Author: OceanAtolls

Dubai-based Samana Developers has introduced its inaugural luxury branded residences project in the Maldives, worth $598 million. The project, Samana Ocean Views, will include 190 high-end units such as beachfront villas, over-water bungalows, and apartments with pools, all designed by Elie Saab. Covering 507,651 square feet, the project is slated for completion by 2029.

Situated near Hanimaadhoo Airport, the property is accessible via a 20-minute speedboat ride or a 45-minute seaplane journey from Malé. Amenities will include a wellness spa, multiple swimming pools, a fitness centre, and dining options offering Arabic and Japanese cuisines. Additional features are water-sports facilities, a dive centre, and entertainment for families, with a focus on sustainability through coral restoration initiatives.

Having delivered over 1,000 units and constructing another 10,000, Samana Developers is a top player in Dubai’s real estate market. CEO Imran Farooq noted that the company’s expertise is reflected in the unique design and luxury of the Maldives project. Meanwhile, Elie Saab Jr. highlighted the development as a major milestone in expanding the brand’s global presence to exclusive destinations

Sun Siyam Resorts proudly received the 2024 Target Taste Award for ‘Overseas Island Hotel Group’ during the prestigious awards ceremony held in December 2024 in Beijing. The event, organised by Target Taste, a renowned Chinese luxury lifestyle magazine, celebrated innovation and excellence in the luxury lifestyle industry under the theme ‘Revolutionise and Innovate.’

The award recognises Sun Siyam Resorts for its exceptional guest experiences, sustainable practices, and innovative contributions to redefining island luxury. Ashley Zhang, Regional Marketing & Communications Manager for China, accepted the award, which marks a significant achievement for the group.

Claudia Klingbeil, Group Director of PR & Communications at Sun Siyam Resorts, expressed gratitude, stating that the award reflects the team’s dedication to creating unforgettable guest experiences and drives their ongoing commitment to innovation.

Since its establishment in 2013, Target Taste has celebrated leaders in luxury, making its awards a symbol of excellence and innovation in the hospitality sector.

The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) announced the Maldives Carnival 2025, named ‘Maldives Mahautsav,’ organised by Pickyourtrail and endorsed by Visit Maldives. Held from January 11th to 12th, 2025, at Ambience Mall in Gurgaon, India, the event was inaugurated by Aishath Azeema, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives to India.

The two-day event showcased the Maldives’ unique offerings through 17 resort booths, interactive activities, and immersive experiences. Pickyourtrail representatives provided personalised travel advice and highlighted luxury stays, destination weddings, honeymoons, and family vacations tailored to Indian travelers. The carnival also coincided with North India’s peak wedding season, promoting the Maldives as a top-tier destination for weddings and romantic getaways.

Pickyourtrail, a travel-tech platform founded in 2014, specialises in personalised itineraries and seamless trip planning for international destinations, including the Maldives. The platform, recognised with the Best Holiday Brand award in 2024, partnered with resorts to strengthen connections between travel stakeholders and potential buyers during the event.

Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has achieved remarkable recognition, earning two prestigious awards that underscore its commitment to luxury and exceptional guest experiences. Located in North Malé Atoll, the five-star resort was recently named “Reader’s Favourite Overseas Hotel” at the 2024 Travel + Leisure China Travel Awards and “Best Luxury Resort of the Year” by the Travelling Scope Star Hotel Awards. These accolades further cement its position as a global leader in luxury hospitality.

The Travel + Leisure China Travel Awards were established over a decade ago as an extension of the globally respected Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. With a comprehensive evaluation process that includes public voting, expert reviews, and editorial audits, the awards serve as a benchmark for excellence in the travel industry. Similarly, the Travelling Scope Star Awards, hosted by China’s longest-running travel publication, celebrate innovation and excellence in the travel sector, inspiring progress within the industry.

Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director of Kuda Villingili Resort, expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, “These awards reflect our dedication to delivering world-class luxury and service. The Chinese market remains vital to us, and we aim to continuously enhance our offerings for our Chinese guests while ensuring unforgettable experiences for all visitors.”

Located just 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort offers a tranquil tropical escape. Guests can enjoy 75 luxurious villas, including beach and overwater options with private pools. The resort boasts the Maldives’ largest pool—a 150-meter feature with jacuzzis, children’s areas, and an Olympic-size lap section that doubles as a starlit dining venue at night. Dining options include seven restaurants and three bars, showcasing global cuisines such as Mediterranean and Peruvian-Japanese fusion, alongside a whisky and cigar lounge with the Maldives’ largest whisky collection.

