How agility fuels Atmosphere Core’s bold journey in hospitality
Stéphane Laguette, Chief Commercial Officer Atmosphere Core, shares his insights on 2024 successes, emerging trends in hospitality, and the company’s blueprint for 2025. Atmosphere Core, a leading hospitality company in the Indian Ocean region, celebrated a milestone year in 2024, launching its ninth resort, RAAYA by Atmosphere, and achieving remarkable results despite geopolitical challenges. Chief […]
Women in Maldives’ hospitality: Overcoming challenges, shaping future
Maldives, a nation synonymous with luxury hospitality and world-renowned tourism, has witnessed a steady transformation in the role of women within the industry. Traditionally, hospitality in the Maldives has been male-dominated, particularly in leadership and operational roles at resorts. However, in recent years, there has been a notable rise in female representation across various levels […]
OBLU SELECT Lobigili bridges gender gap with 80% women team
Having a women-majority workforce is uncommon in the Maldives. Typically, resorts have a significant gender gap, with ladies making up only around 25% of the staff. In contrast, at OBLU SELECT Lobigili almost 80% of the 100-strong workforce is made up of women. Even the Housekeeping teams have ladies – something rarely seen in Maldivian […]
Maldives tourism in 2025: Growth in numbers and decline in revenue?
As we move into 2025, the Maldives—a destination synonymous with luxury, pristine beaches, and crystal-clear waters—continues to attract travellers from around the globe. While initial projections indicate a slight increase in tourist arrivals this year, the underlying narrative is less optimistic. Despite the increase in visitor numbers, tourism revenue is unlikely to see a corresponding […]
Maldives’ tourism under increasing pressure from high taxes, foreign exchange rules
The Maldives is facing mounting challenges that could dampen its appeal as a leading tourist destination. Recent regulatory changes, particularly those imposed by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), have raised concerns among industry stakeholders. In addition to significant increases in departure taxes, airport development fees, TGST, and the Green Tax, the MMA has introduced new […]
Maldives needs vision for growth, not misguided criticism and burdensome policies
Recent remarks made by a few politicians mocking the Indian Prime Minister as having “cost the Maldives millions” are not only baseless but also deeply unproductive. Such rhetoric detracts from addressing the real challenges the country faces, particularly in its tourism-driven economy. Instead of indulging in baseless debates, the Maldives should prioritise strategies to boost […]
Unlocking potential of Maldives: Role of private investment in transforming uninhabited islands
The Maldives is renowned for its breathtaking resorts and luxury tourism offerings, but it’s worth remembering that many of these iconic destinations started as uninhabited islands, devoid of infrastructure, facilities, or revenue generation. Hundreds of islands across the Maldives remain in this same undeveloped state today, contributing little to nothing the state or public in […]
Embracing sustainable tourism in Maldives: A call to action
On this World Tourism Day, it’s crucial to evaluate the future of tourism in the Maldives, a paradise known for its breathtaking waters and rich marine biodiversity. The sustainability of this industry is at a crossroads, demanding urgent attention to environmental issues that threaten both the ecosystem and the livelihoods of those who depend on […]
Leveraging Maldives’ unique selling points: Insights from experts at GM Forum 2024
In a panel discussion hosted by Hotelier Maldives during the recent GM Forum, experts from across the hospitality industry came together to discuss how the Maldives can leverage its unique selling points (USPs) to remain a competitive and aspirational destination in the global market. The panel, moderated by Aishath Ihuma, Director of Business Development at […]
Vital role of Velana International Airport in developing Maldives’ tourism
In his presentation at the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024, Mohamed Mihad, Chief Commercial Officer at Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), highlighted the critical role of Velana International Airport (VIA) in supporting and driving tourism in the Maldives. His speech, titled “Velana International Airport (VIA) and Tourism Development,” provided valuable insights into how the airport’s […]
Mohamed Jailam presents Artificial Intelligence’s role in travel at GM Forum 2024
At the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024, Mohamed Jailam, CEO and Managing Director of Javaabu and Co-Founder of DhivehiGPT, delivered a presentation titled “How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Will Revolutionise Travel.” His talk centred on how AI is already transforming various sectors, and the potential it holds for revolutionising the travel and hospitality industry. Jailam began […]
WeChat’s Etienne Ng highlights Chinese traveller trends, digital payments at GM Forum 2024
At the recently-concluded Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2024, Etienne Ng, Regional Director for Southeast Asia at Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay), delivered a presentation on the evolving trends of Chinese travellers and the crucial role of digital payments in the hospitality industry. The session offered attendees a deep dive into how WeChat, one of the most […]
