AGP Executive Report

Resort News: Preferred Hotels & Resorts added 28 hotels globally in the third quarter, including Maldives’ Diamonds Thudufushi. Island Experiences: St. Regis Maldives Vommuli is hosting tennis residencies through November 30, with Daniil Medvedev, Paula Badosa and Donna Vekić offering coaching, clinics and junior activities. Education: Applications are open for Chinese Government Scholarships for Maldivians for the 2027/28 academic year; undergraduate applicants must complete the China Scholastic Competence Assessment. Sustainability: MOPA and The Residence Maldives have partnered on waste management and plastic awareness, starting with a community session in Maamendhoo. Heritage & Travel: A feature spotlights Malé’s 400-year-old coral mosque, while a review of Four Seasons Kuda Huraa highlights its village-style setting and coral-planting experience.

Island Experiences: St. Regis Maldives Vommuli is hosting tennis stars Daniil Medvedev, Paula Badosa and Donna Vekić for coaching sessions and guest events through November. Resort Life: A review of Four Seasons Kuda Huraa praises its intimate, village-like feel and coral-planting experience, while a new Maldives travel guide offers tips on transfers, seasons and planning a stay. Ocean Care: The Residence Maldives and the Maldives Ocean Plastics Alliance have joined forces to promote waste sorting, recycling and plastic-pollution awareness, with a community session held in Maamendhoo. Education: Applications are open for Chinese Government Scholarships for 2027/28; undergraduate applicants must include results from the China Scholastic Competence Assessment. Culture & Community: Forty female surfers are gathering at Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi for an eight-day retreat, while Malé’s 400-year-old coral mosque is also drawing attention as a heritage landmark.

Resort Life: St. Regis Maldives Vommuli will host tennis stars Daniil Medvedev, Paula Badosa and Donna Vekić for coaching sessions, clinics and junior activities through November 30. A new review praises Four Seasons Kuda Huraa’s intimate, village-like feel, while a travel guide spotlights the Maldives’ beaches, reefs and island adventures. Sustainable Islands: MOPA and The Residence Maldives have teamed up on waste management and plastic awareness in Maamendhoo. Culture & Wellness: Malé’s 400-year-old coral mosque offers a glimpse of the country’s heritage. Six Mandara Spa destinations in the Maldives were named among the world’s top 100, and Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi welcomed 40 female surfers for an eight-day retreat. Education: Applications are open for Chinese Government Scholarships for 2027/28, with online submissions and assessment requirements for undergraduate applicants.

Education: Applications are open for Chinese Government Scholarships for the 2027/28 academic year. Maldivian applicants must apply online; undergraduate candidates also need to complete the China Scholastic Competence Assessment. Sustainable Islands: MOPA and The Residence Maldives have partnered on waste management and plastic awareness, including a community session in Maamendhoo on sorting and recycling. Resort Life: Kandooma Maldives has expanded its all-inclusive package to include activities such as reef snorkelling, sunrise fishing, a sunset cruise and scuba diving for certified guests. Women & Youth: The Maldives and Pakistan’s First Ladies have pledged to strengthen cooperation in women’s empowerment, education, youth development and people-to-people ties.

Education: Applications are open for Chinese Government Scholarships for the 2027–28 academic year. Maldivian students must apply online, and undergraduate applicants need to complete a required competency assessment. Island Sustainability: The Maldives Ocean Plastics Alliance and The Residence Maldives have partnered on waste management and plastic awareness, including a community session in Maamendhoo on sorting and recycling. Tourism: Kandooma Maldives has expanded its all-inclusive package to include activities such as diving, reef snorkelling, fishing and a spa treatment. Women and Youth: During President Muizzu’s Pakistan visit, the two countries’ First Ladies highlighted women’s empowerment, education, youth development and people-to-people ties. Culture: A look inside Malé’s 400-year-old coral mosque spotlights the Maldives’ distinctive architectural heritage.

