OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI’s ‘Royal RESERVE’ Named Maldives’ Leading Luxury Villa for Third Year

OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI’s ‘Royal RESERVE’ Named Maldives’ Leading Luxury Villa for Third Year

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 2, 2025

OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, part of THE OZEN COLLECTION, has once again claimed the spotlight at the 2025 World Travel Awards, winning the coveted title of ‘Maldives’ Leading Luxury Hotel Villa’ for the third consecutive year. The accolade celebrates the resort’s standout offering, the Royal RESERVE, as the epitome of luxury and bespoke hospitality in the Indian Ocean.

Spanning an expansive 3,000 square metres, the Royal RESERVE villa is a sanctuary of opulence, complete with a private beach, panoramic ocean views, and direct lagoon access. Guests enjoy full privacy and an all-encompassing luxury experience, from a dedicated spa treatment room with in-house therapists to a private chef and 24-hour butler service. The villa also features an in-house bar, private restaurant, and handcrafted design details that blend traditional Maldivian aesthetics with modern elegance.

This third straight win reaffirms the villa’s status as one of the world’s most desirable luxury accommodations. It follows a string of previous honours, including ‘World’s Leading Honeymoon Resort’ and ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Villa’, making OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI a consistent leader in premium hospitality.

image

“It is with heartfelt pride and deepest appreciation that we receive this coveted accolade from the World Travel Awards for the third consecutive year,” said Monica Coppetta, General Manager of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI. “This extraordinary distinction celebrates our passionate pursuit of crafting unforgettable journeys, where visionary design dances with gracious service amidst the Maldives’ breathtaking serenity.”

In addition to this prestigious win, the resort has also been nominated in the 2025 World Spa Awards as ‘Maldives' Best Wellness Retreat’ for its signature ELE|NA Elements of Nature Spa. This wellness sanctuary combines nature-inspired therapies and modern techniques to deliver a truly rejuvenating experience.

At the heart of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI’s offering is its RESERVE Plan™ — a benchmark in luxury all-inclusive travel. Guests enjoy catamaran transfers, unlimited spa treatments, and gourmet dining across seven venues, along with premium Champagne, curated ocean excursions, and exclusive water sports with Best Dives.

From honeymooners to high-profile travellers seeking an escape into indulgent solitude, the Royal RESERVE is more than just a villa — it’s a celebration of abundant luxury, where every wish is anticipated and fulfilled with graceful precision.

With its growing list of accolades and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of hospitality, OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI continues to set the gold standard for meaningful, immersive luxury in the Maldives.


Israel Festival 2025 Goes Nationwide with Art, Music, and Culture

Israel Festival 2025 Goes Nationwide with Art, Music, and Culture

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 23, 2025

The Israel Festival 2025 has kicked off with a fresh vision, moving beyond the streets of Jerusalem to embrace diverse communities across Israel, from Majdal Shams in the north to Kibbutz Tze'elim in the south.

Spanning from July 16 to August 14, this year’s festival marks a historic milestone as it becomes a nationwide celebration of arts, culture, and unity. Each location will feature curated programs that reflect the spirit and identity of the local community.

Festival Locations Include:

  • North: Majdal Shams, Kiryat Shmona, Kibbutz Kfar Blum, and Tel Hai College

  • South: Ofakim, Kibbutz Urim, and Kibbutz Tze’elim

  • Jerusalem: The festival’s traditional venues remain central to the celebration

A Few Highlights from the Festival Lineup:

  • Speeches Against Despair: An imaginative reinterpretation of iconic speeches curated by Guri Alfi and Eli Haviv, featuring prominent performers like Noa Koller, Noga Erez, and Norman Issa.

  • Music People: A soulful collaboration between well-known Israeli musicians and emerging talents from the north.

  • Al-Malab (The Pitch): A powerful theatrical piece performed on a soccer field, exploring themes of memory and childhood.

  • From Ashes to Gold: Trumpeter Avishai Cohen joins the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra to perform a deeply emotional album inspired by the October 7th events.

  • Coming Home: A thought-provoking Talmudic performance blending music, narration, and spirituality.

  • Brothers: A heartfelt album launch by Tuval Haim, joined by musical guests including Tomer Yosef and ECHO.

