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Visit Maldives Showcases the Vibrant Maldives Underwater World at Moscow Dive Show 2024

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Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/ Visit Maldives) is showcasing the vibrant Maldives underwater world at the Moscow Dive Show 2024 alongside 4 industry partners. Taking place from 08 to 11 February 2024 at the “Gostinyi Dvor” Exhibition Centre in Moscow, Russia, the event marks a pivotal opportunity for engaging with both the B2B and B2C clientele in the dive and underwater segments of Russia.

The Moscow Dive Show stands as the preeminent exhibition in Russia and CIS, focusing on equipment, tourism, and training for individuals passionate about an active lifestyle and water-based sports. Diving, spearfishing, freediving, and underwater photography form the core activities at the exhibition, attracting a diverse audience of industry professionals and enthusiasts alike. The event serves as a crucial platform for industry partners to unveil their latest plans, establish collaborations with new partners, and strengthen existing ties within the Russian and CIS markets.

Visitors to the Moscow Dive Show include underwater and  watersports  enthusiasts; qualified activity instructors; potential business partners engaging in wholesale equipment purchases and direct hotel and safari yacht bookings; as well as industry professionals and consumers. The event presents opportune access to qualified travel buyers, influencers, and market professionals through the B2B and B2C facets.

MMPRC aims to showcase the diversity of the Maldives underwater at the Moscow Dive Show this year. The Maldives, blessed with an abundance of marine life and diverse seascapes is renowned worldwide as a leading dive destination. Over 2,000 marine species and special diving spots in each atoll with many undiscovered areas remain ready  to explore. The Maldives offers the rare opportunity to witness awe-inspiring whale sharks throughout the year and is a known hotspot for many types of marine animals such as

manta rays, turtles, and nudibranchs. Travellers visiting our beautiful destination can expect a wide array of experiences tailored for diving and watersports enthusiasts.

Visit Maldives has a comprehensive strategy tailored to the Russian market to ensure a robust destination presence. This includes the reinforcement of the Maldives’ brand through amplifying social media presence through influencers, ambient outdoor advertisements, coverage in publications facilitated by familiarisation trips, and ad campaigns across social and conventional media. The campaigns strategically employ local languages to create affinity and increase market penetration, with a special emphasis on leveraging social media and communication platforms that are most popular within Russia, such as VK, Telegram, and Facebook in order to maintain a consistent and engaging online presence.

Russia has proven to be a significant source market for the Maldives. In 2022, the Maldives welcomed 201,954 visitors from Russia, securing its position as the top source market. This trend continued in 2023, with 208,041 arrivals as the 2nd top source market of the year. Visit Maldives conducted and participated in various activities last year for this market, including participation in the Moscow Dive Show, conducting social media marketing initiatives, engagements with luxury travel partners, joint marketing promotions with esteemed partners like Kompass Tour, as well as collaborations with Kazakh bloggers. Activities in the pipeline for the first quarter of this  year  includes  joint  marketing promotions, familiarisation trips, and other strategic initiatives to further  solidify  our presence in the Russian market as a top of mind destination.

Awards

Lily Beach Resort & Spa wins Leading F&B Resort at South Asian Travel Awards 2025

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Lily Beach Resort & Spa has been recognised as the Leading F&B Resort at the South Asian Travel Awards 2025, held in Colombo. The accolade reinforces the resort’s position as a destination where culinary excellence is at the heart of every guest experience.

Central to the resort’s success is its renowned Platinum All-Inclusive Plan, a comprehensive concept that offers guests access to a range of premium experiences. The plan includes à la carte dining across several speciality restaurants, unlimited premium wines and spirits, French Champagne such as Taittinger, themed buffets, private dining experiences, and selected excursions. Designed to elevate each stay, it allows guests to indulge fully without additional charges.

Lily Beach offers an array of distinctive restaurants and bars:

  • Lily Maa, the main restaurant, features extensive buffets and live cooking stations.
  • Tamarind presents refined Indian-Thai fusion cuisine in an elegant overwater setting.
  • AQVA serves light fare and cocktails in a relaxed beachfront atmosphere.
  • Teppanyaki delivers interactive Japanese dining, combining artistry and theatre.
  • Les Turquoise d’Aqua provides a fine dining experience under the stars.
  • The Spirit Bar, set beside the ocean, offers a tranquil space for sundowners and late-night drinks.
  • Vibes combines a family-friendly pool, games area, and evening entertainment.

The resort’s culinary achievements have earned it continued recognition. In 2024, Lily Beach received the Wine Spectator Award for its exceptional wine cellar and sommelier programme, further affirming its place among the world’s leading resort dining destinations.

