Hospitality
SUN SIYAM VILU REEF DEBUTS NEW OVERWATER VILLAS THAT REDEFINE ISLAND LIVING
In a milestone moment for the resort, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef today officially unveiled its new Ocean Signature Villas with Pool and Slide during an exclusive launch event attended by local media, partners and VIP guests. The unveiling was led by Sun Siyam Founder, Chairman and Managing Director, Hon. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, who introduced the resort’s most ambitious villa transformation to date. Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of Sun Siyam’s Privé Collection, has added 50 new overwater villas collectively known as the Ocean Signature Villas with Pool and Slide, comprising 48 one bedroom and two two-bedroom retreats. Marking the resort’s most significant transformation in years and its boldest design statement to date, this new chapter invites guests into a world where the playful and the peaceful coexist, elevated by warm Maldivian hospitality and experiences rooted in genuine island sophistication.

Designed for those who seek both connection and space, the Ocean Signature Villas with Pool and Slide are available in one and two-bedroom configurations and command the finest lagoon vistas and uninterrupted sunrise to sunset views. Whether travelling as a couple or a family, the setting feels equally suited to quiet seclusion and shared adventure. Inside, the interiors are as considered as the setting. A hidden privacy divider and expansive lounge with 65″ display sit alongside a discreet integrated pantry for effortless in-villa dining. Dramatic arch details run throughout, and the layout flows naturally from the bedroom through to the dressing area and into an open-plan bathroom complete with a freestanding tub and dual vanities. Each bedroom has its own private en-suite and 50″ TV for quieter moments.
Outside, the sun-drenched decks are a destination in their own right. A signature overwater hammock looks out across the lagoon, a secluded pool offers a more private place to unwind, and an exhilarating 11-metre water slide provides the kind of moment that tends to feature heavily in the holiday recap. It is a rare balance to strike, genuine luxury that also knows how to have fun.
“Sun Siyam Vilu Reef is where the Sun Siyam story began, so this moment is especially meaningful for us. As we enter a new chapter, our focus remains simple: creating exceptional experiences while staying true to the warmth and hospitality that define who we are ”, said Hon. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Sun Siyam.
Aiming to introduce a refined design language to the resort, Sun Siyam partnered with international interior design consultants Lee McNichol and Jose Rivero who are the Founders and Creative Directors of the London-based Studio Sixty7, to lead the transformation in bringing this distinctive concept to life. The interiors are defined by a rich aesthetic character, where natural textures and softly sculpted curves mirror the movement and serenity of the azure Maldivian waters.
“Studio Sixty7’s vision for this new luxury overwater villa in the Maldives balances calm minimalism with bold expression. White timber-paneled walls create a light, serene backdrop, contrasted by a deep blue ceiling that reflects the richness of the surrounding ocean. Arched ceiling details guide movement through the space, echoed in the soft, curved forms of the bespoke timber joinery. Recessed lighting is seamlessly integrated to enhance the architecture, casting a warm, subtle glow. Locally made artwork adds depth and authenticity, grounding the design in its Maldivian context. The result is a refined, immersive escape at that feels both tranquil and distinctive.” says Lee McNichol and Jose Rivero, Founders of Studio Sixty7.
“Our goal was to create something truly beyond exceptional. Working alongside award-winning creative minds, we are debuting a series of overwater signature villas that possess a completely renewed soul and appearance,” says Mr Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Vilu Reef and Sun Siyam Iru Veli. “These overwater villas are entirely unique to the Maldives, offering a diverse range of grand sizes and rare structural layouts. Each is meticulously designed to serve as an immersive, luxurious sanctuary where avant-garde design meets the timeless beauty of the surrounding ocean. “
Officially unveiled on 15 June by Sun Siyam Founder, Chairman and Managing Director Hon. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed during the resort’s exclusive “A New Rhythm of the Reef” launch event, the Ocean Signature Villas signal a bold new chapter for Sun Siyam Vilu Reef. Blending imaginative design, immersive experiences and heartfelt Maldivian hospitality, they introduce a fresh rhythm to island living while honouring the spirit that has defined the resort since its beginnings.
Hospitality
Qatar Airways Unveils Onboard Signature Music Created in Partnership with Award-Winning Composer Hans Zimmer
Qatar Airways today unveiled its new onboard signature music, created in partnership with world-renowned composer Hans Zimmer.
Inspired by Qatar and its culture, Qatar Airways’ new onboard music brings a distinctive sound identity to the passenger experience through its collaboration with the iconic composition of Hans Zimmer. The music is also featured on the ‘Burgundy Symphony’ album, a bespoke five-track album that encapsulates the airline’s wider sound identity and signature sound elements.
The collaboration brings together Zimmer’s acclaimed cinematic storytelling and Qatar Airways’ commitment to delivering memorable experiences, creating a recognisable sound that reflects the emotions, moments and memories that define travel.
