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Meet Josje Van Engelen, General Manager of Soneva Secret

Josje Van Engelen
One of the most renowned resort brands in the Maldives, Soneva announced its upcoming new property Soneva Secret which is set to open in 2024. Although the resort has let travellers have a glimpse through the resort's website, here is a look at one of the important faces set to lead the property.

As Soneva prepares to open up its new property Soneva Secret this year, the resort introduces the General Manager – Josje Van Engelen.

Bringing over 20 years of hospitality experience to Soneva Secret, Guardian of the Experience Josje is originally from the Netherlands. Before this, Josje worked in various positions in the Netherlands, Belgium, Costa Rica, Australia, the Maldives, as well as Turks and Caicos. In addition to having garnered experience working in countries across the globe, Josje is also accomplished in five different languages.

Josje passionately lives life, experiencing new cultures, cuisines, and views, which she believes enrich her soul. She strives to become a role model for women in hospitality and continually encourages her team to follow their dreams.

Josje’s next venture is set to be as the General Manager of the highly anticipated property of Soneva Secret. Leading an incredible team of over 25 nationalities, Jojse is bringing a new rave of rare, personalised hospitality!

About the new Property Soneva Secret!

This barefoot luxury resort, featuring 14 overwater and island villas is going to be the fourth property by the Soneva brand. Taking the Soneva hospitality up a notch, Soneva Secret villas are going to feature a dedicated team of three. This includes a Barefoot Guardian, Barefoot Assistant and a dedicated chef, to ensure every stay is personalised.

The property will also introduce the first floating villa in the Maldives – the Castaway Villa. Read more about Soneva Secret and its villas here!

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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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