For relaxation, the resort features a spa with eight ocean-view treatment villas inspired by South Asian therapies. Adventurous activities include surfing, diving, and e-foil rides, while tennis, padel tennis, and a kids’ club provide options for all ages. The resort’s exceptional offerings were also recognized by Condé Nast Traveller’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards, ranking 8th among the best resorts in the Indian Ocean.

More than just a destination, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives serves as a welcoming sanctuary for couples, families, and solo travellers alike, offering personalized experiences and a harmonious blend of luxury and comfort.

The Maldives Customs Seaport Division recently extended en-route clearance services to passengers and crew aboard the Crystal Symphony, marking the first cruise liner to visit the Maldives this year.

The vessel, which set sail from the Seychelles, arrived in the Maldives on Thursday. During its stopover, customs officers facilitated the clearance process for 216 passengers and 416 crew members, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience.

The Crystal Symphony is the third cruise liner to visit the Maldives this season. Earlier, the MS Norwegian Sky and MS Riviera brought thousands of tourists to the country late last month.

The MS Norwegian Sky, registered in the Bahamas, docked in Malé with 1,872 passengers, while the MS Riviera, registered in the Marshall Islands, arrived with 2,004 passengers.

These visits highlight the Maldives’ growing popularity as a cruise destination, contributing to the country’s thriving tourism industry.

Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, reached a historic milestone on Monday by introducing its first wide-body aircraft, an Airbus A330, at Velana International Airport (VIA). This marks the airline’s entry into wide-body aircraft operations.

The launch event was a grand affair, starting with an air show featuring other Maldivian flights. The highlight was the Airbus A330’s arrival, greeted with much fanfare. President Mohamed Muizzu and Ibrahim Ghiyas, the Managing Director of Island Aviation Services, were present to welcome the crew. Following the warm reception, President Muizzu took a tour of the aircraft to experience its features firsthand.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ibrahim Ghiyas emphasized the significance of this achievement for the airline. He stated that introducing the wide-body aircraft is a major step forward, paving the way for Maldivian to expand its international routes and strengthen its presence in global markets.

As part of its expansion strategy, Maldivian is set to launch direct flights to three major Chinese cities—Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu—later this month. Ghiyas proudly noted that Maldivian’s own employees were part of the crew operating the new Airbus A330.

Key details about the aircraft and its role were shared during the event:

• The Airbus A330 accommodates 264 passengers across first class, business class, and economy class.
• It has the capacity to transport up to 10 tons of air cargo, offering new possibilities for trade and commerce.
• With the addition of a second wide-body aircraft, the airline aims to bring over 65,000 tourists to the Maldives each year.

This initiative fulfills a pledge made by the President and was approved by the cabinet in December 2023. The agreement to acquire the aircraft was finalized in July 2024, making this accomplishment a testament to the government’s commitment to enhancing the nation’s aviation sector.

The Maldives is poised to achieve its annual tourism target of 2 million visitors, with the milestone expected to be reached this Thursday. Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal announced that as of December 21, the country had welcomed 1.96 million tourists.

According to recent statistics from the Ministry of Tourism, an average of 6,259 tourists have been arriving daily this month, representing a 7.2% increase compared to the same period last year. Over the year, the Maldives has maintained a daily average of 5,531 arrivals, reaffirming its status as a highly sought-after travel destination.

In 2024, China has emerged as the leading tourist market, contributing 260,940 visitors. Other major markets include Russia, with 216,092 arrivals; the United Kingdom, with 173,939; Germany, with 151,298; and Italy, with 133,736 visitors. Meanwhile, the Indian market, which held the top spot for the past three years, has experienced a decline, recording 126,055 visitors this year.

Despite increases in departure taxes and airport development fees, along with the implementation of a higher green tax and a rise in the TGST on tourism services from 16% to 17% earlier this year, the Maldives has continued to attract a record number of tourists. On average, visitors spend 7.7 nights in the Maldives, underscoring the enduring allure of the country’s luxury resorts and pristine natural beauty.

As the year draws to a close, these record-breaking figures highlight the ongoing success of the Maldives’ tourism industry and its ability to captivate travelers from around the world.

