Easter Celebrations at Anantara: Spring Wonderland!

There is no better way to celebrate Easter than with a Spring wonderland. At Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, the Easter magic is in full bloom and guests are invited to enjoy the festivities!

The Easter Splash Pool Party at Manzaru

Kick off your Easter Celebrations on 27th March at Manzaru Restaurant as the celebrations start off by the pool. This Easter Splash Pool Party is bringing tunes from the resort’s resident Dj and a selection of gourmet treats to savour! After the sun goes down, turn up the fun at the Sky Bar for a legendary white party. Put on your white outfits, and get ready for a good time. If you’re arriving later, you can also join in on 2nd April for the same thrill.

The Fun Continues

On the 28th of March, join in for an Easter Bunny Chocolate-making session at Plates Restaurant. Here, the resort’s young guests can enjoy while learning to create delicious treats with the guidance of the chef. Later on, the little ones can head over to the Kid Club to try and catch the elusive Easter bunny!

While the young ones enjoy, the rest of the guests are invited to engage in some friendly competition at the Easter Tennis Open, featuring both singles and doubles matches.

An island Soiree

Enjoy the evening with an Island Soiree with free-flowing champagne and canapés. If this is not your vibe, indulge at Six-Metres Below with Duval Leroy – Dégustation Secrète. Here, guests can enjoy the finest of Kihavah Wine Dinner. This exclusive evening includes an exquisite 5-course dinner with versatile champagnes from Duval-Leroy.

Good Friday

Fashion lovers are welcome to celebrate Good Friday at the resort on 29th March. Spend a lunchtime sipping and shopping. Enjoy a glass of Champagne while browsing through Anantara’s stunning boutique collections at Sip ‘N’ Style Champagne Shopping. The youngsters are invited to blossom like spring flowers and enjoy the Spring Chic Easter Kids Fashion Show!

Easter Gala Dinner and More!

Start off your Saturday with a soccer day, and join in on the friendly football match. Work up your appetite for the evening’s Spring Wonderland: An Enchanting Easter Gala. This Gala is filled with cocktails, live entertainment and floral glamour at Manzaru! Enjoy an Easter Gala Dinner with a rich array of culinary delights and live entertainment by the beach.

Spring Wonderland Brunch and Painting Classes

Start the fun at Kid’s Club for an Easter T-shirt painting session from 11:30 onwards. Make the brunch of the day a family affair and come together for a floral-themed Easter Sunday Brunch at Manzaru. This brunch is set to be extremely special, featuring signature dishes from each restaurant. The Bloom and Brunch will also have live music and of course, stunning views of the ocean!

Ready for Eater Egg Decoration?

Continue the Easter spirit with an Egg-cellent Chocolate Easter Egg Decorating session with the chef. Later in the afternoon, there is more family adventure at the Grand Easter Egg Hunt.

Easter Monday begins with a chance to discover the amazing artistry of THONArtisan. THONArtisan is a local resin artist who draws inspiration from the breathtaking natural wonders of the Maldives. The Resin Art Workshop is separated into an adult session in the morning and a kid’s class in the afternoon.

Finest of Kihavah Wine Dinner

Journey to Super Tuscan, where the exquisitely crafted flavours of a 5-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Joachim Textor. The dinner is paired with iconic Tuscan wines by Anantara Kihavah’s Resident Wine Maestro, Lenka Praveen. This is perfect to create a perfect harmony of flavours for 20 lucky guests in this exclusive dining event.

The Spring Wonderland Easter programme comes to a close with a friendly Kids Football Match on Tuesday 2 April, but every day is a fun day for kids at Anantara Kihavah with a full programme of games and activities available throughout the Easter period and beyond.

The travel and tourism sector is undergoing significant transformation, and the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai is set to play a central role. For years, ATM has served as a vital meeting point for global industry leaders, innovators, and professionals. In 2025, however, the event’s importance has grown, not just due to its strategic location and global reach, but also because of an emerging shift in how countries, including the Maldives, are prioritizing international tourism fairs. Traditionally aligned with major European tourism events like ITB Berlin, the Maldives has now designated ATM as its most important international tourism fair, marking a decisive pivot in the country’s global tourism strategy.

ATM 2025: A Landmark Event for the Travel Industry

Set to take place from April 28 to May 1, 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM will be more than just a gathering; it’s expected to be an industry milestone. With over 46,000 tourism professionals attending from more than 160 countries, the 2025 edition promises to showcase the latest innovations, trends, and developments in the travel and tourism industry. As the world moves toward post-pandemic recovery, the event will highlight how the industry can develop through enhanced connectivity and forward-thinking technology.

