News
Kandooma champions collaboration as cornerstone of sustainability progress
At a time when the global tourism industry is being called upon to take greater responsibility for its environmental and social footprint, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is reinforcing a clear message: meaningful sustainability progress is not possible in isolation. Collaboration, transparency and partnerships are essential to achieving long-term impact.
In 2025, the resort placed sustainability and regeneration firmly at the centre of its operations, taking the decisive step to be independently audited as part of the process to achieve Green Globe certification. According to General Manager Mark Eletr, the process underscored the importance of working alongside like-minded partners to tackle some of the Maldives’ most complex sustainability challenges – particularly waste management.
“Waste is one of the most difficult aspects of sustainability for any island resort, but it is also a destination-wide challenge,” said Eletr. “As an archipelago, the Maldives faces unique constraints, and no single resort can solve these issues alone. Collective effort and shared responsibility are critical.”
Eletr emphasises that guest education is a critical first step in effective waste management and resource conservation, alongside working closely with procurement partners to reduce packaging and replace materials such as polystyrene and single-use plastics with more sustainable alternatives.
“It’s an uncomfortable reality we face, but education is fundamental to addressing these challenges,” he said.
“Many visitors don’t always realise that the Maldives is an island nation where each resort operates like a self-contained village, responsible for everything from wastewater treatment and drinking-water production to the management of all waste streams. There are no quick fixes – only sustained action, cooperation, and a collective willingness to rethink how we operate.”
He cites a simple but powerful example: “In many of our guests’ home countries, waste systems are highly advanced, with compulsory recycling, careful sorting, and specialised collection for hazardous items such as batteries. Here in the Maldives, we do not yet have safe, large-scale facilities to process certain materials. That is why we ask guests to take used batteries home with them, where they can be disposed of responsibly through established recycling systems.”
Rather than viewing these challenges as insurmountable, Kandooma has embraced collaboration as a catalyst for progress. While the resort acknowledges it is still early in its journey, Eletr believes sharing both successes and lessons learned is vital.
“For us at Kandooma, building partnerships has been transformative. Even small wins matter if they encourage others to take their first steps, adapt our ideas, or find solutions that work for them,” he said. “Opening ourselves up to scrutiny and criticism is part of that process. If we keep our efforts behind closed doors, we miss the opportunity to inspire change or discover better solutions together.”
During the Green Globe audit, Kandooma’s partnerships were closely examined, highlighting the role collaboration plays in strengthening sustainability outcomes.
In 2024, the resort partnered with Parley for the Oceans, supporting the Maldives tourism industry’s commitment to Parley’s AIR strategy – Avoid, Intercept, Redesign. Through this ongoing partnership, Kandooma actively intercepts plastic waste, participates in clean-ups on uninhabited islands, and continues to reduce single-use plastics across its operations, something that IHG Hotels & Resorts embraces globally as part of its Journey to Tomorrow.
In 2025, the resort established a partnership with Secure Bag, a company that purchases waste materials and transforms them into new, usable products. Guided by the belief that every resource deserves a second life, this collaboration supports a circular economy approach, reducing landfill impact while giving materials renewed purpose and value.
As a four-star resort, Kandooma recognises it does not have the same resources as ultra-luxury properties. Instead, it has embraced creativity and collaboration to support causes aligned with its values. One such partnership is with the Manta Trust, an organisation dedicated to the conservation of manta rays and their habitats.
Unable to fund a full-time, tertiary-qualified marine biologist on-site, the resort developed an alternative approach that engages guests directly. Kandooma introduced a collection of silver and gold manta ray pendants, with US$5 from every piece sold, donated to the Manta Trust.
“It’s a modest contribution, but it’s realistic, sustainable for our business, and it sparks conversations with our guests,” Eletr explained. “It brings people into the story of what we’re trying to protect and why it matters.”
Beyond this donation based effort, the resort also hosts the annual “Manta Month” each September to draw more attention to the graceful creatures which can be observed in their natural environment in the waters surrounding Kandooma.
As part of its commitment to openness, Kandooma has developed a publicly available Sustainability Guide, outlining key initiatives, partnerships and actions across environmental, social and governance areas. The guide known as the Green Book is accessible online and designed to inform guests, partners and industry peers alike.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is proud to be Green Globe certified, joining a global community of tourism businesses meeting one of the industry’s most respected sustainability standards. Green Globe certification requires verified compliance with more than 40 rigorous criteria covering environmental stewardship, social responsibility, cultural heritage and sustainable management, with a strong emphasis on transparency, continuous improvement and measurable outcomes.
