Latest Profiles
Shaping first impressions: Hussain Waheed on two decades of service at One&Only Reethi Rah
By Maaish Mohamed and Mariyam Saliya Mohamed When Hussain Waheed joined One&Only Reethi Rah in 2002, he could not have imagined that more than two decades later he would still be at the forefront of shaping the guest journey at one of the Maldives’ most recognised resorts. Today, as Airport Manager, he is one of […]
Seven years, one dream: Mariyam Malaak becomes Maldives’ first female pilot cadet from cabin crew
When Mariyam Malaak steps into the cockpit of a Manta Air seaplane on 1 December 2025, she will be doing far more than beginning her first day as a First Officer. She will be closing a seven-year chapter of perseverance—one marked by setbacks, sacrifices, shifting continents, motherhood, and an unwavering belief in the dream she […]
Breaking barriers, building futures: Nus-ha Hassan’s mission to empower Maldivian women
When Nus-ha Hassan left her home island in Addu, a career in hospitality was the last thing on her mind. “I never thought I would be working in a resort,” she said. “But I wanted to get out of my local island because there was nothing for us there. I didn’t want to work in […]
Legacy in Laamu: Marteyne van Well on building culture of care, continuity, commitment
When Six Senses Laamu was named “CSR Programme of the Year” at the 2025 Hotelier Maldives Awards, it was more than just an industry accolade. For Regional General Manager Marteyne van Well, who has been at the helm since the resort’s opening week in 2011, the recognition affirmed over a decade of purpose-driven leadership grounded […]
Finding purpose through wellness: I Gusti Ayu Ariani at Cora Cora Maldives
When I Gusti Ayu Ariani arrived in the Maldives for the first time in 2009, she had little idea that the islands would become her second home. Sixteen years later, she manages MOKSHA® Spa & Wellbeing Centre at Cora Cora Maldives and has been recognised as Wellness Personality of the Year at the Hotelier Maldives […]
JOALI Maldives’ Shameem Ali: Local expertise, global impact for reef conservation
For nearly two decades, Shameem Ali has dedicated his professional life to understanding and protecting the coral reefs of the Maldives. His journey began in 2005, when he joined Banyan Tree as a marine environmental officer. Looking back, he recalls that his interest in marine life started even earlier, when he became concerned about what […]
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Interviews
Shaping first impressions: Hussain Waheed on two decades of service at One&Only Reethi Rah
By Maaish Mohamed and Mariyam Saliya Mohamed When Hussain Waheed joined One&Only Reethi Rah in 2002, he could not have imagined that more than two decades later he would still be at the forefront of shaping the guest journey at one of the Maldives’ most recognised resorts. Today, as Airport Manager, he is one of […]
Seven years, one dream: Mariyam Malaak becomes Maldives’ first female pilot cadet from cabin crew
When Mariyam Malaak steps into the cockpit of a Manta Air seaplane on 1 December 2025, she will be doing far more than beginning her first day as a First Officer. She will be closing a seven-year chapter of perseverance—one marked by setbacks, sacrifices, shifting continents, motherhood, and an unwavering belief in the dream she […]
Breaking barriers, building futures: Nus-ha Hassan’s mission to empower Maldivian women
When Nus-ha Hassan left her home island in Addu, a career in hospitality was the last thing on her mind. “I never thought I would be working in a resort,” she said. “But I wanted to get out of my local island because there was nothing for us there. I didn’t want to work in […]
Legacy in Laamu: Marteyne van Well on building culture of care, continuity, commitment
When Six Senses Laamu was named “CSR Programme of the Year” at the 2025 Hotelier Maldives Awards, it was more than just an industry accolade. For Regional General Manager Marteyne van Well, who has been at the helm since the resort’s opening week in 2011, the recognition affirmed over a decade of purpose-driven leadership grounded […]
Finding purpose through wellness: I Gusti Ayu Ariani at Cora Cora Maldives
When I Gusti Ayu Ariani arrived in the Maldives for the first time in 2009, she had little idea that the islands would become her second home. Sixteen years later, she manages MOKSHA® Spa & Wellbeing Centre at Cora Cora Maldives and has been recognised as Wellness Personality of the Year at the Hotelier Maldives […]
JOALI Maldives’ Shameem Ali: Local expertise, global impact for reef conservation