The overarching theme of ATM 2025, “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity,” reflects the rapid shifts in global travel patterns. From Artificial Intelligence (AI) shaping travel experiences to sustainability coming to the forefront, ATM 2025 will not only spotlight emerging trends but also offer a platform for businesses, governments, and stakeholders to forge new partnerships and explore new opportunities.

One of the key innovations at ATM 2025 will be the incorporation of cutting-edge AI technologies. As the travel industry becomes more tech-driven, the event will explore how AI streamlines operations, personalizes customer experiences, and aids in sustainable destination management. AI will take center stage at ATM 2025, with prominent speakers, including Cassie Kozyrkov, the former Chief Decision Scientist at Google, offering insights into how businesses can strategically adopt AI to drive growth.

Why ATM? Maldives Shifts Its Focus

For many years, the Maldives has maintained a strong presence at global tourism fairs, with ITB Berlin serving as a traditional cornerstone. However, in 2025, the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) made a notable decision: the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) will now take precedence over ITB Berlin as the country’s primary tourism event. This strategic shift forms part of a broader recalibration of how the Maldives engages with the global tourism industry.

One of the driving factors behind this pivot is accessibility. The Maldives, like many other destinations, faced logistical challenges with European trade shows such as ITB Berlin. Visa difficulties and geographical constraints hindered the participation of Maldivian industry professionals, limiting their ability to engage with international stakeholders. Dubai, however, with its easy access to the wider Middle Eastern, African, and Asian markets, presents a much more viable platform for global engagement.

MMPRC Managing Director Ibrahim Shiuree affirmed that consultations with industry stakeholders, including resort operators and tourism associations, guided the move to prioritize ATM. As a result, ATM now offers the Maldives the visibility and accessibility it needs to promote its thriving tourism sector to an increasingly diverse international audience.

At ATM 2025, the Maldives delegation will present a strong presence, with over 230 representatives, including 111 exhibitors showcasing a wide range of resorts, guesthouses, and luxury services. In addition to promoting the country’s stunning natural beauty, MMPRC will also curate a cultural experience to replace the Maldives’ traditional “Maldivian Night” event, once held at ITB Berlin. This new showcase will offer international audiences a taste of Maldivian cuisine, music, and arts, highlighting the country’s unique cultural identity.

ATM: A Gateway for Regional Tourism Growth

The growing importance of ATM is not limited to the Maldives. The event has become a central hub for countries across the Middle East, Asia, and beyond to showcase their tourism offerings. In 2025, exhibitors from Asia will increase notably, with countries like India and China significantly expanding their participation. This highlights the region’s increasing influence in the global tourism market, particularly as Asia emerges as the fastest-growing region for tourism recovery.

Saudi Arabia, for instance, will spotlight its ambitious Vision 2030 at ATM 2025, with major tourism projects like the Red Sea Coast and NEOM taking center stage. Similarly, the UAE, Qatar, and other Middle Eastern countries will showcase their advancements in tourism infrastructure and evolving cultural tourism offerings.

The Middle East’s tourism sector has demonstrated impressive resilience post-pandemic, with the region recording a 32% increase in international arrivals over pre-pandemic 2019 levels. This robust recovery is expected to continue, with ATM 2025 providing an invaluable platform for international buyers and stakeholders to tap into this growing market.

A New Era for Tourism in the Maldives and Beyond

For the Maldives, ATM 2025 represents more than just a change in venue; it signals the country’s readiness to adapt to global tourism dynamics and the growing influence of the Middle East as a tourism hub. By focusing on Dubai and the Arabian Travel Market, the Maldives positions itself as a key player in a rapidly changing global tourism landscape, one that increasingly demands accessibility, connectivity, and cultural engagement.

Beyond the Maldives, ATM 2025 will likely become a game-changer for the global tourism industry. The event will highlight the importance of sustainability, technology, and cultural exchange as key drivers of growth. It will also offer valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the global travel market, from the impacts of AI to the need for sustainable tourism practices.

As the travel industry continues to evolve, ATM 2025 will serve as a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and forward-thinking strategies. For countries like the Maldives, it represents the perfect opportunity to showcase not just their natural beauty but also their evolving tourism models that embrace cultural heritage, sustainability, and technological advancements.