Human Resources Executive

Marriott International in the Maldives spotlights talent at the 2026 APEC Sustainable Bartender Championship 'Rising Stars' Marriott International in the Maldives celebrated creativity, sustainability and emerging hospitality talent through the 2026 APEC Sustainable Bartender Championship 'Rising Stars'. Held on July 21, 2026 at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, the event brought together eight talented bartenders from Marriott International resorts across the destination to showcase innovative sustainable cocktail creations inspired by local ingredients, responsible practices and the future of mixology. This year's competition was built around four key pillars that reflect the evolving role of modern mixologists: The future larder, sustainability, the use of stipulated Pernod Ricard brands, and driving revenue. These pillars encouraged bartenders to look beyond traditional cocktail-making by transforming underutilized ingredients, reducing waste, creating meaningful guest experiences and demonstrating how sustainability can deliver both environmental and commercial value. Each participant presented their own interpretation of "The Future Larder," drawing inspiration from their unique destination and surroundings. Through thoughtful ingredient selection and creative techniques, the bartenders showcased how local resources, overlooked ingredients and responsible practices could be transformed into elevated cocktail experiences. Each sustainable cocktail creation was featured at its respective resort for a one-month period, allowing guests to experience the concepts firsthand. Cocktail sales, creativity and innovation were considered as part of the evaluation process. After an inspiring showcase of craftsmanship and innovation, Briane Onyogo of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands was named the Maldives winner with his sustainable cocktail creation, "The Second Harvest". Briane will represent the Maldives at the regional finals in Singapore, competing alongside talented bartenders from across the Asia-Pacific region in September 2026. Briane Onyogo's winning creation, The Second Harvest, reflected the philosophy that true value is not created from excess, but from elevating what already exists. Built around Chivas Regal 12-year-old, the cocktail transformed ingredients that would normally be discarded into something exceptional. Using pineapple skins, cores and repurposed coffee grounds collected from daily bar operations, Briane created a coffee and pineapple kombucha through fermentation, adding depth and vibrancy while reducing waste. The Second Harvest demonstrated how sustainability could create both environmental value and a premium guest experience. "The APEC Sustainable Bartender Championship 'Rising Stars' is a wonderful platform to celebrate the passion, creativity and talent of our bartenders while reinforcing the importance of sustainability in luxury hospitality," said Murat Askin, Area Director of Operations, Singapore and Maldives - Marriott International. "We are incredibly proud of all eight participants for showcasing how innovation, responsible practices and commercial thinking can come together to create memorable guest experiences. This competition highlights the incredible talent within our resorts, and the important role our bartenders play in shaping the future of sustainable hospitality." The competition featured eight bartenders representing Marriott International resorts in the Maldives: * Briane Onyogo - The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands o Cocktail creation: The Second Harvest o Concept: Built around Chivas Regal 12-Year-Old, The Second Harvest was inspired by the belief that true value comes from elevating what already exists. The cocktail transformed pineapple skins, cores and repurposed coffee grounds into refined ingredients through sustainable techniques, demonstrating how overlooked elements can create a premium guest experience. By combining zero-waste practices with creativity and commercial thinking, the cocktailshowcased the future of bartending - where sustainability, craftsmanship and profitability go hand in hand. * Manikanta Vegisetti - W Maldives o Cocktail creation: Amethyst Tides o Concept: Inspired by his time in Japan, he chose Ki No Bi and yuzu to represent balance, precision and simplicity. In the Maldives, he incorporated local ingredients such as butterfly pea, pandan from the W Garden, and mango to capture the spirit of the destination. Through thoughtful techniques and local ingredients, the cocktail tells a story of connecting experiences, places and ideas in one glass. * Ankur Behl - JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort o Cocktail creation: Ramba o Concept: Born from the rhythm of island life, this cocktail celebrates screw pine and coconut, two of the Maldives' most sustainable treasures. Fermented blueberry adds depth while reducing waste, paired with bright citrus and a delicate pandan-coconut foam. Thoughtfully crafted with minimal processing and mindful ingredients, it reflects a balance of tradition, innovation, and responsibility. * Manish Rana - JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa o Cocktail creation: Kurumba - The Future Larder o Concept: Born from the rhythm of island life, this cocktail draws an inspiration from the kind of place where the ocean, palms, and fire all meet - somewhere that feels a lot like the shores of Malé, where coconut isn't just an ingredient, it's a way of life. * Pratik Mesare - Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa o Cocktail creation: Lhaviyani Kashikeyo o Concept: Inspired by the beautiful Lhaviyani Atoll, where the resort is located, "Kashikeyo" takes its name from the local screw pine fruit, a traditional Maldivian ingredient. The cocktail celebrates the flavors of the Maldives by combining fresh local fruits with the familiar notes of Maldivian desserts made with Kashikeyo. Reimagined as a modern cocktail, it brings together heritage, local ingredients and contemporary mixology in one glass. * Putu Ayu Tasya Widiantari - Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa o Cocktail creation: Thui Maa o Concept: Inspired by the flora of the Maldives, this cocktail tells a story of the treasured palms of the Maldives. They infused coconut with Elyx vodka and homemade spiced cordials with drips of pure tropical passion fruit syrup, and the brilliant tropical blooms Rosa-sinensi which enveloped the local greenery, used in many ways for aroma or for their honeyed buds. * Samynathan Shanmuga Sundaram - The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort o Cocktail creation: MK47(Max and Kashikeyo 47) o Concept: Inspired by the heritage of Monkey 47, and the tropical spirit of the Maldives, "Max & Kashikeyo" brings together a story of discovery, connection and local identity. Combining the legacy of a spirit crafted with 47 botanicals with kashikeyo, the cocktail blends European craftsmanship with the vibrant flavors of island life, creating a unique expression of culture and adventure in one glass.

