Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa co-founder honoured with Ramon Magsasay Award, Asia’s highest award for conservation

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is celebrating Maldivian conservationist and co-founder Shaahina Ali, who has been honoured with the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award, one of Asia’s most respected recognitions of leadership and social impact. She becomes the first Maldivian recipient of the award, acknowledged for her pioneering work in marine conservation, community engagement, and sustainable tourism, and for her long-standing commitment to safeguarding the Maldives’ marine ecosystem. Her efforts, marked by vision, dedication, and inclusivity, have been widely recognised as laying the foundations for a new generation of Maldivian environmental leaders.

While the award highlights her decades of national leadership, Shaahina’s influence has also shaped the ethos of Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa since its earliest days. Her values continue to guide the resort as it evolves into a platform for new initiatives that integrate conservation, education, and luxury travel.

This philosophy is reflected in the resort’s ‘Our Living Island’ approach — a commitment to regenerative hospitality that seeks to restore, protect, and celebrate both the natural environment and the living culture of the Maldives. At Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, regeneration rather than sustainability defines the guest experience. The Hadahaa Ocean Lab connects visitors with marine biology and reef conservation work, while the Marine Learning Programme introduces local island children to the ocean and its ecosystems. Under Shaahina’s guidance, a number of on-island programmes have thrived, including “Snorkelling with a Purpose,” the resort’s signature citizen science experience, coral monitoring, daily water temperature logging supported by an on-site weather station, and a comprehensive reef inventory and mapping initiative. Collectively, these efforts demonstrate her conviction that genuine hospitality must inspire environmental responsibility for future generations.

“We are deeply proud that our co-founder, Shaahina, has been honoured with the Ramon Magsaysay Award,” said Anshul Sharma, General Manager, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa. “Her vision has shaped our resort into a living example of regenerative hospitality, where conservation and education are not just programmes but a core part of our identity. This reflects Hyatt’s global World of Care commitments to care for people, communities, and the planet.”

“This award is a call to guide the next generation back to the ocean that gave us life and to pass that bond on to their children,” said Shaahina Ali. “Through our work at Hadahaa, we hope to show what regeneration looks like in practice and ensure that both our communities and our guests remain part of the journey.”

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa continues to build on this legacy through 360-degree coral house reef monitoring, on-island marine biologists, and partnerships with Parley for the Oceans. The recognition reinforces the resort’s mission to serve not only as a sanctuary for guests but also as a global platform for education, conservation, and regenerative hospitality. Guests are invited to experience this evolving legacy through curated experiences such as Snorkelling with a Purpose, guided house reef snorkelling with a marine biologist, coral-nursery programmes, and community education initiatives developed by Shaahina — each offering a meaningful connection to the island’s regenerative story.