There are about 1,190 coral islands scattered across the Maldives, and with more than 170 transformed into island tourist destinations, it is a fiercely contested market for luxury hotels and resorts.
As more resorts open up on the atolls, scattered across 90,000 square kilometres of this Indian Ocean nation, many are looking to reduce their environmental impact. A 45-minute seaplane ride from the capital Male, Alila Kothaifaru is one of these resorts and a place increasingly turning its focus to sustainable tourism.
With 44 beachside villas in the natural surroundings of lush coconut palms and dense vegetation, the resort's infinity pools peek out from behind tropical bushes onto powdery white sands. They are an invitation to unwind. Alternatively, guests can choose one of 36 overwater villas, each with a private pool and pontoon from which they can take a fresh morning plunge into the crystal clear, turquoise waters.
About 12 per cent of the Maldives is covered in mangroves, which are critical to the survival of healthy island ecosystems. In tune with these natural surroundings, Alila Kothaifaru boasts a simple, modern design and is developing sustainable methods to manage its power and waste.
Currently, 12 per cent is supplied by solar power, but that will double to 25 per cent once phase two of a solar power project is complete later this year. The resort has ambitions to one day be fully reliant on renewable energy. “The biggest impact we can make on positive environment measures is definitely though solar,” said Thomas Weber, the hotel’s general manager. “We are using less diesel, and desalinate seawater, filtering it to produce drinking water.”
Staff also continuously strengthen Alila's thriving house reef by replanting coral fragments grown in an island nursery to nurture the rich diversity of the surrounding marine ecosystem.
The perfect escape
While the pace of life in these beautiful surroundings is somewhat different to the hustle and bustle of the UAE, there is also an opportunity to experience the reality of island life.
Arriving at the island’s jetty, guests are greeted by the sounds of the bodu beru, the traditional Maldivian drum made of wood from a coconut tree. Travellers staying on the island can take up lessons. The ornate instruments are often played in tune to a dance of the same name – the Boduberu – during special celebrations.
It is not just drums that are crafted from felled palm trees. Coconuts are used elsewhere on the island. From making dishes, bowls and plates from their shells, to the twine and rope created from coconut husks – nothing goes to waste.
Another must-do for visitors is a cooking lesson, using locally cultivated ingredients. Kitchens are supplied with the freshest vegetables, herbs and spices homegrown on the island's small subsistence farm, reducing the need for imported food. Meanwhile, compost generated from food waste fertilises the spice garden, providing lemon grass, basil, chilli and rosemary as well as butternut squash, tomatoes and aubergine. A dedicated garden chef offers live cooking demonstrations to bring those ingredients to life, while guests dine outdoors in the garden's beautiful surroundings.
At beachside restaurant Seasalt, breakfast and dinner is served with a spectacular view out to the thriving reef that surrounds the resort. Every Sunday, guests can meet with local fishermen and take their pick from the catch of the day.
Alongside the hotel's green credentials, there is plenty of typical Maldivian luxury to enjoy but also a sense of simplicity that mirrors traditional life in the archipelago. From an afternoon spent painting an island sunset on to a coconut shell, to a game of beach petanque or boat cruise in search of wild dolphins that regularly patrol the surrounding waters – there is an enjoyable escape for any discerning traveller.
And for the ultimate in relaxation, Alila's treetop spa is the perfect spot to unwind in the tranquillity of the leafy canopy and enjoy a range of soothing aromatherapies and massages.
A blue economy
The marine ecosystem in this part of the world is threatened by some 860 metric tonnes of daily waste generated by the scores of hotels across the Maldives atolls, the majority of which is plastic.
Sustainable use of island resources is an important aspect of the ‘Blue Economy’ in the Maldives. It also encourages young people to learn about sustainable practices, like those used on Alila Kothaifaru, and provides jobs for local communities.
In keeping with this ethos, motorised water sports are banned, adding to the island's peace and tranquillity, while fireworks are restricted to cut down on pollution. Laundry operations are done during daylight to maximise solar energy, and an anaerobic digester recycles sewage to create reusable water for irrigation and cut down waste.
“We use reusable glass bottles and only work with suppliers who don't wrap everything in plastic, so there is less waste to manage,” said Weber, who has been working in the Maldives for nine years.
Retaining the islanders' cultural identity is a key facet of this resort, and how it engages with communities living nearby. In the Raa Atoll, nearby Maduvvaree is one of 88 local islands, home to 2,500 people. The island offers an insight into how local Maldivians go about their everyday lives, and is one place where Hyatt runs community support programmes.
