News

Celebrating World Turtle Day 2018 the Maldivian Way

May 24, 2018
Kuredu Turtle Release with Olive Ridley Project

World Turtle Day, May 23, is an annually observed awareness day that aims to raise attention, knowledge and respect for turtles around the world. Here, in the Maldives, precious Sea Turtles are one of the frequently spotted residents of the underwater world.

 

Guests who enjoy snorkeling and diving around the lagoons often spot the 5 Sea Turtle species that are most prominent in the Maldives. Namely, the Green Sea Turtle, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, Loggerhead and Leatherback.

 

Although these have been spotted all around the various Atolls, the Lhaviyani Atoll is known as the hub for Green and Hawksbill Sea Turtles. So far, 170 Green Sea Turtles and 103 Hawksbill Turtles have been identified. Hawksbill Turtles are known to frequent Komandoo Island Resort & Spa’s House Reef, where 24 of the 103 identified in the atoll were spotted.

 

Kuredu Island Resort & Spa dedicated the day towards educational tours and the highlight of the day, the release of rehabilitated Sea Turtles with Dr. Stephanie Köhnk, the resident Sea Turtle Biologist and Olive Ridley Project team member.

 

Guests from 5-Star Hurawalhi Island Resort were also in attendance for the special occasion. Hurawalhi has aptly listed Turtle Snorkeling with Marine Biologist as one of their must-do Bucket List holiday experiences.

 

 

Kuredu Turtle Release with Olive Ridley Project

Image by ProDivers Maldives at Kuredu Island Resort & Spa

 

Loggerhead and Leatherback Turtles have been spotted more in the Ari Atoll, were Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa is located in the southern most part of the Atoll. The Resort, known for its fantastic House Reef and marine life, hosted an educational presentation with guidelines to observe when swimming with Sea Turtles, whether snorkeling or diving.

 

Meeru Island Resort & Spa recently introduced the Turtle Explorer Excursion, designed to bring you closer to these ancient creatures in a respectful and mindful way. Guests can explore two of the best reefs of North Male’ Atoll including Turtle Reef.

 

Crown & Champa Resorts across the Atoll are continuously providing guidelines, information and educational tours to raise awareness on our shelled friends. Most notably, the Resorts have made efforts towards protecting Sea Turtles together with organizations such as the Olive Ridley Project, Olive Ridley Project, Marine Savers, Prodivers Maldives, Ocean Group Maldives and Euro-Divers Maldives.

 

Read our 8 quick facts and trivia about Sea Turtles for more information.

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Spa

Top 3 Duniye Spa Experiences for your Maldivian Holiday

May 18, 2018
Duniye Spa, Meeru Island Resort & Spa

Award-winning Duniye Spa has become a leader in spa management, wellness and holistic healing in the Maldives and the Indian Ocean at large. Guests across all Crown & Champa Resorts appreciate the quality of enchanting spa and well-being rituals that promote within you a sense of personal paradise.

 

Give yourself the gift of pure bliss during your holiday in the Maldives. Allow the qualified and professional therapists at Duniye Spa to guide you into the ultimate state of calm and relaxation, from therapeutic massages, antioxidant rich natural skin care and freshly prepared body exfoliation.

 

Here are the top 3 spa experiences for you to indulge in and enhance your Maldivian holiday:

 

#3: Maldivian Island Paradise

 

The Maldivian Island Paradise indulgence delivers a true island experience that lingers on long after the treatment itself. The signature treatment makes use of the natural and healing properties of coconut to create harmony between body, mind and soul.

 

120 minutes of relaxation begin at the sound of the singing bowl and a sea salt foot scrub, followed by a tropical full-body massage with 100% virgin coconut oil. Your body will also be smoothed and coated with freshly ground coconut and vanilla body polish to make your skin glow. Lastly, enjoy a luxurious coconut hair mask combined with an Indian head massage using coconut oil infused with rosemary.

 

Duniye Spa Products

 

#2: Heaven on Earth

 

As the name suggests, the Heaven on Earth treatment leaves your body, mind and soul floating on a cloud with attentive massages and premium facial products. The 90-minute signature treatment begins with the same Asian-inspired foot ritual to unwind and connect.

 

Allow your body drift away into deep relaxation with a stimulating Balinese massage and the sounds of Tibetan singing bowls. After which, our therapists begin the rejuvenating facial using premium organic Healing Earth™ products, which include the highly celebrated antioxidant-rich Pinotage grape seed oil and most active botanical essence.

 

#1: Sense of Touch

 

Certainly a guest favorite and the top most recommended treatment at Duniye Spa, the Sense of Touch is the ultimate indulgence, fusing the world’s best massage techniques inspired by African and oriental healing traditions. This signature treatment is the perfect escape into personal paradise.

 

Expect a deeply relaxing and uplifting massage experience, using ginger and lemongrass herbal poultices to evoke a warm, nutrient-rich relief for tense muscles. This massage works with the body’s natural energy system to harmonise the energy flow, while using the miracle African Potato body balm to revive your senses and enrich your skin with anti-oxidants and deep hydration.

 

Indulge in these top choices for a relaxing, rejuvenating and healing treatment in tropical paradise. Choose Crown & Champa Resorts on your next trip to the Maldives.

 

Book your treatment via email.

