‘Indians accounted for 22.1 per cent of all arrivals to Maldives in 2021’

The Maldives has grown its hospitality industry on the “One Island, One Resort” model and has witnessed a great response from tourists across the world. There are close to 950 properties across the country representing the broad nature of the industry in this small island nation where the local population is only 540,000. The hospitality sector in the Maldives is heavily reliant on inbound international travellers as domestic travel is almost negligible. 

“While the pandemic slowed down the visitation of international tourists, the Maldives was the first destination to open during the pandemic in July 2020 and could see the advantage of arrivals from across the world. In Q1 2022, we saw a robust rebound in international travellers with more than 394,000 arrivals registered. Baglioni Resort Maldives stands out in the Maldives as a property focussed on providing a complete package to families, honeymoon couples and solo travellers alike with experiences curated as per the needs of the guests, with a touch of Italian hospitality,” says Monica Suri, General Manager, Baglioni Resort Maldives.

It’s different! 

The resort, nestled on a natural, barefoot island with a pristine house reef, provides travellers with an authentic island experience. It is planned in meticulous detail to offer guests a tailor-made stay in the heart of the Indian Ocean depending on their needs and desires. “Situated on the island of Maagau gives us the benefit to offer the experience of diving and spotting schools of eagle rays, turtles and sharks to our guests. Depending on the kind of experience guests are looking for, we curate an itinerary that ranges from water sports for adventure-seekers, cookery lessons for culinary enthusiasts, movie sessions under the stars for a romantic evening for couples, to sunset and sunrise yoga sessions for guests seeking mindfulness,” she adds.

Surrounded by tropical nature, turquoise waters and velvet-smooth white sands, accommodations at the resort are created with typical Italian attention to detail, using materials and design techniques for optimum sustainability while making the most of the natural setting and its all-embracing beauty. Also, the resort’s three bed-room presidential suite is one of the largest in the Maldives. The three restaurants at the resort showcase an array of gourmet dishes and drinks with sophisticated aperitivo, wine tastings and personalised private dinners to delight the most exclusive international clientele, all in the resort’s signature Italian style. The resort has crafted a special kids’ menu for younger guests. 

Business at the resort

F&B experiences play a major role in driving the revenue at Baglioni Resort Maldives. “Keeping in mind the influx of guests from across the world, our food and wine celebrate the authentic aromas and flavours of Italian as well as international cuisine. Our unique gourmet experiences, from discovering the premier labels on our exclusive wine list to enjoying an aperitivo with Ferrari bubbly as the sun sinks below the horizon, traditional Maldivian culinary experience ‘KEYN’, as well as intimate beach dining are very popular among our guests,” shares Suri. 

Apart from this, many guests are intrigued by the concept of renewing their vows on the beach. Couples can say their vows again by looking at the endless borders of the sea as the sun sets on the horizon. The moment is made unique by Baglioni Resort Maldives with flowers scattered on the sand, dim lights lit all around. The experience is adorned by a romantic sunset cruise. 

Significance of India market 

As Baglioni brand is well-established in Europe, ever since the resort opened its doors, Europe and Russia have been the most significant markets with Asia closing in on number three. “As India was the largest source of tourists to Maldives in 2021, accounting for 22.1 per cent of all arrivals, we anticipate a rise in guests from India from Q4 2022. To cater to our Indian audience, we have elevated our Indian dining experience to include vegan and Jain offerings to our menu. We also curate regular offers as well as package deals to strike a chord with our Indian guests and create brand awareness and visibility. With our customised offerings to segments like honeymooners, family and kids, we are confident that we will soon see more interest from the Indian market,” she says.

Changing travel priorities and offers for business and leisure traveller

“While our guest requirements still remain the same as they come to enjoy Nature – sun, sand and sea, we have seen a change in booking queries in the aftermath of the pandemic. There is a rise in multigenerational travel which is the trend of people from all age groups accompanying each other on trips. Since the beginning of 2022, several families have booked our resort for a relaxing vacation. We believe this is the outcome of Covid19 wherein many families stayed apart and now travellers are returning to the embrace of their families and undertaking vacations together,” opines Suri. 

As climate and ecological crisis deepen day-by-day, travellers are increasingly seeking destinations and properties that have minimised impact on local cultural environment. “Experiential tourism has also emerged as a new travel trend. Several guests have also shown more interest in immersing in the local culture, local experiences and authentic Maldivian cuisine. Our singular focus is to provide our beautiful natural island to guests with suitability, international cuisine, entertainment and make sure every guest requirement is handled with utmost care and love,” she avers.

Split of guest arrivals by nationality 

“In terms of bookings, we receive the greatest number of guests from Italy, Russia, Germany and UK. The Middle East and Indian market have just picked up and we anticipate the bookings to rise by Q4 2022. The length of stay is a minimum of seven days,” informs Suri.

Sustainability initiatives

The Maldives is aware of how climate change is intertwined with marine life, ocean ecosystems and plastic and waste management. The property General Manager says, “As a result, at Baglioni Resort Maldives, we have made it a priority to implement initiatives aimed at reducing our carbon footprint. The marine biologists at Baglioni Resort Maldives work to grow endangered coral species in order to supplement existing reef habitats and create new ones. Coral reefs cover less than 0.1 per cent of the ocean’s surface but provide habitat for one-third of all marine species. Coral reefs not only provide critical habitat for many species, but they also provide essential ecosystem services on which millions of people rely. We also provide the opportunity to our guests to either adopt a coral fragment or sponsor a coral frame with a personalised tag.”

To run the resort efficiently, they have reduced use of plastic water bottles, are attempting to maximise recycling choices through an internal waste reduction plan, and are actively lowering paper usage in any check-in/out routine and in daily office activities. “In terms of energy conservation, we use LED and sensor lighting to reduce energy consumption, monitor the temperature of hot water thermostats and reduce energy production during runoff time. Our accommodations are environmentally friendly with organic amenities. To successfully manage food waste, we propose the best amount of food to our visitors, compost residual food waste, and donate unused products to local communities. The staff is eco-friendly and employees in each department participate in a ‘green team’, a committee that suggests the best eco-friendly practices in their specific department,” she says.

The resort has also partnered with Green Globe, a leading global organisation for a Sustainable Tourism Certification (Green Globe). “In the next year, we plan to invest in green infrastructures at the property such as solar panels, bio-gas system, and hydroponic farming,” adds Suri who has been in the hospitality industry for over 20 years, having started her journey in the industry as Hotel Operations Management Trainee in Food and Beverage Service at Taj Hotels and subsequently climbed the ladder working with renowned hotels across international brands. Prior to joining Baglioni Resort Maldives as the General Manager, she was associated with Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts, Maldives as the General Manager. 

Future perfect

The Maldives will continue to remain a key attraction for tourists for decades, feels Suri. “As an international resort in the Maldives, Baglioni Resort Maldives offers a combination of Italian grace with a tinge of Maldivian authenticity. In the future, we are aiming to broaden our reach to worldwide guests and give them unique experiences. As Indian culture somehow mirrors the Italian culture of being deeply rooted in familial bonds and the warmth in hospitality remains the same in both cultures, Baglioni Resort Maldives has an edge that will definitely resonate with Indians. We look forward to providing a comprehensive experience and education that is more than just a wonderful holiday to travellers,” she concludes.