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Soneva and Biogents succeed in Sustainable Pest Management Practices in the Maldives

insects on tree maldives
Soneva Fushi has found success with an island-wide, insecticide-free mosquito management solution in partnership with Biogents.

Soneva Fushi has found success with an island-wide, insecticide-free mosquito management solution in partnership with Biogents. While many resorts use chemical fogging to manage the mosquito population, Soneva recently revealed that for more than a year they have been working with Biogents, a company at the forefront of international mosquito control research, in order to introduce a sustainable, insecticide-free mosquito management system.

Soneva has revealed that the aim of this partnership between Soneva and Biogents is to bring the mosquito population on the island of Kunfunadhoo, the home of Soneva Fushi, down to zero, to show the international community that it is possible to use sustainable insecticide-free alternatives in mosquito control and to be the first mosquito-free island in the Maldives.

Starting July 2019, a month into the operation, a sharp decline in the number of mosquitoes trapped on the island was already observed, and today the mosquito population has been reduced by around 95-98%. Soneva’s target is to eliminate all mosquitoes on Kunfunadhoo island by the end of 2020.

At Soneva, we have always used nature as an inspiration for our innovation. In fact, our organizational structure is inspired by the relationship of the planets to each other. In the middle of last year at Soneva Fushi, we set a target to become the first island to be completely mosquito-free. We installed more than 500 Biogents traps throughout the island. While some mimic mosquito breeding sites, others hold a sachet that mimics human sweat with the smell of lactic acid. We also add a mix of sugar water and yeast as a means to produce carbon dioxide, mimicking exhaled human breath. So, these traps smell and breathe like a human being. The mosquitoes are lured into a catch-bag where they dry out and die.

In the first weeks of implementing this, the traps caught up to 9,000 mosquitoes a day, on average 20 mosquitoes per trap. Since then, this number has reduced to single digits. We have two mosquito species on the island, the Aedes and the Culex. The Culex is nearly extinct and we hope that the Aedes will soon follow. It is my hope that this will be a perfect example of how closely following and understanding the laws of nature, and innovating around it, one can find solutions that end up being more effective than solutions that are the result of bioengineering.

Sonu Shivdasani, Soneva’s CEO and Co-Founder stated.

Does eliminating mosquitoes impact the ecosystems?

Biogents has assured Soneva that eliminating mosquitoes from the island will have no impact on the local food chain and ecosystems, as Kunfunadhoo has low biodiversity and no freshwater aquatic ecosystems where mosquito larvae are a necessary part of the food chain. The halting of chemical fogging has also resulted in the appearance of a greater diversity of flora and fauna on the island.

Before the partnership with Biogents, the mosquito population at Soneva Fushi was managed by a conventional pest control company with hot fogging and mist blowing. However, the mosquito population built strong resistance to this treatment over time, rendering it ineffective. Moreover, fogging is directed against adult mosquitoes only.

While mosquitoes turned resistant, the fogging reduced the number of other insects usually found on Kunfunadhoo Island, including species of butterflies, dragon flies, bumble bees, beetles and more. Now, with the new mosquito management system, guests and Hosts alike have seen an increase in the Maldives’ native insects.

These natural pollinators are now back in abundance, which means there are more flowers, more fruits and Soneva Fushi’s organic gardens are thriving as a result with more produce to serve its restaurants. With the increase in fruits and insects, there are also more birds visiting the shores of Kunfunadhoo and fire flies are once again spotted at night.

Improving the efficacy of mosquito traps has always been the core expertise of Biogents. So, we had the right tools to offer, but the approach also needs a solid understanding of mosquito ecology. Soneva really understands this, and thanks to the vision and expertise of all the involved partners, the project is indeed setting new standards.

Dr. Andreas Rose, Co-Founder and Management Board Member of Biogents stated.

The Mosquito Traps

Two types of mosquito traps, with a total of more than 500, have been deployed across the island: the BG-GAT, which is a passive trap for egg-laying tiger mosquitoes that have bitten someone and are searching for a place to lay eggs; and the BG-Mosquitaire CO2, which attracts mosquitoes in search of blood. Carbon dioxide, produced through yeast and sugar fermentation helps attract the mosquitoes in combination with lactic acid that humans emanate from the skin.