Looking ahead, Kandooma remains committed to strengthening partnerships, engaging guests in responsible travel choices, and contributing positively to the protection of the Maldives’ unique natural and cultural heritage.
For more information, visit the resort’s website.
News
InterContinental Maldives marks brand’s 80th anniversary with Michelin-starred culinary collaboration
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort will mark InterContinental’s 80th anniversary with a rare four-hands culinary collaboration, in partnership with InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort and its Michelin-starred restaurant La Maison 1888. Taking place from 18 to 20 November at The Lighthouse restaurant, the three-night guest dinner series will bring together the creative talent behind two of InterContinental’s most distinctive resort destinations for an elevated celebration of travel, gastronomy and cultural connection.
Set against the turquoise waters of Raa Atoll in the Maldives, the collaboration will transform The Lighthouse into a stage for an intimate culinary journey shaped by flavours from the island of Maamunagau and the forested cliffs of Vietnam’s Son Tra Peninsula. Across three evenings, guests will experience a refined menu, pairing the contemporary French-style cuisine of La Maison 1888, Central Vietnam’s only One Michelin star restaurant, with the fresh seafood and Mediterranean flavours of The Lighthouse.
The series will see the culinary team from La Maison 1888 travel from Vietnam to the Maldives to collaborate with Chef Arun Sivasankaran, Executive Chef of InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, and his team. Bringing more than 20 years of experience across luxury hotels and island resorts, Chef Arun will lend his ingredient-led approach, refined technique and deep understanding of destination dining to a limited-edition menu. La Maison 1888’s Chef de Cuisine, Jean-Louis Angulo, will bring his classical fine-dining expertise to the island, shaped by training at some of the world’s most famous hotels.
At The Lighthouse, guests will be invited to settle into an elegant dinner with panoramic views over the Indian Ocean. The menu will spotlight refined technique, premium seasonal ingredients, ocean-led flavours and thoughtful pairings. The setting, known for its 360-degree vistas and overwater location, provides an atmospheric backdrop for a collaboration designed to appeal to discerning travellers seeking immersive culinary moments within a luxury island setting.
The upcoming dinner series highlights the connection between two landmark InterContinental resorts during the brand’s 80th year, inviting guests to travel between destinations through taste, storytelling and shared craftsmanship.
“This exciting collaboration is a celebration of the InterContinental spirit: bringing cultures, people and experiences together in beautiful destinations. We are delighted to welcome the team from InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort to The Lighthouse, to create an experience that reflects the elegance of both resorts and the culinary ambition our guests seek when they travel,” said Reinhold Johann, General Manager InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort.
Available for three nights only (18, 19, 20 November 2026), the guest dinner series will be hosted at The Lighthouse at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort. Reservations are required, with further menu details and booking information to be announced soon.
For inquiries and reservations, please visit maldives.intercontinental.com/twelve-pearls-of-the-ocean or email reservations.icmaldives@ihg.com.
There are few images more closely associated with the Maldives than a villa suspended above a turquoise lagoon. For travellers dreaming of the islands, the water villa has become an icon in its own right, a private place above the sea, where mornings begin with the sound of water and the lagoon is just a few steps away.
Against this backdrop, Baros Maldives has been named Indian Ocean’s Leading Water Villa Resort 2026 at the World Travel Awards, recognising its distinctive collection of overwater villas and the experience they offer above and within the lagoon.
At Baros, life over the water is wonderfully simple. The Water Villas are designed around a close connection with the sea, each with its own private deck and direct access to the lagoon. From here, guests can slip into the water for an early morning swim, snorkel across the reef or simply sit back and watch the changing colours of the Indian Ocean.
For those seeking a little more space and a private pool, the Water Pool Villas bring together the best of both worlds.
At 126 square metres, each villa offers generous space and privacy, with a private pool overlooking the lagoon and the sea stretching endlessly beyond.
But perhaps what makes the Baros water villa experience truly distinctive is what lies beneath.
Baros is a small island and its house reef is remarkably close to the Water Villas. Within minutes of leaving the villa, guests can find themselves among coral gardens and tropical marine life, discovering the underwater world that has always been at the heart of Baros. Overwater living is not simply about being above the sea, it is about being immersed in it.