Island Sustainability: The Maldives Ocean Plastics Alliance and The Residence Maldives have partnered on waste management and plastic awareness, with a community session in Maamendhoo urging residents to sort waste and recycle. Resort Experiences: Kandooma Maldives has expanded its all-inclusive package to include diving, reef snorkelling, sunrise fishing and a spa treatment, putting more island activities within reach of guests. Women in Surf: Forty female surfers gathered at Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi for an eight-day retreat, bringing women’s participation and community to the fore. Heritage: Malé’s 400-year-old coral mosque offers a striking glimpse into the country’s architectural history. Women and Youth: During the Maldives’ state visit to Pakistan, the First Ladies highlighted women’s empowerment, youth development, education and cultural exchange as priorities for closer ties.

Island Living: Baccarat Hotel & Residences Maldives has unveiled a campaign starring Adriana Lima, presenting its planned island homes as a setting for everyday life by the ocean. Resort Experiences: Kandooma Maldives has expanded its all-inclusive package to include reef snorkelling, a sunset cruise, sunrise fishing, a spa treatment and, for certified divers, a daily dive. Women & Youth: During the Maldives–Pakistan state visit, the two countries’ First Ladies highlighted women’s empowerment, youth development, education and stronger people-to-people ties. Cultural Exchange: President Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed visited Islamabad’s Lok Virsa Museum, exploring Pakistan’s traditional textiles, crafts and regional heritage. Wellness & Sport: Six Mandara spas in the Maldives were named among the world’s top 100, while Lohis hosted 40 female surfers for an eight-day retreat at Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi.

Island Escapes: Kandooma Maldives has expanded its all-inclusive stays to include diving, reef snorkelling, sunrise fishing, a sunset cruise and a spa treatment. Women & Youth: During the Maldives–Pakistan state visit, the two countries’ First Ladies highlighted women’s empowerment, youth development and people-to-people ties; agreements also cover arts and culture, education and sport. Heritage: President Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed visited Pakistan’s Lok Virsa Museum to explore its regional crafts and traditions. Wellness & Surf: Six Mandara Spa destinations in the Maldives were named among the world’s top 100, while Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi hosted 40 female surfers for an eight-day retreat. Reef Care: A Stanford lab study found a healthy coral fragment helped a bleached one regain colour through contact, offering a possible new lead for reef restoration—though researchers say it still needs testing beyond the lab.

Travel: A direct Karachi–Maldives air link is being planned to boost tourism and business travel, though flights have not yet begun. Resort Life: Kandooma Maldives has expanded its all-inclusive package to include diving, reef snorkelling, fishing, a sunset cruise and a spa treatment. Women & Youth: The Maldives and Pakistan’s First Ladies pledged closer cooperation on women’s empowerment, youth development, education and healthcare. Rasmalé: Former President Abdulla Shahid urged the government to disclose the waterfront project’s agreement, warning that secrecy could damage public and investor trust. Heritage: Malé’s nearly 400-year-old Hukuru Miskiy remains a living place of worship, its coral-stone walls preserving a remarkable chapter of Maldivian history. Community: Atmosphere Foundation’s first annual report highlights education, livelihoods and environmental work across 38 islands, including bamboo planting in every atoll.

Travel: Direct Maldives–Pakistan flights are moving closer, with Pakistan ordering a feasibility study and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu saying Maldivian plans a Karachi service. No launch date has been set. Culture: Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed toured Islamabad’s Lok Virsa Museum, viewing traditional crafts, textiles and regional heritage. Heritage: A look inside Malé’s nearly 400-year-old Hukuru Miskiy traces how coral stone and intricate carving shaped one of the capital’s most distinctive landmarks. Community & Environment: Atmosphere Foundation’s first annual report records support for 3,599 students and 1,440 households, plus bamboo planting on 48 islands. Rasmale’: Former foreign minister Abdulla Shahid is urging the government to disclose details of the proposed waterfront and marina project, warning that public uncertainty could undermine investor confidence. Climate: Pakistan’s offer of 100,000 olive cuttings for the Maldives’ tree-planting drive has drawn criticism from experts who say the species may not suit the islands’ tropical climate.

