Beyond operations: Harish Nair on shaping the soul of RAH GILI and DON MAAGA MALDIVES
For Harish Nair, the next chapter of his hospitality career is not simply about opening or operating resorts. It is about helping two Maldivian islands develop distinct identities, building teams that understand the emotional purpose of service and creating places that remain in guests’ memories long after their departure. As Cluster General Manager of SIX […]
Fathimath Umar: Shaping Maldivian hospitality through food, teaching and leadership
In every industry, there are professionals whose careers extend beyond their own job titles. They help build people, raise standards and widen the path for those who come after them. In Maldivian hospitality, Fathimath Umar is one of those figures. Known to many across the industry as Chef Fathun, she has spent decades contributing to […]
Maldivian resort architecture: Mauroof Jameel’s exhibition traces five decades of island design
At the National Art Gallery in Malé, renowned architect, researcher and illustrator Mauroof Jameel is presenting a story that is both familiar and rarely told in full: the architectural evolution of the Maldivian resort. For a country whose modern economy, international image and employment landscape have been shaped by tourism, the resort is more than […]
45 years in Maldives: Manjula Herath on leadership, trust and Bank of Ceylon’s next chapter
On 7 May 2026, Bank of Ceylon Maldives marked 45 years of continuous presence in the country — a milestone that reflects not only the bank’s longevity, but also its enduring role in the Maldives’ economic story. For Manjula Herath, Country Manager of Bank of Ceylon Malé and the bank’s first female Country Manager in […]
Mohamed Mausoom: Making of a Maldivian leader at Velaa Private Island
At Velaa Private Island, Mohamed Mausoom’s appointment as General Manager is more than a promotion. It is the continuation of a journey that began long before titles, long before the resort established itself among the Maldives’ most exclusive addresses, and long before the industry began speaking about local leadership in ultra-luxury hospitality with the urgency […]
Centara Resorts brings festive Easter experiences to Maldives islands
As spring prepares to cast its golden glow over the Maldives, Centara Resorts & Hotels is gearing up for another egg-ceptional Easter celebration. With four distinct island escapes to discover, guests can settle into a rhythm that suits them, as vibrant festivities unfold across Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, Machchafushi Island Resort […]
From ship to shore: Neil Shorthouse on Maldives, leadership, and training that changes behaviour
Neil Shorthouse arrived in the Maldives on 26 January 2008 with a career built in one of hospitality’s most demanding “remote” environments: cruise ships. For him, the comparison between shipboard life and island operations is not a metaphor — it is operational reality. “In many ways working at sea and on a remote island, are […]
Discovering a new era for Sun Siyam: Embracing the spirit of Maldives through a bold brand (r)evolution after 35 years
The Maldives is home to some of the world’s most sought-after island escapes, but few hospitality brands carry the depth of local heritage that defines Sun Siyam. Owned and operated by Maldivian entrepreneur Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, the brand has long embodied the warmth, traditions, and authenticity of its island home. Today, Sun Siyam is stepping […]
Maldives to Sosei: Sonu Shivdasani on renewal, reinvention and what comes next
When Sonu Shivdasani stepped onto the HICAP stage in Singapore for a conversation with Yeoh Siew Hoon, the founder of WiT, the audience was reminded of his longstanding reputation for challenging the norms of luxury hospitality. Calm, reflective and candid, he spoke about renewal, reinvention and what it means to start again — not from […]
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 […]
Mohamed Umar Maniku: Architect of Maldivian tourism
On 30th August 2025, the Maldives bid farewell to one of its greatest nation-builders – Mohamed Umar “M.U.” Maniku. Widely regarded as the father of Maldivian tourism, his passing marks the end of an era that began more than half a century ago, when a group of visionaries transformed a scattering of islands into one […]
Hidden voice, amplified: Seema Misra on shaping narratives at Atmosphere Core
This year, the Hotelier Maldives Awards 2025 recognised Seema Misra, Assistant Director Communications at Atmosphere Core, as the ‘PR and Communications Personality of the Year’. The accolade follows five years of shaping the brand’s voice from behind the scenes. In this feature, we explore the strategy, philosophy, and journey of the professional behind one of […]
