Events

🏝 For Valentine's Day 2026, Nova Maldives hosts "The Golden Age of Love" from 13-15 February 2026 in South Ari Atoll. Daily sunrise cruises through SAMPA, the Maldives' largest protected ocean reserve, offer intimate whale shark sightings. Romantic activities include champagne breakfasts, sandbank escapes, and coral planting. Events feature starlit beach dinners, cinema nights, and vow renewal ceremonies, promoting conservation and creating timeless memories. Visitors can book packages online for this cinematic celebration of love.

🏨 Six standout applications are competing in the 25th edition of the Hospitality Awards. These innovative contenders vie for the Best Marketing Initiative category. The ceremony, unveiling the finalists and winners, will take place on November 25th.

🏨 25th edition of the Hospitality Awards celebrates the top 6 players in the hospitality industry for their commitment, innovation, and impact. Categories include Destination Marketing Campaign. The reveal of finalists and winners will take place during the ceremony on November 25th.

📅 Independent Host Summit, hosted by Lodgify, will take place online next month. Over 10,000 participants, from side hustlers to full-scale STR businesses, are expected globally. This free event aims to empower independent hosts by transforming independence into community, providing practical insights and tools to enhance their businesses. Featured speaker Kerri Gibson emphasizes actionable guidance for hosts at any stage. This marks Lodgify’s commitment to simplifying hosting and highlighting the influence of independent operators.

🏖️ Liu Bolin, known as "The Invisible Man," collaborates with Maison Ruinart at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands from November 27-30, 2025. The event features live performances, 10 art exhibitions, and curated Ruinart Champagne tastings. Highlights include a live artistic performance on November 30, and workshops with Bolin. Luxurious dining includes Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2010 & 2013, paired with dishes like Maldivian octopus. Guests experience a unique blend of art, nature, and gastronomy.

🏠 On February 4, 2026, The Caterer unveiled the top 30 hospitality employers in the UK. This includes pubs, restaurants, hotels, and foodservice operators. The selection was based on employee votes, highlighting workplaces that excel in employee satisfaction, engagement, and growth. This initiative aims to convert employee feedback into actionable insights, enhancing employer branding and celebrating outstanding employers.

💰 European luxury tourism faces challenges in reaching Chinese Free Independent Travellers (FITs) due to 25-30% margins lost to agents or €50,000+ PR campaigns. The China FIT Accelerator™, starting in November, offers a 4-week online course to retain margins by teaching European tourism leaders to directly engage FITs. Inside the program, strategies include creating hotel, retail, and itinerary packages. A free Clarity Session is available in October, with the Priority Waitlist open until September 26.

📝 The Lodging Conference is celebrating its 30th anniversary in October. Founded in 1995 by Harry Javer, the event has grown from 300 to over 2,900 attendees, becoming a key networking event for the hotel industry. Notable events include the 2001 cancellation due to 9/11 and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference encourages a relaxed, informal atmosphere and supports students with scholarships. Key locations have included the Arizona Biltmore and JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa.

🏨 The Independent Hotel Show, in partnership with James Hallam Insurance Brokers, happens on 6-7 October 2025 at Olympia. Seven design studios, including DV8 Designs and SASI Studio, are tasked with interpreting the theme "Redefining Luxury." Key areas include the Hotel Business Stage by DV8 Designs, Members Suite by Black Ivy, and Innovation Stage by Design Command. The event, essential for hoteliers, promises fresh design concepts and networking opportunities.

🎃 The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands hosts a Halloween-themed autumn festival from 30 October to 5 November. Located in the North Malé Atoll, the resort offers activities like pumpkin carving, treasure hunts, and yoga. Michelin-starred chef Max Strohe will feature in dining events. Highlights include a beach workout, a turtle snorkelling trip, and a carnival with food stalls. Opened in 2021, it is part of a multi-resort development with Capella and Patina Maldives.