Environment: Pakistan’s pledge of 100,000 olive cuttings for the Maldives’ tree-planting drive has drawn criticism from experts who say the species may not suit the islands’ tropical climate. Heritage: Malé’s nearly 400-year-old Hukuru Miskiy offers a living glimpse of the country’s coral-stone architecture and Islamic history, as the Maldives advances a bid for UNESCO status for seven historic mosques. Community: Atmosphere Foundation’s first annual report says its 2025 programmes reached 3,599 students and supported more than 1,440 households, with environmental work including bamboo planting across 48 islands. Culture and education: During President Muizzu’s Pakistan visit, the countries signed agreements covering education, tourism, arts and culture, alongside plans for direct flights. Travel and wellbeing: Six Mandara Spa destinations in the Maldives were named among the world’s top 100, while 40 female surfers gathered at Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi for an eight-day retreat. Alila Kothaifaru Maldives also won Best Resort of the Year at the AHA Asia Hotel Awards.

Tourism Links: The Maldives and Pakistan agreed to launch direct flights, with tourism included in a wider package of cooperation agreements. No start date was announced. Hospitality: Alila Kothaifaru Maldives was named Best Resort of the Year at the 2026 AHA Asia Hotel Awards. Wellness & Sport: Six Mandara Spa destinations in the Maldives made the world’s top 100 list, while Lohis welcomed 40 female surfers for an eight-day retreat. Heritage: The Maldives is advancing its bid to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for seven historic coral-stone mosques.

Culture and Education: The Maldives and Pakistan signed 20 agreements covering arts and heritage, education, youth and tourism during President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit. Leaders also set a two-year goal of lifting bilateral trade to $200 million, while discussions continue on direct flights. Island Wellness: Six Mandara Spa destinations in the Maldives made Luxury Lifestyle Awards’ 2026 list of the world’s top 100 spas. Alila Kothaifaru Maldives was named Best Resort of the Year at the AHA Asia Hotel Awards. Women in Surfing: Forty women gathered at Lohis for an eight-day surf retreat, pairing coaching and ocean time with wellness and community. Heritage: The Maldives is advancing its bid for UNESCO World Heritage status for seven historic coral-stone mosques.

Pakistan Visit: President Mohamed Muizzu arrived in Islamabad for a three-day state visit, with talks expected to cover education, health, tourism and trade. A Pakistan–Maldives business forum is also planned as the countries mark 60 years of diplomatic ties. Wellness: Six Mandara Spa destinations in the Maldives have been named among the world’s top 100 spas for 2026. Women in Surfing: Forty female surfers gathered at Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi for an eight-day retreat combining surf sessions, wellness and island experiences. Festive Islands: Atmosphere resorts have announced Christmas and New Year programmes featuring Maldivian traditions, food, entertainment and family activities. Heritage: The Maldives is advancing its bid for UNESCO World Heritage status for seven historic coral-stone mosques.

Women on the Waves: Forty female surfers gathered at Lohis from October 11–18 for an eight-day retreat combining surf sessions, wellness and time together at Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi. Festive Islands: Atmosphere resorts have unveiled holiday programmes for December and January, with Maldivian heritage, Bodu Beru, themed dining and family activities among the plans. Resort Updates: The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives is refreshing its villas and adding dining, family, recreation and wellness offerings; Fushifaru Maldives placed fourth among Indian Ocean resorts in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. Food and Culture: Pastry chef Elena Nabiullina will bring a dessert masterclass and special creation to The Nautilus Maldives from November 7–12. The Maldives is also advancing a bid for UNESCO World Heritage status for seven historic coral-stone mosques. Women’s Work: Madifushi Private Island is supporting women’s employment through a community initiative in Dhiggaru.

Culinary Spotlight: The Nautilus Maldives will host award-winning pastry chef Elena Nabiullina from November 7–12, with a guest masterclass and a dessert created for resort guests. Tourism Recognition: Fushifaru Maldives placed fourth among Indian Ocean resorts in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, praised for its island heritage, marine life and nature-focused stays. Cultural Heritage: The Maldives is advancing its bid for UNESCO World Heritage status for seven historic coral-stone mosques. Skills & Opportunity: India has increased its annual allocation of in-person professional training places for Maldivians from 200 to 300, offering courses across fields including public service, media, sports and aviation security. Women’s Employment: Madifushi Private Island is supporting women’s employment through a community initiative in Dhiggaru.