News
Paradise Island Resort prepares to welcome Oscars of the travel industry to the Maldives
Maldives Promotion House – Paradise Island Resort, Maldives is preparing to host the World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony on May 12th.
A world “first” for the Maldives as it prepares to host the World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Ceremony. This prestigious event acclaimed globally as a premier networking platform in the travel and hospitality industry will hold an elegant and glamorous island-style event, synonymous with the idyllic Maldives. The Gala ceremony marks a double celebratory year of 40 years of Tourism for the Maldives, and World Travel Awards 20th Anniversary.
Paradise Island Resort & Spa part of the Villa Group, will host an array of personalities and leaders from the region and has the full support of the most important and influential tourism bodies in the Region. Hosting the ceremony will be internationally acclaimed TV and Film personality Shereen Mitwalli who has hosted world class events around the world and brings her experience, warmth and glamour to the evening.
Shereen Mitwalli will host the 2013 World Travel Awards 2013 Indian Ocean Ceremony.
“Lets go Maldives” a leading consortium of experienced travel professionals who passionately promote the marketing of this exquisite region fully support the global event. Mohamed Riyaz, Managing Director “Lets go Maldives says”we are honoured to be part of World Travel Awards; an event that truly celebrates the spirit of travel and tourism worldwide.”
Mohamed Adam, Acting Managing Director, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation said “We are extremely privileged and proud to be hosting the most prestigious event of the travel industry, the World Travel Awards (Indian Ocean) in the Maldives this year. Being the celebratory year of the 40th year of tourism in the Maldives, it brings us extra pleasure in extending a warm welcome to the delegates of World Travel Awards to the sunny side of life.”
Over 58 Awards will be presented and categories including Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach destination, Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline, Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort, Indian Ocean’s Leading Cruise Line, Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel Brand and the others will be hoping for top Awards on May 12th.
News
Fushifaru Maldives blends cultural experiences with new in-house activities
Fushifaru Maldives has introduced a refreshed programme of guest activities and experiences as it enters 2026, combining cultural elements with new forms of entertainment across the resort.
The boutique resort has expanded its in-house activities to cater to a wide range of age groups. New offerings include circus-style sessions for children, hula hoop classes, aerial performances, fire shows and CYR wheel displays, aimed at providing structured entertainment for both families and adult guests.
The resort marked the end of 2025 with a Gatsby-themed farewell event, featuring a cocktail evening where guests were invited to dress in period-inspired attire. New Year’s Eve celebrations centred on a dinner service prepared by the resort’s culinary team, with a menu that included beef ribs, roasted turkey, grilled lobster, salmon and oysters, alongside seafood selections, Japanese dishes, Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, and live cooking stations. The evening concluded with desserts and tropical fruit offerings.
For 2026, Fushifaru Maldives has also updated its daily activity schedule. Themed dinner nights continue to form a core part of the guest experience, with a Maldivian-themed dinner held every Friday. This includes a live cooking demonstration based on traditional Maldivian preparation methods, highlighting the step-by-step process of making local curries.
According to the resort, the updated programmes are designed to strengthen guest engagement while maintaining links to Maldivian heritage. The focus remains on offering structured experiences that reflect both cultural practices and contemporary resort entertainment.
Fushifaru Maldives stated that it plans to continue developing its activity and dining concepts throughout the year, with further updates to be shared with guests and industry partners.
Action
Niyama Private Islands enhances surf lifestyle with stylish new surf venue
Niyama Private Islands Maldives now offers what is considered the most luxurious surf experience in the Maldives, enhanced by the introduction of its new Surf Shack — a stylish beachfront hangout serving gourmet bites, drinks, sunset views and lively parties.
Known as Nature’s Playground, the resort has long attracted surf professionals from around the globe. Located in the southern Maldives, where swells are at their strongest, it is a preferred base during peak surf season. Waves break directly on shore, with additional surf spots accessible within minutes by speedboat.
