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April 26, 2015

Sandrine Kaiser has been appointed as General Manager at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu

French-German citizen with a world of experience up her sleeve, Sandrine’s most recent role as General Manager was at Trezzini Palace Hotel in St. Petersburg where she worked alongside her team in Russia for the preopening. Prior to that, she was the Resident Manager of Constance Lodge Tsarabanjina, Madagascar, in charge of all the operations and purchasing of the 25 bungalow lodge.

Dhuni Kolhu, Maldives

Press Release Markets & Performance

April 8, 2015

Mariano Silvestri has been appointed as General Manager at Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa has announced the appointment of Mariano Silvestri as General Manager, effective 23rd March 2015. Mariano joins the Maldives property from his previous position as Executive Assistant Manager - Rooms at Park Hyatt Shanghai With a career within Hyatt of more than 12 years, Mariano's wealth of experience now spans four Hyatt properties in four different countries.

Hyatt

North Huvadhoo, Maldives

April 7, 2015

HVS In Focus: Maldives

The Maldives reached a record 1.2 million visitor arrivals in 2014. From 2008 to 2014, visitor arrivals to the Maldives grew by a CAGR of 9.9%, exceeding the growth rate and numbers of other remote island destinations such as the Seychelles and Mauritius (which recorded 1.9% and 6.6% respectively over the same period). In 2012, the Maldives for the first time received more visitor arrivals than Mauritius and has grown since then. The increasing flight connectivity to key source markets as well as the growing popularity of the destination amongst the Chinese market are key. Interestingly despite the Global Financial Crisis in 2008-09 all three resort destinations experienced only minor decreases in tourism arrivals and quickly recovered despite the high costs related to travelling to these locations

HVS

February 16, 2015

Ann Kang has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at Jumeirah Dhevanafushi

A Korean national with over 12 years’ experience in the luxury hospitality industry, Ann was most recently Director of Sales and Marketing for The Ritz-Carlton in Shenzhen, China. Prior to this, she was Director of Sales and Marketing at Hyatt Regency Dubai and Galleria and Associate Director of Sales at Conrad Tokyo, Japan. During her career she has also worked in locations including Seoul in Korea, Singapore and Shanghai and Suzhou in China.

Jumeirah

Male, Maldives

February 2, 2015

Apple Woo has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort

Outrigger Resorts has announced the appointment of Apple Woo as Director of Sales & Marketing of the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort, which is scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2015. Woo joined the company on 1 February 2015 and will report to Pascal Billon, General Manager, and on key marketing and sales initiatives to Mark Simmons, Outrigger Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Asia Pacific..

Outrigger

Konotta Island, Maldives

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January 21, 2015

Allwyn Drego has been appointed as General Manager at Shangri-La's Villingili Resort And Spa Maldives Hotel

Drego was the Hotel Manager for Shangri-La Hotel, Mumbai, India from 2012 to 2013 and the iconic Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 2013 to 2014 before joining the Group in Maldives. Before his career with Shangri-La, Drego was the pre-opening and opening General Manager of the Taj Group of Hotels` first international Vivanta resort, The Vivanta Coral Reef in the Maldives. Drego led the considerable undertaking of a five-star resort launch from the ground up. He oversaw the entire operation where he was personally involved in everything from hiring and training top talent and quality control checks. Other career highlights include his stint as General Manager at the award-winning 142-villa and 56-acre beachfront Taj Exotica Resort and Spa in Goa, India, from 2005 to 2009, and Officiating General Manager of The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra, India an award winning Oberoi Hotel in 2003-04. An Indian national, Drego holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Commerce from the University of Bombay and diploma in Hospitality Sales and Marketing from The American Hotel and Motel Association. He is also a post-graduate of the esteemed Oberoi School of Hotel Management in Delhi, India. He has attended the Mastercard – ESSEC Luxury Brand Management Executive Programme in Singapore and also Taj-Cornell Winter University for Senior Management.

