Game-changing Siyam World’s Ausy Waseem on turning childhood fantasies into resort reality

By Maaish Mohamed and Mariyam Saliya Mohamed

In the Maldives’ ever-evolving luxury hospitality scene, where breathtaking villas, turquoise lagoons, and impeccable service are the norm, standing out requires more than delivering the expected. It demands courage, vision, and a bold reimagining of what a resort can be. At the heart of one such transformation is Ausy Waseem, the Resort Manager of Siyam World, who was recently recognised as the ‘Resort Manager of the Year’ at the 2025 Hotelier Maldives Awards. The accolade is not just a reflection of his individual leadership, but a celebration of the collective spirit that defines Siyam World.

For Ausy, this recognition is deeply personal, yet inseparable from the team that surrounds him. “Personally, I am very happy to receive this recognition,” he says. “But more importantly, it’s something I share with my entire team. It’s not my moment alone—this award belongs to all of us.” His humility speaks volumes of the kind of leader he is—one who builds from within, who listens, collaborates, and credits every success to shared effort.

Since its inception, Siyam World has become known as a game-changer in the industry—a resort that constantly challenges the status quo with imaginative experiences and daring concepts. Ausy, as the driving force behind these innovations, has made it his mission to break away from traditional hospitality norms. One of the most striking examples of this is the introduction of never-before-seen experiences in the Maldives, including the country’s first and biggest horse ranch, the first go-kart track, and Rent-a-Moke—the first resort initiative in the Maldives to offer Mokes for guests to drive around the island. These headline-making features perfectly encapsulate the resort’s ethos, with many more on the way.

He recalls how the idea stemmed from a childhood dream. “Nothing is a crazy idea for us,” Ausy says. “We often think back to the things we wished we could do as kids and ask—why not now? Why not make those dreams real?” It is this playful yet pragmatic mindset that transforms fantasy into operational reality at Siyam World. “Everyone has great ideas. The difference is in having the courage to bring those ideas to life. There’s no better feeling than seeing those ideas materialise.”

In a destination famed for serene luxury and quiet exclusivity, Siyam World offers an alternative narrative—one that celebrates vibrancy, movement, and joy. “There’s no rule that says luxury must be quiet,” Ausy insists. “That’s something my wife once said to me, and it’s shaped much of how we think.” This redefinition of luxury—one rooted in experience, not silence—has positioned Siyam World as a standout, winning ‘Most Innovative Resort’ at the TTM Awards in 2024.

Equally pivotal to Siyam World’s rise is Ausy’s partner in life and business, Sara Siyam, the dynamic Director of Marketing at Sun Siyam Resorts. While Ausy keeps the operational engine humming, Sara is the creative force turning bold ideas into global buzz. From orchestrating viral influencer campaigns to crafting themed festivals that trend on Instagram within hours, she continually re-packages the island’s playful soul for the world to see. “I can dream up the wildest concepts,” Ausy admits, “but it’s Sara who makes sure they land on guests’ screens—and within our brand DNA—exactly when and how they should.” Her blend of data-driven strategy and artistic instinct has not only filled villas but also built a loyal digital community that follows Siyam World as if it were a lifestyle rather than a single resort. Together, the duo operate like two halves of the same compass: Ausy points to new horizons, and Sara charts the route that gets everyone there.

Ausy’s approach from the outset has been to unlearn everything he had previously known about hospitality. He encouraged his entire team to do the same. “We started by wiping the slate clean,” he explains. “We didn’t want to follow a blueprint. We wanted to write our own.” This principle of innovation, embedded in the DNA of the resort, permeates every aspect of its operations—from service design to guest interaction to activity programming. It has also created a workplace where creativity thrives.

Siyam World, under Ausy’s leadership, has become more than a resort—it’s a culture, a movement, a place where everyone is encouraged to contribute. “It’s a blank canvas,” he says. “There are no silly ideas here. People are free to speak, to suggest, to challenge. We take those wild, sometimes laughable ideas and ask—how can we make this happen?” This openness not only creates an engaging and enjoyable work environment, but also fosters a vibrant guest experience. The result is a place where both staff and visitors find something extraordinary at every turn.

This people-first philosophy becomes even more evident when examining how Ausy handles peak operational challenges. During the 2024 festive season, Siyam World hosted a record-breaking 1,425 guests—a number that would place enormous pressure on any property. But Ausy and his team took it in stride. “We’ve become used to the numbers,” he says. “The systems and processes we’ve built are designed around our carrying capacity. It doesn’t matter if we have 400 or 1,400 guests—the experience should always feel personalised. That’s the standard we set.”

Rather than rely on rigid strategies, Ausy trusts in preparation, teamwork, and a systems-driven approach. “We operate from the heart,” he explains. “Our processes don’t buckle under pressure. Even when things are intense, it doesn’t feel like chaos. That’s because we’ve learned how to work smart and work together.”

Ausy’s journey is also deeply shaped by personal experiences and childhood aspirations. This is perhaps best exemplified by Siyam World’s professional football camps—an initiative that has brought international football stars to the Maldives and allowed young guests to train with some of the sport’s legends. “As a kid, I would have done anything to attend a camp like this,” he says. “Now, I can create those opportunities for others. That’s powerful. That’s fulfilling.” These camps are not just about sport; they’re about creating meaningful, aspirational experiences that leave lasting impressions.

His leadership style—marked by humility and mutual respect—has shaped a resort culture where collaboration isn’t just encouraged, it’s embedded. “Everyone here knows they’re valued,” he says. “That’s why people enjoy working here. That’s why they’re motivated. What you see at Siyam World is the result of a truly united team.” Ausy’s philosophy ensures that every member of staff, regardless of role, feels empowered to contribute to the resort’s ongoing evolution.

Despite being one of the youngest resort managers in the Maldives, Ausy has never let age define his path. “I’ve never seen myself as the youngest,” he reflects. “Age doesn’t matter. What matters is how you show up each day.” He speaks candidly about the need for resilience—an essential trait for anyone in a leadership role. “Not every day will be sunny. Some days will be tough. That’s okay. You learn to navigate through the storms.”

While Siyam World has largely been a success story, it wasn’t without challenges. One of the biggest, according to Ausy, was convincing others in the industry that a radically different approach to resort experiences would work. “There was some scepticism at first,” he admits. “It was difficult convincing people that guests wanted something different—that they were ready for more experiential, active luxury. But we had the backing of our company leadership. They believed in the concept. We just made it happen.” The result is a resort that continues to push boundaries and challenge expectations.

Ausy remains as ambitious as ever. “We’re not done surprising people,” he says with a smile. “There’s more coming—things that will again make people question what’s possible in the Maldives. I can’t reveal everything yet, but I can say this: it’s going to be exciting.”

For aspiring hoteliers, Ausy’s message is both inspiring and grounded. “Dream big. Don’t be afraid to fail. Be strong, be resilient. You don’t have to follow the crowd—stand out. Think different. Do different. I am living proof that dreams do come true. Siyam World is proof of that. And so are all the people who made this journey possible.”

And when asked about what success means to him personally, Ausy offers perhaps the most telling answer of all. “For me, the biggest success is seeing something we imagined together on a whiteboard come to life. That’s the magic. That’s the moment I cherish. This award, this recognition—it’s not about me. It’s about everyone here who made the dream real.”

In an industry where many follow tradition, Ausy Waseem stands out as a pioneer—someone who believes in possibilities, who dares to dream, and most importantly, who brings those dreams to life through relentless passion and unwavering teamwork. The future of Siyam World, under his stewardship, looks not only bright but boundless.