Niyama’s signature waves roll in at Vodi Point, situated on the westernmost tip of its twin islands. It is here that the resort has unveiled the new Surf Shack, designed to make time off the waves equally appealing. The thatched-roof venue encourages a barefoot, relaxed atmosphere, offering an upper deck for sunset viewing and picnic-style seating below. Reflecting Niyama’s sustainability ethos, Area Chief of Engineering Michael Patrick Slevin notes that 75 per cent of construction materials were repurposed, blending beach casual with environmentally conscious design.
Guests can enjoy gourmet dishes served from service windows, with a menu inspired by iconic surf destinations worldwide: Australian fish and chips, Indonesian satay, Mexican nachos and Japanese takoyaki. The drinks list pays tribute to rum, featuring an extensive collection and signature cocktails inspired by renowned surf breaks.
While the Surf Shack maintains a laidback feel during the day, the beachfront transforms at dusk as the tides shift and the DJ elevates the atmosphere. The resort’s rum and reggae Sundays have already become a celebrated weekly event.
Surfers at Niyama can design their days as they wish — chasing waves or relaxing ashore. The Surf Centre offers equipment and guidance, while Drift by Niyama provides recovery treatments to soothe muscles, repair sun-exposed skin and restore energy. Resident professional surfers remain available to advise on technique and wave conditions.
“The new Surf Shack forms part of the renewed Niyama experience, which includes significant refurbishments across the resort, inventive culinary additions and a greater emphasis on active living and wellness,” said Hafidh Al Busaidy, General Manager of Niyama Private Islands Maldives. “With more developments on the way, we look forward to sharing what comes next.”
Featured
Intimate island experiences shape Valentine’s Day at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
This Valentine’s Day, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort invites couples to celebrate love through a collection of carefully curated experiences designed to unfold in intimate moments across the island.
Framed by the natural beauty of Maamunagau Island, the resort’s Valentine’s programme centres on a series of limited-edition dining and wellness experiences created exclusively for the occasion. From private beachfront dining and moonlit dinners along Café Umi Beach to an elevated Valentine’s evening at the signature Lighthouse venue, romance is conveyed through setting, atmosphere and thoughtful detail rather than elaborate gestures.
Culinary experiences sit at the heart of the celebration, with bespoke Valentine’s menus intended to be savoured slowly, paired with curated wines and accompanied by uninterrupted ocean views. Each dining experience is crafted to feel personal, whether enjoyed beneath the night sky or in one of the island’s more private spaces.
Beyond dining, couples are encouraged to reconnect through shared wellness experiences at AVI Spa. Signature rituals and indulgent treatments offer a quieter expression of romance, giving guests the opportunity to unwind together in a calm, oceanfront environment. Those seeking complete privacy may opt for bespoke in-villa treatments, allowing the occasion to be marked within the comfort of their own surroundings.
Throughout Valentine’s Day, subtle touches across the resort—from crafted cocktails to curated wine moments—enhance the celebration without overwhelming it, reflecting InterContinental Maldives’ belief that genuine luxury is rooted in balance, intention and authenticity.
At InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, Valentine’s Day is shaped not by excess, but by considered, enduring moments that create shared memories long after the day has passed.
-
Drink1 week agoHuvafen Maldives hosts exclusive Riedel Wine experience led by Maximilian J. Riedel
-
News1 week agoInterContinental Maldives Maamunagau rings in 2026 with ocean-inspired festive programme
-
News1 week agoFinolhu unveils ‘A Year in Colour’ with global artist residencies in 2026
-
News1 week agoZara Larsson brings pop and tradition together at JOALI Maldives New Year event
-
News1 week agoAmilla Maldives hosts ‘Around the World in Wonder’ New Year experience
-
Featured6 days agoDhigali Maldives closes festive season with dynamic New Year’s Eve party
-
Love7 days agoValentine’s at Milaidhoo: Collection of intimate island experiences
-
News5 days agoMachchafushi Island Resort integrates marine conservation, sustainable practices across operations