Shangri-La

Villingili Island, Maldives

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Press Release

January 15, 2015

Traders Hotel, Male, Maldives Rebrands to Hotel Jen Male, Maldives

Rebranding today as Hotel Jen Malé, Maldives, the Traders Hotel, Malé, Maldives, marks as the seventh Traders property to adopt the new Jen brand by Shangri-La International Hotel Management Ltd. Catering to a new 'Jeneration' of independently minded business and leisure travelers, the brand is launching quickly and on track for ten Hotel Jens opening in major cities in Asia Pacific by April 2015.The Hotel Jen brand is inspired by the virtual persona Jen, a professional hotelier who loves life, travel and the adventure of discovering new places. Hotel Jen takes care of guests with efficiency and care, while also giving them informed access to the best a particular destination has to offer.Mr. Greg Dogan, president and CEO of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, said: "The opening of Hotel Jen Malé, Maldives is a milestone in our ongoing plans to launch Hotel Jen across the region."True to the new brand, the Hotel Jen Malé, Maldives team are embracing the changing demands of today's more independently minded travelers. They appreciate important things done well; demand quality, comfort and value, together with honest, authentic service; and want privacy and efficiency without unnecessary fuss or intrusion."Hotel Jen Malé, Maldives is building on its existing culture and the staff's local knowledge to deliver the new brand to guests. Embracing the concept of 'staying with a friend', guests will notice extra touches from a home-cooking inspired restaurant menu to offering simple pleasures of caring to individual taste preferences or styles.Ms. Vathsala Subramaniam, general manager of Hotel Jen Malé, Maldives, said: "The rebrand to Hotel Jen will set new standards for guest experiences, which shows in the changing demands of today's customers, both the new and 'millennial' mind-set and the increasingly socially enabled 'young-at-heart' existing customer. It is a revolution and all about changing our approach, starting at the very heart of our hotel – our staffs. Hotel Jen will still bring guests the same level of quality as before but now with a more intuitive service attitude and relaxed, friendly style. " The informed and friendly service style will allow guests to discover the best of where they are through unique recommendations, from souvenir shops to finding the best local Maldivian hangouts to the best of local cuisines. The Hotel Jen team will be a guest's own personal local lifestyle guide, making them truly feel like they are staying with a friend.Cutting-edge technology includes fast free WiFi everywhere, all the time, convenient mobile charging stations throughout the hotel and access to over 2,500 online publications through a PressReader app, are a few of the many features. In addition, simple pleasures such as a laundry wash and fold service at one price for unlimited items in a laundry bag and free coffee and snack-box-to-go options after breakfast allow guests to get on with the things they care most about – life, travel and discovery. Guest comfort and safety are an absolute priority and there will be no compromise on existing, high-quality standards. In the next phase of the Hotel roll-out, Traders hotels in Beijing, Shenyang and Johor Bahru will be rebranded in March and April 2015, bringing an intuitive service and relaxed, friendly style to the existing collection of mid-range hotels.Hotel Jen development projects are under consideration in key gateway cities in Asia Pacific, with plans to expand globally in the future.

Shangri-La

Male, Maldives

Opinion Article

January 14, 2015

MALDIVES - a 2014 snapshot, and business scenarios for 2015 and beyond

Every year, the hotel experts and analysts at Horwath HTL worldwide produce a series of mini-country reports exclusively for The Hotel Yearbook. Each report focuses on just two things: first, a quick snapshot of the country’s current economic and hotel market situation, and second, the outlook for the year ahead, highlighting specific events that are anticipated to have an impact on the health of the country’s hotel business.

By Sam Sheldon, Associate, Senior Creative Strategist, EDG Design

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Press Release Development

December 9, 2014

Joachim Schutte has been appointed as General Manager at Viceroy Maldives

Viceroy Maldives has announced the appointment of Mr Joachim Schuette as their new General Manager succeeding Mr Mark Sterner as of 1 December 2014. Mr Joachim Schuette joins Viceroy Maldives following his pre-opening General Manager position at Velaa Private Reserve Island in the Maldives. Prior to that Schuette was with Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts for thirteen years moving from Resident Manager to General Manager, including four years in the corporate office as their Director of Development.

Viceroy

Shaviyani Atoll, Maldives

November 12, 2014

Dusit Thani Maldives launches Three-Bedroom Beach Residence

Dusit Thani Maldives takes pride in announcing the launch of its brand new Three-Bedroom Beach Residence. Being one-of-its kind on the resort, this lavish masterpiece, measuring 690 square metres, presents a world of opulence amidst the tranquility of Mudhdhoo Island. An enriching addition to resort's accommodation offering, this exquisite residence has been developed to provide a sense of space and luxury for discerning couples and families.