It is this effortless connection between villa, lagoon and reef that makes the Water Villas at Baros so special. The setting is spectacular, but the experience is unhurried and deeply personal: barefoot mornings, afternoons spent in the water and evenings watching the sun disappear into the horizon.
The award was presented by the World Travel Awards, one of the travel industry’s most established international awards programmes, recognising excellence across hotels, resorts and travel businesses worldwide through votes from travel professionals and the public.
“We are very pleased to receive this award,” says Ibrahim Faisal, Sales Manager at Baros Maldives. “The water villas have always been an important part of the Baros experience and we are proud to see them recognised in such a competitive destination. The setting speaks for itself, but it is our team who bring the experience to life and make each stay memorable for our guests.”
At Baros, there is no need to look far for the sea. It is beneath your feet, beyond your deck and all around the island.
And perhaps that is the enduring appeal of a Baros Water Villa: the luxury of having the Indian Ocean as your backyard, your swimming pool and your view.
Life here remains intentionally uncomplicated. A small island to explore barefoot, a reef just moments away, a villa above the lagoon and time to simply enjoy being here.
For booking enquiries, please contact reservations@baros.com or call +960 664 2672.
Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort has received five nominations at the Luxury Childcare Association Awards 2026, with recognition spanning sustainable childcare, children’s programming, family experiences, childcare facilities, and baby and toddler care.
The nominations place particular focus on the breadth of Finolhu’s family offering, which has been developed to cater to different stages of childhood rather than centring on a single children’s programme. Alongside dedicated facilities for younger guests, the resort has separate spaces and activities for teenagers, as well as experiences designed for families to enjoy together.
The resort’s Kids Club forms the centre of its younger guests’ programme, combining indoor and outdoor spaces with a changing schedule of creative workshops, games, sports and island-inspired activities. Rather than being entirely removed from the destination, elements of the programme draw on Finolhu’s surroundings, introducing children to the natural environment through activities connected to the island and ocean.
Older children have their own dedicated space at the Teens Hut, conceived as a more independent and informal alternative to the Kids Club. Games, entertainment and social activities give teenagers a place to spend time together, while the separation between the two facilities allows programming to be adapted more closely to different ages and interests.
Provision for babies and toddlers is another element of the resort’s family infrastructure, with dedicated childcare services and age-appropriate facilities intended to make longer stays in the Maldives more practical for families with very young children. This is complemented by family-friendly amenities across the resort, allowing parents to balance time together with opportunities for children to take part in supervised activities.
Finolhu’s setting within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve also plays a role in its approach to younger guests. Marine education and environmental awareness are incorporated into selected activities, connecting children with the ecosystem surrounding the island. These experiences sit alongside the resort’s wider conservation work, including its coral restoration programme, which maintains two coral nurseries with more than 40 coral trees and has worked with thousands of coral fragments.
Beyond organised childcare, much of the family experience takes place outdoors. Finolhu’s two-kilometre sandbank, beaches and lagoon provide the setting for watersports and island activities, while creative workshops, recreational facilities and entertainment offer alternatives away from the water. The intention is to give families the flexibility to alternate between shared experiences and age-specific activities throughout their stay.
The five nominations at the Luxury Childcare Association Awards reflect this broader approach. Finolhu is nominated for Excellence in Sustainable Childcare, Excellence in Children’s Programming, Excellence in Family Experiences, Excellence in Childcare Facilities and Excellence in Baby & Toddler Care, covering areas that range from physical facilities and supervised care to programming and environmental engagement.
For a resort long associated with its “Island Playground” character, the nominations highlight how that concept extends to its youngest visitors, with dedicated spaces for children and teenagers alongside experiences shaped by the distinctive natural setting of Baa Atoll.
For more information and to learn more, please visit finolhu.com.
-
News1 week agoSun Siyam marks Golden Week across Iru Veli, Vilu Reef with dining and island experiences
-
News6 days agoLe Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa celebrates World Wellness Weekend with three-day wellness programme
-
Family1 week agoReethi Faru Resort celebrates Halloween with family activities and costume party
-
Business1 week agoBBM’s ‘Studio of Culinary Excellence’ opens at MNU to bridge classroom, industry
-
News1 week agoNova Maldives invites independent travellers to reconnect during Solo Traveller Month
-
News4 days agoAman names Maldives debut Amanolu, with opening planned for 2028
-
Meditation7 days agoCanareef Resort Maldives expands yoga and holistic wellness experiences
-
Awards1 week agoFinolhu wins Best Design Resort in Maldives at Global Destination Awards