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Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, Kind Traveler to help rescue injured sea turtles with Olive Ridley Project
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu joins Kind Traveler, the first socially conscious Give + Get hotel booking platform that empowers travellers to positively impact the communities they visit. Travellers unlock special rates & perks with curated Kind Hotels upon a $10 donation to a local charity that positively impacts the community visited, or to charity of choice on Kind Traveler. 100 percent of the donation is given to charity creating a triple win amongst the traveller, charity, and hotel.
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu has long been collaborating with the Olive Ridley Project to help rescue and rehabilitate injured sea turtles. Sea turtles often suffer devastating injuries from entanglement in marine debris, swallowing fishing hooks, boat strikes, or being kept inappropriately as a pet. Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is home to the Olive Ridley Project Marine Turtle Rescue Centre, the first veterinarian-led turtle rescue centre in the Maldives to treat these injured creatures. Fully equipped with a laboratory, x-ray and ultrasound machines, an endoscope, and surgical facilities, the centre has rehabilitated and released over 107 turtles back into the wild since its opening in 2017.
By offering exclusive rates as a reward for donations, guests make a conscientious decision to stay at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and support the Olive Ridley Project.
A $10 donation to the Olive Ridley Project will help fund the charity’s core charitable objectives, which includes expanding their rescue and rehabilitation efforts and furthering the understanding of sea turtle veterinary care.
Nearly 70 percent of travellers polled in Booking’s 2021 Sustainable Travel Study want to know their travel dollars are benefitting the communities they visit.
The partnership between Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, the Olive Ridley Project, and Kind Traveler aims to make it easy for travellers to make conscientious, sustainable travel decisions that support the local community.
In terms of the hotel profile, Kind Traveler highlights each property in a meaningful way by connecting the traveller with the local community impact opportunity and ‘Kind Factors’ – the term used to describe how the
hotel is advancing individual wellness, sustainability, and community impact. This unique way of telling the hotel’s story reinforces a commitment to social responsibility, at a time when transparency is expected from today’s travellers and consumers.
Some of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu’s notable Kind Factors include an in-house water purification and glass bottling plant to reduce the use of single-use plastic, a Chef’s Garden where they grow their own fruits, herbs, and vegetables, a coral gardening project to replant and revive their coral reefs, and the use of local materials and craftwork such as traditional Maldivian lacquer work. Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is also a nesting site for green sea turtles, with the onsite Marine Biologist working together with the Olive Ridley Project to protect and record these nests until hatching.
“We are thrilled to become a Kind Hotel by partnering with a like-minded platform that puts sustainable and eco-conscious tourism at the forefront,” said Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu General Manager Siraj Ali Waseem. “This partnership also allows us to further strengthen our support of the Olive Ridley Project and the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre on the resort, and it gives our guests more ways to engage with the charity and their amazing work.”
“Our win-win platform offers opportunities for meaningful community impact for everyone involved,” said Kind Traveler CEO & Co-Founder Jessica Blotter. “For travellers, they fulfil a desire to give back and create a more purpose-driven travel experience – while supporting hotels and charities that are making a positive impact in the world. For hotels, they cultivate new relationships with conscious, responsible travellers and take another step towards creating a more sustainable and regenerative travel experience. Charities receive 100% of donations and a new, sustainable channel for fundraising.”
For more information on how Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu has partnered with Kind Traveler to empower community impact, visit Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu on Kind Traveler.
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives will mark the festive season with a programme that combines charitable initiatives with its sustainability commitments. Guests will be invited to donate, run, paddle and plant in support of local community and environmental projects, alongside dining experiences that highlight Maldivian produce.
Under its World of Care commitments, the resort has adopted initiatives to improve the school experience for children at R. Maduvvari School on the neighbouring island and to protect the surrounding marine ecosystem. Participation in the season’s activities will contribute directly to these programmes.
From 25 December 2025 to 7 January 2026, guests may purchase wrapped gifts from a Christmas Charity Surprise Tree, with all proceeds directed to the resort’s charitable causes.
On 27 December 2025, Euro Divers will lead a coral-planting session within the house reef. The activity forms part of an ongoing conservation effort to strengthen reef resilience by increasing coral diversity through the careful planting of hardy coral fragments.
Seasalt restaurant will host a “Boat to Table” beachfront barbecue on 28 December 2025 and 4 January 2026. The buffet will feature seafood such as giant tuna sashimi, ceviche and grilled fish prepared from the day’s catch supplied by local fishermen, reflecting the resort’s focus on local sourcing and support for the Raa Atoll community.
A Charity Kayak Race will take place on 30 December 2025 and 5 January 2026. Entry will be by voluntary donation, with funds supporting enhancements at the R. Maduvvari pre-school.
On 2 January 2026, the programme will conclude with a Charity Island Fun Run around the island. Branded t-shirts will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the resort’s community initiatives.
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.
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.
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