Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has reinforced its commitment to environmental responsibility through strategic partnerships and transparent practices, emphasizing that meaningful sustainability advancement requires collective industry effort rather than isolated initiatives.
Green Globe Certification Underscores Partnership Approach
In 2025, the resort positioned sustainability and regeneration at the operational core, undergoing independent audit as part of achieving Green Globe certification. According to General Manager Mark Eletr, the process highlighted the critical importance of working with aligned partners to address the Maldives’ complex sustainability challenges, particularly waste management.
“Waste represents one of the most difficult sustainability aspects for any island resort, but it’s also a destination-wide challenge,” Eletr explained. “As an archipelago, the Maldives faces unique constraints. No single resort can solve these issues alone-collective effort and shared responsibility are critical.”
Guest Education as Foundation
Eletr emphasizes guest education as fundamental to effective waste management and resource conservation. The resort works closely with procurement partners to reduce packaging and replace materials like polystyrene and single-use plastics with sustainable alternatives.
“Many visitors don’t realize the Maldives is an island nation where each resort operates like a self-contained village, responsible for everything from wastewater treatment and drinking water production to managing all waste streams,” he noted. “There are no quick fixes-only sustained action, cooperation, and collective willingness to rethink operations.”
The resort asks guests to take used batteries home for proper disposal through established recycling systems, as the Maldives currently lacks large-scale facilities to process certain materials safely.
Strategic Partnerships Drive Progress
Rather than viewing challenges as insurmountable, Kandooma has embraced collaboration as a catalyst for advancement. Eletr believes sharing both successes and lessons learned is essential.
“Building partnerships has been transformative for us at Kandooma,” he said. “Even small wins matter if they encourage others to take first steps, adapt our ideas, or find solutions that work for them. Opening ourselves to scrutiny is part of that process-if we keep efforts behind closed doors, we miss opportunities to inspire change or discover better solutions together.”
Parley for the Oceans Partnership
In 2024, the resort partnered with Parley for the Oceans, supporting the Maldives tourism industry’s commitment to Parley’s AIR strategy (Avoid, Intercept, Redesign). Through this ongoing collaboration, Kandooma actively intercepts plastic waste, participates in uninhabited island clean-ups, and continues reducing single-use plastics across operations, aligning with IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Journey to Tomorrow goals.
Secure Bag Collaboration
In 2025, Kandooma established partnership with Secure Bag, a company that purchases waste materials and transforms them into usable products. Guided by the principle that every resource deserves renewed purpose, this collaboration supports circular economy approaches while reducing landfill impact.
Creative Solutions Beyond Budget Constraints
As a four-star resort, Kandooma recognizes resource limitations compared to ultra-luxury properties. The resort has embraced creativity and collaboration to support aligned causes, including partnership with Manta Trust, an organization dedicated to manta ray conservation.
Unable to fund a full-time marine biologist on-site, the resort developed an alternative approach engaging guests directly. Kandooma introduced silver and gold manta ray pendants, donating USD 5 from each sale to Manta Trust.
“It’s a modest contribution, but it’s realistic, sustainable for our business, and it sparks conversations with guests,” Eletr explained. “It brings people into the story of what we’re trying to protect and why it matters.”
Beyond this donation-based effort, the resort hosts annual “Manta Month” each September, drawing attention to the graceful creature’s observable in waters surrounding Kandooma.
Transparency Through Public Documentation
As part of its commitment to openness, Kandooma has developed a publicly available Sustainability Guide outlining key initiatives, partnerships, and actions across environmental, social, and governance areas. The guide, known as the Green Book, is accessible online to inform guests, partners, and industry peers: https://holidayinn.aflip.in/
Green Globe Certified
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has achieved Green Globe certification, joining a global community of tourism businesses meeting one of the industry’s most respected sustainability standards.
Looking ahead, Kandooma remains committed to strengthening partnerships, engaging guests in responsible travel choices, and contributing positively to protecting the Maldives’ unique natural and cultural heritage.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio, offering accessible luxury accommodation while maintaining strong commitments to environmental sustainability and community engagement.
For more information, visit https://maldives.holidayinnresorts.com
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