For nearly two decades, Shameem Ali has dedicated his professional life to understanding and protecting the coral reefs of the Maldives. His journey began in 2005, when he joined Banyan Tree as a marine environmental officer. Looking back, he recalls that his interest in marine life started even earlier, when he became concerned about what […]
Nurturing family experiences: JOALI Maldives’ Mariyam Hana on crafting experiences for younger guests
In JOALI Maldives, Mariyam Hana leads the Kids Club with a vision shaped by both professional experience and personal conviction. With a career that has taken her from front office operations to managing one of the most distinctive family programmes in the country, Hana’s career reflects the evolution of Maldivian hospitality and the growing role […]
Chronicling the skies: Ahmed Mohamed’s definitive history of Maldivian aviation
For a nation of over a thousand islands scattered across the vast Indian Ocean, the story of the Maldives is inextricably linked to the story of its connection with the world. While the sea has been its lifeblood for centuries, it is the sky that has truly shaped its modern identity. The roar of a […]
Women in Hospitality
Seven years, one dream: Mariyam Malaak becomes Maldives’ first female pilot cadet from cabin crew
When Mariyam Malaak steps into the cockpit of a Manta Air seaplane on 1 December 2025, she will be doing far more than beginning her first day as a First Officer. She will be closing a seven-year chapter of perseverance—one marked by setbacks, sacrifices, shifting continents, motherhood, and an unwavering belief in the dream she […]
Breaking barriers, building futures: Nus-ha Hassan’s mission to empower Maldivian women
When Nus-ha Hassan left her home island in Addu, a career in hospitality was the last thing on her mind. “I never thought I would be working in a resort,” she said. “But I wanted to get out of my local island because there was nothing for us there. I didn’t want to work in […]
Finding purpose through wellness: I Gusti Ayu Ariani at Cora Cora Maldives
When I Gusti Ayu Ariani arrived in the Maldives for the first time in 2009, she had little idea that the islands would become her second home. Sixteen years later, she manages MOKSHA® Spa & Wellbeing Centre at Cora Cora Maldives and has been recognised as Wellness Personality of the Year at the Hotelier Maldives […]
Nurturing family experiences: JOALI Maldives’ Mariyam Hana on crafting experiences for younger guests
In JOALI Maldives, Mariyam Hana leads the Kids Club with a vision shaped by both professional experience and personal conviction. With a career that has taken her from front office operations to managing one of the most distinctive family programmes in the country, Hana’s career reflects the evolution of Maldivian hospitality and the growing role […]
Nurturing teams, nourishing guests: Culinary vision of Taylor Shearman at JOALI BEING
When Taylor Shearman stepped into the role of Executive Chef at JOALI BEING in June 2024, she brought with her more than a decade of experience in kitchens across the Maldives and beyond. Having first arrived in the country in 2016, she has been part of its rapidly evolving hospitality and culinary landscape, contributing to […]
JOALI BEING’s Josephine Njenga on why wellness begins within
By Ali Naafiz and Mariyam Saliya Mohamed Josephine Njenga’s career path reflects both a personal calling and a professional evolution in the field of holistic wellbeing. Today, as a Wellbeing Trainer at JOALI BEING in the Maldives, she plays a central role in shaping the island’s approach to integrated healing and transformative guest experiences. Her […]
GM's Views
Legacy in Laamu: Marteyne van Well on building culture of care, continuity, commitment
When Six Senses Laamu was named “CSR Programme of the Year” at the 2025 Hotelier Maldives Awards, it was more than just an industry accolade. For Regional General Manager Marteyne van Well, who has been at the helm since the resort’s opening week in 2011, the recognition affirmed over a decade of purpose-driven leadership grounded […]
‘Joy of Living’ through Maldivian lens: Shifaz Hassan at JOALI Maldives
When JOALI Maldives opened in 2018, it brought a new dimension to the country’s luxury tourism landscape by embedding art and storytelling into the guest experience. At the centre of this philosophy today is its General Manager, Shifaz Hassan, one of the few Maldivian leaders in the ultra-luxury sector, who carries both the responsibility of […]
Managing a well-living island: Graeme Freeman on balancing joyful transformation at JOALI BEING
