Featured
Cora Cora becomes Maldives’ first and only resort to have all-female airport welcome team
Since its opening late last year, Cora Cora Maldives has always been an innovator! The resort’s ‘It’s Freedom Time’ ethos is at the core of everything the luxury five-star resort does, and Cora Cora Maldives has become the very first and only resort in the destination to have an all-female airport welcoming team.
Manager Rifga and her remarkable team of ladies; Jamsheedha, Nadheema, and Lomra are leading the way in Maldivian female empowerment. Aged between 25 and 34, the fabulous airport team is an inspiration to Maldivian women and young girls everywhere, illustrating that Maldivian women can have a successful career and hold management positions should they wish.
Cora Cora Maldives is changing the game and leading the charge for other resorts to (hopefully) follow. By ensuring an all-women team is on-hand at the airport to assist guests, not only are they providing their guests with exemplary customer service to start their holiday off in a relaxing manner, but they are also showing the entire world that female empowerment and equality is a top priority for Cora Cora Maldives. With their great abilities in terms of empathy, precise communication, and networking skills, the all-female airport greeting team have already shown their fantastic value for Cora Cora Maldives and make guests feel welcome the moment they step off the plane.
Justin Swart, the General Manager of Cora Cora Maldives enthuses, “It’s not easy for women in Male to find good jobs and hopefully we have set the standard, and this will encourage more women to seek employment and managerial roles. The Cora Cora Maldives all-women airport team are excellent at handling the incredibly logistically complex and high-pressure job they face at Velana International Airport. We have received only positive feedback from our guests regarding our ground handling team and are therefore immensely proud of the team who we see as our ambassadors 200km away from the island that is responsible for ‘the first and last impression’ of Cora Cora Maldives.”
Cora Cora Maldives offers its guests a one-of-a-kind immersive Maldivian cultural, experiential, and culinary experience. Comprising of 100 villas, four restaurants, two bars, MokshaÒ Spa and Wellbeing Center, water sports & diving center, gym, overwater yoga pavilion, outdoor cinema, kids’ club, and Dutch Onion Art Gallery. Cora Cora Maldives is 45-minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport or 30 minutes by domestic flight followed by a 20-minute speedboat journey. Cora Cora Maldives is the ultimate idyllic, island escape.
For more information, visit www.coracoraresorts.com
Awards
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo wins triple honours at World Luxury Awards 2025
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort has received three titles at the 2025 World Luxury Awards, named Luxury Adults Only Resort, Luxury Island Resort, and Luxury Cultural Resort in the Indian Ocean.
The awards highlight the brand’s focus on locally rooted hospitality, with stays shaped by place, service and community. The resort presents Maldivian culture through curated experiences, pairing contemporary comforts with island traditions.
Positioned as an adults-only retreat, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo integrates culinary influences and cultural programming to offer guests a stay informed by the rhythm of local life and delivered with consistent service standards.
“These awards are a true reflection of our team’s passion for creating experiences that feel both local and memorable. Every detail, from the design to the service, is guided by the authenticity that defines Mercure. We are grateful to our guests for being part of this journey,” said Riaan Drever, Cluster General Manager.
The World Luxury Awards recognise excellence in global hospitality, honouring properties that consistently deliver strong guest experiences and celebrate diversity across the travel sector.
Awards
Hat-trick for Pullman Maldives Maamutaa at 2025 World Luxury Awards
Pullman Maldives Maamutaa has received three honours at the 2025 World Luxury Awards, securing titles for Best Luxury All-Inclusive Hotel, Best Luxury Wellness Hotel, and Best Luxury Family Hotel in the Indian Ocean.
The awards underscore the resort’s approach to experience-led hospitality, combining design, wellbeing and guest engagement. The recognition also reflects Pullman’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity and sustainability, which sit at the centre of the brand’s strategy.
Since opening, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa has developed an all-inclusive offering that brings together adventure, wellness and a close connection to the natural environment. Its portfolio includes an underwater villa, wellness concepts and family-oriented experiences.
“We are honoured to receive this recognition at the 2025 World Luxury Awards. These awards celebrate the heart of what we do—creating inspiring moments for every guest, whether they come to reconnect, recharge, or simply play. This achievement belongs to our incredible team, whose passion and dedication make Pullman Maldives Maamutaa what it is today,” said Riaan Drever, Cluster General Manager.
The World Luxury Awards recognise excellence in global hospitality, highlighting hotels that consistently deliver strong guest experiences and demonstrate innovation in service and design.
Featured
Halloween at Sun Siyam Iru Veli turns fantasy, not fright
Sun Siyam Iru Veli marked Halloween with a one-day island celebration, “Whimsy Over Wicked,” reimagining the tradition of fright as a fairytale of fantasy on 31 October. The programme invited guests of all ages to immerse themselves in themed workshops, entertainment, and dining experiences designed to encourage creativity and the joy of make-believe.
At the Turtle Kidz Club, children joined a full-house Pumpkin Workshop, decorating pumpkins with gemstones, bright colours, and playful patterns. As the sun set over Fresh Water Beach, the festivities shifted to a Masquerade Evening, where guests enjoyed island beats and signature cocktails and mocktails against a golden horizon. The celebration continued at Turtle Beach with a Beach BBQ Dinner, presenting a Halloween-inspired menu in a storybook setting with live music by the sea.
The night concluded with a private “Cinema Under the Stars” screening, offering an open-air experience that captured the spirit of the occasion.
Through “Whimsy Over Wicked,” Sun Siyam Iru Veli highlighted creativity, connection, and the island’s natural setting. Guests departed with memories shaped by laughter, imagination, and a shared celebration under the Maldivian night sky.
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