In a heartwarming celebration of the annual World Manta Day on September 17th, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has embarked on a remarkable journey filled with compassion, awareness, and admiration for the ocean’s giants. The resort, nestled in the South Male atoll just a short boat ride from the airport, commemorates this special occasion with the naming of a recently rescued Giant Oceanic Manta Ray, an accolade, and an array of guest activities during its inaugural Kandooma Manta Week. World Manta Day is a global initiative aimed at honoring these magnificent creatures while shedding light on the challenges they face in the vast ocean.

Just last month, a group of divers led by Japanese PADI-certified Dive Instructor Tomoyo from Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives embarked on a mission that would touch the hearts of many. They freed a Giant Oceanic Manta Ray entangled in ghost nets near the island resort. The Manta Trust, an organization dedicated to manta ray research and conservation, confirmed the rescued Manta as an adult male, marking it as the 915th Oceanic Manta Ray sighted in Maldivian waters. As part of the identification process, the Manta was christened ‘Kandooma,’ in honor of the island where it was found and the heroic dive team that liberated it from the clutches of tangled nets.

Mark Eletr, the General Manager of Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, who was part of the diving team responsible for Kandooma’s rescue, expressed his joy, saying, “We are delighted to have the Manta named after our natural island, Kandooma. When the Manta Trust shared confirmation of the name with us, I was absolutely thrilled.”

To commemorate this momentous event, the resort will host a naming ceremony for ‘Kandooma’ the Manta and extend recognition to Dive Instructor Tomoyo from the Kandooma Dive Centre for her bravery in leading the rescue mission. Kandooma Manta Week promises a range of activities, including special scuba dives and snorkelling excursions that allow guests to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about Manta Ray behavior, the threats they face, and hear the incredible story of Kandooma’s liberation.

Mark Eletr praised Tomoyo’s unwavering commitment, stating, “Tomoyo showed no hesitation on the dive. First ensuring the group of accompanying divers were all safe before proceeding. Fortunately, they were all experienced and each had enough air remaining for her to do this.”

The newly named Manta, ‘Kandooma,’ is estimated to measure a remarkable 4 meters in size. While the origin of the fishing net is yet to be confirmed, it is believed to have drifted into Maldivian waters from another country. This incident underscores the vital importance of educating individuals on responsible disposal of nets and fishing lines.

The theme of World Manta Day 2023 is Tourism. Tourism plays a pivotal role in Manta Ray conservation as it raises awareness, generates funding for research, and contributes to efforts aimed at protecting Manta Ray habitats and preventing their exploitation.

The commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability runs deep at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, aligning with IHG’s purpose of “True Hospitality for Good.” Their sustainability program, ‘Journey to Tomorrow,’ is IHG’s response to helping achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

The recent events surrounding ‘Kandooma’ the Manta have inspired the resort’s management to introduce a generous offer: two free Scuba Dives per day for certified divers staying at the resort for 3 nights or more. This initiative not only encourages guests to explore the incredible underwater world of the Maldives but also emphasizes the resort’s dedication to marine conservation.