Dusit

Press Release Development

November 7, 2014

Firas Sharrouf has been appointed as Resident Manager at Jumeirah Dhevanafushi

An experienced hospitality professional, Firas brings strong leadership and management skills to his new role. During his career, he has worked in managerial positions for a number of hospitality companies including Jumeirah Group, Shangri La and the Address in Dubai.

Jumeirah

Meradhoo Island, Maldives

November 3, 2014

ONYX Hospitality Group announces Amari Havodda Maldives - Opens Q1 2016

Thailand-based ONYX Hospitality Group has announced a new Maldives project under its core brand, Amari. Located 400km from the capital Male in the Southern Gaafu Dhaalu atoll, guests will be able to arrive via a short 55-minute domestic flight followed by a speedboat transfer.

Onyx

the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives

October 26, 2014

Pascal Billon has been appointed as General Manager at Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort

Outrigger Enterprises Group has announced the appointment of Pascal Billon as general manager of the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort, slated to open in mid 2015. Billon joined the company on 6 October and reports to William Visser, vice president operations, Asia Pacific. He will work from Outrigger's Asia Pacific Corporate Office in Phuket while the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort undergoes renovation.

Outrigger

Press Release Development

September 28, 2014

Outrigger Resorts Acquires Konotta Island Resort in the Maldives

Hawaii-based Outrigger Enterprises Group announced today that it has purchased the Konotta Island Resort situated in the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll of the Republic of Maldives from Crystal Lagoon Pvt Ltd. The transaction closed in the Maldives on September 23, 2014, for an undisclosed amount and was brokered by Jones Lang LaSalle's Singapore-based Hotels and Hospitality Group acting as exclusive adviser to the vendor. Following a property renovation, the hotel is expected to open as the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort in July 2015.

Outrigger

Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives

August 22, 2014

Elza Artiaga has been appointed as General Manager at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu

With strong Brazilian roots, Elza Artiaga (right) has over 16 years of experience in the 5-star hotel industry as she joins Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu as its first female General Manager. Having successfully inhabited Senior Management roles within the Ritz-Carlton brand in city hotels and resorts in the USA and the Caribbean, Elza has a proven track record in developing her teams. Most recently, she was the Hotel Manager of the multi-award winning Carlisle Bay Resort in Antigua, a 5-star resort within the Campbellgrey Hotels. With excellent leadership skills, Elza will ensure to surpass the strategic goals of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu.

Baa Atoll, Maldives

August 22, 2014

Georgios Papazoglou has been named General Manager at Coco Bodu Hithi

Coco Bodu Hithi sees the addition of a hospitality veteran as its new General Manager. Hailing from Greece with an educational background from the top-ranking Les Roches International School of Hotel Management in Switzerland, Georgios Papazoglou’s career in the hospitality industry spans over 25 years and began in his home city of Athens. From here, he progressed to notable names in the industry such as Hilton, Club Med and Starwood, where he was responsible for the overall operations of two Starwood managed Hotels with a total of 766 keys. With a stellar background in hotel and resort operations, Georgios ( pictured left) will take Coco Bodu Hithi to new heights of excellence in guest experience.

Kaafu Atoll, Maldives

August 22, 2014

Shafa Shabeer has been appointed as Director of Marketing at Coco Collection

To lead the marketing efforts of the group, Shafa Shabeer (right) has been appointed as Director of Marketing for Coco Collection. With a Masters in Marketing and Strategy from University of Warwick, Shafa has in depth knowledge of the properties, having worked with Coco Collection from 2002 until 2013. During this time, she implemented property action plans with the ultimate goal to successfully position the brand in the luxury market. Having grown up with the Coco values instilled in her by Shabeer Ahmed, her father and the founder of the Sunland Group of Companies, she will ensure that Coco Collection maintains its status as a leading boutique luxury brand.

Malé, Maldives

July 17, 2014

Dietmar Koegerl has been appointed as General Manager at Per AQUUM NIYAMA

Per AQUUM has announced the appointment of Mr. Dietmar Koegerl as General Manager of NIYAMA, the company’s edgy, modern resort that lives its tagline, Nature’s Playground, to the fullest offering guests more than a romantic Maldivian escape.

Minor

Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives