Travel
Hainan Airlines Starts Flights from Beijing to Malé
Maldives Promotion House – Hainan Airlines started direct service between Beijing and the Maldives. Hainan Airlines will link Beijing and Malé twice a week on Boeing 767-300ER aircraft offering 34 seats in business class and 199 in economy. Flights take off from Beijing, the capital of China on Tuesday, and Saturdays at 9:00 and lands at 14:35 and depart at 15:50 from Maldives will reach Beijing the next day at 3:00. An additional flight on Friday will be scheduled in early January.
This is the first direct scheduled flights between the two cities while Mega Maldives operates charter flights on this route. Other connections between China and the Maldives include China Southern Airlines (from Guangzhou), China Eastern Airlines (from Kunming and Chengdu) and Shanghai Airlines (from Shanghai), as well as, Singapore Airlines , Bangkok Airways and Korean Air with with stopover flights.
Ranked five stars by SkyTrax , Hainan Airlines operates a fleet of 93 aircraft to over 90 destinations, mainly in China but also in Europe (Berlin, Brussels, Budapest and Zurich), Africa (Cairo, Khartoum and Luanda) and North America (Vancouver, Seattle). It shares its code with Aerosvit , Air Berlin ,Brussels Airlines , Garuda Indonesia , Hong Kong Express Airways , Malev and Rossiya Airlines .
Arrival of Chinese tourists to Maldives has grown tremendously since getting Approved Destination Status (ADS) in 2002 from the Chinese government. The Maldives received 120,000 Chinese tourists in 2010, representing an increase of 96 percent from a year earlier and making China the number one source of foreign tourists.
Data from the Maldives Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture shows that the number of Chinese tourists to the Maldives accounted for 15 percent of the total international tourists to the country in 2010, ranking first among all countries and followed by the United Kingdom with 114,000 tourists, Italy, Germany and France.
Chinese tourists to the Maldives are expected to set a new high in 2011. As 126,561 tourists from China arrived in Maldives up to August, Chinese share in the Maldivian tourism market has increased by 21 percent with 22,827 tourists arriving in the country last month alone.
Celebration
Mindful festive escape: Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa focuses on connection and renewal
This festive season, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa will welcome guests to a celebration of warmth, wonder and mindful connection. From 19 December 2025 to 7 January 2026, the resort will transform into a serene island sanctuary where nature, gastronomy and meaningful experiences come together in harmony.
Situated in one of the most untouched atolls of the Maldives, Huvadhu Atoll, Hadahaa embodies a refined simplicity that showcases the beauty of the natural world. Throughout the festive period, guests are invited to slow down, reconnect and rediscover the joy of being fully present, surrounded by turquoise waters, lush island greenery and Maldivian hospitality.
“The festive season at Hadahaa is more than a celebration — it’s a homecoming,” said Anshul Sharma, General Manager of Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa. “It’s a time to reflect, to celebrate togetherness and to embrace the island’s timeless rhythm where nature and joy coexist effortlessly.”
Highlights of the Festive Season:
- Holiday splendour and timeless traditions – From the twinkling lights of the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony to the New Year’s Eve Countdown by the Beach, each event is shaped by the understated elegance that defines Park Hyatt. Familiar festive traditions are reinterpreted with authentic island touches, creating celebrations that feel both comforting and renewed.
- Beneath the holiday surface – Adventure enthusiasts will be able to join Festive Snorkelling and Diving excursions, Turtle Quests and an Exclusive Christmas Night Dive. Each marine experience offers a deeper connection to the ocean’s vibrant ecosystem, enhanced by the festive spirit of exploration.
- Season of renewal – Guests can restore body and mind with holistic spa journeys at The Vidhun Spa, featuring Ayurveda-inspired treatments, island botanicals and festive rituals designed to support inner balance. The resort will also host Dr Jyoti Kodwani, founder of The Sacred Chakras, for a month-long Festive Wellness Residency offering transformative healing therapies.