Fishing is the main source of income, with 90 per cent of catches exported overseas. But it is not just the lure of a lucrative career at sea that offers opportunity. New avenues are opening up in hospitality and tourism. Local people trained at the Alila resort have furthered their careers in the wider Hyatt group around the world.
Abdulla Haleem is the principal of Maduvvaree school and says that much has changed since he was a boy, growing up in the Maldives. “Back then there were many trees and only a limited number of houses,” he said. “We didn't see any vehicles and would have to leave the island for work.” Today, roads and vehicles have come to the island, but growing tourism also provides more opportunities for those who want to stay here.
Changing climes
As one of the world's lowest lying countries, there is no escaping the fact that climate change is having a major impact on the lives of those living in the Maldives.
Sadha Mohamed, executive secretary at Alila said her generation heard warnings at an early age about the perilous future of the Maldives, due to rising seas and climate change.
“When I was in school we were told that in 20 years we will not be able to live here because of sea levels, but we are still here,” she said. “There's more understanding of these issues now, so we can try to prevent these kind of problems in the future.”
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Yuval Noah Harari, Jonathan Cape
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mercedes V250 Avantgarde specs
Engine: 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbo
Gearbox: 7-speed automatic
Power: 211hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 350Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.0 l/100 km
Price: Dh235,000
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
What to watch out for:
Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways
The hulls of three ships will be used for the roof
The hulls will painted to make the largest Italian tricolour in the country’s history
Several pillars more than 20 metres high will support the structure
Roughly 15 tonnes of steel will be used
Company profile
Date started: December 24, 2018
Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer
Based: Dubai Media City
Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)
Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech
Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year
Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
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Read more about the coronavirus
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
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The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
Fifa Club World Cup:
When: December 6-16
Where: Games to take place at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi and Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain
Defending champions: Real Madrid
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
The five types of long-term residential visas
Obed Suhail of ServiceMarket, an online home services marketplace, outlines the five types of long-term residential visas:
Investors:
A 10-year residency visa can be obtained by investors who invest Dh10 million, out of which 60 per cent should not be in real estate. It can be a public investment through a deposit or in a business. Those who invest Dh5 million or more in property are eligible for a five-year residency visa. The invested amount should be completely owned by the investors, not loaned, and retained for at least three years.
Entrepreneurs:
A five-year multiple entry visa is available to entrepreneurs with a previous project worth Dh0.5m or those with the approval of an accredited business incubator in the UAE.
Specialists
Expats with specialised talents, including doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, and creative individuals working in the field of culture and art are eligible for a 10-year visa, given that they have a valid employment contract in one of these fields in the country.
Outstanding students:
A five-year visa will be granted to outstanding students who have a grade of 95 per cent or higher in a secondary school, or those who graduate with a GPA of 3.75 from a university.
Retirees:
Expats who are at least 55 years old can obtain a five-year retirement visa if they invest Dh2m in property, have savings of Dh1m or more, or have a monthly income of at least Dh20,000.
How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019
December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'
JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.
“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”
November 26: ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’
SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue.
SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."
October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'
MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.
“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December."
The past Palme d'Or winners
2018 Shoplifters, Hirokazu Kore-eda
2017 The Square, Ruben Ostlund
2016 I, Daniel Blake, Ken Loach
2015 Dheepan, Jacques Audiard
2014 Winter Sleep (Kış Uykusu), Nuri Bilge Ceylan
2013 Blue is the Warmest Colour (La Vie d'Adèle: Chapitres 1 et 2), Abdellatif Kechiche, Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux
2012 Amour, Michael Haneke
2011 The Tree of Life, Terrence Malick
2010 Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (Lung Bunmi Raluek Chat), Apichatpong Weerasethakul
2009 The White Ribbon (Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte), Michael Haneke
2008 The Class (Entre les murs), Laurent Cantet
Planes grounded by coronavirus
British Airways: Cancels all direct flights to and from mainland China
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific: Cutting capacity to/from mainland China by 50 per cent from Jan. 30
Chicago-based United Airlines: Reducing flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong
Ai Seoul: Suspended all flights to China
Finnair: Suspending flights to Nanjing and Beijing Daxing until the end of March
Indonesia's Lion Air: Suspending all flights to China from February
South Korea's Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air and Jin Air: Suspend all flights
FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Saint-Etienne v Montpellier (10.45pm)
Saturday
Monaco v Caen (7pm)
Amiens v Bordeaux (10pm)
Angers v Toulouse (10pm)
Metz v Dijon (10pm)
Nantes v Guingamp (10pm)
Rennes v Lille (10pm)
Sunday
Nice v Strasbourg (5pm)
Troyes v Lyon (7pm)
Marseille v Paris Saint-Germain (11pm)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
