Local
LUX* Maldives launches “Staging LUX* Shining – The LUX* Leadership Program”.

Maldives Promotion House – The LUX* Training Academy, Maldives launched “STAGING LUX* SHINING – The LUX* Leadership Program”. The program is aimed at developing key Team Members within the company, and preparing them for higher responsibilities through effective coaching, guidance and introduction to the various practical concepts that will help them to achieve their goal of becoming future leaders. This is LUX* Maldives first batch of Leadership Training and the resort’s management look forward to bringing the program to more Team Members within and outside of LUX* Resorts in the near future. This first batch has 47 Team Members and they comprise of two groups. One group will go through a ‘Supervisors Development Program’ and the second group will go through a ‘Managers Development Program’.
The ‘Supervisors Development Program’ will be conducted over a period of six months. Team Members will go through various management modules and experience solving practical issues to understand and apply these skills and ideas in their working environment. The ‘Managers Development Program’ will be conducted over a period of five months and modules are designed to facilitate understanding the contemporary ways and techniques of managing teams while always maintaining an excellent service mindset. Both programs are very practical and will make Team Members understand the best practices from around the world.
As the program progresses; selected Team Members will also be given the opportunity to undergo Cross Exposure Training internally to enhance their operational experience. They will also attend and complete Short Intensive Courses conducted by the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies in Male. Each Team Member will be assigned a mentor who will either be an EXCOM Member of the resort or a Head of Department. Continuous coaching and feedback will be an integral part of the program to ensure that the Team Members are able to maximize learning during the program. Graduation ceremony of these two programs is being planned for May 2013 and it will be a truly memorable event.
In July 2012 The LUX* Training Academy, Mauritius concluded this program for LUX* Resorts in Mauritius comprising of 62 Team Members. During the closing ceremony the CEO of LUX* Resorts Paul Jones said; “As you rise and take on more responsibility, your actions will inspire others to do their best. As you lead with trust and integrity, you will bring out the best in every Team Member and take your people to the level they ought to be”. The Training Academy will work towards the same positive effect from the program at LUX* Maldives.
“The heart of our business is people and we will continue serving the industry by developing young talents both Maldivian and expatriates” said the General Manager of LUX* Maldives, Dominik Ruhl during the opening ceremony.
This launch event was attended by the LUX* Resorts Group Human Resources Manager Nicolas Autrey and Group Training Academy Manager Smita Modak.
In addition to this program, LUX* Maldives continues to educate its Team Members on building a superior service culture in partnership with the Founder of Up Your Service College – Ron Kaufman. “Here at LUX* Maldives, every day is an exciting day for our Team Members in the process of Learning and Development and our Team Members are keen to be the best of the best” Director of Training, Development and Quality Assurance, Hussain Afeef said.
LUX* Maldives also have a partnership with the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies in Malé to run an Apprenticeship Program for fresh school graduates which is run and managed by the LUX* Training Academy, Maldives. Last September eight Housekeeping Trainees successfully completed the program. In December, fifteen new hires as Apprentices and will be trained under the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies Certificate III in F&B Service and Front Office Operation.
“We can have the best product and best processes, but if our people are not developed, it will be hard for us to compete and lead in the Market. This is key to our business and we will continue our focus on developing Team Members at LUX* Maldives for many years to come” Dominik Ruhl – General Manager of LUX* Maldives said.
Business
BBM brings Vaseline, Hellmann’s, BRU Coffee to Maldives market

Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) extended their strong and decades old partnership with Unilever International, by adding to their brand portfolio – Vaseline, Hellmann’s, and BRU Coffee for the Maldivian market.
The collaboration was announced at a Business gathering held at the Manhattan Business Hotel, attended by over 300 trade partners from across Maldives.

With this partnership, BBM strengthens its retail offerings across the Maldives archipelago. Vaseline, a trusted name in skincare, and Hellmann’s, known globally for quality food products, will now be available through BBM’s distribution network.
“Vaseline is a name that generations trust for skin care. And Hellmann’s is a global icon in flavours. We’re proud to bring both to shelves across the Maldives and enrich everyday living for our customers,” said Muksith Hussain, Business Head – Retail.
In the hospitality sector, BBM introduces Bru Coffee as an addition to its HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant, Café) offerings. BRU Coffee provides a quality beverage option for hotels, resorts, and restaurants across the Maldives.

“BRU is one of the most loved coffee brands in the region. With this launch, we’re giving our hospitality partners a versatile product that delivers on both taste and reliability that can be consumed as a beverage and for the purpose of dessert preparation, something they can serve with confidence,” said Hisham Girsy, Business Head – HORECA.
The gathering served as a platform for BBM to engage with its valued trade partners and introduce these new brands to the market.
A.V.S Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer at BBM, remarked: “BBM is built on relationships. This event reflects our commitment to not just introduce great products but to support, connect, and elevate our trade partners. We’re in this together, and the journey ahead is promising.”

As BBM continues to grow its portfolio and global partnerships, the focus remains clear delivering excellence, building trust, and shaping the future of trade in the Maldives.
Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) is a leading distribution company in the Maldives, connecting international brands with local businesses across retail and hospitality sectors. With a customer-focused approach and extensive distribution network, BBM continues to be a trusted partner in the Maldivian market.
Cooking
BBM partners with Dreidoppel to host Chef Frankie Robin for pastry demo tour

Bestbuy Maldives (BBM), a leading name in the distribution of premium food and non-food products in the Maldives, has announced the return of Master Pâtissier Frankie Robin for an exclusive Dreidoppel Demo Tour taking place from April 21 to 30, across 15+ luxury resorts in Raa Atoll and key HORECA venues in Malé.
Chef Frankie Robin, a classically trained French chef based in Malaysia, is known worldwide for his practical yet refined approach to modern pastry. This marks his second official tour in the Maldives with BBM and Dreidoppel, following a successful and widely praised round of pastry demonstrations in 2023.

