Business
Safari Island, Thulhagiri Island, Dreamland win 2019 TUI Top Quality Award
Safari Island, Thulhagiri Island and Dreamland has won the 2019 TUI Top Quality Award.
The awards were presented to the three resorts at ITB Berlin 2019, which took place in Berlin from March 6-10.

Mifthah Abdulla, General Manager at Safari Island, with the award.
Safari Island has won the TUI Top Quality Award every year since 2016, whilst this year’s awards mark the entry of sister resorts, Thulhagiri Island and Dreamland into the list of world’s 250 most popular hotels rated by TUI’s guests.
The TUI Top Quality Award was launched in 2015 and aims to highlight hotels’ outstanding efforts to guests and providing the customers with objective orientation when choosing their next holiday hotel. Conditions of the award includes, at least 30 assessments from the TUI guest surveys in the span of the year, hotel’s performance and passing the TUI Safety Check, signing TUI Deutschland’s Pool Safety Declaration.
Safari Island is located in the heart of North Ari Atoll. The size of the island is approximately 30,000sqm. Distance from Velana International Airport is about 60km, and takes about 25 minutes to reach the Island by seaplane. The island is surrounded by white powdery, sandy beach and crystal clear water lagoon and house reef which is attractive for snorkelling and diving with attractive diving points.
Safari Island has its own luxury safari boats for the use of in-house guests for free of charge: stay seven nights and have one-day free boat cruise | stay 14 nights and have two-day free boat cruise.

Areef Naseem, General Manager at Thulhagiri Island, with the award.
Offering the perfect balance of an unspoiled tropical island with all the comforts, Thulhagiri is located in the North Male Atoll and is accessible by a 25-minute speedboat ride from the main Velana International Airport.
Thulhagiri offers accommodation in Standard Deluxe rooms with sea views and direct access to the beach and Water Bungalows with sun decks. All the rooms feature luxury natural bamboo furniture, private bathroom and come with all the modern amenities, including satellite TV and free WiFi.
Guests can enjoy a selection of Asian cuisine at the in-house restaurant.
Every guest at the four-star resort has access to an outdoor pool and a fitness centre, and enjoy a wide range of water sports, including catamaran, canoeing and wind surfing. Its famous SubAqua dive centre, which is staffed by experienced German, English, Japanese and Chinese speaking instructors, offers diving lessons and excursions to many famous dive sites that surround the resort.
The spa at Thulhagiri offers guests exceptional tailor-made experiences, which combine French touch with Asian skills. The Balinese therapists at the spa are intensively trained at the Coconut Spa School in Bali.

Mohamed Haneef, General Manager at Dreamland, with the award.
One of the newest resorts to have opened in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, Dreamland is like no other in Maldives. Apart from its white sand beaches and lush green vegetation, the resort is home to a 1,600sqm large fresh water lake – the first of its kind Biotope Pool in Asia. This picturesque lake is surrounded by 20m high mangrove trees on one side and 20m high palm trees on the other side. Along with plenty of water lilies and aquatic plants, there is a dedicated swimming area without chlorine where you can relax with a calming swim.
Guests at Dreamland can experience the unique natural aspects of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere. One of the best attractions include the uninhabited island of Hanifaru, which comes with a natural underwater bay. Locally known as Vandumaafaru Adi, the bay is home to a large number of whale sharks, grey sharks, manta rays and also a nursery for these species.
Business
BBM renews as Title Partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards under multi-year agreement
Hotelier Maldives has announced Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) as the Title Partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 under a multi-year agreement, reaffirming one of the longest-standing partnerships behind the publication’s flagship hospitality recognition platform.
The 2026 edition marks the third consecutive year that BBM has served as Title Partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards, having supported the event in the same capacity since its launch in 2024. BBM has also backed Hotelier Maldives’ second flagship event, GM Forum, every year since 2023, with 2026 set to mark its fourth year as a Silver Partner of the forum.
The continued partnership reflects a shared commitment to recognising the people behind the Maldives’ tourism industry while supporting platforms that encourage industry dialogue, leadership and professional development.
Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 entered its public voting phase on 15 March 2026, with voting set to remain open for one month. Winners will be announced at the gala ceremony on 26 April 2026 at NIVA Kurumba Maldives.
Commenting on the partnership, Ali Naafiz, Editor of Hotelier Maldives, said: “BBM has been a valued partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards since the very beginning, and we are pleased to formalise this continued support through a multi-year agreement. Their decision to return as Title Partner for a third consecutive year reflects not only the strength of our relationship, but also a shared belief in the importance of recognising the people who drive excellence across the Maldives’ hospitality industry.
“BBM has also consistently supported GM Forum over the years, making them one of the most committed partners across our event platforms. We are proud to continue working together as we strengthen both Hotelier Maldives Awards and GM Forum as annual fixtures for the industry.”
AVS Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer of BBM, said: “At BBM, we have always believed that a strong hospitality industry is built by strong people, and Hotelier Maldives Awards provides an important national platform to recognise the professionals whose work often takes place behind the scenes. We are pleased to continue as Title Partner of the awards under this multi-year agreement, while also extending our support to GM Forum for a fourth consecutive year.
“As a company that has grown alongside the Maldives’ hospitality sector, we value opportunities that celebrate talent, encourage professional pride and contribute to the long-term development of the industry. Our continued partnership with Hotelier Maldives reflects that commitment.”
Bestbuy Maldives is one of the country’s leading importers and distributors, serving the hospitality, HORECA and retail sectors with a broad portfolio of international brands. The company positions itself as a partner to the Maldivian hospitality industry, supplying products from around the world across key business verticals including resorts, foodservice and retail.
Hotelier Maldives Awards continues to recognise the contributions of resort-based hospitality professionals across the Maldives, highlighting both individual excellence and team performance. The awards programme remains the country’s only dedicated recognition platform focused on professionals working in resort operations. The current public voting round allows industry stakeholders, colleagues, guests and the wider public to take part in selecting this year’s winners.
The growing list of confirmed partners for Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 includes Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) as Title Partner, Dhiraagu as Platinum Partner, Storm Events as Organising Partner, NIVA, Kurumba Maldives as Host Partner, Souvenir Marine as Transport Partner, ALIA as Associate Sponsor, and Lightsout Studios as Associate Partner. More partners and sponsors will be announced soon.
Business
Feydhoo Hall opens at dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives as new event space
Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has announced the opening of Feydhoo Hall, a landmark event venue at dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, redefining the possibilities for meetings, celebrations, and destination events in the Maldives.
Designed to bring scale, flexibility, and creativity to island gatherings, Feydhoo Hall represents a bold step forward in positioning the Maldives as a dynamic destination for conferences, weddings, and large-scale social occasions.
Feydhoo Hall offers a versatile event complex designed to accommodate a wide range of gatherings, from corporate meetings and conferences to weddings and social celebrations.

