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Qatar Airways Holidays Launches 'Companion Flies Free' Maldives Offer
Flights · 3 min read

Qatar Airways Holidays Launches 'Companion Flies Free' Maldives Offer

Qatar Airways Holidays is running a 'Companion Flies Free' campaign for Maldives bookings: one return flight free for a second adult, packaged with a minimum 5-night all-inclusive stay at Diamonds Thudufushi in South Ari Atoll. The promotion ends 25 May 2026.

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Openings
21 May · 4 min read

Nala Maldives: An Adults-Only Island With a Twist in Lhaviyani Atoll

Crown & Champa Resorts has opened its 11th property in the Maldives: Nala Maldives by Jawakara, an adults-only retreat in Lhaviyani Atoll. The twist is the dual-island setup with sister property Jawakara, which guests can access by a three-minute speedboat for a full mixed-guest dining and recreation portfolio without giving up the adults-only base.

Openings
21 May · 5 min read

Bvlgari Resort Ranfushi: Everything We Know About the 2026 Opening

Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts will open its first Indian Ocean property in 2026: Bvlgari Resort Ranfushi, on a 20-hectare island in Raa Atoll. Fifty-four villas, an exclusive Bvlgari Villa on its own private island, four signature restaurants including one by three-Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito, and design from Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel.

Updates
21 May · 5 min read

Ebola Outbreak in East Africa: What Travellers Need to Know

The World Health Organization has issued an emergency declaration for an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. More than 500 cases and 134 deaths have been reported. The United States has implemented entry restrictions and airport screening for travellers who have been in DRC, Uganda or South Sudan in the past 21 days.

Practical
21 May · 7 min read

Attending the FIFA World Cup 2026: The US Visa Situation

The FIFA World Cup 2026 runs 11 June to 19 July across the United States, Canada and Mexico. For fans planning to travel to the US matches, the visa situation is unusually complicated this year: appointment wait times of up to six months, a new visa bond rule for some nationalities, the FIFA PASS priority appointment programme, and 39 countries facing travel restrictions that ticket-holder status alone will not override.

Events
19 May · 6 min read

Eid Al-Adha 2026: What's On at Maldives Resorts

Eid Al-Adha falls on 27 to 30 May 2026, and four Maldivian resort groups have published programmes for the holiday: Amilla Maldives in Baa, The Standard in Raa, Sun Siyam across five properties, and Coco Collection at Bodu Hithi and Palm Dhuni Kolhu. Bodu Mas parades, Boduberu drumming, Maldivian high tea, and an Eid Sai Fodhu spread across all four.

Flights
19 May · 4 min read

Australia’s First Direct Flight to the Maldives Lands

Australia’s first ever direct commercial flight to the Maldives touched down at Velana International Airport at dawn this morning. The flight operated by Maldivian on an Airbus A330-200, was greeted with a traditional water-cannon salute on the apron.

Updates
18 May · 2 min read

Two of Four Italian Divers Recovered from Vaavu Cave System

Two of the four Italian divers missing inside the Devana Kandu cave system at Vaavu Atoll have been recovered deceased by a Finnish specialist cave-diving team. Two divers remain inside the cave. This is a developing story.

Partner content
18 May · 3 min read

St. Regis Vommuli's two-bedroom family villa gets a bigger pool and more living space

The St. Regis Maldives, Vommuli Resort has reopened its two-bedroom family villa following a redesign that adds more indoor space, a much larger infinity pool, and a widened private beach.

Openings
14 May · 3 min read

The Maldives' First Island-to-Island Zipline Opens Bookings

A 428-metre island-to-island zipline between Vahmaafushi and Maafushi in Kaafu Atoll is now open for bookings. Adult rides are USD $50, children $30, with daily slots running 10am to 6pm.