Aloft by Marriott opens first Northern Ireland hotel in Belfast's Titanic Quarter. July 8, 2026 Aloft by Marriott has opened its first hotel in Northern Ireland with the launch of Aloft by Marriott Belfast Titanic Quarter. The new hotel, located within Belfast's historic Titanic Quarter, forms part of a wider dual-hotel development alongside the newly opened Residence Inn by Marriott Belfast Titanic Quarter. The investment is expected to create more than 70 jobs in the region. Aloft Belfast Titanic Quarter features 135 loft-style bedrooms, with views across the Titanic Quarter and waterfront. Guests can access Re, Aloft by Marriott's grab-and-go food and drink hub, as well as the W XYZ Bar, offering craft cocktails, food and live music. The hotel is positioned within one of Belfast's most high-profile regeneration areas, close to the SSE Arena and Titanic Belfast. The wider Titanic Quarter development attracts more than 3.6 million visitors each year and has benefited from investment of more than £650 million. The area is home to major television and film productions, the world's largest Titanic visitor attraction and one of Belfast's most prominent residential waterfront developments. Located two miles from Belfast city centre, the hotel also places guests within reach of key attractions including Belfast City Hall, Crumlin Road Gaol, Titanic Studios, W5 Science and Discovery Centre and W5 LIFE digital learning facility. Sandra Schulze-Potgieter, Vice President - Premium, Select & Midscale Brands, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International, said: "Aloft by Marriott Belfast Titanic Quarter is a significant step forward for the brand's UK presence as it enters Northern Ireland for the first time. "Belfast's powerful identity and the rich history paired with the exciting development of the Titanic Quarter make this a perfect location for Aloft by Marriott's different-by-design experience, and we can't wait to welcome guests to this dynamic new opening." The hotel shares its site with Residence Inn by Marriott Belfast Titanic Quarter, which offers 93 studios and one-bedroom suites designed for extended stays. Each includes a fully equipped kitchen and separate living, working and sleeping areas, targeting business travellers, families and longer-stay guests. Sonia Kajani, Director, JMK Group, said: "The opening of Aloft by Marriott Belfast Titanic Quarter marks a significant milestone for us as owners and reflects our confidence in Belfast as one of the UK and Ireland's most dynamic and fast-growing destinations for both business and leisure travel. "Following the significant and ongoing investment in the Titanic Quarter, we're proud to partner with Marriott International to bring the Aloft by Marriott brand to Belfast, as part of a dual-hotel development, sharing its site with the newly opened Residence Inn by Marriott Belfast Titanic Quarter." The opening strengthens Marriott International's presence in the UK and Ireland while adding further hotel capacity to Belfast's growing business and leisure tourism market. Associated Articles Highlights another recent branded hotel development involving a major global hotel group, with focus on management partnerships, owner confidence and city-centre hospitality growth. Provides wider UK hotel portfolio context, showing how operators are strengthening market reach through branded collections, commercial positioning and expanded accommodation choice. Demonstrates continued investment by international hotel brands in high-profile visitor destinations, aligning with Aloft's move into Belfast's Titanic Quarter.

Marriott executive wins Asia-Pacific revenue award. Award recognises commercial strategies driving hotel performance. Thursday 02 July 2026 | 17:00 Tourists enjoy their time at the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay, Nadi. Inset: Marriott International's Cluster Director of Revenue Management - Pacific Islands, Juan Munoz. Photo: Katherine Naidu A Fiji-based Marriott executive has been recognised for outstanding revenue performance across the Asia-Pacific region. Marriott International's Cluster Director of Revenue Management - Pacific Islands, Juan Munoz, received the APEC Q1 2026 Revenue Strategy Special Achievement Award in recognition of his contribution to revenue performance across the region. Mr Munoz credited his team for the achievement, describing the award as recognition of their collective effort. Originally from Murcia in southern Spain, Mr Munoz has spent about a decade in the tourism industry. He began his career with Marriott in Sydney before taking up roles in Belgium and Fiji. He said his move to Fiji came after seeking an opportunity in the Pacific. "I was applying for opportunities in Australia and Fiji. When the opportunity came here, it was a perfect match. I like fishing and going out on the boat, so it suited me," he said. Mr Munoz has worked across several Marriott properties, including Sheraton on the Park in Sydney, Sheraton Brussels in Belgium, and Marriott hotels in Fiji and Samoa. His current portfolio includes Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort, Sheraton Fiji Denarau Villas, Sheraton Resort & Spa, Sheraton Tokoriki Resort, Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay and Marriott properties in Samoa. The award recognises revenue management performance across Marriott hotels in the Asia-Pacific region, including commercial strategies that drive revenue growth. Mr Munoz said the recognition reflected the work of his team. "The award was really because of my team's efforts. They are the ones who have put in fantastic work over the last 12 months to get the hotels where they need to be," he said. "My role has been to make sure they have the right platform to implement their ideas and strategies, and they have done a fantastic job." He said the team remained focused on developing its skills, identifying opportunities and improving performance. "My job is really to make sure they elevate their performance. The award is really about the team putting in a fantastic effort," he said.