- Festive flavours and family moments – From Barefoot BBQs by the Bay to elevated treehouse dining beneath the stars, dining experiences are designed to become lasting memories. Younger guests can take part in creative workshops, treasure hunts and Santa’s seaside arrival, ensuring special moments for families and guests of all ages.
This year, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa’s festive programme captures the essence of renewal and joy, celebrating life’s simplest pleasures with a blend of sophistication and soul.
Meditation
Journey to restorative wellness: Amilla Maldives hosts renowned visiting practitioners
Amilla Maldives welcomes guests to experience the expertise of three Visiting Practitioners, each offering personalised sessions to restore balance, nurture presence, and support holistic wellbeing amid the island’s tranquil surroundings.
Until 7 December 2025, Kattia Mendoza, creator of Unmasking Arts™ and KI·OM® Bodywork, offers somatic movement, breath coaching, Osteo-Thai bodywork, and conscious communication. Private sessions like KI·OM® Bodywork, Nervous System Release, and Osteo-Thai Massage help release tension and restore mobility, while group and complimentary classes, including Somatic Breath Meditation and the Unmasking Arts™ Circle, foster emotional clarity and mindful connection.
From 10 December 2025 to 20 January 2026, Jang Kanlayanee brings over 25 years of expertise in Thai, Ayurvedic, and Western wellness practices. Treatments such as Chi Nei Tsang, Body Alignment Massage, Face and Neck Therapy, Reiki, and sound healing restore energy and harmony. Guests can also join group or complimentary sessions including Tai Chi, Sound Bath, Chakra Energy Assessment, and private yoga for holistic wellbeing.
From 20 December 2025 to 20 January 2026, Dr Shreejit Ghadigaonkar, an Ayurveda doctor and yoga expert from India, offers personalised consultations and a range of traditional therapies to restore balance and vitality. Complementary wellness sessions provide guidance on managing stress, improving sleep, and aligning lifestyle habits with the body’s natural rhythms, leaving guests feeling refreshed and renewed.
During their residencies, Kattia, Jang, and Dr Shreejit invite guests to slow down, reconnect, and explore restorative experiences that leave body, mind, and spirit refreshed within the calm rhythm of island life.
Awards
Multiple wins for JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll at World Luxury Travel Awards 2025
JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort is celebrating its success at the 2025 World Luxury Travel Awards, where it has been honoured with multiple titles, including Luxury Beach Resort and Luxury Villa Resort. These accolades reaffirm its position as one of the world’s distinguished luxury destinations and highlight the resort’s dedication to exceptional service, innovative design and memorable guest experiences in the heart of the Indian Ocean.
Nestled in the Emboodhu Finolhu lagoon, just 15 minutes from Velana International Airport, the five-star resort received further prestigious recognition across several categories, strengthening its reputation as a premier luxury destination in the region. The resort was named Best Luxury New Resort in the Indian Ocean, Best Luxury Family Beach Resort in the Maldives, and Best Luxury Island Resort as a Global Winner.
Complementing the resort’s success, Spa by JW also achieved international acclaim, receiving three awards that underscore its harmonious blend of tranquillity, contemporary innovation and exceptional design. The spa was recognised for Best Interior Design in the Indian Ocean, Best Luxury Oceanview Spa in the Indian Ocean, and Best Luxury Overwater Spa as a Global Winner.
“These honours reflect our team’s commitment to delivering exceptional experiences and personalised service to every guest,” said Srikanth Devarapalli, General Manager of JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort. “At our resort, modern luxury is complemented by authentic Maldivian warmth, where every detail — from design to service — is thoughtfully crafted to create memorable moments and meaningful connections.”
JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort offers a serene island escape with expansive overwater and beach pool villas, world-class dining and the award-winning Spa by JW, where guests are invited to unwind in complete serenity while enjoying panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.
Established in 2006, the World Luxury Travel Awards celebrate excellence across all sectors of the luxury travel and tourism industry. The recognition of JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort among this year’s global winners further reinforces its status as one of the world’s leaders in luxury hospitality.
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