Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from February, 2026

President Dr. Muizzu designates 2027 as "Visit Maldives Year”

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has officially designated 2027 as "Visit Maldives Year," signalling the start of a transformative national campaign aimed at elevating the Maldives' tourism sector to unprecedented heights. Delivering the 2026 Presidential Address at the opening of the People’s Majlis, President Muizzu characterized the initiative as a "monumental national endeavour." He emphasized that the campaign will serve as a unified platform, bringing together domestic and international stakeholders to fortify the nation’s primary economic engine. "Tourism remains the gateway of our economy and the primary source of foreign exchange," President Muizzu stated. "Transforming 'Visit Maldives Year' into an inclusive national success is vital to ensuring that the benefits of this industry reach every Maldivian citizen." To achieve the ambitious targets set for 2027, Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) in coordination with a specialised Stee...

Shafraz Naeem’s two underwater records inducted to Maldives Book of Records

Visit Maldives is proud to announce that Maldivian diver Shafraz Naeem has officially secured two prestigious entries in the Maldives Book of Records following the "Across Maldives 2026" expedition. This pioneering initiative, a collaboration between Visit Maldives and Mr. Naeem, has redefined the boundaries of underwater endurance and exploration in the region. The two official Visit Maldives Book of records recognized are: Longest Underwater Distance Covered: A monumental journey totaling 335 kilometers in 2 weeks, completing over 55 dives. Longest Single-Stretch Underwater Traverse: A remarkable 16.5 km continuous dive completed in a single session lasting over 5 hours and 30 minutes. Additionally, his earlier achievement from 2022 - the longest recorded open water scuba dive in the Maldives and the region (50 hour continuous open water scuba dive at Anantara Lagoon, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Maldives tourism and diving) was also inducted into the Book of Recor...

February celebrations at Amilla: a season of love, renewal and shared moments

February at Amilla Maldives unfolds with a gentle rhythm, bringing together moments of romance, reflection and cultural celebration. Set against the calm of the Indian Ocean, the island welcomes the month with thoughtfully curated experiences for Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year, inviting guests to connect, celebrate and simply be. Love is celebrated in unhurried ways at Amilla. On Valentine’s Day, February 14, Couples are invited to savour intimate dining experiences, from candlelit beachfront dinners under the stars to private moments on the sandbank, accompanied by carefully crafted menus and considered service. Wellness rituals designed for two, sunset moments by the sea and bespoke touches throughout the stay create space for connection, presence and shared memories. To mark Chinese New Year, Amilla embraces the spirit of renewal, abundance and togetherness. From 15 to 20 February, guests can enjoy a series of cultural dining experiences inspired by traditional flavours, along...

“Rising from the ashes” lunar beats festival this February at Oaga Art Resort

This February, Oaga Art Resort unveils Lunar Beats Festival, a week-long celebration of rhythm, light, movement, and fire. Taking place from 13 to 20 February 2026, the festival weaves together three powerful moments in Oaga’s cultural calendar: The Concert (Maahefun Edition), Valentine’s Day, and Lunar New Year, into a single, sensory rich story of connection, renewal, and collective energy.   Rooted in Oaga’s artistic soul, Lunar Beats Festival reflects the island’s natural rhythm: a space where people, music, movement, and emotion converge. The Concert: Maahefun Edition At the heart of Lunar Beats Festival lies The Concert: Maahefun Edition, a three-day ticketed concert inspired by Maahefun - the traditional Maldivian feast shared with family, friends, and community before the month of Ramadan. The three days of the festival spotlight a dynamic lineup of local artists including Nish, Faya, Sentu, Soul Salad, Digital Flock, Farey, DJ RA.EE, alongside Oaga’s in-house acts Naffah a...

Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives joins the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) portfolio

Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has announced its official partnership with Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands. This exciting milestone marks a new chapter for the five-star private island resort as it enhances its global visibility and connects with a wider community of discerning travellers seeking authentic, meaningful luxury experiences.   Through this collaboration, Kuda Villingili became part of an exclusive collection of over 950+ hotels across 50 iconic brands in 100 countries, offering the 34 million members of GHA’s award-winning loyalty programme, GHA DISCOVERY, a new gateway to the Maldives and its timeless island charm. A sanctuary where time and space are redefined, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives is celebrated for its elegant overwater and beach villas, the largest swimming pool in the Maldives, eight exceptional dining venues, immersive wellness journeys, world-class surfing at Chicken’s Break, and enriching experie...

Visit Maldives Corporation holds its first quarterly Maldives Tourism Intelligence Briefing for 2026

Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) successfully held the Quarterly Insights: Maldives Tourism Intelligence Briefing (Q1 2026), bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to review tourism performance, share market intelligence, and align on strategic priorities for the year ahead. The Quarterly Insights series provides a platform for timely access to real-time tourism data, emerging travel trends, and forward-looking market insights, while fostering collaboration and dialogue across the sector. The conference commenced with opening remarks from Mr. Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO & Managing Director, who highlighted the strong growth of Maldivian tourism in 2025 and the nation’s rising global profile. Looking ahead, he outlined plans for 2026 as a year of content creation, including the innovative Creatoll platform for content creators and its associated summit, aimed at showcasing the Maldives’ natural and cultural experiences and further strengthening its position as a...

