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Dusit Thani Maldives puts Guests Nose-to-Nose with Fascinating Fish as Manta Ray Season Starts

Dusit Thani Maldives marine life
Just 15-minutes from Hanifaru Bay, Dusit Thani Maldives is the perfect resort for unique underwater encounters during the summer holidays.

Just 15 minutes from Hanifaru Bay, Dusit Thani Maldives is the perfect destination for unique underwater encounters during the summer holidays. From May to November every year, Baa Atoll’s protected marine park, Hanifaru Bay, comes alive with plankton, attracting manta rays and whale sharks to feed and play in the turquoise waters.

Just 15 minutes away by boat, the world-class resort offers its guests gracious hospitality, five-star luxury, and front-row seats to all the aquatic action for a memorable summer holiday.

Part of The Maldives’ first UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the Mudhdhoo Island is home only to the resort for a truly immersive experience in the archipelago’s stunning nature. Guests can stroll barefoot on pristine white shores, cycle through lush jungle, and also slip directly into the ocean from luxurious over-water villas to snorkel the vibrant 360-degree house reef.

Also read: Dusit Thani Maldives Introduces a New Spa Concept

Marine marvels are an integral part of the Maldivian experience. The luxury resort’s Ocean Dive Centre provides access to an endless array of aquatic adventures. The centre’s expert team is on alert throughout manta season, with up-to-the-minute information on feeding conditions in Hanifaru Bay. Just a short boat ride brings guests up close and personal with mantas, whale sharks and more.

To capture the magic, Dusit Thani Maldives is offering an all-inclusive Meet The Manta Rays package. The package features five nights in an overwater villa, daily meals at the luxury resort’s restaurants with selected alcoholic beverages, and seaplane transfers. Alongside a boat trip to Hanifaru Bay for an amazing opportunity to swim with the rays, a choice of turtle safari or dolphin cruise enhances this unforgettable aquatic experience.

For more information on luxurious summer holiday escapes alongside amazing manta encounters at Dusit Thani Maldives, contact resmaldives@dusit.com.

Feature image by Dusit Thani Maldives
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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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