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The Maldives’ first annual Whale Shark Festival to be held on 29 June 2013

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Whale shark - Conrad Maldives

Maldives Promotion House – The Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) in association with Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will launch the first Maldivian Whale Shark Festival in South Ari atoll on 29th June 2013.   This one-day festival has been created to highlight the potential cooperative initiatives between resorts and local island communities while providing a positive platform from which to raise awareness of this magnificent species.

The festival will keep a strong Marine Discovery element designed to give adults and children a hands-on experience through which they will discover the wonders of the Maldivian environment and culture. Activities include whale shark excursions, an ecological treasure hunt, cultural demonstrations, guest presentations about whale sharks and coral reef ecology, participatory performance art coordinated by London based arts company Emergency Exit Arts and of course traditional bodu beru music and Maldivian food.

Guests from surrounding resorts and local islands are invited to join the day of whale shark related festivities on Dhigurah Island in South Ari atoll.

It’s hoped that this will become an annual event, celebrating the occurrence of whale sharks in the Maldives and the South Ari Marine Protected Area and to provide an opportunity for visitors to explore the cultural and ecological wonders of the Maldives.

Sponsored by Conrad Maldives since 2007, the MWSRP are a leading authority on whale sharks in the Maldives. MWSRP have been building up a demographic profile of the whale shark population in the Maldives and over the past six years have documented over 1000 encounters.  The pioneering research of the MWSRP into the demography and movements of the whale shark population in the Maldives provides the scientific basis behind the programme’s conservation goals.

Awards

.Here Baa Atoll secures triple win at World Luxury Hotel Awards 2026

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.Here Baa Atoll has received three awards at the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2026, including the title of World’s Best Luxury New Resort.

The private island retreat was also recognised as Best Luxury Private Island Resort in the Indian Ocean and Best Luxury Boutique Resort in the Maldives.

Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, .Here Baa Atoll comprises nine residences across two secluded islands, Somewhere and Nowhere. The resort focuses on providing private accommodation, personalised services and experiences tailored to individual guest preferences.

The recognition as World’s Best Luxury New Resort marks a significant achievement for the property, which has positioned itself within the ultra-luxury hospitality segment since its opening.

At Somewhere, the resort offers three- and four-bedroom residences combining beachfront accommodation with overwater architecture. The residences feature indoor and outdoor living spaces, private infinity pools and views of the Indian Ocean.

Guests are supported by dedicated Roohu hosts, who coordinate services and experiences according to individual requirements throughout their stay.

Nowhere Private Island offers an eight-bedroom private island accommodation option designed for families and groups seeking exclusive use of the facilities.

The island features a private cinema, spa, gym, swimming pool and dedicated dining and entertainment spaces. Guests can also arrange personalised culinary experiences and other activities during their stay.

The resort’s dining offerings include SAFAR Restaurant and private dining experiences tailored to guest preferences.

Marine excursions are also available aboard the resort’s private yacht, ASMAS, allowing guests to explore the surrounding waters and marine environment of Baa Atoll.

The resort operates under its Embrace the Now philosophy, which focuses on personalised experiences and allowing guests flexibility in how they spend their time on the islands.

The three awards add to several international recognitions received by .Here Baa Atoll in 2026.

These include its inclusion in the Condé Nast Traveller Hot List, two awards at the AHEAD Asia Awards, recognition in DestinAsian’s Luxe List and a place among the top resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards.

The World Luxury Hotel Awards recognise hotels and resorts across various categories based on their luxury hospitality offerings, service standards, design and guest experiences.

The latest awards recognise .Here Baa Atoll’s accommodation, facilities and personalised hospitality services within the luxury tourism sector in the Maldives and the wider Indian Ocean region.

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Awards

Milaidhoo Maldives’ Serenity Spa wins Best Hotel Spa at Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2027

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Milaidhoo Maldives’ overwater Serenity Spa has received the Best Hotel Spa award at the 2027 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence, recognising the resort’s personalised wellness services and spa experiences.

The awards ceremony was held at The Montcalm Mayfair in London on Monday, 2 November 2026. Milaidhoo Maldives was represented by Georgie Westley, Corporate Director of Marketing and Communications at Versa Hospitality, alongside representatives from ROVE PR UK.

Located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Serenity Spa offers a range of wellness treatments and services in an overwater setting.

The spa provides personalised wellness programmes supported by an on-island wellbeing consultant, daily yoga classes and an extensive selection of treatments designed to meet individual guest requirements.

Guests can receive treatments at the overwater spa or in the privacy of their villas. The treatment menu includes massages, beauty therapies and specialised wellness treatments incorporating advanced technologies.

Among the technologies available at Serenity Spa are the LYMA Laser, Archedaway Cupping Therapy and M2T Blade. The spa also uses products from wellness and beauty brands including Natura Bissé, Aromatherapy Associates, Obsidian for Men and Margaret Dabbs.

Milaidhoo Maldives incorporates wellness into other aspects of its guest experience, including its culinary offerings. The resort’s approach includes meals prepared using fresh ingredients from its Chef’s Garden, alongside daily yoga sessions and activities centred on relaxation and wellbeing.

Paul van Frank, General Manager of Milaidhoo Maldives, said the award recognised the spa team’s commitment to delivering personalised services.

“We are incredibly proud of this recognition. Our Serenity Spa is a special part of the Milaidhoo experience and our team, the Milaidhoo Family, takes great care to ensure every guest receives the attention and personalisation they deserve. From expert treatments to the simple pleasure of taking time for yourself, we want guests to leave feeling refreshed and reconnected,” he said.

The recognition highlights Milaidhoo Maldives’ wellness offerings, which combine spa treatments, specialist therapies, personalised services and wellness-focused dining experiences.

The resort continues to incorporate wellness into its hospitality offering through its Serenity Spa, culinary programmes and recreational activities.

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JOALI rewards returning guests with exclusive digital art collectibles

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JOALI has introduced a personalised festive gifting initiative for selected returning VIP guests, featuring original non-fungible token (NFT) digital artworks inspired by the resort’s geographical location and surrounding marine environment.

The initiative is designed to recognise returning guests and strengthen relationships with those who have visited the resort on multiple occasions.

The centrepiece of the gifting programme is an original digital artwork developed using JOALI’s geographical coordinates as its creative inspiration. The coordinates have been incorporated into a three-dimensional underwater artwork representing the marine environment and biodiversity surrounding the island.

Each selected guest will receive an individual version of the artwork, creating a unique digital collectible associated with their experiences at JOALI.

The NFT format also allows recipients to trade or sell their digital artworks through compatible NFT marketplaces, should they choose to do so.

The initiative forms part of JOALI’s approach to personalised hospitality, extending guest engagement beyond their stays through digital art and creative experiences.

By incorporating geographical data, underwater imagery and blockchain-based digital collectibles, the resort aims to provide returning guests with a personalised connection to the destination.

The festive gifting programme also reflects JOALI’s continued focus on integrating art, creativity and the natural environment into its guest experiences, while recognising the relationships established with its returning visitors.

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