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Football Legends Holidays in the Maldives: 2023 Edition

Over the past few years, Maldives has become a favourite spot for all travellers alike.

With the country garnering popularity over the years, one group of travellers who have started to vacation in the country have also gained quite a bit of attention. Over the past few years, world-renowned footballers have started coming to the Maldives, not only to partner with resorts but also to unwind and enjoy their holidays. There were a handful of footballers who were spotted in the Maldives in the past year itself.

Annual Football Camp with Gary Cahill and Wayne Bridge

If you are a lover of the England football team, Gary Cahill and Wayne Bridge must be familiar names. The football legends took over Siyam World just last year for an annual football camp which took place in the summer. What better way for a football lover to spend their holidays than playing off with the best of the best?

During their stay, Gary Cahill and Wayne Bridges shared his expertise and coaching tips with.

Spanish footballer Pedro Rodríguez Ledesma

Pedro Rodíguez is a popular footballer among all FC Barcelona supporters. He is also a popular name in the football scene as Pedro was the first player in history to score in six different official competitions in one season.

It was no surprise when Pedro Rodíguez and his girlfriend came to visit the Maldives for the holiday, it garnered a lot of attention. The pair spent their holidays in a resort located near the capital city. During their stay, Pedro and his girlfriend also took some time to explore popular locations in Male’ City such as the President’s Office and the Friday Mosque.

Manchester City’s legendary goalkeeper, Ederson Santana de Moraes

Ederson Santana de Moraes and his family were spotted at Kandima Maldives in July 2023. During this island-style break, the staff at Kandima Maldives got the amazing opportunity to play along with Ederson! This was a rare opportunity that many would hope to get, as Ederson Moraes took this opportunity to sign autographs for fans as well.

Joe Gomez Vacations at Kandima Maldives

Kandima Maldives definitely appears to be a footballer’s favourite destination. English footballer Joe Gomez and wife also took a much-needed vacation to Kandima Maldives, during which they stayed in the aqua villa. Along with them also came the younglings. Gomez noted that the girls stayed in a studio suite while the youngest shared the aqua villa with the couple.

Children’s football camp with Robert Green

Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences marked their easter with the arrival of former English Premier League player Robert Green. Green’s Football Camo at Amilla Maldives was particularly exciting for the youngsters. In addition to kickstarting Easter with his football sessions, Robert also provided a two-hour Masterclass Boot Camp every day from April 7th to April 11th!

German legend Lukas Podolski at Heritence Aarah

German footballer, known and loved by many, took to Heritence Aarah to play a friendly match with a team of eager young players from Meedhu Island. In addition to the joyous match where Podolski offered tips and tricks, the youngsters also got a personally signed jersey.

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Malaysia Boosts Tourism with Strong Links to Southern India

Tourism Malaysia: Key South Indian Cities Driving Growth

Malaysia is ramping up its focus on key South Indian cities such as Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Kochi to boost tourism, according to the latest data from the Malaysian Tourism Department. These cities play a pivotal role in Malaysia’s tourism strategy, contributing nearly half of the flights from India to Malaysia.

With 151 weekly flights offering 26,686 seats per week, direct connectivity from Southern India has become a cornerstone of Malaysia’s tourism growth plan. Moreover, Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, highlighted the importance of this region, stating, “India has been a key market for Malaysia for over 20 years, and with the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026), we are targeting 1.6 million Indian travellers. Southern India, with its robust flight connections, is crucial to our growth strategy. The 151 weekly flights and 26,686 seats per week reflect the high demand for travel between Malaysia and the Southern cities of India”

Expanding Malaysia’s Appeal

In addition to strong flight connections, Malaysia is positioning itself as a leading destination for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions), wedding tourism, and leisure travel. Periasamy emphasized that Malaysia’s appeal lies in its world-class infrastructure and beautiful destinations, offering diverse travel experiences for all kinds of tourists.

One sector that is seeing particularly rapid growth is wedding tourism, with an increasing number of Indian couples choosing Malaysia for their dream weddings. Furthermore, this trend highlights Malaysia’s growing popularity among Indian travelers seeking unique experiences.

Hishamuddin Mustafa, the newly appointed Director of Tourism Malaysia Chennai, reinforced the strategic importance of South Indian cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Kochi. He pointed out that the ease of access provided by 84 weekly flights and 12,395 seats per week makes Malaysia a highly attractive destination for Indian travelers. “Whether it’s for MICE, a dream wedding, or a family vacation, Malaysia has something for everyone,” Mustafa said, underscoring the wide range of experiences the country offers.

In 2024, Malaysia set a new record by welcoming over 1.1 million Indian tourists, marking a significant achievement in its tourism sector. This surge, he noted, reflects the strong relationship between the two countries and the rising demand for travel to Malaysia. Looking ahead, Malaysia aims to attract 1.4 million Indian tourists in 2025 and 1.6 million by 2026, as part of the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign.

Supporting this growth, the visa-free entry policy for Indian travelers, which will remain in effect until 31 December 2026, has simplified travel to Malaysia. As a result, Malaysia has become even more accessible to Indian citizens, further encouraging visits to the country.

Feature image via Travel Weekly Asia

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