RAAYA by Atmosphere has been recognised as a winner at the International Sustainability Awards 2026, highlighting the private island resort’s efforts to integrate responsible hospitality, environmental stewardship and efficient resource management into its day-to-day operations in the Maldives.
Located in the pristine Raa Atoll, the 167-key private island resort has placed particular emphasis on reducing waste generated by its operations while increasing the use of renewable energy. The recognition reflects the measurable progress achieved by the resort through practical environmental initiatives designed to protect the natural surroundings that remain central to the Maldives’ global tourism appeal.
At the centre of the award-winning initiative is RAAYA by Atmosphere’s on-site composting programme, which was introduced in April 2024. Under the programme, wet organic waste generated across the resort, including fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and eggshells, is processed directly on the island rather than being transported elsewhere for disposal.
Garden waste, including leaves, grass cuttings and plant trimmings, is similarly collected and composted. The resulting nutrient-rich compost is reused for landscaping and maintaining the island’s vegetation, allowing waste generated through everyday resort operations to be returned to the natural environment in a productive form.
Approximately 600 kilograms of organic waste is currently converted into compost every month, with no food waste leaving the island. The programme has significantly reduced the resort’s dependence on off-island waste transportation and disposal while generating estimated savings of approximately USD 2,400 per month.
Reducing the frequency of waste transportation has also helped lower emissions associated with transfers between the resort and external waste-management facilities. Most waste generated at RAAYA by Atmosphere is now sorted and managed on the island, while a garbage transfer vessel is required only once every two months to transport recyclable materials.
General Manager of RAAYA by Atmosphere Mario Stanic said the international recognition reflected the resort’s wider approach to responsible hospitality and the collective commitment of its team.
“We are truly honoured to receive this recognition at the International Sustainability Awards 2026. Sustainability is deeply embedded in our vision and guides every decision we make, from protecting our natural surroundings and embracing responsible operations to creating meaningful experiences for our guests,” Stanic said.
“This award is a testament to the passion and commitment of our entire team, whose dedication enables us to make a lasting positive impact while delivering exceptional Maldivian hospitality,” he added.
The resort has also recorded substantial progress in renewable energy production. Solar power generation increased from 382,856 kilowatt-hours in 2024 to 1,541,286 kilowatt-hours in 2025, representing a significant expansion of the resort’s renewable-energy capacity within a year.
Solar power now accounts for 21 percent of RAAYA by Atmosphere’s total energy requirements, compared with 8 percent in the previous year. The associated reduction in carbon emissions increased from 541 metric tonnes to 1,097 metric tonnes, demonstrating the environmental impact of progressively integrating renewable energy into resort operations.
The achievements complement the resort’s certification under Green Globe, an international sustainability certification programme for the travel and tourism sector. RAAYA by Atmosphere continues to strengthen its environmental practices through waste segregation, resource conservation, renewable energy and the development of systems that enable materials to be reused wherever practicable.
Further initiatives are planned to expand the resort’s circular waste-management approach. These include the introduction of a glass crusher that will allow discarded glass to be processed and repurposed for construction-related applications on the island. A green-waste shredder is also planned to improve the processing and reuse of vegetation and landscaping waste.
The International Sustainability Awards recognition reflects the combined contribution of employees and operational teams across the resort, demonstrating how routine decisions involving waste, energy and resource use can produce measurable environmental and financial benefits over time.
The achievement also adds to the Maldives’ international profile as a premium island destination where environmental responsibility is increasingly being incorporated into tourism operations. With the country’s tourism industry closely connected to its oceans, reefs, beaches and island ecosystems, sustainability programmes implemented by resorts can contribute to protecting the natural assets on which the sector depends while supporting the Maldives’ reputation among environmentally conscious global travellers.
RAAYA by Atmosphere offers 167 accommodation options within a private-island setting in Raa Atoll, combining contemporary resort facilities with the natural character of the Maldivian environment. The resort is positioned around adventure, creativity, relaxation and authentic Maldivian hospitality, with experiences designed for couples, families and groups of friends.
Its RAAYA Plan™ integrates accommodation with a broad selection of international cuisine, spa and wellness therapies, ocean-based activities and curated artistic experiences. The resort experience places a strong emphasis on outdoor recreation, exploration of the island’s natural surroundings and immersive activities that allow guests to experience different aspects of island life during their stay.
By combining high-end hospitality with measurable environmental initiatives, RAAYA by Atmosphere is continuing to develop an operating model that places sustainability alongside guest experience and service quality. Its latest international recognition reinforces the growing contribution of environmentally responsible resort operations to the Maldives’ position as one of the world’s leading island tourism destinations.
advertisment
advertisment