This year’s hands-on sessions will focus on the smart use of Dreidoppel’s specialized product range – including Panettone, Caramel chocolate snacks, Dubai Chocolate Brownie, Vanilla Muffins, Banana and Vanilla Mousse, Pineapple and Mango Custard, Fill and Gloss variations, Crème Brûlée, and bakery fillers – all tailored to help pastry kitchens save time, control costs, and elevate quality. Chef Frankie will highlight how chefs can gain both creative flexibility and operational efficiency using Dreidoppel’s trusted formulations.
“Our goal is to connect chefs with ideas and tools that drive excellence,” said AVS Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer at BBM. “He speaks in speed, margin, and flavour. This is global pastry, made local.”

Founded in 1899 in Germany, Dreidoppel is a global pioneer in baking flavor innovation. A sister company to IREKS, both brands are renowned in the professional baking world for their technical reliability and premium-quality solutions. Dreidoppel serves pastry chefs in over 100 countries, offering ready-to-use components that maintain precision, taste, and consistency in high-pressure kitchen environments.
This Dreidoppel Demo Tour is part of BBM’s broader mission to continuously invest in the professional growth of Maldivian chefs and hospitality professionals. Through regular knowledge-sharing sessions, live product demos, and international collaborations, BBM provides local talent with access to global expertise.
As BBM celebrates its 35th anniversary, initiatives like these demonstrate why the company remains a trusted partner to the Maldives’ top resorts, hotels, and culinary institutions. BBM proudly represents over 70 international brands, including Unilever, IREKS, Ravifruit, San Benedetto, TWG, and Lamb Weston.

Founded in 1990, BBM is a leading distributor of food, beverage and non‑food products in the Maldives. Trusted by all operating resorts and over 70 global brands, BBM uses SAP Business One with HACCP‑certified warehouses island‑wide. With RAFEEQ, its AI agent, BBM now automates everything from requisitions to purchase orders. BBM remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering speed – safety – service without compromise.
For updates, behind-the-scenes coverage, and upcoming culinary events, subscribe to BBM’s newsletter – Coconet Wireless.
Local
Dhiraagu to host Fuvahmulah Run 2025; registrations now open

Dhiraagu Fuvahmulah Run 2025 is now open for registrations.
For the first time ever, an edition of the Maldives’ largest and most anticipated run is coming to Fuvahmulah City, bringing an exciting new chapter to the Dhiraagu Maldives Road Race (DMRR). Registrations are now open for the 5K, 10K and Half Marathon categories of Dhiraagu Fuvahmulah Run 2025.
Similar to DMRR, Dhiraagu Fuvahmulah Run will award attractive cash prizes for winners of different categories. The company has announced that at this year’s DFR, Dhiraagu will be awarding a total prize pool of MVR 232,000 amongst the winners.
The event is scheduled to take place on Friday, 2 May 2025, organised in collaboration with Fuvahmulah City Council, Women’s Development Committee of Fuvahmulah and the Athletics Association of Maldives. The race aims to promote Fuvahmulah as a promising running destination while fostering a vibrant running community in the Maldives.
Fuvahmulah is a one-island atoll, situated all on its own on the vast ocean in the south of Maldives, just below the equator. The island runs a length of 4.5 kilometre, making it one of the biggest in Maldives and is home to a living working community of more than 9000 people.
Fuvahmulah is a unique island in the Maldives, distinct from the country’s typical coral atolls due to its formation as a single island atoll. Located in the southern part of the archipelago, it is known for its diverse ecosystem, freshwater lakes, rich agricultural lands, and vibrant marine life. The island is a popular destination for diving enthusiasts, particularly for encounters with tiger sharks. Unlike other Maldivian islands, Fuvahmulah has a varied landscape with lush vegetation and rocky beaches, offering a different experience from the usual tropical island scenery. Its strong cultural heritage and close-knit community further add to its charm.
Participants of Dhiraagu Fuvahmulah Run 2025 can now register via www.dfr.mv and secure their spots in this historic race. Registrations will remain open until 28 February 2025 or until the allocated slots of 1,500 are reached.
The Dhiraagu Maldives Road Race is the first and only international run held in the Maldives, listed in the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) World Running Calendar with a World Athletics-certified race route. The expansion of the race to Fuvahmulah reflects Dhiraagu’s commitment to fostering a healthier, more active community and supporting local tourism by showcasing the unique beauty of the Maldives.
-
News1 week ago
Jennifer Aniston dreams of Maldives escape
-
Cooking1 week ago
BBM partners with Dreidoppel to host Chef Frankie Robin for pastry demo tour
-
Action1 week ago
Patina Maldives partners with FC Bayern Munich to host exclusive football camps
-
Cooking1 week ago
Taste of Sardinia comes to Maldives at COMO Cocoa Island
-
Lifestyle1 week ago
Rosamund Pike escapes to paradise at Patina Maldives
-
Awards5 days ago
Soneva Secret makes Condé Nast Traveller’s 2025 Hot List of best new hotels
-
Family1 week ago
Amilla Maldives wraps up whimsical ‘Wands, Wings and Easter Things’ celebration
-
Business1 week ago
Redefining corporate retreats at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives