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February’s Finest: 05 Key Appointments in the Maldives Resorts

The month of February has seen various key-promotions and appointments in different resorts of The Maldives.

Resorts in the Maldives are constantly working towards providing travellers with better experiences and services. One of the key factors that contribute to these personalised experiences is the effort put in by employees. In addition to anticipating the needs, preferences, and interests, the amazing teams at resorts tailor services perfectly customised for each traveller. To provide this stellar experience, resorts are constantly on the lookout for the best of the best. The month of February has seen some amazing appointments and promotions. Here are the top appointments made in February, as some key personnel joined top-notch resorts!

Rifaath Saeed Returns to Dusit Thani Maldives as DOSM

One of the most major appointments, or shall we say re-appointments of this month was the return of Rifaath Saeed to Dusit Thani Maldives. Rifaath was part of the pre-opening team at the resort back in 2011, taking on the role of Director of Sales and Marketing (DOSM) before she departed from the resort. As she returns to the role, Rifaath has gained 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Before her return, Rifaath worked as DOSM at Amari Raaya Maldives, Cluster DOSM at OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi, Kandima Maldives, Kurumba Maldives, Velassaru Maldives, W Maldives, as well as Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa.

Roberts Ejubs as Group Director of Operations at Crown & Champa Resorts

This February, Crown & Champa Resorts revealed the key appointment of Roberts Ejubs as Group Director of Operations. Hailing from Australia, Roberts has an extensive career, spanning several countries. Prior to the Maldives, Roberts has worked across the US, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. With a specialization in sales, marketing, revenue distribution, and resort operations, Robert has some ambitious goals lined up for the resort.

Zakwan Ahmed as Director of Sales at Kuda Villingili Resort

Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives announced the key appointment of Zakwan Ahmed as Director of Sales this February. Zakwan joins with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Prior to this, Zakwan worked as Assistant Director of Sales at THE OZEN COLLECTION. At Kuda Villingili, Zakwan will work towards developing strategies to achieve the sales target as well as managing relationships with key partners. Additionally, he will also collaborate with various teams to ensure successful sales outcomes for the resort. In this role, Zakwan’s primary focus will be the German-speaking countries, Europe, and the UK market.

Josje Van Engelen as General Manager of Soneva Secret

Soneva’s newest addition to the resort collection, Soneva Secret announced Josje Van Engelen as General Manager. Hailing from the Netherlands, Josje brings to Soneva Secret over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Before this, Josje worked in various countries across the globe including the Netherlands, Belgium, Costa Rica, Australia, and Turks and Caicos. Josje will be leading an incredible team of over 25 nationalities. With this, she brings a new wave of rare, personalised hospitality to the Maldives!

Ali Ashfag as Front Office Manager at Seaside Finolhu

Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll introduced Ali Ashfag as the new Front Office Manager this February. Ashfag joined the hospitality industry at the young age of 18, working his way up to this new position. His transition to Front Office was made eight years ago. From here on, Ashfag ventured on his journey as a butler, later becoming the Front Office Manager. Ashfag brings over a decade of experience across five internationally recognized brands and two local establishments to his new role. In addition to his priceless contributions to Seaside Finolhu, Ashfag has also made generous contributions towards handpicking and training individuals at the resort.

Interested in all the appointments made this February? Head over to our website, and find out more.

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Marriott International Celebrates Second Wave of Graduates in Maldives Apprenticeship Program

Marriott International Celebrates Second Wave of Graduates in Maldives Apprenticeship Program

On April 19, 2025, Marriott International celebrated the success of 31 apprentices who graduated from the second batch of its Maldives Apprenticeship Program. The special ceremony took place at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa and featured key dignitaries, including Hon. Ibrahim Waheed, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts, along with other officials from the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and the Maldives Institute of Technology (MIT). Additionally, Mark Fletcher, Marriott’s Area Director of Human Resources for Singapore and the Maldives, also attended to acknowledge the graduates’ achievements.

Hon. Ibrahim Waheed highlighted the program’s role in empowering the youth of the Maldives, commenting, “Today, we celebrate 31 apprenticeship graduates. These are 31 futures redefined—each a testament to what happens when opportunity meets action. To our apprentices, you step forward as ambassadors of possibility. And to Marriott International, thank you for not just supporting this program, but for championing it—your commitment to mentorship and local capacity building is truly admirable.”

A Collaborative Effort in Hospitality Training

The Marriott Apprenticeship Program is a collaborative effort between Marriott International, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment, and MIT. This 10-month program provides participants with a well-rounded education that includes theoretical lessons at MIT and hands-on experience at various Marriott resorts across the Maldives. Specifically, the apprentices received training in several key hospitality sectors, including front office operations, culinary arts, food and beverage service, and housekeeping.

By partnering with the Maldivian government, Marriott became the first international hospitality brand to support such an apprenticeship initiative in the country, reinforcing its dedication to developing local talent. In this way, the program supports Marriott’s broader mission to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the fast-growing Maldivian tourism industry.

Practical Experience Across Marriott’s Maldives Resorts

The apprentices completed their theoretical training at MIT before gaining practical experience at Marriott’s luxurious properties in the Maldives, such as The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands; The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort; JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa; W Maldives; Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa; Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa; and The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort.

True to the company’s guiding principle of “We Put People First,” Marriott focuses on helping young professionals grow and succeed. As a result of their hard work, all the graduates received Level-3 certification, officially recognized by the Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA). This certification acknowledges their successful completion of both the academic and practical components of the program, preparing them for careers in the hospitality industry.

Looking Ahead to a Bright Future

Mark Fletcher reflected on the program’s origins, noting, “When we launched this program in 2023, it was envisioned as a pilot, a leap of faith, grounded in belief. A belief in crafting talents of Maldivian youth, belief in the strength and collaboration, and belief in Marriott’s commitment to “take care” – not just our people but the communities where we serve. What began as an initiative is now a movement, and Marriott International is proud to be the first international hospitality brand to officially launch such apprenticeship program in the Maldives”

Ultimately, this graduation marks a key milestone in Marriott’s efforts to contribute to the long-term sustainability of the Maldives’ tourism industry by fostering a talented and skilled local workforce. Marriott looks forward to watching its graduates embark on successful careers and continue playing an essential role in the growth of the country’s hospitality sector.

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