Seven Marriott International resorts in Maldives and The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently came together to look into collaboration with local islands that will expand economic opportunities for their residents.
The seven Marriott International resorts are represented by Marriott Maldives Business Council’s chairman Renato De Oliveira.
The partnership is aligned with Marriott International’s Take Care culture, a commitment to promote opportunity, community and purpose for all.
Possible outcomes from the partnership include tourism excursions on nearby inhabited islands, increased resort employment of local island residents, joint waste recycling efforts, locally sourced agriculture products, and more.
“Together we are paving the way for thriving communities and building a future where everyone’s potential is unleashed,” said De Oliveira, who is also general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands.
“We will continue to build deeper connections in local communities which are aimed to sustainable and mutually beneficial cooperation,” he added.
He has previously worked at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula in Vietnam, InterContinental Hong Kong, Bulgari Hotel London, Peninsula Hotels Brand, to name some.
In her new role, she will take charge of the hotel’s operations team, which encompasses front office, culinary, food & beverage, security, engineering, housekeeping, and lifestyle (spa and wellness).
Most recently area general manager at Accor, Cane moved back to Melbourne from London where he lived for 20 years, 12 of which he worked as general manager to four- and five-star hotels.
Batik Air has commenced direct flights between Dubai and Kuala Lumpur, which is expected to fuel both leisure and business traffic between the two destinations.
Flight OD714 departs from Dubai every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 04.05, arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 15.35 local time. The return flight, OD713, operates on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, departing at 23.05 local time and arriving in Dubai at 02.25. The flight is operated using a new Boeing 737-8 aircraft, with 12 business class and 150 economy class seats.
This follows the airline’s Jeddah-Kuala Lumpur service launched on August 15.
Ammar Abd Ghapar, director general of Tourism Malaysia, said the new service will support destination promotions in the lead up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
He added: “This will further boost the growth of traffic flow via Kuala Lumpur International Airport, opening up Malaysia more broadly to travellers from other international destinations and thus accelerating Malaysia’s tourism recovery.”
Meanwhile, group strategy director of Batik Air and Lion Group, Chandran Rama Muthy, said: “The new Dubai-Kuala Lumpur route expands Batik Air’s reach, seamlessly connecting (South-east Asia) and Asia-Pacific markets with the Middle East.”