Graeme Freeman, General Manager of JOALI BEING, oversees a truly unique destination in the Maldives, a well-living island dedicated to guiding guests on a journey of joyful transformation. Rooted in the resort’s signature Four Pillars of Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy, Freeman’s leadership blends cutting-edge science with ancient wisdom to create personalised experiences that restore […]
Yogeswaran Veerasamy on dusitD2 Feydhoo’s new paradigm for Maldivian hospitality
The opening of a new resort in the Maldives is a regular occurrence, yet the inauguration of dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives on 27 July 2025 signals a notable shift in the nation’s hospitality landscape. As the second property from the Dusit International portfolio to launch in the country, it brings a distinct proposition to the market, […]
Jean-Louis Ripoche on Dusit’s fresh direction with dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives
On July 27, 2025, amidst the turquoise expanse of the Baa Atoll, Dusit Hotels & Resorts marked a significant milestone with the soft opening of its second property in the Maldives, dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives. The launch represents not just an expansion of the Thai hospitality group’s footprint but the introduction of its vibrant, lifestyle-focused ‘d2’ […]
How Oscar Postma champions teamwork, purpose-driven service at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
By Maaish Mohamed and Mariyam Saliya Mohamed Oscar Postma’s journey to the Maldives was both a personal and professional evolution. Having spent over six years in the structured, fast-paced environment of Singapore, where guest interactions were often brief and transactional, his move to The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands introduced a different rhythm. “The biggest difference […]
Harmonising diversity: Sanjeeva Perera on new vision for Cinnamon Maldives
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts recently announced Sanjeeva Perera as the new Area General Manager for its Maldives resorts. Sanjeeva is a seasoned hospitality professional stepping into this pivotal role with a clear vision: to elevate guest experiences, drive operational excellence, and enhance the distinctive character of each island. Q. How do you feel about this […]
Francesco Pompilio: Shaping Centara’s vision at Machchafushi, Ras Fushi Maldives
Francesco Pompilio’s journey in the hospitality industry reads like a tapestry woven with global experiences, cultural understanding, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Now serving as Cluster General Manager for Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa and Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa in the Maldives, Pompilio brings over 20 years of expertise, a deep appreciation […]
How Raffaele Solferino transformed Grand Park Kodhipparu into resort icon
The path to success in the hospitality industry often takes unexpected turns, and no one knows this better than Raffaele Solferino, the General Manager of Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives. Born on Italy’s picturesque Amalfi Coast, Raffaele was immersed in tourism from an early age, but his career would span continents and cultures in ways he […]
Building unique experiences: Leadership of SAii Lagoon Maldives, CROSSROADS Marina’s General Manager Alexander Traeger
In a career that spans over two decades and multiple continents, Alexander Traeger’s rise through the ranks of the hospitality industry is a story of passion, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Now the General Manager of SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, and the CROSSROADS Marina, Traeger is reshaping the landscape of […]
Passion and leadership: Andrew Jansson’s vision for Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives and Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives
Andrew Jansson, the Cluster General Manager of Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives and Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, has dedicated nearly 30 years to the hospitality industry. His journey, marked by a deep passion for travel and a commitment to leadership, has taken him across 14 different countries, each contributing to his unique approach to managing luxury […]
JOALI’s Enver Arslan: Crafting legacy in island luxury
Enver Arslan’s journey through the world of hospitality reads like an adventure novel, filled with passion, resilience, and a relentless drive for perfection. His story begins with a simple curiosity about hotel life and spirals into a leading role as the Area General Manager of JOALI Maldives and JOALI BEING. Enver’s academic roots are in […]
