Siyam World focuses on the GCC

TRAVTALK sat down with Sara Siyam, Creative Director & Ausy Waseem, Resort Manager, Siyam World, to know more about Siyam World, one of the most visited resorts in the Maldives by Middle Eastern travellers, which opened right in the midst of the pandemic in 2021, Celebrating two years since their opening, the duo looks forward to offering more experiences for their clients from the Middle East.

TT Bureau

Could you share brief information about Siyam World, how was it since the opening?

Ausy: Siyam World is one of the biggest properties in the Maldives, with 470 villas, all water villas with pool and slide, all beach categories with private pool. It’s a big island with over a dozen restaurants and bars spread across the 54 hectare island. We officially opened on 28 October 2021. It’s a resort that’s built for everyone, be it family, honeymooners, solo trips or even group trips. The reason is, we are so big and we have many multi bedroom villas over water and on the beach but what we have done is build the multi bedroom villas on one side of the island where the Kidz World (kids club) and family friendly pool bars like Jungali and Shipwrecked are located, so naturally, families hang around this side of the island. On the other side, we have the high category water villas with slide and pool and sunset pool beach villas and our adults-only beach bar, Mint, this area of the island is quieter and on the middle of the island we have the “together” bar, that’s where the magic happens. All our entertainment and events take place here, and there is something different taking place every night. Because of the size of the island, you would never feel like it’s overcrowded, everything is spread out well.

Sara: Siyam World is a happening place, in keeping with our slogan “Bye Bye Boredom” we make sure there is not a dull moment here. We have also introduced many “never seen before” experiences in the Maldives, including our very own 16,000 sq.mt. Horse Ranch, home to Marwari breed horses and ponies, first “seabreacher” in the Maldives, biggest floating water park in the Maldives, first property to have more than 200 water villas with pool and slide, and the world’s first underwater jetpack. We have many more experiences in the pipeline and will be launching it soon. We will always have something new coming up every year, this gives us the edge and also gives our guests a reason to come back. After being open for less than two years, we already have many repeaters that come back because they have fallen in love and want to try our many other experiences. We also do a lot of theming and events, references to pop culture when doing our events for Halloween, new year and our Birthday Bash, which we celebrate on 28 October every year.

How important is the Middle Eastern market?

The Middle Eastern market is really important to us. We have had quite a number of guests from the GCC region throughout the year and we do certain offers and events on Eid al Adha and Eid al-Fitr and this is when we see a spike in the visits. We also have residence villas 1-6 bedrooms with ultimate privacy aimed just for ME market.

What is the engagement planned with travel agents and corporate bookers?

We have quite a few group corporate events that we have booked in the span of just 2 years of opening and we have a great relationship with our partners.

Are there special facilities that cater especially to this market?

We do have special facilities for corporate bookers, we have had quite a few events, corporate and other events like weddings as well, this is like up to groups ranging from 300-1000 people! Siyam World broke a record in Maldives history by hosting the biggest corporate event in the country’s history with an island buy out for more than a 1,000 people for five days. We have also hosted smaller events like destination weddings with 300-500 people. With the size of the island and the number of outlets we have, we can transform areas in event spaces. It’s a world of possibilities, a world built for everyone, families, honeymooners, fun loving, adventure seeking solo trips, or even to relax and unwind. And in terms of MICE, yes we do have. In 2022, we made history by hosting the biggest island buy out for a corporate event with over 1,000 people.

There are so many! Hard to select a few

• We have the Maldives First Horse ranch- guests can go horse riding during sunset or sunrise
• One of the biggest sport complexes in history, an international standard football field, two futsal courts, three tennis courts with three different surfaces, padel tennis, badminton, volleyball and basketball
• Indian Ocean’s biggest floating waterpark
• Colourful and vibrant Mokes (electric cars) that guests can rent throughout their stay to explore the island and get around
• All villas with pools, all water villas with pool and slide
• Many multi bedroom villas
• One of the largest kids clubs
• Our unique experiences, we tend to do a lot of immersive experiences, especially when it comes to Halloween
• WOW 24-hour premium all-inclusive has dine around four restaurants and a sports bar where you can drink and 24/7, includes experiences as well