Maldives

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.

Earth Day is one of the largest civic-focused days of action in the world held every year, where more than 1 billion people in 192 countries take part in green initiatives to highlight the importance of sustainability.

 

On April 22, 2018, each of the Crown & Champa Resorts showed their support of the initiative with a variety of activities involving guests and staff, from Reef & Lagoon Cleaning to educational tours and the daily commitment towards a greener Maldives.

 

 

Under the theme “End Plastic Pollution” and the impact of plastic on the Indian Ocean, Veligandu Island Resort & Spa and Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa held a lagoon cleaning activity to maintain the beauty and health of the marine life. The activity included members of the Euro-Divers and Ocean Dive Center teams, as well as staff and in-house guests at the respective Resorts.

 

Kuredu Island Resort & Spa held an active Island cleanup, while Meeru Island Resort & Spa hosted an informative Nature Walk and Back-of-House Tour. As TUI-certified Environmental Champions of 2017, the two Resorts continue to be leaders in sustainable efforts, with Kuredu recently introducing an eco-friendly linen bag to help guests recycle items back home that currently cannot be recycled in the Maldives.

 

 

Another Environmental Champion, Komandoo Island Resort & Spa features glass water bottles and reusable straws, as part of the day-to-day sustainable operations. 5-Star Hurawalhi Island Resort brings environmental awareness through education in several initiatives over the year, including community outreach programs.

 

For more information on Crown & Champa Resorts’ committed towards preserving the Maldives and global environment, read our Sustainability Report.

 

To find out how you can help while on holiday in the Maldives, download your free copy of the 5 quick tips to saving water & energy.

The Maldives, a tropical paradise of pristine beaches, is one of the most favored tourist destinations in the world with over 1,192 coral Islands grouped into 26 coral atolls in the Indian Ocean.

Here are 6 interesting facts that you should know about the colorful Maldivian Culture & Heritage for World Heritage Day, 18 April:

History of the Maldives

According to archaeological evidence, the Maldives Islands have been inhabited for more than 3,000 years, with a history of Hinduism and Buddhism before the country embraced Islam in 1153 AD. The first settlers are believed to be Tamil and Sinhalese peoples from southern India and Sri Lanka, as well as Traders from Arab and African Countries.

 

Tourism only began in 1972, after the opening of the first tourist Resort in the Maldives. Thanks to the Travel & Tourism pioneers, the Industry only continued to grow with Kuredu Island Resort & Spa being the first Resort built in the Lhaviyani Atoll in 1988, which paved the way for other Resorts such as Komandoo Island Resort & Spa,  Hurawalhi Island Resort and Innahura Maldives Resort within the same Atoll.

 

 

Maldivian Language (Dhivehi)

With influences from Sanskrit, Sinhalese and Arabic, Dhivehi has its own script called Thaana that displays both an Abugida and a true alphabet principle. There are three major dialects spoken by local Maldivians, including Malikhu or Mahl spoken by the islanders of neighboring Minicoy Island.

 

Common Dhivehi phrases:

• Hello: “assalaamu alaikum” (formal) | “maruhabaa” (informal)
• How are you?: “haalu kihineh?” (formal) | “kihineh?” (informal)
• Fine, thank you: “ran’galhu, shukuriyyaa”
• Thank you: “shukuriyyaa”
• You’re welcome: “maruhabaa”

 

Maldivian Food

The natural abundance of coconut palms, Tuna and Reef Fish, and the unique mixture of curries and spices from initial settlers influence main Maldivian Traditional dishes enjoyed to this day. Combinations of these main ingredients are still found in various dishes, such as Tuna Bajiya (Fish-based), Garudhiya (fish soup) and Huni Roshi (Coconut-based Flatbread).

Coconut Juice or Kurumba is the most popular refreshing beverage of the Maldives, which is also served to tourists and guests at Resorts such as Veligandu Island Resort & Spa in traditional Maldivian style.

Maldivian Clothing and Craft

Men traditionally wear sarongs wrapped around the waist with a long sleeved shirt, which is invariably white. Cotton is the preferred fabric due to the island’s tropical weather. Women traditionally wear what is called libaas, which resembles a dress typically worn during special occasions, festivals and during dance performances such as Weddings or Cultural Bodu Beru performances. They are usually adorned with gold or silver colored threads, and the best ones are hand stitched.

 

Museums, such as Meeru Museum exhibit several Maldivian artifacts, from traditional wooden boxes used as travel storage (lakudi foshi), to wooden Maldivian sandals worn until the early 1980s (ujjehi maravalhhi).

 

Maldivian Heritage Sites

Because of the various influences, several religious monuments and temple ruins can be found throughout the local Islands, across the atolls. As small as copper plates and scrolls with details of historical livelihoods, to as large and noticeable as the mosques, temples and coral walls. The capital, Male’ City, features tourist attractions and heritage sites such as the Old Friday Mosque, conveniently located a short walk away from Champa Central Hotel.

 

Other sites include the shipwrecks and sunken boats along the popular trade routes, which are now home to colorful coral gardens and a thousand colorful fish. This makes for excellent diving, common in the South Ari Atoll, near Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa.

 

 

Music & Dance, the Maldivian Way

Music and Dance is an important part of the Maldivian heritage and culture, revered as a form of storytelling, celebrating occasions and pure entertainment. Bodu Beru, referring to both the traditional drum used and the cultural dance itself, involves a display of various performances, each unique to the occasion, such as the women’s Bandiya Dance, where they dance with traditional water collecting containers in rhythmic harmony and dance.

 

The Eid Celebration includes traditional parades on the streets of the islands, with giant mythical fish woven out of coconut palm leaves, called Bodumas and Maali.

