guests will also have opportunities to participate in surfing lessons, guided Jet Ski tours and other watersports activities around the island.

Festive dining will form a central part of the celebrations, with the resort organising a Maldivian-themed buffet dinner accompanied by traditional Bodu Beru drumming and a fire dance performance.

Other dining experiences will include a multi-course Christmas Eve gala dinner, Christmas dining events and special New Year celebrations. The menus will feature a combination of Maldivian cuisine, international dishes and traditional festive offerings.

For guests seeking wellness experiences, Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala will offer a range of treatments, including couples’ spa experiences, a three-day wellness programme and recovery treatments designed for surfers.

The festive programme will continue into January with additional activities at Kandoo Kids’ Club, marine excursions and recreational experiences.

The celebrations will conclude on 7 January 2027 with Orthodox Christmas activities for guests observing the occasion.

Andrew Drummond, General Manager of Kandooma Maldives, said the programme was designed to bring together different aspects of the resort’s guest experience during the festive season.

“Festive holidays are about spending meaningful time together, discovering something new and creating memories that last long after the journey home,” he said.

“Our programme brings together the experiences that make an island holiday special, whether that means an ocean adventure, a celebration around the table, time to relax or a little festive magic for the family.”

Located on a private island in South Malé Atoll, Kandooma Maldives offers accommodation, dining, marine activities and recreational facilities for families, couples and groups of friends.

Guests are advised to review the festive programme for activity schedules, package inclusions and advance-booking requirements. Additional charges apply to selected excursions, watersports and spa treatments.

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Awards

Secret Paradise Maldives Co-Founder recognised for regenerative tourism efforts

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Ruth Franklin, Co-Founder of Secret Paradise Maldives, has received the Regenerative Travel Pioneer Award at the 2026 Inspiring Women in Travel Asia (IWTA) Awards, held at the Conrad Bangkok on 14 October 2026.

The IWTA Awards recognise women contributing to environmental, social and regenerative initiatives across Asia’s travel and tourism industry. The Regenerative Travel Pioneer Award honours individuals whose work places local communities, cultural preservation and environmental conservation at the centre of tourism development.

Franklin co-founded Secret Paradise Maldives in 2012, establishing a tourism business focused on providing visitors with experiences beyond traditional resort holidays. The company promotes interactions between travellers, local communities and the natural environment through locally led tourism activities.

Secret Paradise Maldives works with local businesses, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community groups to support responsible tourism practices and ensure that a greater share of tourism revenue benefits local communities.

Its activities focus on marine conservation, cultural awareness and creating opportunities for Maldivians to share their knowledge, traditions and way of life with international visitors.

Commenting on the recognition, Franklin acknowledged the contributions of the company’s employees, local partners and community organisations.

“I’m incredibly honoured to receive this recognition. While the award may have my name on it, it represents the collective efforts of the entire Secret Paradise team, our local partners and the many NGOs and community members we work alongside.

“Since establishing Secret Paradise, our aim has always been to demonstrate that travel can be a force for good, creating meaningful experiences for visitors while supporting local livelihoods, celebrating Maldivian culture and helping protect the incredible natural environment we are so fortunate to call home. This award is recognition of everyone’s contribution to that journey,” she said.

The award recognises Franklin’s work in promoting community-based tourism in the Maldives and Secret Paradise Maldives’ efforts to integrate environmental conservation, cultural preservation and local economic participation into its tourism operations.

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