General Manager Laurent Driole expressed pride in the achievement, noting: “This award is a tribute to the vision, dedication, and artistry of our F&B team. Every menu, drink, and moment is crafted to delight, and to offer our guests a culinary journey as exceptional as the Maldives itself.”

The award for Leading Food & Beverage Resort is seen as a reflection of the passion and commitment of Lily Beach’s entire culinary team. Under the leadership of Executive Chef Alessio Biondi and F&B Director Adam Shareef, dishes are prepared using the finest ingredients sourced globally, ensuring guests enjoy the highest standards of quality. Their commitment to creativity and innovation means that every visit offers something new—both for first-time guests and returning visitors.

Equally vital to this success are the service teams who bring warmth and personality to each dining experience. Their genuine care and hospitality create a relaxed, homely atmosphere that embodies the essence of Lily Beach—a place where guests feel welcomed as part of a community.

With this latest recognition, Lily Beach continues to define the all-inclusive luxury segment in the Maldives, combining world-class gastronomy, seamless inclusions, and authentic Maldivian hospitality to deliver experiences that remain both refined and heartfelt.

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Awards

Readers’ favourites: Anantara Kihavah, Niyama Private Islands earn top honours in Condé Nast Traveler 2025 Awards

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Two Minor Hotels’ Maldivian resorts — Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas and Niyama Private Islands Maldives — have been recognised among the best in the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, one of the travel industry’s most respected accolades.

The two resorts, both under Minor Hotels’ luxury Anantara brand portfolio, were featured in the Indian Ocean category of this year’s awards. Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas was ranked No. 9 by readers of Condé Nast Traveller UK, while Niyama Private Islands Maldives secured the No. 10 spot in Condé Nast Traveler US.

These rankings reaffirm the enduring appeal of Minor Hotels’ Maldivian portfolio, celebrated for combining exceptional natural settings with world-class hospitality and distinctive guest experiences.

Located in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas offers a blend of barefoot luxury and marine discovery. The resort is renowned for its award-winning underwater restaurant, SEA, and a diverse collection of private pool villas surrounded by one of the archipelago’s most vibrant house reefs.

Meanwhile, Niyama Private Islands Maldives, set across twin islands Play and Chill in Dhaalu Atoll, continues to define laid-back luxury in the Indian Ocean. Known for its pioneering underwater club Subsix, family-friendly vibe, and innovative wellness and dining concepts, the resort offers an experience where adventure meets serenity.

“These accolades reflect the passion and dedication of our teams across the Maldives,” said Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO of Minor International, the parent company of Minor Hotels. “We are proud to see our Maldivian resorts recognised by travellers from around the world, reaffirming their status among the most desirable island destinations globally.”

The 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards highlight Minor Hotels’ growing global presence, with a total of 45 accolades across its Anantara, Avani, NH Collection, and Elewana brands — the group’s strongest performance to date.

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Villa Park invites travellers to enjoy up to 20% off Maldivian escapes

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Villa Park invites travellers to experience the warmth and wonder of the Maldives this winter with its Winter Escape Offer, giving guests up to 20% off stays. Set in the South Ari Atoll, one of the country’s largest natural islands, Villa Park blends adventure, relaxation, and genuine Maldivian hospitality across a lush landscape surrounded by turquoise lagoons.

Guests can choose from family beach villas, beach pool villas, and water villas, each designed to capture the island’s light and tranquillity. The highlight of the resort’s collection is the Two-Bedroom Beach Pool House, the largest residence on the island, featuring a private pool, ocean views, and direct beach access. It is the ideal choice for families or friends seeking space, privacy, and comfort.

Recognised as one of the Best Family Resorts in the Maldives by the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2025, Villa Park is home to the Park Players Kids Club, the largest in the Maldives. The club offers creative workshops, outdoor adventures, and engaging activities that inspire imagination and connection for children of all ages.

Days at Villa Park are filled with discovery, from whale shark excursions in the nearby marine reserve to treetop dining at ZERO, the island’s garden-to-fork restaurant where ingredients are grown on site. The Araamu Spa offers a peaceful sanctuary inspired by traditional Maldivian healing practices, while sunset cruises and beachside cocktails add to the rhythm of island life.

Sustainability is at the heart of Villa Park’s philosophy. The Green Key-certified resort produces solar energy to power island operations and runs a hydroponic garden that supplies fresh produce to its kitchens. It also operates an in-house glass-bottle facility to eliminate single-use plastics and has implemented comprehensive recycling and waste management systems. These efforts ensure that each stay supports a healthier, more sustainable Maldives.

Guests who book directly at villaresorts.com enjoy exclusive benefits, flexible booking terms, and the best available rates.

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