Sun Siyam Iru Veli proudly celebrates the achievement of its General Manager, Masdhooq Saeed, who has been awarded Best General Manager – Hospitality in Maldives at the World GM Awards 2025. This recognition is especially significant as he becomes the first Maldivian to receive this prestigious title, marking a milestone moment for both the resort and the nation’s hospitality industry.

Masdhooq’s journey is one of dedication, growth, and vision. Beginning his career in 2001 at the Front Office as a receptionist, he advanced through roles in reservations and villa hosting before moving into management. His steady rise was built on humility and hard work, leading him to join Sun Siyam in 2023 as the General Manager at Sun Siyam Iru Veli. Masdhooq has transformed the resort’s guest experience and strengthened its position as one of the Maldives’ most admired all-inclusive destinations. His forward-thinking leadership has led to remarkable results, from achieving an 8% revenue increase above target in 2024 to driving record-breaking occupancy levels of 90% in early 2025.

“Masdhooq’s achievement is a proud moment for all of us,” said Deepak Booneady, CEO of Sun Siyam. “His journey reflects the very essence of The Home of the Maldivian Spirit, built on passion, perseverance, and purpose. What sets him apart is not only his results, but his heart. He leads with empathy, empowers his team, and reminds us that true hospitality is about people first. We are incredibly proud to have him represent Sun Siyam and the Maldives on the global stage.”

A leader defined by empathy and purpose, Masdhooq is deeply committed to nurturing local talent, advancing sustainability, and cultivating a culture of inspired excellence. Through mentoring and leadership development, he has created opportunities for growth and empowerment across departments. He is dedicated to fostering a culture where excellence is inspired, always with the quiet belief that “anything is possible” and that “luxury is a feeling.”

The World GM Awards, also known as the Golden Tree Awards, recognise outstanding General Managers from across the globe for their exceptional leadership, innovation, and service excellence. Winners are selected through a rigorous evaluation process based on performance, guest satisfaction, and community engagement by an expert panel of hospitality professionals.

With the bold ambition to rewrite the rules of travel, the inaugural TOURISE Summit under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister was officially opened today by H.E. Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of TOURISE.

TOURISE ushers in a new era for global tourism, uniting ministers, delegates, and visionaries from around the world as the premier platform dedicated to shaping the future of global tourism.

Taking place from November 11-13, 2025, immediately following the 50th United Nations Tourism General Assembly, TOURISE is reimagining the way that sectors interact to find opportunities where competitors become partners where investments are optimized and where fragmented silos converge. The event aims to turn bold ideas into real-world solutions and catalyze transformative initiatives that will shape the next 50 years of the global tourism sector.

During his opening speech today, H.E. Ahmed Al Khateeb noted that there has never been a more urgent or opportune moment for convergence of sectors to shape global tourism, with the tourism sector having rebounded to historic highs, with international arrivals and investment surpassing pre-pandemic levels. However, he cautioned that at the same time, the sector faces unprecedented challenges and opportunities: rapid technological disruption, a generational shift toward sustainable and experience-driven travel, and an imperative to build resilience in the face of economic and environmental uncertainty and growing fragmentation around the globe.

His Excellency recognised that TOURISE has arrived at this inflection point, when the world is hungry for new models, new partnerships, and new solutions.

 “TOURISE is more than an event,  it is a platform for action where we will solve for the challenges all together that have long limited tourism’s full potential among them are challenges in skills, investment, infrastructure, sustainability, and digital transformation. It’s a space where we will work hand in hand to deliver the best outcomes for everyone: returns for investors; more accessible destinations and affordable experiences for travelers; jobs and prosperity for communities as the demand for travel increases. We are not here just to discuss ideas. We are here to act. That is why TOURISE exists.”

