Thursday, July 18, 2024
reading time: 2 minutes
In recognition of their dedication to promoting women’s participation in diving, OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, a leading resort under the Atmosphere Core hospitality banner, along with dive partner, TGI Maldives, have successfully put the Maldives on the international stage by receiving the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Women’s Diving’ award from PADI®. The honour was given in line with the 10th annual PADI Women’s Dive Day celebration and the Women in Diving initiative that aims to promote inclusivity within the diving industry.
The awards ceremony, which was graced by the presence of Dr Abdulla Niaz, Minister of State for Tourism of the Maldives, Matt Winger, Regional Director of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, and Ibrahim Shewry, CEO of Marketing and Public Relations Maldives, was held on the island of Helengeli. The event celebrated women diving and included a four-day celebration from July 14 to 17, welcoming ten female journalists and several TGI Maldives dive instructors.
“The PADI award presented at OBLU NATURE Helengeli in partnership with TGI Maldives reinforces the hotel’s Atmosphere Core commitment to providing experiences for all. The Ministry of Tourism congratulates the team at Helengeli Island and most importantly the highly skilled team at TGI Maldives for establishing a centre of excellence for women diving. This award recognises all participants as well as the Maldives as a leading diving destination for all divers around the world,” added the Minister of Tourism.
PADI Regional Director Matt Winger “Promoting and supporting women’s diving has been at the core of PADI’s philosophy since its founding in 1966. As part of PADI’s Pillars of Change, we focus on promoting diversity, elevating the therapeutic aspects of the sport and fostering inclusion so that the underwater world is accessible to all. We are pleased to commend TGI Maldives and OBLU NATURE Helengeli for their contributions in encouraging more females to seek adventure and save the ocean,” he added.
“We are proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of PADI Women’s Dive Day with this award for TGI Maldives Resort at OBLU NATURE Helengeli. The award recognizes the combination of what we believe to be a world-class location and an all-round experience that joins PADI-recognized dive sites with exceptional dive center services and exemplary hospitality.”
Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faizal stressed that the Maldives has transformed into a prominent tourist destination over the past three decades, pointing to the evolving tourist demographic from couples to diverse groups, including a significant rise in the number of solo and female travelers seeking the unique freedom that the Maldives offers.
Upon receiving the award, Greta Marsili, COO of TGI Maldives, and Ali Shakir, General Manager of OBLU NATURE Helengeli, emphasized their continued commitment to enriching guest experiences on land and underwater. They were proudly recognized for their collaborative efforts with PADI to deliver safe, first-class diving courses and guide professional divers through the magical underwater world. This recognition, on the 10th annual PADI Women’s Dive Day, highlights the dedicated efforts of their teams, both above and below the water.
