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.

Sun Siyam has announced its Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2026 offers across its six resorts in the Maldives and Sri Lanka, featuring discounts of up to 50%, complimentary seaplane transfers and a range of additional benefits for stays extending into 2027.

The promotions cover properties within the group’s Lifestyle, Luxury and Privé Collections, with offers including spa treatments, floating breakfasts, excursions, watersports, dining experiences and family benefits.

Bookings can be made from 1 to 30 November 2026, with stays available until 31 October 2027, subject to resort-specific dates and exclusions.

Lifestyle Collection

Sun Siyam’s Lifestyle Collection comprises Siyam World and Sun Siyam Olhuveli, offering a range of recreational activities, dining options and entertainment experiences.

At Siyam World, guests can receive discounts of up to 50%, alongside the resort’s Premium 24-hour WOW! All-Inclusive meal plan.

Guests booking stays of four nights or more will receive a complimentary floating breakfast and a shared seaplane transfer for one guest. For stays of seven nights or longer, the offer includes complimentary shared seaplane transfers for two guests and USD 200 in resort credit per villa, per stay.

The resort credit can be used for food and beverages, spa treatments, watersports or excursions. Complimentary non-motorised watersports and snorkelling equipment are also included.

At Sun Siyam Olhuveli, guests staying for a minimum of three nights will receive 50% off airport transfers, 30% off dining at à la carte restaurants, 25% off spa treatments, and 20% off watersports and laundry services.

Stays of four nights or more will also include a complimentary combined sunset cruise. Guests booking private pool accommodation for at least four nights will receive a floating breakfast for two adults, while those staying five nights or longer in private pool categories will receive a complimentary 10-minute Jet Ski experience for two adults.

Luxury Collection

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, located in Noonu Atoll, represents the group’s Luxury Collection, with the Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotion offering discounts and additional resort experiences.

At Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, guests can receive up to 30% off all villa categories. Bookings of four nights or longer will also include a 50% discount on seaplane transfers for up to two adults.

Every booking will include a floating breakfast and a complimentary 15-minute photoshoot with two digital images.

Additional benefits include 50% off a catamaran excursion, 30% off private destination dining and 10% off watersports activities.

Guests booking a 60-minute kayak fishing session will receive an additional 30 minutes, while complimentary non-motorised watersports will also be available.

Privé Collection

The Privé Collection includes Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef in the Maldives, alongside Sun Siyam Pasikudah on Sri Lanka’s east coast.

At Sun Siyam Iru Veli, guests booking stays of seven nights or more will receive complimentary return seaplane transfers for two people, a 60-minute couples’ spa treatment and two complimentary excursions comprising a local island tour and a guided snorkelling trip.

The offer also includes a 20-minute photoshoot with one complimentary image, a welcome bottle of wine and bed decoration.

Guests booking Cinema by Moonlight before arrival will receive a 25% discount. Complimentary upgrades to the next villa category, early check-in and late check-out will also be offered, subject to availability.

Families travelling with children can benefit from complimentary accommodation and dining for up to two children under 12 sharing with two paying adults. Green Tax and transfer charges will apply.

At Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, guests staying seven nights or longer will receive complimentary return seaplane transfers for two, while those booking four nights or more will receive 50% off return seaplane transfers for two guests.

The promotion includes a complimentary 60-minute couples’ spa treatment, lagoon wine tasting, daily shisha at Nautilus Bar and selected non-motorised watersports.

Guests will also receive a bottle of sparkling wine and a fruit basket upon arrival.

Complimentary upgrades to the next villa category, early check-in and late check-out will be available subject to availability.

Children under 12 can stay and dine free when sharing accommodation with two fully paying adults, with Green Tax and transfer charges applicable.

At Sun Siyam Pasikudah in Sri Lanka, guests will receive a complimentary 30-minute spa experience and a 30-minute kayaking session, alongside one hour of complimentary bicycle use each day.

The promotion also includes 50% off room upgrades, 20% off a champagne dinner at the wine cellar, 15% off couples’ spa treatments and 15% off food and beverages.

Early check-in and late check-out will be available subject to availability.

Across the six properties, selected Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers also include complimentary accommodation and dining for children, with age limits varying by resort. Benefits are available for children under 12 at selected properties and under 16 at Sun Siyam Olhuveli and Sun Siyam Iru Fushi.

Other benefits across selected resorts include complimentary non-motorised watersports and flexible check-in and check-out arrangements, subject to availability.

The Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions are available for bookings made between 1 and 30 November 2026, for stays until 31 October 2027, depending on the participating resort and applicable conditions.

Milaidhoo Maldives will mark International Men’s Day with a cocktail-making competition for male guests, as the resort celebrates its tenth anniversary this November.

The occasion will also recognise the contributions of the men involved in the resort’s development and operations over the past decade. Since its establishment, Milaidhoo has maintained a focus on Maldivian hospitality and cultural traditions, with its original vision continuing to influence the guest experience.

As part of the celebrations, the resort will host Gentlemen & Cocktails, an interactive cocktail-making challenge at Compass Pool Bar.

The event will begin with a workshop led by the bar’s bartenders, who will introduce participants to the fundamentals of cocktail preparation. Following the workshop, participants will compete to create their own signature cocktails using a selection of ingredients.

Each participant will receive a black box containing secret ingredients, which must be incorporated into their creation. They will also be required to select an additional herb, vegetable or aromatic ingredient from the resort’s Chef’s Garden.

Participants will have a limited amount of time to prepare their cocktails, with their partners serving as judges. The creations will be assessed based on flavour, presentation and originality.

The winning cocktail will be featured as the Cocktail of the Day at Compass Pool Bar for one week. The winning couple will also be entitled to unlimited servings of their creation for the remainder of their stay.

The International Men’s Day celebrations form part of Milaidhoo Maldives’ tenth anniversary year, recognising the people who have contributed to the resort’s development and its approach to hospitality.

Through the cocktail-making competition, the resort aims to provide guests with an interactive experience while commemorating International Men’s Day.