Kuramathi Maldives secures prestigious HolidayCheck Gold Award 2026

Kuramathi Maldives has been recognised with the HolidayCheck Gold Award 2026, highlighting its continued popularity and consistent standards in hospitality. The award is presented to hotels that have demonstrated sustained guest satisfaction, requiring recipients to have earned a HolidayCheck Award at least five times since 2019. This ensures that only establishments maintaining high-quality experiences over several years are acknowledged. General Manager Bertrand Margerie commented on the award, noting the significance of guest feedback: “Being recognised with the HolidayCheck Gold Award 2026 reflects the dedication of our team and the quality of service they provide. Receiving this recognition based on the experiences of our guests makes it particularly meaningful, and we remain committed to maintaining these standards.” Situated in the North Ari Atoll, Kuramathi extends across 1.8 kilometres of tropical landscape. The island features a coral house reef that leads to a sandbank, offe...

From Chinese New Year to iftar: a month of celebrating culture and sustainability in the Maldives at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru & Dhawa Ihuru

This February, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru presents a month shaped by sustainability and festive celebration in the Maldives.   Rooted in Banyan Group’s ethos of Embracing the Environment, Empowering People, the month reflects how island life, heritage and hospitality are deeply connected. Zero-Waste Week | 1–7 February Sustainability in action, built on decades of commitment Zero-Waste Week is not a standalone initiative, but a part of the environmental stewardship that Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru has practised since its opening in 1995.   The week begins with a Mangrove Awareness Talk and a community clean up at Huraa Island in recognition of World Wetlands Day, emphasising the importance of the interrelationship between wetlands, reefs and island ecosystems. This marks the start of a series of guest, local community and associate activities designed to make sustainability visible, practical and approachable.   Key activities throughout the week include: Creative ...

Visit Maldives advances governance, compliance and transparency reforms with strong financial discipline in 2025

Visit Maldives Corporation Limited (VMC) concluded 2025 as a defining year of governance reform, compliance strengthening, and institutional maturity, marked by steady progress in transparency, risk management, and financial discipline across the organisation. The year saw a comprehensive reset of governance structures, aligned with national SOE requiremaents and best practices. VMC formally established an Audit & Risk Committee, a Governance Committee, and a HR & Remuneration Committee, strengthening Board oversight, accountability, and structured decision-making. As part of these reforms, the appointment of a Chief Internal Auditor further reinforced internal controls and assurance mechanisms. For the first time in the corporation’s history, a comprehensive corporate risk registry was introduced, enabling systematic identification, assessment, and mitigation of operational, financial, and compliance risks. Throughout the year, VMC successfully met all Privatization and Corpor...

Family escapes redefined at Ifuru Island Maldives

At Ifuru Island Maldives, family getaways are anything but ordinary. Located in the stunning Raa Atoll, this vibrant island playground invites families to switch off from everyday life and immerse themselves in the perfect combination of relaxation and fun-filled activity. From endless water sports and outdoor adventures to yoga and meditation sessions and creative art classes, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Coconut Kids Club & Water Park The Coconut Kids Club and Little Explorers Club at Ifuru Island are dedicated to creating unforgettable memories for children, keeping them entertained all day long. Parents can relax on the beach, unwind by the pool or discover the resort’s incredible array of leisure activities whilst knowing their kids will be well looked after. The Coconut Kids Club features a water park with interactive splash zones and play areas, offering endless fun for children in a safe environment. Water Sports Lineup Beyond the water park, Ifuru Island offer...

Romance takes centre stage in February for the ‘Month of Love’ at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives

This February, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives invites couples to celebrate romance as part of its fourth annual Month of Love celebration, where it is Valentine’s Day every day. A thoughtful combination of romantic dining, wellness experiences, proposals and adventures set against the natural beauty of the Maldives awaits. Island Romance packages are available from US$548++ per villa per night for two.   At Kandooma, romance is approached in a modern and personal way. Whether marking a proposal, renewing vows, or simply taking time to reconnect, February’s Month of Love offers couples the freedom to shape their experience according to what matters most to them. From intimate beachside moments to unique underwater proposals (starting from US$3,500++ per couple) and elopements by the sea (from US$950++ per couple), each experience is designed to feel meaningful, unhurried, and true to the couple’s story.   Dining sits at the heart of the Month of Love. Throughout February,...

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives welcomes the year of the horse with a thoughtfully curated Chinese New Year celebration

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives invites guests to welcome the Chinese New Year with a refined island celebration taking place from 15 to 20 February 2026. The resort presents a curated programme of dining, wellness, cultural, and family experiences designed to honour the Year of the Horse in a serene and immersive setting. In Chinese culture, the Year of the Horse symbolises strength, vitality, and forward movement which are values that resonate deeply with Alila’s philosophy of purposeful living, personal growth, and meaningful connection to nature. Reflecting this ethos, the resort’s Chinese New Year programme encourages guests to slow down, reconnect, and begin the year with clarity and intention. “At Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, Chinese New Year is a meaningful opportunity to celebrate renewal and togetherness in a way that feels authentic and unhurried,” said Thomas Weber, the General Manager of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives. “Inspired by the Year of the Horse, our celebrations are designed t...