Travelife Champions 2017 - Veligandu Island Resort and Spa, Maldives

Published 25th Oct 2017

Congratulations to the Travelife Champions Award winner in the category 'Working with and Supporting the Local Community'

Since this hotel started operations, they have been purchasing fish from several local islands; they hired a fishing dhoni (traditional Maldivian fishing boat) from neighbouring islands, Rasdhoo and Ukulhas, regularly providing the hotel with fish.  During 2016, the hotel purchased 52,300kgs of fish from local anglers, which in total valued US$137,451, paid directly to them meaning the money goes directly into the local community/economy.

For the past 25 years, they have been supporting local families by purchasing locally grown fruits and vegetables from the neighbouring Island of Thodhoo. In 2016, they purchased on average 2,900kgs of fruits and vegetables monthly this equates to US$5,650 a month for local families.

The hotel has have committed to buy produce from local suppliers; in fact, they have requested their suppliers to broaden the varieties of fruits and vegetables they grow so they can increase the quantity of goods they purchase from local suppliers.

In total, over the past year 34,829kg’s of fruits and vegetable have been purchased from the neighbouring island of Thodhoo totalling US $67,801 that goes directly back into the local community.

In addition, they purchase snacks made by local women, instead of causing them, the inconvenience of finding a delivery method the hotel collects the goods from their homes.

The hotel’s excursion programme to neighbouring islands, takes place twice a week to encourage guests to spend in the local community, with each guest spending on average between US$25 – US$75. They offer a weekly staff ferry to neighbouring islands for team building events such as 2-day trips and night trips and providing staff with dinner at the local restaurant.

The do not restrict the use of hotel facilities to locals, allowing them to visit and such as Picnic Island, (that the hotel rents from the Maldivian government) free of charge.

The hotel works in close partnership with the local government to implement a proper waste management system on Rasdhoo Island, to support the programme the hotel-donated equipment (compactor and glass crusher) and provided training to the team on how to use these.