 

 

Crown & Champa Resorts offers an authentic experience of the Maldives, with the Islands in their natural and unspoiled beauty, the culture and heritage proudly displayed and practiced by staff, as well as opportunities to learn more about the Maldivian way of life.

 

Visit any of our properties for a warm Bodu Beru welcome; Maldivian architecture-inspired accommodation; a taste of Maldivian Cuisine; and even traditional craft and clothing souvenirs to take home with you after your holiday.

 

View the Crown & Champa Resorts collection.

 

Valentine’s Day is a celebration of your love, so why not spoil the person in your life with a tailor-made holiday in the Maldives. The month of romance is around the corner and Crown & Champa Resorts is here to help you choose the perfect gift.

Crown & Champa Resorts has a choice of several resorts across the Maldives, each offering different experiences and possibilities in a picturesque setting. Choose from the best Resorts in the Maldives, then select the most romantic and intimate room for you, followed by some exciting activities.

Indulge in 5-Star luxury at Hurawalhi Island Resort. From exquisite architecture and design, to delicious cuisine and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dine beneath the ocean at the 5.8 Undersea Restaurant.

Intimacy is the specialty at Veligandu Island Resort & Spa & Komandoo Island Resort & Spa. Escape to an oasis of calm with your partner, enjoy the famous beach dinners “underneath the stars” or simply relax on the white, soft sandy beaches with your loved one.

Vilamendhoo island Resort & Spa combines romance with adventure, for additional excitement during your retreat. With one of the best reefs in the Maldives, you and your partner can enjoy underwater adventures and snorkeling expeditions on your doorstep, mixed with beautiful beaches and the opportunity to explore the best of the Maldives together.

Between Kuredu Island Resort & Spa and Meeru Island Resort & Spa, you and your loved one will be spoiled with a variety of excursions, activities and options for your romantic getaway. The Resorts offer different room categories and romantic options to ensure that you’re your couple’s getaway needs are met. There’s something for everyone!

Champa Central Hotel, has everything you need at great value. The Hotel is centrally located in Male’, ensuring you have access to a myriad of experiences, views and food to nourish your wanderlust. Make your stay extra special with personalized room and bed décor, breakfast in bed and a delicious dinner on the Rooftop.

To top off your getaway you have a choice of activities and dining experiences. Indulge in a culinary journey with fine dining and à la carte restaurants or buffet dining on each island.

Remember to capture each special moment with a photoshoot from the professional photographers at each Island.

Create the best memories. Celebrate your love with Crown & Champa Resorts.

We believe in beautiful destinations, authentic connections with loved ones and spending quality time together. What better place to do this over the Festive Season than at one of the Crown & Champa Resorts in the Maldives.

If you weren’t here, We Missed You and would love to see you soon!

If you were here, we hope you enjoyed every minute as much as we did.

Come island hopping with us as we reminisce about the festive season.

Christmas Eve on Kuredu Island Resort & Spa started with the switching on of the lights, Christmas dinner and a sultry snow party. Santa arrived on Christmas Day on a jet ski to hand out gifts and ended off the excitement with a Beach BBQ Dinner.

The fun continued after Christmas Day with the Christmas Crab Race, a relaxed Christmas Movie and a scrumptious stroll through the Christmas Street Market, which led up to the annual Kuredu Gladiator Fight & Fire Poi. The final hours of 2017 at Kuredu were rung in with a New Year’s dinner and an epic pool party.

The enchanting Hurawalhi Island Resort was a paradise of Christmas celebrations with extravagant cocktails, a picturesque gala dinner and beach party to match.

The island’s New Year’s Eve was an unforgettable gala dinner and tropical soirée with bubbles from Tattinger, followed by a champagne brunch on new Year’s Day.

Veligandu Island Resort & Spa partied the festive season away with delicious dinners, lively entertainment, hilarious games of couple’s lip reading and chill-out saxophone sessions, just to name a few. All guests who purchased a bottle of champagne during New Year’s Eve took part in a festive Champagne Lucky Draw for a chance to win the grand prize of a 7-night stay at Veligandu Island Resort & Spa and more.

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa kicked off the festivities with gingerbread house building, Christmas and New Year’s greeting card crafts, Christmas movies and toy making with coconut leaves

On Christmas Eve Santa arrived bearing gifts for the little ones, with harmonious Christmas Carols by the island choir with the night ending in a Christmas Gala Dinner and exuberant party.

The New Year’s countdown was celebrated with cocktails, a gala dinner, a party filled with giveaways and best wishes for 2018.

If you know Meeru Island Resort & Spa, then you know there was something for everyone this festive season. Beginning with a journey through the history and culture of the Maldives, nature walks on the island, chill-out sessions and live bands, canoe races and a treasure hunt for kids.

Christmas Eve saw Santa arrive by boat to surprise the kids with gift. The celebration continued with a night of cocktails, a gala dinner and a chance to dance the night away at the annual party.

The countdown to 2017 was the perfect time for a sunset chill-out session, gala dinner and beach party. New Year’s Day started with the fun-filled annual Meeru Guests Vs. Staff Football.

Our adults-only island, Komandoo Island Resort & Spa, had a charming festive season with a cocktail making class, Santa’s arrival, a Christmas dinner and party on Christmas Eve.

As a build-up to New Year’s Komandoo had interactive Maldivian Handcrafts Class, yoga, fruit craving and sushi making before setting off on the last sunset cruise for 2017. New Year’s Eve was celebrated in style with a masquerade ball and champagne countdown.

Here’s to 2018, a year filled with excitement, magic and adventure in the Maldives.

See you soon!