MALDIVES NEWSLETTER MAY 2020

LATEST NEWS

“Maldives, The Sun Will Shine Again” Facebook Live Event
To Bring Hope As Participants Are Virtually Transported To The Maldives

Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation (MMPRC) invites everyone to join a virtual journey to rediscover memories of the Maldives, while staying at home during these times. “Maldives, the sun will shine again” is a live Facebook event aiming to bring hope and convey that the Maldives is on the road to recovery with the tourism industry getting ready to start welcoming back visitors to the 'Sunny Side of Life'. The three hours of live feed will see well-wishers from around the world including celebrities, opinion leaders, influencers, artists and fans of Maldives in hand with the Maldives tourism industry, famous Maldivian personalities as well as local talents come together to remind viewers “the sun will shine again” in the Maldives. MMPRC has been working on adapting their marketing efforts around the uncertain and evolving situation, having shifted marketing activities greatly to digital platforms.

Save the date and show your love for the Maldives by being part of the Facebook live event on Monday, 8th June 2020 from 20.00 - 23.00hrs Maldives time (BST +4) via: https://www.facebook.com/events/586833138630960/

Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) Hosts A Webinar To Discuss Tourism Marketing Recovery Strategies From COVID-19 Pandemic

Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) in association with Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and TripAdvisor, hosted a webinar titled “React, Rethink, Recover: Destination Management Solutions to the COVID-19 Crisis". The webinar saw more than 300 Maldives tourism marketeers participate and gave valuable insights on practical strategies that can be implemented during the crisis and how destinations can navigate through the pandemic.

 

Bringing the Maldives Closer To You Through Digital Backgrounds

Since millions of people are working from home, video conferencing and virtual desktops have been used more than ever. Wallpapers with incredible landscapes have been the ultimate getaway for many users and Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation (MMPRC) are bringing the Maldives to virtual travellers with stunning wallpapers and backgrounds to spark their wanderlust and dreams of the Maldives. A collection of photos titled “A Window To The Sunny Side” are available for desktops and “Maldives In Your Pocket” wallpapers are available for mobile phones, along with beautiful images for Zoom backgrounds.

Download the virtual backgrounds here: https://visitmaldives.com/en/downloads

 

NEW OPENINGS IN THE MALDIVES

Kagi Maldives Spa Island by CCR: Opening September 2020

Opening in September 2020, Kagi Maldives Spa Island located in the North Malé is a 50-minute boat transfer from Velana International Airport. The resort will house water pool villas, ocean pool villas and beach pool villas, alongside a spa, a piano bar and expansive wine cellar.  

For more information, visit www.kagimaldives.com.

 

RESORT RENOVATIONS IN THE MALDIVES

 

Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences Make Island Improvements

Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences are using the opportunity whilst the resort is closed to make improvements around the island. Projects include: 'The Pentagon', a new hydroponic mushroom hut to provide mushrooms for the resort's restaurants; an Eco Centre featuring a coconut production area to make coconut oil for cooking and spa products; a new glass crusher to reduce glass waste and create glass bricks for construction projects; and a new farm area to grow seasonal produce. Amilla Maldives has also welcomed chickens to provide fresh eggs to the restaurants and the staff have created 'Cluckingham Palace' in the style of a traditional Maldivian dwelling for the chickens to live in.

For more information, visit www.amilla.mv

 

Enhancement Projects Are Underway At The Nautilus, Maldives

During the resort's closure period, The Nautilus have been working on various enhancement projects including a beach and lagoon replenishment programme, Also, the expansion of the resort's Osaco dining area, including the creation of new menus, aims to establish more exciting dining options for guests, when travellers return.

For more information, visit www.thenautilusmaldives.com

 

Seaside Finolhu's Kaleidoscope Inspired Transformation 

Seaside Finolhu has brought forward its transformation plans which started in March and are set to be completed early July. The resort will reopen as the first member of Design Hotels in the Maldives.  Seaside Finolhu's redesign embraces a kaleidoscope design concept with blends of colours and symmetrical patterns, combining Maldivian-inspired touches with luxury modernity. Natural raw materials such as ropes, clay and timbers are being incorporated into the resort's new colour palettes to create visual harmony for future guests.