At its core is the 390 sqm Main Hall, capable of hosting:
- Up to 300 guests in theatre-style setup
- Up to 240 guests for dining and banquet-style events
- Up to 200 guests for cocktail-style receptions
- Up to 144 guests in cluster-round configuration
Enhancing the flexibility of the venue are additional dedicated spaces, including:
- A 110 sqm Veranda Terrace, ideal for welcome receptions, breakout sessions, and pre-event gatherings, accommodating up to 100 guests for cocktail-style events.
- A spacious 1,000 sqm Lawn Space, perfect for large-scale outdoor celebrations, destination weddings, and open-air events, accommodating up to 400 guests for cocktail receptions and up to 350 guests for dining setups.
- The 55 sqm Ekugai Meeting Room, designed for smaller meetings and executive sessions, accommodating up to 30 guests in theatre or dining setup and 24 guests in cluster-round format.
Together, these integrated spaces create a seamless indoor-outdoor event experience, allowing planners to design dynamic and personalised event journeys.
True to the dusitD2 brand’s lifestyle-driven philosophy, Feydhoo Hall introduces a fresh approach to meetings and events — where productivity meets creativity in an inspiring island setting.
The venue offers flexible meeting formats designed to suit different event needs, including:
- Half-Day Meeting Package (4 hours) — ideal for focused sessions, executive meetings, and creative workshops.
- Full-Day Meeting Package (8 hours) — designed for immersive conferences, extended workshops, and large-scale corporate gatherings.
These thoughtfully structured packages provide planners with the flexibility to create impactful and seamless experiences, whether hosting intimate strategy sessions or dynamic full-day events.

Located just seven minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives combines accessibility with vibrant lifestyle energy, offering event planners and guests a rare balance between convenience and tropical escape.
With the introduction of Feydhoo Hall, the resort strengthens its position as a versatile destination — not only for leisure travellers but also for international conferences, creative retreats, luxury weddings, and large-scale social celebrations seeking something refreshingly different in the Maldives.
Business
BBM expands retail presence with new Hulhumalé outlet
Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) opened a new wholesale store in Hulhumalé Phase 2 on Monday.
The outlet is located on the ground floor of Lot 20286, Nirolhu Magu, and is intended to improve access to BBM’s imported goods for residents of Hulhumalé Phase 2 and for businesses operating in the area.
According to the company, the opening forms part of its plan to expand services closer to customers in line with population growth in Hulhumalé.
With the opening of the new store, BBM’s full range of imported and distributed products will be available at the Hulhumalé Phase 2 location. These include consumer goods from international brands such as Lifebuoy, Vaseline and Unilever.
The store will also stock wholesale food products from brands including Daily, Cavin’s and Redman.
BBM has supplied goods to resorts, hotels and retail outlets across the Maldives for several years.
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