Travel BlogAugust 28, 2024
Manta Magic at Kandooma Maldives: Celebrate World Manta Month in Style
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives will host a series of engaging activities for the inaugural ‘Kandooma Manta Month’ to raise awareness about manta ray conservation and offer guests unforgettable experiences in the pristine waters of the Maldives. Last year, the Resort embarked on a week-long celebration which kicked off on World Manta Day and received overwhelmingly positive guest feedback, resulting in the extension of the promotion to a month-long celebration starting September 1, 2024.
Mark Eletr, General Manager of Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, shares his excitement about the resort’s month-long celebration of manta rays. As an avid diver, Mark values his encounters with manta rays and sees them as symbols of the ocean’s beauty and mystery. Through this initiative, guests can connect with the beauty of nature and play a role in conservation efforts, cultivating a sincere commitment to protecting these awe-inspiring and gentle giants.
Last year, Mark and divers rescued a Giant Oceanic Manta Ray from ghost nets, which was later named ‘Kandooma’ by The Manta Trust in recognition of the team’s efforts and the location of the rescue.
Manta Rays (known as ‘Madi’ in Maldivian Dhivehi language) are the largest rays in the ocean, and the Maldives is home to the world’s largest population of reef manta rays, with over 5,831 individuals and counting. ‘Kandooma’ Manta Ray, who was freed last year, is the 915th Oceanic Manta Ray to be spotted in Maldivian waters, as confirmed by The Manta Trust.
Key Highlights of World Manta Ray month include guided scuba dives and snorkelling excursions to observe these giants in their natural environment and threats they face, also to learn about their behaviours though Marine Biology talks with guest and in-house expert speakers.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has recently introduced a new jewellery line which centres on the beautiful Manta Ray. A contribution from each pendant sold will be donated to the ‘Manta Trust’.
A Kids’ Marine Explorers Program will delight the younger guests, offering a fun and educational program where kids can learn about manta rays, participate in hands-on activities, and become certified “Kandoo Ambassadors”.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma is on the doorstep to some of the Maldives top ten dive sites and the well-being of the ocean and all the life within it, is important to guests and hotel staff alike. The Resort aligns its efforts with IHG’s purpose True Hospitality for Good, through their sustainability programme ‘Journey to Tomorrow’ which is the hotel group’s response to helping achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
For more information, visit www.maldives.holidayinnresorts.com.
