Question 1

Surfing — Kandooma Right

Accepted Answer

Surfers heading to Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives will have direct access to the iconic Kandooma Right, located in front of the resort. Attracting surfers from around the world, this fun, hollow right is one of the best breaks in the Maldives. The resort offers exclusive surf packages for surfers during the peak surf season between April and October, when it is mandatory that surf passes are pre-booked in advance. Surf lessons and surf coaching available with one of the resident surf guides. Beginners can learn to surf in safe conditions, supervised by resident certified surf instructors. Surfing photo and video packages available upon request.

Question 2

Sustainability — Overview

Accepted Answer

Located on a picturesque island in the South Male atoll in the Indian Ocean, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives owes much of its beauty and popularity to its natural surroundings; from the thriving coral reef that borders the resort to the warm ocean waters that is home to a myriad of marine life. Management and crew members have implemented several mechanisms from banning single use plastics to effective waste management protocols and introduced a focus on regeneration. Education continues to be an important part of the resort's efforts; drawing the attention of visitors through sharing initiatives, achievements and measurement metrics on guest room televisions.

Question 3

Collaboration with Parley for the Ocean

Accepted Answer

In April 2023, the Resort inked an agreement with Parley for the Ocean to support the Tourism Industry of the Maldives' goal to implement the Parley AIR Strategy aiming to put the spotlight on the major threats facing the ocean. The Resort has committed to intercept plastic waste on the island, collaborate on transporting plastics from nearby islands using resort boats, and to participate in uninhabited island clean-ups. The Resort is actively exploring further 'avoid' measures around the use of plastic in operations, actively encouraging visitors to Kandooma to emotionally connect with the ocean to ensure its protection for future generations, empowering each crew member to be a champion of the oceans, and to actively embrace relationships with nearby communities and schools to foster appreciation for the ocean.

Question 4

Wave Energy

Accepted Answer

Located on the doorstep of Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is "Kandooma Right" — one of Maldives' premier surf breaks which has become the site of the world's first pilot project to harness electricity from surf waves. Launched in mid-2018, the Wave Energy project is a collaboration between the Ministry of Environment (Maldives), The Okinawa Institute of Science & Technology Graduate University (OIST) and Kokyo Tatemono Company Limited (Kokyo), both based in Japan. The preliminary phase of this project is expected to generate 1 megawatt of electricity from the Wave Energy Converter Units, which amounts to 30% – 40% of the diesel used to power generators. This sustainable energy will help the resort reduce carbon emissions. If the pilot study is successful it is the intention that the technology will be developed further and shared across other islands and hospitality providers to encourage the use of sustainable and clean energy. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic the first phase has be

Question 5

Plastic Free

Accepted Answer

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has undertaken several steps to reduce single-use plastics throughout the resort. Perhaps the single-most effective action has been replacing plastic water bottles, straws and cups with glassware. It is estimated that this single action has saved a minimum of 1.2 million plastic bottles per year. Like all environmental efforts, no single action stands alone, however this action moving away from plastic bottled water to glassware in villas, the food and beverage outlets and even boat transfers has been a positive contributor to reducing carbon footprint. The Resort is in the process of working towards the full elimination of single-use plastics.

Question 6

Community Engagement

Accepted Answer

As part of Community Engagement, the resort has initiated and implemented several programs throughout the year — providing long term assistance to the Home for People with Special Needs on Guraidhoo island; tree planting program that occurs twice a year. Additionally, partner with vocational institutes to enlighten students interested in the tourism industry and provide insight into the resort's operations. Colleagues also organise and participate in medical camps and blood donations to aid the local communities.

Question 7

Waste, Water & Electricity Management

Accepted Answer

• Separate bins and waste management processes were set up to effectively recycle food waste, plastics, tin, metal and other general waste
• Harvesting rainwater — estimated 50,000 tonnes of water saved per month in the laundry alone
• Recycling excess water from the A/C for use in gardening and 'foot baths'
• Estimated that the resort saves 18 cubic litres of fresh water each day by using treated grey water for gardening and flushing
• On-site Desalination Water Plant produces an average of 15,500 litres of drinking water each month
• Garden and path timers; switched to LED bulbs and inverter air conditioners — combined helped reduce 60% of total electricity consumption
• Heat created by resort generators is recycled to steam water in generator coil exhaust pipes; the heat is used to warm water in 22 staff rooms and in the desalination plant

Question 8

Regenerative Garden Areas

Accepted Answer

In 2022 the resort embarked on a new initiative inspired by hotels in Australia to create regenerative areas within the island grounds. Specific areas identified that would lend themselves to a more rustic style where leaves and garden waste can be used and allowed to naturally compost, creating habitat for small animals, insects, reptiles and birds, and the ideal conditions for natural plant re-seeding. By minimising sweeping of sand pathways, labour costs have been reduced, and heat created from glare on the white sands removed. Also in 2022 commenced a new trial of Frond Circles — fallen palm tree fronds arranged in a circular shape (similar to a clock face), layer upon layer to a height of 150 cm. The intention is to monitor how long it takes for these palm fronds to decompose and then be able to utilise the compost product to enrich the gardens. If the study is successful, the resort will further implement throughout the grounds and embark on a guest education programme.

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives