Heritance Aarah renews partnership with Bologna FC for 2025/26 season
Heritance Aarah Maldives has renewed its official partnership with Bologna Football Club 1909 for the 2025/2026 season, extending a collaboration that connects Maldivian luxury hospitality with Italian top-flight football.
The renewed agreement brings together Heritance Aarah Maldives, Italian tour operator Sporting Vacanze, and Bigtours Travel Service Bologna, continuing their association with Bologna FC 1909 following a successful first season.
Heritance Aarah made history last year as the first Maldivian resort to partner with a Serie A club. The continuation of the partnership reflects a shared ambition to blend the global appeal of professional football with high-end travel experiences in the Maldives, while strengthening the resort’s engagement with the Italian market.
Susith Jayawickrama, Managing Director of Aitken Spence Hotels & Resorts, said the renewal represents a long-term vision beyond brand visibility.
“This renewed partnership with Bologna FC 1909 represents our continued dedication to building meaningful connections between Heritance Hotels and Resorts and international communities that share our values of passion, teamwork and excellence,” Jayawickrama said. “Together with Sporting Vacanze and Bigtours, we look forward to bringing the spirit of Heritance Aarah to an even wider Italian audience and celebrating the synergy between world-class hospitality and world-class sport.”
As part of the agreement, Sporting Vacanze will continue to promote Heritance Aarah in Italy through joint marketing campaigns, integrated communication initiatives and exclusive travel packages tailored for Bologna FC supporters and partners.
Andrea Vannucci, General Manager of Sporting Vacanze, said the collaboration is rooted in shared values between the partners.
“We are delighted to renew our collaboration with Bologna FC 1909. Our partnership is founded on shared values: passion, authenticity and commitment,” Vannucci said. “Heritance Aarah perfectly embodies the essence of Maldivian hospitality, and together with Bigtours we aim to offer Bologna fans and Italian travellers unforgettable experiences.”
Bigtours Travel Service Bologna, the club’s official travel agency, will continue to play a strategic role in the initiative, reinforcing the link between the football club, its fanbase and premium travel experiences.
Larry Artruda, Owner of Bigtours, and Marina Moroni, Travel Manager of Bologna FC for Bigtours, said the partnership brings together two complementary worlds.
“We are thrilled to continue this journey alongside such an outstanding brand as Heritance Aarah,” they said. “This partnership brings together two worlds — football and travel — united by the same energy, emotions and desire to inspire.”
From the club’s perspective, the collaboration is positioned as a platform to deliver added value to supporters and partners throughout the season.
Christoph Winterling, Chief Revenues Officer of Bologna FC 1909, said the club was pleased to extend the relationship.
“Heritance Aarah is an exceptional resort where sport, well-being and fine dining come together harmoniously,” Winterling said. “We are proud to renew our collaboration with them, Sporting Vacanze and Bigtours to continue creating unique experiences for our fans and partners.”
Throughout the 2025/26 season, the partnership will be activated at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium, with co-branded marketing, fan engagement initiatives and exclusive digital content aimed at connecting Bologna supporters with the Maldives.
The renewed collaboration underscores how sport and travel can converge to create shared emotional experiences, aligning the heritage and ambition of Bologna FC 1909 with Heritance Aarah Maldives’ positioning in the international luxury hospitality market.