For more information, visit www.finolhu.com

 

MALDIVES TOGETHER

 

Sun Siyam Properties Embark On An Agricultural Adventure

Udhdhoo Farm Island, just a few minutes away from Sun Aqua Vilu Reef and Sun Aqua Iru Veli resorts, is used to grow local fruits and vegetables such as papaya, watermelon and salad leaves which are then supplied to the two resorts. During this time, the resort teams are regularly visiting Udhdhoo to engage in the farming process and clean the island. In the future, Sun Aqua Vilu Reef and Sun Aqua Iru Veli plan to introduce excursions to Udhdhoo for guests to see the farming first-hand and enjoy a local organic farm island lunch experience.

 For more information, visit www.sunsiyam.com

 

Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Boosts Employee Morale Whilst Giving Back To Nature

The team at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa have been focusing on increasing employee engagement whilst accounting for initiatives to help the environment. Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa has hosted a series of activities such as inter-departmental quizzes for employees and has led environmental movements like tree planting to commemorate World Earth Day and team reef cleaning. The teams have also been enrolling on online training platforms to prioritise staff learning and development.

For more information, visit: www.cinnamonhotels.com

 

Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives Signs MOU With Maldives Business School To Promote Higher Education For Its Employees

Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives and Maldives Business School, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote higher education to the employees of Mӧvenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives by introducing online bachelor's degree programs at the Maldives Business School under the Maldives government's nationwide initiative of the Bachelor's Degree Grant Scheme. The initiatives under this MOU will play a crucial role of advocating academic education while raising employee productivity.

For more information, visit www.movenpick.com

 

Communication And Positivity Are Key For The Secret Paradise Team

Communication and positivity have been key to keeping the team spirit alive for the Secret Paradise team. Each Secret Paradise guide receives a Team Talk email to start the day which include business updates, positive quotes or something to raise a smile. And each day a different member of the team has the responsibility to call each of their colleagues and check all is well, which is proving a favourite part of the day for team members.

For more information, visit www.secretparadise.mv

 

Inspiration From Hummingbird

Hummingbird have been using this time to increase product knowledge of the Maldives by providing weekly virtual FAM trips for over 150 agents. Hummingbird is also in the processes introducing HBT2 - the second version of its online B2B booking engine. The new version integrates with client systems and will showcase 360-degree mapping technology. Working with Gecko Digital, Hummingbird is digitally mapping the Maldives and currently has over 60 hotels completed.  

For more information, visit www.hummingbird.travel

 

Keeping Up The Spirit At Cinnamon Velifushi, Maldives

Cinnamon Velifushi, Maldives have been using this time to keep staff engaged in 'off the job' activities as well as training programmes to keep up their spirit. Cinnamon Velifushi's series of activities started with an inter-departmental quiz, followed by an inter-departmental billiard tournament and an ongoing inter-departmental volleyball tournament. At the same time, a series of Webinars are being conducted for employees, enabling them to continuously learn about the future of hospitality.

For more information, visit www.cinnamonhotels.com

 

CONSERVATION EFFORTS

 

Fushifaru Maldives' Coral Planting Programme

Fushifaru Maldives have implemented a coral planting programme, restoring broken pieces of coral by attaching them onto frames to create new homes for the diverse marine life in the Fushifaru lagoon. The team built an immense coral frame in the shape of a manta which is now filled with rocks, coral, and marine life. Staff were involved in sourcing the rocks, finding broken pieces of coral, and then attaching them onto the frame. Through replanting broken corals, Fushifaru Maldives hopes to strengthen the corals in its lagoon.

For more information, visit www.fushifaru.com

One&Only Reethi Rah And The Olive Ridley Project, Open
First Specialist Turtle Rehabilitation Habitat In The North Malé Atoll

One&Only Reethi Rah, in partnership with charity The Olive Ridley Project, has opened the first specialist turtle rehabilitation habitat in the North Malé Atoll to care for injured sea turtles rescued from the ocean. The first turtle patient named Azura, is estimated to be 15-20 years old, weighing 19kg and was found entangled in ghost nets in Baa Atoll. The Olive Ridley Project works to protect the turtle population of the Indian Ocean through research, removal of ghost nets, awareness, and education. Since the beginning of 2015, One&Only Reethi Rah have rescued eight sea turtles found entangled in nets and has funded medical care for the rescued turtles.