  • Spurs: A literary and multimedia tribute to 25 years of the Mifal HaPais Sapir Prize, featuring award-winning authors and artists.

The organizers share that this edition is more than a festival—it is a reflection of hope, unity, and the deep belief in art as a bridge across communities.

“We operate from a deep belief in artistic creation as a unique tool for strengthening the fabric of shared life in Israel,” said Eyal Sher, CEO of the festival.

Artistic directors Michal Vaknin and Itai Mautner added, “We want to create a multi-layered picture and make room for something else to enter. This is our humble offering, our prayer.”

A Celebration of Cultural Resilience

The 2025 edition is not only a cultural showcase but also a powerful symbol of resilience and connection. It emphasizes the role of art in times of division and serves as a heartfelt invitation to celebrate creativity in all its forms.

The festival also aligns with the Restart the Galilee initiative, an effort to boost cultural tourism and economic development in the northern region by hosting events that support both artists and local communities.

From traditional stages in Jerusalem to the green fields of the Galilee, the Israel Festival 2025 offers a vibrant and unifying cultural experience for all.


Germany Plans to Roll Back Air Traffic Tax Hike Amid Airline Pressure

Germany Plans to Roll Back Air Traffic Tax Hike Amid Airline Pressure

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 22, 2025

Germany is considering a reversal of the air traffic tax hike introduced in May 2024, according to a report by Bild. The move comes amid growing pressure from airlines and concerns over high operational costs at German airports. The current coalition government plans to discuss the matter during the preparation of the 2026 budget.

The tax increase raised the surcharge for short-haul flights from €12.48 to €15.53 per ticket. This has been widely criticized by airlines, especially low-cost carriers like Ryanair, which claim that the added costs are making air travel to and from Germany less attractive. International airlines have also hinted at scaling back their operations in response to the high fees.

Christoph Ploss, the government's tourism policy coordinator, has been vocal in calling for a change. “The increase in air traffic tax must be cancelled, and charges at German airports must also be reduced,” he told Bild. He further noted that the tax hike made holidays more expensive for millions of Germans. “A well-deserved holiday in Mallorca must not become unaffordable,” he added.

Germany’s transport ministry reportedly supports the reversal and sees it as a step toward reducing financial strain on the aviation sector. The coalition government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has expressed a commitment to easing the burden on the travel industry, although no official timeline has been provided yet.

The announcement briefly lifted Lufthansa’s stock by 2.2%, reflecting positive sentiment from the market. Ralph Beisel, head of the ADV airports association, also welcomed the potential policy change. “A reorientation of aviation policy is needed in our country,” he said, calling the reversal “a first and urgent step in the right direction.”

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil is expected to present the draft budget for 2026 in the coming week. While economic challenges and increased defence spending are putting pressure on the national budget, businesses and industry watchers are closely monitoring the government's next steps in offering relief to the aviation sector.


Emirates Launches 'Emirates First' Check-in for First Class Flyers at DXB

Emirates Launches 'Emirates First' Check-in for First Class Flyers at DXB

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 21, 2025

Emirates has unveiled 'Emirates First', a new premium check-in zone at Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport, offering a private and elevated experience exclusively for its First Class travellers and Skywards Platinum members.

Just steps from the dedicated Emirates entrance, the new facility is designed to mirror the airline’s First Class luxury—with interiors featuring marble finishes, gold and bronze accents, and plush seating areas. The space is intentionally free of digital signage to maintain a calm, lounge-like atmosphere. Instead, the check-in process is handled via iPads or at elegantly crafted counters, providing a personalised, tech-enhanced experience.

The zone also includes family-friendly seating, allowing one member to complete formalities while others relax. Luggage is seamlessly routed through dedicated First Class belts for smoother transfers.

image

“Emirates First reflects our continued investment in luxury travel,” said Adel al Redha, Deputy President & COO, Emirates. “It offers privacy, efficiency, and comfort at every step of the journey.”

Post check-in, passengers can proceed directly to the First Class lounges for à la carte dining, spa treatments, shopping concierge services, and more.

This initiative is part of Emirates’ broader First Class upgrades, which include Robert Welch caviar bowls, curated wine pairings, and a more refined onboard service. With over 26,800 First Class seats available weekly, Emirates continues to set the standard for top-tier travel experiences.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.