This Christmas, create magical memories with your family at THE OZEN RESIDENCE, the crown jewel of OZEN LIFE MAADHOO in the Maldives. Designed for ultimate luxury, this stunning three-bedroom haven accommodates four adults and two children, making it the ideal retreat for a serene and unforgettable holiday.

The residence offers expansive living spaces, elegantly styled interiors, and a private artificial beach where families can reconnect and relax. Adding to the luxury is a private infinity pool that opens to breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean, ensuring every moment feels like paradise.

Dive into the festive spirit with an array of enchanting activities. Decorate gingerbread houses, enjoy a dazzling tree-lighting ceremony, and welcome Santa as he arrives on the beach. On Christmas Day, indulge in a lavish lunch at The Palms, and as the year draws to a close, revel in the spectacular Ice and Fire Fête. This grand New Year celebration features icy cocktails, gourmet dining, fiery performances, and thrilling entertainment, including a fly board show, fireworks, and live music.

To elevate the experience, guests enjoy the luxury of a personal butler and bespoke dining services, ensuring every need is met with care and precision.

Book your holiday now:

• Website: ozenlife-maadhoo.com

• Email: reservations@ozen-maadhoo.com

• Phone: +960 400 2222

Make this festive season extraordinary at THE OZEN RESIDENCE, where luxury and family moments come together in perfect harmony.

IHG Hotels & Resorts is set to introduce its voco brand to Malaysia, announcing the opening of voco Kuching in 2026. This marks IHG's return to Kuching, Sarawak, after a 16-year hiatus.

The global hospitality group has partnered with Malaysian real estate developer Elica Equity to create this 321-room hotel, which will be part of a 12-storey mixed-use development. This development represents the redevelopment of the former independent Century Hotel, reimagined to reflect voco’s distinctive brand identity.

Located just 15 minutes from Kuching's city centre and five minutes from Kuching International Airport, voco Kuching promises to offer a mix of modern amenities and unparalleled convenience. The hotel will feature a swimming pool, an all-day dining café, a lounge, a fitness centre, and extensive meeting spaces spanning over 2,400m². A highlight of the property is its ballroom, which can host up to 1,300 guests, alongside versatile function rooms suitable for various events.

Patrick Finn, Vice President of Development for IHG Hotels & Resorts in South East Asia & Korea, expressed enthusiasm about the project:

“These are exciting times for IHG in Malaysia as we are on track to almost double our estate in the next few years with a pipeline of fantastic hotels that include the debut of voco hotels and luxury & lifestyle brands Regent and Kimpton. Together with Elica Equity Sdn. Bhd., we are committed to bringing voco hotels’ signature delightful and uplifting experiences to the market and attracting more visitors to this beautiful destination in Southeast Asia.”

This addition expands voco’s global portfolio, which currently boasts 77 operational properties and 80 in development. voco Kuching will be IHG’s first hotel in Sarawak and a key player in strengthening the region’s appeal as a premier destination for both business and leisure travelers.

In a significant development to bolster tourism ties, Israel and the Philippines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during Minister of Tourism Haim Katz's visit to Manila. This landmark agreement, signed with Christina Garcia Frasco, the Philippines’ Secretary of Tourism, focuses on marketing, aviation, innovation, and digitization, along with cooperation in international organizations.

A Step Towards Enhanced Tourism Ties

Minister Katz, during his working visit, delivered a keynote speech at the Philippine Travel Agencies Association's annual conference and engaged with journalists, influencers, and key stakeholders from the tourism sector.

A notable highlight of the visit was the discussion on resuming direct flights between Manila and Tel Aviv. In a meeting with the President and CEO of Philippine Airlines (PAL), plans were outlined to launch this route in the second half of 2025, facilitating smoother travel for Filipino tourists to Israel.

This initiative aligns with the increasing number of Filipino visitors to Israel, which ranked fifth among incoming tourists in 2024, with 40,000 visitors - primarily for religious purposes. Minister Katz emphasized that the planned direct route would strengthen economic and tourism ties, making Israel's holy sites more accessible to Christian tourists, particularly during the Christian Jubilee Year in 2025. 

A Shared Vision for Tourism Growth

Minister Katz shared, "The Philippines is a key country in Asia, and its citizens view Israel as a must-visit destination. We are committed to strengthening tourism ties and enhancing cooperation between our nations."

Philippines Secretary of Tourism Christina Garcia Frasco added, "Israel and the Philippines share a tradition of warm relations and a shared faith. Through this agreement, we aim to foster sustainable and accessible tourism while deepening our cultural bonds."

Boosting Religious Tourism

The Christian Jubilee Year in 2025 presents a unique opportunity for religious tourism, offering pilgrims the chance to receive the "Certificate of Forgiveness" declared by the Pope. The Israeli Ministry of Tourism is gearing up for this occasion with focused marketing initiatives, including roadshows, seminars, and collaborations with influencers in the Philippines.

Anchored in History

Tourism relations between Israel and the Philippines have been anchored in a 1987 agreement. The new MoU sets the stage for broader collaboration in the future, ensuring mutual growth in tourism and strengthening the warm ties between the two nations.