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Shangri-La’s Villingili invites eco-conscious travellers

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Shangri-La's Villingili

Maldives Promotion House – Shangri-La’s lush Villingili Resort & Spa in the Maldives offers a high-end, eco-conscious holiday experience aiming to inspire visitors to share the resort’s responsibility of caring for the environment. Through a range of nature projects, educational excursions and activities at the resort’s interactive Eco Centre an emphasis is placed on conservation which encourages guests to enjoy the island’s natural beauty whilst learning more about it.

Located in the Addu Atoll on Villingili island, the Shangri-La Villingili Resort & Spa is surrounded by nature trails, coral swarms and dive sites inhabited by an array of reef fish and other wildlife for example reef sharks, green turtles, eagle rays and lobsters. The specialist Eco Centre, which is located in the heart of the resort’s Village, provides maps for guests obtain maps to discover the island independently either by bicycle. There are also regular Villingili Nature Walks which are hosted by resort staff and explore the lush rainforests, natural lagoons and stunning beachfront areas surrounding the resort.

Regular talks on topics such as coral reef ecology and the conservation of marine turtles are given by the resort’s CRS Manager, Peter Watt-Pringle who has eight years of experience in marine biology. Peter also invites guests to put their new knowledge into practise as they take part in coral planting which begins with a short introductory presentation on coral protection and the new coral enhancement programme. The group is then taken outdoors to plant coral pieces in the Serenity Bay coral nursery. Although this activity occurs on land, guests are welcome to don their snorkel gear when coral is returned to the water at the end. The Indian Ocean waters provide excellent snorkelling all around the island and encounters with colourful aquatic residents.

In line with its commitment to biodiversity conservation, the Shangri-La group launched Sanctuary, a Care for Nature Project and the resort has created a Reef Care project which aims to foster interest and awareness of marine life and the threats facing it globally, as well as involve guests in activities linked to marine life protection at the resort through activities offered at the Eco Centre.

As a part of a commitment to mitigate impacts on the environment several initiatives were carried out by the resort at construction stage, these include solar panels on the villa roofs which provide up to 50% of the energy consumed by each villa including the heating of water. The villas are also insulated to prevent the cool air from escaping and also fitted with micro switches so that when windows and doors are left open the air con automatically switches off to preserve energy. The resort has also invested in reusable glass bottles and a fully equipped bottling plant, to reduce its consumption of plastic bottles by approximately 240,000 a year.

Since its opening, the resort has established strong relationships with local fishermen and farmers on the Addu Atoll. An agreement was signed with the Foundation of Meedhoo Development, a neighbouring local island, committing to purchase local fruits and vegetables. This initiative aims to contribute to the economic development of the local community, minimise the release of carbon that results from flying in produce from all over the world and offer guests fresh quality produce.

With its commitment to operating in an economically, socially and environmentally responsible manner, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa is the perfect choice for an eco-friendly escape in the stunning setting of the Maldives.

Culture

Sirru Fen Fushi celebrates Eid with focus on heritage and guest experiences

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Eid at Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort unfolded this year as a heartfelt celebration of connection, reflection, and Maldivian heritage, bringing guests together through two days of meaningful experiences designed to honour the spirit of the holiday.

From the first morning of Eid, families gathered over generous breakfast spreads and continued to reconnect throughout the day with celebratory dining offerings that wove together shared traditions and island flavours. As evening arrived, the resort invited guests to slow down under the open sky–stargazing by the shoreline, floating sound- healing sessions by the lagoon, and gentle sunrise and sunset yoga created quiet spaces for gratitude and presence.

The festivities continued across the island with immersive activities for all ages. Guests joined friendly football matches and a junior football camp, explored new skills in hands-on cooking classes, centred mind and body through Muay Thai practice, and took part in light-hearted competitions such as kayaking and archery. Beyond the resort, those eager to discover local life ventured on guided island visits, while evenings resonated with Maldivian folklore storytelling and the rhythm of the traditional Boduberu performance, bringing the cultural heartbeat of Eid to life.

Honouring Maldivian Heritage

A highlight of this year’s celebrations was the Eid cultural showcase at Raha Market on the 20th of March. The space was transformed into a traditional Fange, a handcrafted palm-thatched hut, where guests could explore skills and tools that once formed the backbone of daily life across the Maldives.