In tandem to placing the traps, Knols and Jahir also educated Soneva Fushi’s Hosts about mosquito breeding sites and how to reduce the amount of stagnant water found on the island. This included reducing the use of tarpaulins, island clean-up days to remove coconut shells and any other objects that could contain water, and daily inspections of island sectors for the presence of mosquito larvae.

Recently, Soneva gifted a number of mosquito traps to Parliament in Malé, the capital of the Maldives, and is currently deploying traps at Soneva Jani in the Noonu Atoll. There, in a time-frame of 48 hours, a single BG-Mosquitaire CO2 trap caught a record number of 2,972 mosquitoes.

About Soneva

Soneva is a pioneering family of hospitality properties and products, offering holistic encounters in luxurious and inspiring environments – from world class resorts to outstanding natural locations. Combining luxury with a conscientious approach to sustainability and the environment, and proactively changing the nature of hospitality, it delivers intuitive service and meaningful experiences to the guests.

About Biogents

Biogents is a research-driven company that develops new and improved methods to control mosquitoes in an intelligent, targeted, and environmentally safe manner. Founded in 2002 as a spin-off from the mosquito research lab at the University of Regensburg in Germany, Biogents develops and produces highly efficient mosquito traps for a wide range of applications and customers, from surveillance to control.

Feature image by Soneva
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Liverpool FC and Maldives sign Tourism Partnership

The Maldives, renowned for its breathtaking islands and luxurious resorts, has taken a bold step to enhance its global tourism reach through an exciting new partnership with Liverpool Football Club (LFC). Announced by the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/ Visit Maldives), this multi-year agreement designates the Maldives as the official tourist destination partner of one of the world’s most iconic football clubs, covering both the men’s and women’s teams. This partnership aims to showcase the Maldives to a vast international audience, thereby driving a surge in high-value tourism to the island nation.

A Global Stage for the Maldives

Liverpool FC engages an audience of over 205 million followers globally, giving Visit Maldives an unparalleled platform to attract potential travelers. By leveraging the club’s influential reach, the Maldives plans to draw an additional 100,000 tourists in 2025, generating over $100 million for the country’s tourism revenue. Additionally, on April 2nd, during a high-profile match against Everton, the Maldives will unveil the partnership, with branding prominently displayed on LED boards at Anfield Stadium, ensuring millions of viewers worldwide see it.

This strategic alliance extends beyond brand visibility at LFC matches. Visit Maldives will place billboards across Europe, targeting affluent travelers in key markets, and secure coverage in LFC’s official publications and digital platforms. With LFC’s TV audience exceeding 211 million per season and 53 million followers on social and digital channels, the Maldives positions itself as a top destination for luxury travelers and football fans alike.

Exclusive Experiences and Sports Tourism

Moreover, this partnership offers the Maldives unique opportunities, including the creation of a Liverpool Academy in the Maldives, further boosting sports tourism. The academy will attract aspiring athletes and football fans, blending their love for the sport with the beauty of the Maldives’ stunning surroundings. In addition, additional fan zones, appearances by LFC legends, and interactive digital campaigns will further engage audiences and drive travel interest.

As a part of this effort, Visit Maldives will incorporate these activations into their global events, fairs, and roadshows, building a cohesive branding presence that emphasizes the Maldives as a luxury destination. The partnership will reach over 397 million people per season, with an expected media value of over $17 million annually, thus delivering a significant return on investment.

A Shared Commitment to Sustainability

Beyond tourism, this partnership reflects a mutual dedication to sustainability. Both LFC and the Maldives commit to protecting the environment, with LFC’s “The Red Way” program promoting sustainability in sports, while Visit Maldives champions ocean conservation and eco-friendly tourism. Since the Maldives faces challenges from rising sea levels and climate change, this collaboration highlights the importance of sustainable practices in preserving the island nation’s unique ecosystem.

Ben Latty, LFC’s Chief Commercial Officer, highlights the mutual goals of sustainability and unforgettable experiences in this partnership. Meanwhile, Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO & MD of Visit Maldives, expresses pride in aligning with Liverpool FC, noting that the collaboration will bring the Maldives closer to millions of passionate football fans and offer them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the “Sunny Side of Life.”

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