IF LATE, THE MALDIVES is everywhere you look. Instagram handles of Indian celebrities and honeymooning couples are brimming with stunning images of the archipelago. It has become the international pandemic getaway for India. And according to recent reports, tourist arrivals surpassed 300,000 during the first three months of 2021.
In addition to tourists, the nation also sees a substantial influx of working population, mainly from the neighbouring countries of India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. According to a 2014 Population and Housing Census, at least 16 per cent of its population was made up of expats. And the resorts that occupy close to 200 islets of the 1,190 in the Maldives employ many of these expats.
Stephane Laguette, for instance, moved to the Maldives in late 2018 to begin his stint as the chief commercial officer of Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts (atmospherehotelsandresorts.com). French-origin Laguette was born and raised in Algeria in North Africa. From Madagascar to Thailand to Abu Dhabi and more, he has lived in many places and has over 30 years of experience in hospitality. Maldives is yet another milestone in his journey. Laguette chose to stay put through the pandemic and lockdown. “Even though it was in the middle of nowhere, and the future was uncertain, I feel I was lucky to have a beautiful and secure place to live in,” he shares.
Bu hikaye Travel+Leisure India dergisinin May 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Travel+Leisure India dergisinin May 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
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GOOD SPIRITS
I think it must have been my mother's mom, Moyra, from whom I inherited my love of travel. Widowed in her sixties, she used her late husband's pension to fund a succession of solo trips, each more ambitious than the last.
THE BIG SWING
When her son, a lifelong sports fan, expressed an interest in visiting the baseball stadiums of Japan, Helen Schulman planned a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Tokyo. The result was a home run.
Safari Bond
Tanzania abounds in national parks with dramatic landscapes. Devanshi Mody scouts a few with her mother, encountering captivating wildlife and insightful guides on the way.
Toddler Towns
Turning a leisurely vacation into a child-friendly one brings unique challenges but also the joy of seeing the world in a new light. Huzan Tata recounts navigating Austria and Hungary with a toddler in tow.
And Quiet Flows the Ganges
The river Ganges becomes a steadfast travel companion for Gustasp and Jeroo Irani on a sustainable luxury cruise to the Sundarbans National Park and Tiger Reserve in West Bengal.
"Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort Is The Perfect Place To Disconnect From The City"
Be it comedic flair in rom coms like De De Pyaar De and Manmadhudu 2, an action hero persona in thrillers like Runway 34 and Spyder, or displays of vulnerability in emotional dramas like Doctor G and Chhatriwali, RAKUL PREET SINGH embraces genres and movie industries with a certain panache. In a conversation with Bayar Jain, the versatile actor speaks about adapting to different styles of acting and credits her parents for this journey.
At Home In The Mountains
Actor Rakul Preet Singh has had little time to celebrate post her wedding to her dear friend Jackky Bhagnani. Two months into the union, Travel+Leisure India & South Asia whisks away the newly wed actor to Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort in Parwanoo, Himachal Pradesh for a celebration of the mind and soul.
Just For Laughs
A Mumbai-based businessman, Atul Khatri switched the gears of his career at 44 to become a stand-up comedian. Since then, he has performed at many international shows, sending the audience into a laughing fit with his middle-class life anecdotes and jokes surrounding fatherhood. The comedian speaks to Simrran Gill about his sets, dealing with trolls, and the best compliment he has received.
World Through Their Eyes
A television host, model, and actor, Mini Mathur is also a passionate advocate of family bonding over travel. In 2018, she produced and presented Mini Me, a 10-part series that chronicled her travels with her seven-year-old daughter across six countries in Europe. In a conversation with Bayar Jain, the multi-hyphenate reveals the fun and challenges of exploring the globe with her kids, Sairah and Vivaan.
Paws and Go
Pet parents Tanveer Taj and Priyanka Jena (wheelsandtails) started travelling with their dogs in 2015. In 2019, they embarked on a road trip across India for 90 days, covering more than 10,000 km with their furry kids, Frodo and Cruise. The couple's Instagram feed is abuzz with pictures and videos of the Golden Retriever, Labrador, and their pet cat Noorie running around on beaches and climbing mountains. The couple speaks to Simrran Gill about the joy and challenges of travelling with their pets.