For more information, visit www.oneandonlyresorts.com

 

Six Senses Laamu, Maldives Launches Home-Based Junior Marine Biology Programme

Budding conservationists can opt for a new type of home school programme offered by Six Senses Laamu's marine biology team. Each week, the team introduce manta rays, coral, turtles and reef fish, and families can explore seagrass and mangroves and learn how they are vital habitats for supporting a diversity of marine life. Broader topics cover science research, sustainability and how to stay involved over the longer term. The course aims to help foster an understanding of marine biology and show first-hand the importance of marine conservation. The resources can be found online, and students are encouraged to share their homework by email.

For more information, visit www.sixsenses.com  

 

VIRTUAL VACATIONS

 

Joali Sparks Joy With Its 'Joy of Living at Home' Initiative

Joali has launched its 'Joy of Living at Home' initiative to inspire virtual holidaymakers with IGTV yoga sessions, tips for entertaining kids at home, as well as healthy food and cocktail recipes from the Maldives. Virtual travellers can learn how to make Joali's coconut puffs and parmesan truffle gnocchi, while enjoying a movie night using Joali's list of family-friendly films.

For more information, visit www.joali.com

 

'Powered By Plants' Recipes from Gili Lankanfushi

Given the current necessity for time spent at home, the team at Gili Lankanfushi have shared their 'Powered by Plants' recipes.  Drawing inspiration from Maldivian culinary traditions and born out of a desire to honour their natural surroundings, Gili's Executive Chef Hari Govindarai has crafted a series of colourful and balanced plant-based dishes such as the Garden Green Gazpacho and the Pan-Seared Vegan Scallops.

For more information, visit www.gili-lankanfushi.com

 

Anantara Dhigu DIY Home Spa Offering

Anantara Dhigu is inviting virtual guests to recreate a spa day at home, complete with meditation videos and top spa tips from the resort's spa director. Anantara Dhigu has provided virtual spa-goers with a DIY coconut spice skin scrub recipe to help them take care of their skin whilst at home. A combination of grated coconut, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a sprinkle of salt make for a full body exfoliation that is quick, easy and effective.

For more information, visit www.anantara.com

 

Livestream A Sunset From The Residence Maldives

The Residence Maldives is streaming live sunsets on Instagram at @theresidencemaldives, inviting audiences to join them to watch the evening skies and capture the sounds of the Indian Ocean. The livestream takes place every Saturday from The Residence Falhumaafushi at 6pm Maldives Time (BST +4) and every Wednesday from The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah at 6pm Maldives Time (BST +4).

For more information, visit www.cenizaro.com

 

Learn How To Cook A Pan-Latin Recipe From
The Elephant and the Butterfly At Hard Rock Hotel Maldives

Budding chefs can recreate tastes from Hard Rock Hotel Maldives' Pan-Latin restaurant The Elephant and Butterfly, starting with its Pollo Antichuco – a grilled chicken skewer and pita dish with chipotle marinade. Stay-at-home diners will need three skewers, 150g chicken thigh (raw), 70g chipotle tamarind marinade, 40g lime, one pita bread, some chives for garish and oil for cooking. Skewer before service and have them ready to cook.

For more information, visit www.hardrockhotels.com

 

Edible Delights From Coco Collection

Coco Collection is offering edible delights to virtual travellers straight from their resorts. Chef Faiz Idress at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu has shared two traditional recipes for Suji – a recipe made up of semolina, almonds, an onion, black raisins and condensed milk as well as spices such as cinnamon and cardamom pods – and Maskurolhi – a dish best served with rice porridge or eaten with roshi. As well, Coco Collection in collaboration with Edible Stories has created an Edible Spa menu. Usually used on Coco Bodu Hithi island, Coco Collection has made this available for virtual holidaymakers. The Edible Spa menu features treatment such as a Mango Smoothie Mask, a Banana Ice-Cream Wrap and a Chocolate Cake Scrub.  

For more information, visit www.cococollection.com

 

Enjoy 'Good Moods, Good Energy and Good Health'
With The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives' TONIC Menu

Inspired by its TONIC spa deck and adults only-pool with a swim-up wellness bar where mixologists create tonics made from herbs and plants, the Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives' TONIC menu offers stay-at-home travellers the chance to embark on a wellness journey from their own kitchen. Recipes for a 'Passion Dream Elixir' or a 'Rose Petal & Rosemary Sparkling Tonic' among others, are packed with superfoods, prebiotics, and antioxidants that help boost immunity, aid digestion and balance hormones.

For more information, visit www.standardhotels.com