Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives has announced the appointment of Elizabeth (“Liz”) Smailes as Director of Marketing for following her appointment to the role in December 2025.

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No stranger to the Maldives, Liz has previously held senior marketing leadership roles with Minor Hotels and played a key role in the opening of what is today known as The Standard, Maldives. Her experience also includes significant commercial and brand achievements at Broughton Sanctuary in the UK, strategic consultancy for tourism authorities and private-sector clients, and the co-founding of an award-winning hospitality venture recognised for excellence in guest experience and market positioning.

Liz brings a wealth of international experience across global hospitality, luxury tourism, brand development, and strategic marketing communications. Her career spans Europe, the Maldives, Thailand, Myanmar, and the United Kingdom, with a proven track record of building strong brands, driving commercial performance, and delivering high-impact, integrated marketing strategies.

In her role at Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives, Liz will champion all marketing, communications, and media strategies for the resort, with a clear focus on strengthening brand reputation and delivering a strong return on investment for marketing spend. Her remit includes leading the resort’s marketing, communications, and public relations strategy and driving integrated campaigns in collaboration with Revenue, Sales, and F&B teams. She will work closely with Park Hotel Group’s Corporate Marketing & Communications team to ensure consistent messaging and spearhead creative storytelling across global markets.

Commenting on the appointment, Raffaele Solferino, General Manager of Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives, said: “Liz brings a rare combination of strategic clarity, creative vision, and hands-on execution. Her global perspective, deep understanding of luxury hospitality, and collaborative leadership style will be instrumental as we strengthen our market presence and enter our next phase of growth.”

Liz Smailes added: “I am delighted to be returning to the Maldives – a destination where hospitality excels in a truly unique and globally renowned way. While so much of what makes the Maldives special remains unchanged, the profile of who is travelling, when they choose to visit, and why they come has evolved significantly, as have expectations around how the destination is experienced. In joining the senior leadership team at Grand Park Kodhipparu, finding more meaningful ways to genuinely connect with our guests really matters to me – bringing out the character of the resort and ensuring the guest journey authentically reflects both the brand and the island’s distinctive ethos.”

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Recognised for her collaborative approach, strong communication skills, and ability to translate strategy into results, Liz will play a pivotal role in enhancing Grand Park Kodhipparu’s reputation, driving commercial success, and delivering meaningful brand engagement across both traditional and digital channels.