Featured
Anna Karas launches AK Communications: A new era in marketing and branding
Anna Karas, a seasoned Marketing Communications professional with a diverse international background in the luxury travel and visual communication sectors, has recently launched AK Communications, a dynamic marketing communications and branding agency. With a wealth of experience and expertise in B2B and B2C marketing, digital marketing, graphic design, and Public Relations, including collaborations with international media and PR agencies, Anna Karas is set to revolutionize the way businesses approach their marketing strategies.
Education has played a crucial role in shaping Anna Karas’s career. She holds a Master’s Degree in English Linguistics from the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, which has provided her with a solid foundation in effective communication. Additionally, she obtained a Diploma in Visual Communication from the prestigious London College of Communication, University of the Arts London, in 2008, enhancing her skills in delivering impactful visual messaging.
Anna Karas’s professional journey spans over a decade, during which she has worked with some of the most prominent hospitality brands in the industry. As the Director of Marketing & Communications at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi and Mövenpick Kuredhivaru Resort Maldives, she showcased her strategic prowess and helped elevate the brands to new heights. Her role as Cluster Director of Marketing & Public Relations at AYANA Hotels in Indonesia (Bali and Labuan Bajo) and Director of Communications & Public Relations at W Hotels Maldives further solidified her expertise in creating compelling marketing campaigns and managing successful PR initiatives. Anna also served as the PR & Marketing Manager at Warwick Hotel Dubai and the Area Marketing Communications Manager at Anantara Hotels & Resorts, where she honed her skills in driving brand awareness and fostering strategic partnerships.
At AK Communications, Anna Karas shares her passion for delivering impactful results with her over a decade of experience in luxury hospitality. Together with other collaborators, she works collaboratively to develop innovative marketing strategies tailored to each client’s unique needs, and offer an even wider spectrum of services. Whether it’s refining brand positioning, creating engaging digital marketing campaigns, or implementing effective PR initiatives, AK Communications is committed to helping businesses achieve their commercial goals and stay ahead in today’s competitive landscape.
In her new venture, Anna expressed her enthusiasm for focusing on her extensive knowledge of the Maldives luxury hospitality sector, a place that has truly become her second home.
With Anna Karas’s extensive experience, international exposure, and creative vision, AK Communications is poised to make a significant impact in the marketing and branding industry. By combining strategic thinking, cutting-edge techniques, and a deep understanding of consumer behavior, AK Communications sets out to create memorable experiences that resonate with target audiences and drive tangible business outcomes.
As businesses navigate an increasingly complex and ever-evolving marketing landscape, AK Communications stands as a reliable partner, ready to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that arise. With their expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence, Anna Karas and her team are poised to lead businesses towards success and shape the future of marketing and branding.
To explore more about AK Communications, visit www.ak-communications.com
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Eri Maldives offers accessible reef diving and snorkelling
Eri Maldives is located within the waters of North Malé Atoll and is surrounded by a house reef accessible to both beginner and experienced divers. With four direct reef entry points and shore access, the resort offers opportunities for snorkelling, introductory dives and certified diving.
The house reef supports a range of marine life, including white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, hawksbill turtles, mobula rays and spotted eagle rays, as well as schools of reef fish. The accessibility of the reef allows guests to explore the area over multiple days, providing opportunities to observe marine behaviour and habitats over time.
Turtle encounters
Hawksbill turtles are among the most frequently observed species on the reef. The resort’s dive team has identified 14 individual turtles, each recognised by shell patterns and physical features. These include turtles known as Rosie, Cara and Anna, which have been documented through repeated sightings.
The resort maintains records of these turtles, allowing returning guests to identify individuals over time. Guests may also contribute to this initiative by naming newly identified turtles that have not previously been recorded.
Manta ray season
From December to April, manta rays are known to visit cleaning stations at Bodu Hithi Thila, located approximately one hour by boat from the resort. During this period, ocean conditions support plankton flows that attract mantas to the area, where they can be observed feeding or visiting cleaning stations.
Night diving experiences
Night snorkelling and diving activities provide a different perspective on reef activity. Species such as reef sharks, trevallies, moray eels and nurse sharks become more active after dark, offering guests the opportunity to observe nocturnal marine behaviour.
At Eri Maldives, marine experiences form a central part of the guest offering, with the house reef providing consistent opportunities for exploration. The resort’s dive programme is designed to support repeated interaction with the marine environment, allowing guests to experience a range of underwater activity throughout their stay.
Accommodation is available in studio and beach villa categories, with full board packages offered for direct bookings, subject to availability.
Featured
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives collaborates with Maldivian artist Ahmed Aleem
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives, Autograph Collection has announced a collaboration with Ahmed Aleem Shakoor, who is currently in residence at the resort, introducing a creative element to the guest experience.
Aleem, a self-taught artist, is known for work that combines maritime themes, surrealism and symbolism. His practice spans watercolours, acrylics and mixed media, drawing inspiration from the Maldives’ history and ocean landscapes, often expressed through the use of light, depth and narrative.
During his residency, Aleem is working with the resort to develop a series of artistic and cultural experiences aimed at engaging guests. These include live painting sessions, informal interactions with the artist and workshops designed to encourage creative participation.
The programme forms part of the resort’s wider activities, with offerings such as mini canvas painting, coconut painting and creative art sessions available to guests. In addition, Tales Painted in Sunlight combines elements of Maldivian folklore, storytelling and visual art, providing further insight into local culture.
The collaboration reflects the resort’s approach to incorporating local artistic talent into its programming, while offering guests opportunities to engage with creative activities in a relaxed setting. The residency is designed to allow guests to explore artistic expression as part of their island experience.
As part of its seasonal programme, selected artistic activities are also included in the resort’s Easter offerings, providing additional opportunities for guests to take part in creative experiences during their stay.
Awards
Amilla Maldives wins ‘Most OutThere Initiative’ award for Inclusive Travel
Amilla Maldives has been named a joint winner in the Most OutThere Initiative in Inclusive Travel category at the Experientialist Awards 2026, following a Highly Commended recognition in the same category in 2025.
The Experientialist Awards recognise organisations shaping travel through inclusivity, individuality and design, with the inclusive travel category highlighting initiatives that address not only accessibility, but also how journeys are experienced by guests.
At Amilla Maldives, accessibility is integrated into the overall guest experience. The resort adopts an approach that begins at the planning stage and continues throughout the stay, with a focus on understanding individual guest needs and adapting experiences accordingly.
Aligned with its In Harmony with Purpose philosophy, the resort has introduced a range of measures aimed at improving accessibility. These include villa features designed for ease of use, accessible pathways across the island and adaptive experiences such as inclusive snorkelling and wellness sessions.
As an IncluCare Verified resort, Amilla Maldives continues to develop its offering through feedback and collaboration, with the aim of enhancing inclusivity across its operations.
Commenting on the recognition, Morgan Martinello said the resort remains focused on creating travel experiences that feel natural and accessible. He noted that the continued recognition reflects the resort’s ongoing efforts to improve inclusivity.
The award from OutThere, a platform focused on diversity and inclusion in travel, marks a further step in the resort’s efforts to create accessible and inclusive guest experiences.
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