Artisans demonstrated Hanu lathe, how it is used in the sharpening of the Kathivalhi chopping blade, and the versatile Furoa axe, offering insight into craftsmanship passed down through generations. Guests observed the intricate Roanu Veshun technique of coir rope braiding and the delicate Fangi Vinun craft of weaving coconut fronds into kajan roofing, a once-essential, fully renewable building material.

The experience continued with traditional hand-milling of grains–wheat, finger millet, and rice, recalling a time before modern conveniences. The hut glowed with the warm flicker of Faanoozu oil lamps, a reminder of the simplicity of island life before the arrival of electricity.

No Maldivian celebration is complete without hedhika, and guests enjoyed freshly prepared favourites such as gulha, bajiya, masroshi, and keemiya, each carrying the flavours of home kitchens and long-held family recipes.

A Night to Remember

Children brought joyful energy to the festivities with a special Eid parade, filling the island with colour and excitement. As the evening closed, guests gathered along the shoreline to watch the Eid moon rise over the ocean–a quiet, luminous moment that captured the essence of the celebration: gratitude, unity and the timeless beauty of island life.

This year’s Eid at Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort was more than an event, it was a shared experience woven from culture, community, and the simple joy of being together. The resort looks forward to welcoming guests again next year to continue this cherished tradition.

For further information and reservations, please visit https://sirrufenfushi.com/ or contact reservations@sirrufenfushi.com.

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Culture

Sun Siyam Olhuveli celebrates Eid with beach fiesta and cultural performances

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Sun Siyam Olhuveli marked the joyous occasion of Eid Al Fitr on 20th March 2026 with a spirited celebration that brought team members together in a lively showcase of unity, culture, and camaraderie. Set against the backdrop of the resort’s sun-drenched shores, the Eid Beach Fiesta transformed the Water Sports Beach into a lively hub of laughter, friendly competition, and shared moments, reinforcing the strong sense of community that defines the resort.

The celebration featured a series of engaging activities including classic beach games such as the wheelbarrow race, three-legged race, water bucket challenge, and the playful “Kukudu Koo” catch-the-chicken challenge, as highlighted in the event programme. These light-hearted competitions encouraged collaboration across departments, breaking routines and fostering meaningful connections beyond the workplace.

Eid in the Maldives is a time of togetherness and celebration, marked by communal prayers, festive meals, and gatherings with family and friends. Inspired by these traditions, Sun Siyam Olhuveli embraced the spirit of Eid through shared joy, cultural moments, and meaningful connections.

As part of the evening festivities, key team members took to the stage at the Lagoon to perform traditional Boduberu, offering guests an authentic cultural experience and marking the celebration with rhythm, energy, and island spirit.

“At Sun Siyam Olhuveli, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Celebrations like Eid Al Fitr are not only about honoring tradition but also about nurturing the connections that make our workplace feel like a community,” said Ahmed Shazeen, Director of Human Resource at Sun Siyam Olhuveli. “It is these shared experiences that elevate team spirit and create a positive environment where everyone thrives.”

As part of the Lifestyle Collection under the House of Siyam, Sun Siyam Olhuveli continues to champion a culture where meaningful experiences extend beyond guests to include its dedicated team members. The Eid celebration stands as a reflection of this ethos, where culture, connection, and a touch of playful energy come together seamlessly on island time.

To discover more upcoming events and experiences at Sun Siyam Olhuveli, please visit the resort’s website.

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Culture

Fushifaru Maldives showcases Maldivian culture through Eid celebrations

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Fushifaru Maldives marked Eid al-Fitr with a series of cultural experiences aimed at showcasing Maldivian heritage and community values, as part of its “Moments of Kindness” initiative.

The resort organised activities designed to reconnect guests with traditional island life, placing a focus on cultural authenticity and community engagement. According to the resort, the initiative sought to revive elements of Maldivian traditions and present them in an interactive format for both international visitors and the local community.

A key highlight of the celebrations was a dedicated Maldivian Night, which featured a live demonstration of Malayfaiy, a traditional communal cooking practice. The experience was complemented by shisha offerings and cooking demonstrations, providing guests with insight into historical culinary techniques and social customs in the Maldives.

The evening also included a Maldivian buffet showcasing a range of local dishes, giving guests the opportunity to experience traditional flavours in a curated setting.

Fushifaru Maldives stated that the programme aimed to create meaningful connections through shared cultural experiences, while preserving and promoting local traditions within a resort environment.

The Eid celebrations form part of the resort’s broader efforts to incorporate elements of Maldivian identity into guest experiences, aligning with growing industry emphasis on cultural sustainability and community-oriented tourism.

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