Over the course of its three days, TOURISE is set to host a number of key panels and talks featuring global leaders from across sectors. Notable global speakers include:

• Ariane Gorin, CEO, Expedia 
• Ambassador Patricia Espinosa, Founder, onepoint5  
• Gloria Guevara, Interim CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council 
• Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, Incoming Secretary General of UN Tourism 
• Luis Maroto, CEO, Amadeus 
• Francis Suarez, Mayor, Miami 
• Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports 
• Lucia Penrod, Co-Founder & Owner, Nikki Beach 
• Sébastien Bazin, CEO, Accor 
• Eduardo Santander, CEO, European Travel Commission (ETC) 
• Harvey Goldsmith CBE, Founder, Nvisible Productions  
• Thomas Woldbye, CEO, Heathrow Airport 
• Steve Hafner, Co-Founder & CEO, Kayak.com 

The speaker line up showcases how TOURISE unites leaders from sectors rarely seen together, creating counterintuitive, boundary-breaking collaborations. These convergences are not just novel; they are the engine for new business models, improved traveler experiences, sustainable destination development and investment strategies that could only emerge from such a unique, multi-sector platform.

The Summit will cover the big questions redefining travel’s future from AI-powered experiences and frictionless borders to destination design, investment, and the race for tomorrow’s travelers, and transform them into action through high-powered ministerial dialogues, boardroom dialogues, main-stage keynotes and innovation showcases.

The winners of the very first TOURISE Awards will also be announced this evening, recognizing those places that exemplify destination excellence and cater to the evolving expectations of the modern traveler.  

Powered by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, TOURISE is more than a three-day summit, it is an always-on, global platform. Crucially, the conversations sparked in Riyadh will continue year-round platform through collaboration and cross-sector partnerships, turning bold ideas into real-world solutions.

Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort, the luxury boutique destination on Palm Jumeirah, unveils its newest culinary gem, Bakalis by ENVY, a Greek-inspired restaurant that brings the soulful beauty of the Aegean to Dubai’s iconic shoreline.

Designed as a toes-in-the-sand dining experience, Bakalis captures the laid-back spirit of coastal Greece, with sunset views, sea breeze, and the scent of grilled seafood wafting through the air. As the resort’s new specialty restaurant, it’s a place where guests can linger over shared plates, sip chilled rosé in carafes, and soak in uninterrupted views of the Dubai skyline and Arabian Gulf.

Bakalis presents a delicious sharing-style menu that celebrates authentic Greek flavors, inviting guests to indulge in a true Mediterranean feast. Begin with an array of traditional cold plates such as tzatziki, fava, dolmades, and marinated anchovies before savoring warm favorites like grilled eggplant with feta, zucchini chips, and grilled squid. For mains, expect beautifully prepared dishes including traditional Moussaka, chicken souvlaki with lemon rice, whole sea bass with grilled vegetables, Gulf prawns, and lamb chops, each crafted with care and made to share. Enhancing the experience are the two magnificent cast-iron grills with open flames, infusing the air with the irresistible aromas of Greek spices and tender meats. And because no Greek meal is complete without something sweet, Bakalis rounds off the experience with indulgent desserts such as Loukoumades, Bougatsa, pistachio baklava, and Greek yogurt with honey and nuts, offering the perfect finish to a vibrant dining journey.

“We wanted Bakalis to embody the essence of Greece, its flavors, warmth, and spirit of connection,” says Faisal Albaradie, Culinary Director at Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort. “It’s the kind of place where you feel the sand beneath your feet, share a meal under the stars, and let time slow down over good food and great company.”

Additionally, Bakalis was pleased to welcome Chef Ioannis Baxevanis, who joined the opening night to narrate the cultural and culinary traditions that have inspired the menu, offering guests an immersive journey into Greece’s rich gastronomic legacy.

With its romantic beachfront setting, sharing-style dining, and sunset-perfect ambiance, Bakalis is poised to become one of Dubai’s most memorable dining destinations, ideal for date nights, intimate gatherings, and private events alike. Here, every visit feels like a mini escape to the Aegean, where the food, the views, and the spirit of togetherness come together in perfect harmony.