The Maldives has long been synonymous with romance, earning its place in Condé Nast Traveller’s prestigious list of the ‘Most Romantic Places in the World.’ The magazine celebrates the archipelago’s unparalleled ability to craft dreamlike escapes for couples, setting an unmatched standard for intimate getaways.

From the moment visitors arrive, the Maldives enchants with its natural beauty and unique experiences. Crystal-clear lagoons teem with vibrant tropical fish, while overwater villas provide breathtaking views of manta rays gliding beneath the surface. Luxurious touches such as floating breakfasts served in private pools and intimate dinners on pristine beaches create the perfect setting for romance.

Condé Nast Traveller emphasizes that although the Maldives caters to families, its romantic essence remains unparalleled. Private island resorts, nestled within lush jungles and surrounded by house reefs, redefine luxury. The combination of world-class spas, fine dining, and starlit experiences perfectly blends natural beauty with bespoke hospitality.

Highlighting some of the Maldives’ most celebrated resorts, the magazine features:

• Vakkaru Maldives: A tropical haven where couples can enjoy a private dinner and movie at the island’s jungle cinema beneath the stars.
• Six Senses Laamu: Known for its exceptional spa experience, including a couples’ suite designed for ultimate relaxation.
• Gili Lankanfushi Maldives: This eco-luxury resort epitomizes romantic elegance with overwater villas set against one of the country’s most mesmerizing lagoons.

For hoteliers and hospitality professionals in the Maldives, this recognition underscores the destination’s timeless allure as a romantic sanctuary. It highlights the importance of delivering world-class service, curating unique guest experiences, and preserving the pristine natural environment that defines the Maldives.

The acknowledgment from Condé Nast Traveller is more than an accolade; it is an opportunity for local hoteliers to solidify the Maldives’ status as the ultimate destination for couples seeking a secluded, romantic escape.

As the Maldives continues to set benchmarks in luxury hospitality, its reputation as a lovers’ paradise is destined to grow stronger. For the industry, this serves as both a celebration of the archipelago’s unique offerings and a call to ensure every guest departs with cherished memories as enduring as the turquoise waters surrounding them.

The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) and the National Boating Association of Maldives (NBAM) showcased the stunning underwater world of the Maldives at the Diving & Resort Travel Expo (DRT Show) 2024.

Held from December 13th to 15th, 2024, in Hong Kong, the event featured participation from six companies within the Maldives tourism industry alongside Visit Maldives and NBAM. These companies included Carpe Diem Maldives Pvt Ltd, Marselia Maldives, Voyages Maldives Pvt Ltd, Divescape Maldives Pvt Ltd, Highrise (Floating Asia & Maldives Marine Expo), and Noorani Travels Pvt Ltd.

The DRT Show is a renowned international platform that connects professionals in diving and marine tourism. It served as an excellent opportunity to present the Maldives as a leading destination for diving and marine tourism while showcasing the latest innovations in the industry. The expo also allowed the Maldives’ representatives to share up-to-date information on the nation’s diving sector with B2B travel trade professionals.

Visit Maldives leveraged the DRT Show to highlight its diverse tourism offerings, including resorts, guesthouses, liveaboards, and hotels, in addition to the country’s exceptional diving services and unique underwater experiences. Collaborating with industry partners, Visit Maldives aimed to unveil new developments, engage with international tourism suppliers and buyers, and strengthen existing relationships in the market. The event also provided a vital platform to promote individual properties and share the latest updates with Hong Kong’s travel trade community and beyond.

Hong Kong remains a significant market for the Maldives within the region. Visit Maldives continues to enhance its presence in this market through a comprehensive 360-degree marketing strategy. Notably, the Maldives welcomed the first direct flight from Hong Kong since 2020 earlier this year.

Additionally, Visit Maldives has carried out several marketing initiatives targeting the Chinese market, including a China webinar series, events in Fujian, celebrations for the Xiamen and China Eastern flights, campaigns with Red, participation in the PATA Annual Summit Panel Discussion, ITB China, an MOU with Fliggy, a KOL FAM trip in collaboration with PADI, the Golden Week Campaign, and the Discover Maldives Webinar series.

To maintain a strong digital presence, Visit Maldives remains active on Chinese social media platforms such as Weibo and WeChat. These targeted marketing efforts aim to position the Maldives as the ultimate travel destination for the region.