News
Four Seasons Resorts Maldives and “The Mosquito Lady” launch sustainable community mosquito control project
Maldives.net.mv – This August, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives is engaging the support of one of the world’s leading bug-battlers to launch an environmentally responsible mosquito control initiative across 13 island communities in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Known as “The Mosquito Lady,” Trudy Rilling-Collins and her team will lead the pre-emptive six-week Baa Atoll Mosquito and Dengue Fever Control Project, initiated following the success of last year’s pilot program at Four Seasons two Resort islands, and five islands local to the Resorts.
Funded by Four Seasons Resorts Maldives, Trudy and her team of ten volunteers will visit each of the 13 designated Baa Atoll islands in turn, working closely with health officers, schools and other community members to implement effective and sustainable mosquito control solutions. The volunteer team will comprise seven students from the University of California at Santa Cruz and young Maldivian volunteers, who will help facilitate the successful establishment of the project among the local islanders.
The project chiefly involves the identification and eradication of mosquito-breeding sites. In addition to significantly reducing mosquito populations without the use of chemicals, it will also reduce the potential risk of infection from dengue fever (a virus carried by the Aedes aegypti and the Aedes albopictus species) amongst remote island communities.
Trudy was first enlisted by Four Seasons Resorts Maldives in 2011 to provide environmentally friendly solutions to unwanted monsoon-loving guests. Thanks to her highly targeted techniques, Four Seasons has been able to completely eliminate the use of fogging across both of its island Resorts, with the pilot community also experiencing significant reductions in mosquito populations.
The widely used technique of “fogging” – the spraying of harmful neurotoxin-filled insecticides – at best only deals with a small proportion of adult mosquitoes and at worst fails to tackle the more prevalent issue of incubating larvae. In contrast, Trudy’s innovative yet surprisingly uncomplicated methods tackle the root of the problem, eradicating mosquitoes’ watery lairs through regular clean-ups of waterlogged areas (such as stagnant water in tanks, drains and wells), the fitting of screens or filters, and even the addition of fish to wells. “Mosquito eggs can take as little as a week go from egg to biting adults,” Trudy advises. ”So 80-90 per cent of the problem can be solved by targeting breeding grounds.”
Trudy holds a diploma in Pest Management from University of California at Berkeley, and has extensive experience in biological research, and a fervent commitment to halting the toxic effects of pesticides in tropical regions. “The beautiful, ecologically sensitive marine life, essential for tourism, is being degraded by outdated and ineffective chemical-based pest management programs,” she warns. “Not to mention the long-term effects of fogging on human health.”
So far, The Mosquito Lady’s cost-effective common-sense approach has been widely welcomed by all who have experienced its efficacy and sustainability. She acknowledges, however, that the long-term success of her methods relies on the involvement of every individual in the project region. “We spend a lot of time raising local awareness and promoting sustainable health education,” she explains. “But each person will ultimately need to act responsibly for the good of their community.”
Four Seasons Regional Vice President Armando Kraenzlin commented: “Having reaped the benefits of Trudy’s staggeringly successful methods across our own island Resorts, we are delighted to be able to extend her expertise across the wider Baa Atoll community. As joint residents of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, it is essential that we work with our neighbouring islanders to implement methods of control that will help preserve both the natural beauty of the region and the long-term health of its inhabitants and visitors for generations to come.”
Embudu Village, one of Maldives’ most cherished island resorts, has been awarded the Travelife Gold Certification, a globally recognised mark of excellence in sustainable tourism. The certification encompasses a resort’s environmental footprint, impact in the community, as well as labour standards, and the protection of biodiversity.
Embudu Village previously held the Travelife Silver Certification. Following a recent evaluation, though, the resort successfully met Travelife’s comprehensive criteria for Gold Certification. This accomplishment reflects Embudu’s ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism practices.
Travelife, a leading international sustainability certification body for hotels and resorts, evaluates properties against a strict checklist. Certification is awarded after an in-depth, on-site audit conducted by an independent auditor. The findings undergo a comprehensive quality assurance review before Travelife confers certification status.
Expressing his gratitude in receiving the certification, Ramsay Perera, General Manager of Kaimoo Resorts, said: “Our team is thrilled to be recognised with the Travelife Gold Certification. This reflects our longstanding commitment to sustainable tourism and protecting the natural beauty of Maldives.”
As one of the Maldives’ pioneering resorts, Embudu continues to lead by example, proving that authentic island hospitality can go hand in hand with sustainable practices. With the Travelife Gold Certification, Embudu Village strengthens its promise to offer guests a meaningful holiday experience in the heart of the Maldives.
Building on Amilla Maldives’ recognition in the Forbes Travel Guide 2025 Star Awards, Javvu Spa is celebrating its own honour in this prestigious global listing.
Nestled within the island’s lush jungle and bordered by the Indian Ocean, Javvu Spa offers a peaceful retreat where modern wellness gently blends with nature’s rhythms. This recognition is a heartfelt acknowledgement of the spa team’s dedication and Amilla’s ongoing focus on personalised, intuitive care for the wellbeing of its guests.
This honour follows Amilla Maldives’ own recognition in the Forbes Travel Guide 2025 Star Awards, positioning the resort as one of a select group of destinations worldwide to be acknowledged for both its resort and spa. The dual recognition reflects a thoughtful commitment to excellence across the guest experience, from island living to holistic wellness.
Javvu Spa’s inclusion in the 2025 Star Awards further strengthens its role as a leading wellness destination in the Maldives, offering guests a serene sanctuary to restore, reconnect and renew.
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is redefining stress-free travel with a trio of curated, all-inclusive offers across its Maldives properties. Each resort—Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, and Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives—presents a unique experience, ranging from surfside excitement to secluded luxury, with every aspect of the stay carefully bundled for a seamless holiday.
At Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, guests are invited to enjoy five nights of barefoot luxury, with packages starting at USD 3,499 nett for double occupancy in a Water Bungalow or USD 3,999 nett in an Over Water Suite. Tailored for travellers seeking a balance of adventure and relaxation, the offer includes:
- Return speed boat transfers
- A 4-course beach dinner featuring steak or seafood
- A 30-minute spa treatment
- Snorkelling and swimming experiences
- A local island visit
- Unlimited laundry services
- Premium All-Inclusive privileges
For those in search of tranquillity, the adults-only Platinum Wing at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives offers a refined escape. With a minimum stay of seven nights in a Platinum Water Bungalow, the package is available at USD 6,999 nett for double occupancy and features:
- Return seaplane transfers with VIP lounge access
- A 4-course steak or seafood dinner by the beach
- A 45-minute spa treatment
- An island-hopping adventure
- A welcome bottle of wine, fruit basket, and bed decorations
- Unlimited laundry services
- Premium All-Inclusive privileges
At Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, guests can indulge in serene overwater luxury with a seven-night stay starting from USD 6,999 nett for double occupancy in Water Bungalows and higher categories. The package highlights include:
- Return seaplane transfers with VIP lounge access
- Premium All-Inclusive privileges
- A 4-course steak or seafood dinner by the beach
- A 45-minute spa treatment
- An island-hopping adventure
- A dolphin-watching excursion
- Unlimited laundry services
These exclusive offers are available for stays between 1 June and 31 October 2025, with bookings now open.
Whether it’s catching waves at the iconic Pasta Point at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, enjoying a sunset over the tranquil lagoon at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, or exploring the pristine waters surrounding Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, each resort promises a distinct and immersive experience. Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts delivers three unforgettable all-inclusive escapes, designed for effortless relaxation with every detail expertly managed.
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