Author: Mohamed Reehaan

Voyages Maldives has been appointed as the supervision agent for Virgin Atlantic. Virgin Atlantic, one of the leading UK airlines, launched direct flights between London Heathrow and Velana International Airport (VIA) last Monday. The second largest UK airline began operating direct flights to the Maldives three times a week; on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Voyages Maldives said the UK airline founded by Sir Richard Branson will operate direct flights from November 2023 to March 2024.

Dhiraagu has initiated the distribution of bibs and race kits for the upcoming Dhiraagu Maldives Road Race (DMRR) 2023. The DMRR Bib Expo commenced on Tuesday, October 24, where registered runners or sprinters can collect their bibs and race kits. Dhiraagu is distributing the kits and bibs from the first floor of the telecom provider’s headquarters. Each race kit includes a bib equipped with a timing chip, a race T-shirt, a drawstring bag, and four safety pins. Runners are required to present their ID card and bib number to collect their race kits and bibs. The 2023 DMRR event is…

State Electric Company (STELCO) has donated MVR 500,000 to aid Palestine. The donation was sent through International Aid Campaign (IAC), a local NGO founded for the cause of providing humanitarian aid to Palestine and similar war-stricken Muslim communities. STELCO said the donation comes from their allocation for the community social responsibility (CSR) efforts. The funds were donated to IAC’s “We are with Palestine” Fund. Besides STELCO, other major state-owned enterprises including the State Trading Organization (STO) have made sizeable donations for the cause as well. So far, IAC has collected donations amounting to approximately MVR 18 million do date.

Maldives Police Service said they have received possible incriminating evidence or information of potential financial mismanagement by senior members of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM). The law enforcement authority said of discovering sufficient information suggesting FAM seniors members transferring money received to the association by FIFA and other international federations, to their personal accounts and to the accounts of their close associates. Maldives Police Service raided the FAM headquarters on Sunday, October 22. While an official word on the matter has not been collected, it was reported that local police notified the Prosecutor General’s Office of financial mismanagement, corruption…

The latest and largest Crown & Champa Resorts opening, Jawakara Islands Maldives unveils on October 22, 2023. The two-island resort is the latest in the impressive C&C portfolio of properties that include Kudadoo Maldives Private Island, Hurawalhi Maldives, and Kagi Maldives Resort & Spa among others. “Jawakara is designed to be every family’s dream for a luxury getaway – every detail has been thought of for all generations alike for an all-encompassing offering that will define Jawakara as the pioneer for luxury multi-generational travel in classically Maldivian surroundings.” — Maurice Van Den Bosch, General Manager, Jawakara Islands Maldives Jawakara is…

Maldivian fishers have donated over MVR 170,000 to aid Palestinians following Israel’s attacks on Gaza and the Palestine civilians. The largest donation of MVR 127,433 to the Palestine Fund was made by a local fishing vessel named “Rasta”, and two other vessels from Gaafu Alifu atoll named “Dhuveli 6” and “Hushiyaaru” donated MVR 25,000 each. Several fishing vessels earlier, made significant contributions to the fund. Last week, a vessel from Gaafu Alifu atoll Kanduhulhudhoo donated MVR 50,000. The fund, opened by International Aid Campaign (IAC), a local NGO, providing aid to Palestinians has raised over MVR 12 million for the…

Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa has been awarded the “Maldives Leading Honeymoon Resort 2023” at the 30th annual World Travel Awards (WTA) held in Dubai this year. The resort’s General Manager Christophe Adam said, “This honor highlights the luxury, exceptional service, and unforgettable experiences we consistently provide to our guests.” Adam further said that there was “no greater reward” than the knowledge of exceeding guest expectations, and noted such wins would encourage the resort to continue working with stronger enthusiasm. Adam extended gratitude to the guests, partners and associates for the continued support, and promised to remain committed to delivering…

The total tourist arrivals to the Maldives in annual terms have reached 1,464,340 as of October 21, 2023. According to the latest report from the Ministry of Tourism published on October 22, the arrivals so far in 2023 observed a 13.6% growth in annual terms. From the period of October 1 to 21, arrivals observed a modest 4.4% increment. The daily arrival average is now at 4,981 in annual terms while the average duration of stay is 7.6 days. Top 10 Markets Russia: 167,594 China: 159,938 India: 159,386 UK: 117,253 Germany: 102,213 Italy: 87,825 USA: 57,422 France: 39,226 Spain: 31,297…

The cumulative total of state expenditures reached MVR 35.9 billion as of October 12, 2023. According to the Ministry of Finance, the cumulative total of revenues, inclusive of foreign grants, reached MVR 26.4 billion by the review date. The overall balance for the period is a deficit of MVR 9.6 billion. The cumulative total of tax revenues has reached MVR 19.1 billion, while the non-tax revenue total in year-to-date terms reached MVR 6.8 billion. For the same period in 2022, the cumulative total of tax revenues stood at MVR 15.7 billion and the cumulative total of non-tax revenues stood at…

A “pressure pad” system used in Kulhudhuffushi Airport exploded on Thursday morning, October 19 leaving four injured with one in critically severe condition. An official from Regional Airports Company Limited (RACL) confirmed that among the four injured, one was in a severely critical state. “We are currently making arrangements to take all of them to Male'”, said the offical. Three men and one woman, all firefighters according to Maldives Police Service, were injured in the explosion. They are currently being treated in Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital (KRH). Police said the explosion occurred while a cylinder used in the airport’s fire drills…