People and purpose: Niva Dhigali’s Hassan Saeed on being an award-winning Resort Manager and team leader every day
When Hassan Saeed received the Resort Manager of the Year award at the Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026, his first response was to direct the recognition towards the people working alongside him at Niva Dhigali Maldives. “A resort manager has a team of people who make his work possible,” Hassan says. “For me, first and foremost, […]
Malsa Shiyam: Growing through hospitality, leading through award-winning service
For Aminath Malsa Shiyam, Assistant Guest Relations Manager at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, hospitality has been a journey shaped by work, learning and people. Her recognition as Concierge / Guest Service Personality of the Year at the Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 marks a point in a career that began with an internship and has […]
Mohamed Idhaadh leads technology operations at Madifushi Private Island
Madifushi Private Island has recognised the contribution of its IT Manager, Mohamed Idhaadh, whose experience in information technology continues to support the resort’s digital infrastructure and daily operations. Idhaadh joined Madifushi Private Island in January 2025, bringing more than 14 years of experience in the Maldivian hospitality industry. During his career, he has held technology […]
Where play shapes the journey: Krakengiri Kids’ Club’s award-winning approach at Hilton Maldives Amingiri
At a resort, a children’s club is often viewed as one part of a wider guest programme. For families, however, it can influence the rhythm of the entire stay. It determines whether children feel settled, whether parents feel comfortable spending time apart and, in many cases, whether a family chooses to return. At Hilton Maldives […]
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 […]
In conversation with Chef Tipa: Bringing southern Thai flavours to Maldives
For a limited time, Saffron Maldives at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru invites guests on a culinary journey through the rich flavours of Southern Thailand, till 17 July 2026. Guided by Chef Tipaporn Phianthong (Chef Tipa), Head Chef of Saffron, Banyan Group, the exclusive menu showcases authentic regional recipes thoughtfully reimagined with selected locally sourced ingredients from […]
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 […]
From billing clerk to materials manager: Ali Shareef’s 25-year journey in procurement, learning at Angsana Velavaru
Procurement rarely takes place in view of the guest. It operates through purchase orders, supplier negotiations, quality checks, stock controls, delivery schedules and the movement of goods between Malé and resort islands. Yet almost every part of a resort operation depends on it. At Angsana Velavaru, the responsibility for coordinating this process rests with Materials […]
Mohamed Hussain Shihab: Building HR leadership through people, succession and service
When Mohamed Hussain Shihab first considered hospitality, it was not part of a long-set career plan. He was looking at colleges in Malaysia when he came across a hotel school. That encounter changed the direction of his studies, and later his career. “I didn’t plan on studying hospitality in the beginning,” Shihab says. “But while […]
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 […]
Building people, building culture: Ibrahim Hameed on leading HR at Cora Cora Maldives
When Ibrahim Hameed (Ibbe) began his career at just 18, the world of hospitality was unfamiliar territory. Today, more than a decade later, he leads the Human Resources department at Cora Cora Maldives — a role that, as he describes it, “is never the same two days in a row.” “I love HR,” he says […]
Rizan Afeef: Building ‘culture architecture’ from Maldives to the Americas
When Rizan Afeef began his career in the early 2000s, he was working in commercial roles and learning the mechanics of operations and revenue. But the turning point came when he found himself “more curious about people than processes”. “I was fascinated by what made teams perform under pressure and how leadership energy influenced morale,” […]