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News

NatGeo Travel Photograph at Mirihi Island Goes Viral

May 6, 2018
NatGeo ravel Photographer Contest Mohamed Shareef Mirihi Island

Chasing Lunch: “A baby black-tip reef shark swims through a swarm of silver sprats at lunch time in the lagoon of Mirihi Island in Maldives.” – Mohamed Shareef

 

A recent photograph by Mohamed Shareef, General Manager at Mirihi Island, Maldives has gone viral across established online publications such as The Washington Post, The Daily Mail and The Telegraph. National Geographic editors consider the entry one of the best and one of their TOP picks for the contest so far.

 

The photograph, which was entered into the Nature category of the contest, displays a single baby black-tip reef shark swimming through a swarm of sliver sprats in the Island’s crystal clear lagoon, where they learn how to feed in a nursery.

 

Mirihi Island is located in the South Ari Atoll, reachable from Velana International Airport on a 30-minute picturesque seaplane flight. After having been freshly renovated and reopened in December 2014, the small paradise combines modern and traditional elements with a new shine while still maintaining its unique Maldivian character.

 

Voting opens from June 11 – 15, on the NatGeo Travel website for you to choose your favorite photographs from each category. Voters will also be able to select the Peoples’ Choice winners. In addition to the prestigious title, the overall winner will also receive a grand prize of US$10,000 and be featured on NatGeo Travel Instagram.

 

Remember to vote for the iconic capture by Mohamed Shareef, General Manager at Mirihi Island as the National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year contest.

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Secrets to Success

Secrets to Successful Human Resource Management

May 4, 2018

Recruiting and retaining skilled employees is an essential part of the Hospitality Industry, so much so that Resorts & Hotels invest most of their resources on HR Departments to find the right talent and ensure existing employees are well cared for.

 

Liezette S. Robles, Human Resource Manager for award-winning Crown & Champa Resorts (CCR) has been with the group for over 7 years and offers insightful secrets to success in Human Resources in the Maldives.

 

Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Liezette holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of the City of Manila (Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila). She has extensive experience in the Human Resources Departments of various Resorts & Hotels, including the start of her career at El Nido Resorts in Makati, Philippines in 1995; La Cigale Hotel in Doha, Qatar in 2008; and then joining Crown & Champa Resorts in 2010.

 

The extensive experience provides keen insight into the changes in Human Resources, especially in the Hospitality industry and in the Maldives. “A lot has changed and improved in the recruitment process. Policies and procedures were not followed as strictly as they should have and often no standard forms were established,” she adds.

 

Over the years, CCR has only further grown as a leading group in the Travel & Hospitality Industry of the Maldives. The need to stay up-to-date with policies, regulations and procedures is crucial to a seamless HR Department and to help in finding the right talent.

 

In her advise to HR Managers, Recruiters and companies looking to improve their employee retention and general wellness of employees, Liezette lists the following:

 

  1. Build a good network with other Resorts and trusted recruitment agencies.
  2. Follow standard procedures and policies in the recruitment process.
  3. Use interviews as a more personal and in-depth approach to selecting candidates.
  4. Foster an open-door corporate culture that encourages employees to communicate.
  5. Walk-the-talk and follow what you implement.

 

CCR treats its employees as a family. Most of the long serving employees feel that they have found a second home in CCR. The open door policy is also a big advantage. Anyone can speak directly to the CEO or even the Owners. That makes the staff feel heard, valued, important and mostly, that they belong.

 

Crown & Champa Resorts’ core values are the foundation of HR Departmental goals, resulting in some of the top reasons why CCR employees are happy to work within the group. These values also provide for the health, educational, lifestyle and professional wellbeing of employees, as well as the overall growth of the group.

 

Start making improvements within your own department. Read the 5 common hiring mistakes and how to fix them, for successful recruitment and essentially, higher employee retention and employee wellness.

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News

What you need to know about Travel Trade Maldives

April 30, 2018
Travel Trade Maldives - TTM 2018

Once again, Crown & Champa Resorts (CCR) will be exhibiting at the 2nd annual Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) as a premium exhibitor, from May 1 – 3, 2018. The event will be held at Dharubaaruge, Male’, Maldives and Crown & Champa Resorts will be exhibiting at booth A05.

 

The event marked a milestone in the Tourism industry as the first International Travel Trade Show in the Maldives, hosted by Maldives Getaway with over 100 Resorts and 150 industry professionals attending. Here is what you need to know about the Maldives’ growing tourism event:

 

Success of TTM 2017

The 1st edition of TTM concluded successfully on July 13th, 2017, with business contracts worth over US$1 billion discussed during the two-day travel trade show. More than 100 hoteliers held over 4,000 meetings with 150 agents and tour operators from across the globe.

 

TTM 2018 Partnerships

Crown & Champa Resorts have signed as premium exhibitors at Travel Trade Maldives for the 2nd year in a row with Champa Central Hotel, in the heart of Male’ City, signing as Hotel Partner for the event as well.

 

TTM 2018 Events

Exhibitors and visitors can look forward to a variety of exciting vents during the 2-day trade show, including the Maldives Supplier Expo 2018, an invitation-only event with over 1000 key decision makers and purchasing chiefs and the prestigious TTM Gala Night to celebrate and conclude the event.

 

The TTM Hotelier Summit Maldives, held April 30, 2018 at Bandos Maldives, offers a solution-oriented platform that facilitates face-to-face meetings, networking activities, and information exchange amongst the most elite assemblage of hotel owners and general managers. Event speakers include Ministry of Tourism, as well as international delegates from Booking.com and Expedia.

 

Visit the Crown & Champa Resorts booth A05 or stay-up-to-date with the event on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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