The launch was celebrated at Hans Zimmer’s highly-anticipated concert in Doha on 6 November, where audiences were given an exclusive first look at the story behind the collaboration through a specially created film on the creative process and inspiration behind Burgundy Symphony, alongside a preview of the music. Qatar Airways passengers can experience the new composition onboard from today.
The Burgundy Symphony album captures the rhythm of travel through five original tracks, each reflecting a different stage of the journey:
Dawn opens the collection with a sense of anticipation and possibility experienced when stepping beyond the daily routine and discovering new horizons.
Dusk reflects the tranquillity of flight as daylight fades and travellers are carried above the clouds beneath a sky illuminated by stars.
The Orchard introduces a restorative pause, inspired by moments of calm and reflection amidst the pace of everyday life. The inspiration for the composition is drawn from the sense of escape offered by the ORCHARD – one of Hamad International Airport’s most distinctive passenger experiences.
Homecoming reflects the quiet gift of returning home and the small but lasting ways travel enriches life. The track encapsulates the adventure continues beyond touchdown, with memories of places and skies keeping moments of wonder alive long after the journey ends.
An Ode to Qatar, concludes the album with a tribute to the nation’s rich heritage and forward-looking vision. The piece brings together a sense of history, culture, and ambition, reflecting a country where tradition and progress exist in harmony.
Following the unveiling, Burgundy Symphony is now available on the Qatar Airways YouTube channel, inviting audiences around the world to experience Hans Zimmer’s original compositions inspired by the journey of travel and the spirit of Qatar Airways.
Hospitality
Coral Beach Resort Sharjah Wins Sustain Sharjah Award for Second Year Running
Coral Beach Resort Sharjah has won the Sustain Sharjah award for Hotel Properties at the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum 2026, organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA). This marks the resort’s second consecutive recognition under the initiative.
The accolade acknowledges the property’s progress at Level 2 of the programme’s Explorers journey, structured around four core pillars: Guest, Experience, Local, and Story. Across each pillar, the resort has prioritised measurable, practical measures that engage guests, support the surrounding community, and ensure transparent sustainability reporting.
Central to this achievement are three primary operational initiatives:
- Onsite water bottling plant: Replaces single-use plastics with reusable glass bottles, eliminating approximately 300,672 plastic bottles annually.
- Winnow AI food-waste system: Weighs and monitors kitchen waste in real time, enabling culinary teams to curb excess directly at source.
- Onsite biodigester: Installed in 2026, making the property the first hotel in Sharjah to process organic waste entirely on site.
Commenting on the achievement, Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager of Coral Beach Resort Sharjah, said: “Securing the Sustain Sharjah award for the second consecutive year is an honour for our entire team. Initiatives such as our water bottling plant, AI-driven waste monitoring, and onsite biodigester reflect our daily operational commitment—one shared with our guests, partners, and the local community. We thank the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority for this recognition and for their steady leadership in advancing sustainable tourism across the emirate.”
Coral Beach Resort Sharjah is a signatory to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism and continues to align its operations with broader international climate targets.
Hospitality
Qatar Airways Connects Doha to Caracas, Venezuela, and Bogotá, Colombia with First Flight
Qatar Airways has inaugurated its new twice-weekly service connecting Doha with Caracas and Bogotá. The service represents a significant milestone for the airline, as Qatar Airways becomes the first Gulf carrier to serve Venezuela, and the first airline to operate nonstop services from the Middle East to both Bogotá and Caracas. The new route underscores the airline’s commitment to strengthening global connectivity for the region and is operated on Boeing 777-200LR aircraft.
Qatar Airways flights to Caracas (CCS) and Bogotá (BOG)
Qatar Airways’ flight schedule has been designed to provide smooth onward connections through Hamad International Airport to key markets including Australia, China, Japan, Lebanon, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. This offers passengers greater flexibility and seamless transfer options across Qatar Airways’ global network of over 170 destinations.
Departing every Wednesday and Sunday:
Doha (DOH) to Bogotá (BOG) – Flight QR783: Departure 07:35; Arrival 16:25
Bogotá (BOG) to Caracas (CCS) – Flight QR783: Departure 17:55; Arrival 21:00
Caracas (CCS) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR783: Departure 23:30; Arrival 20:35
The addition of Caracas and Bogotá marks the 16th and 17th destinations in the Americas served by Qatar Airways. The airline began serving South America in 2010 with its inaugural flight to Brazil’s São Paulo.
The airline has recently expanded its partnership with LATAM to include LATAM Airlines Colombia, offering travellers greater access to the region. Qatar Airways will place its code on LATAM-operated flights between Bogotá and key domestic destinations including Cartagena, Armenia, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cúcuta, Ibagué, Leticia, Medellín, Montería, Neiva, Pereira, Pasto, Riohacha, San Andrés Island, Santa Marta, and Yopal.
Qatar Airways continues to strengthen global connectivity, serving more than 170 destinations this winter. Bookings can be made at qatarairways.com or through the airline’s mobile app.
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