MATHEEN FAIZ

Storytelling through strategy.

Matheen Faiz

Marketing & Communications Manager, Anantara Kihavah Maldives

Beach Pool Villa at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, photographed by Matheen Faiz

Eight years inside luxury resort marketing.

Beach Pool Villa, Anantara Kihavah. Photographed by me.

Brands I've worked with

  • Anantara Hotels & Resorts
  • The Signature Collection
  • Seaside Finolhu
  • Minor Hotels
  • Villa Air
  • Safari Island
  • Trans Maldivian Airways
  • Maldives Legend
  • OTASync
  • Cocoon Maldives
  • Alimas Academy
  • Bollirun
  • Beond
  • MVHotels
  • UNFPA
  • Lily Beach Resort & Spa
  • Maldivian Red Crescent
  • SKY Beach Dhiffushi
  • Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa
  • Marukab Plaza
  • Tropical Tree Fehendhoo
  • You & Me Maldives
  • Rotaract Maldives
  • Hardware Lab
  • Maldives Financial Review
  • IM Maldives
  • National Boating Association
  • Villa Resorts
  • Thulusdhoo Council
  • United Creatives
  • MOPA

My work featured in

  • Travel + Leisure
  • Forbes
  • Condé Nast Traveler
  • Robb Report
Portrait of Matheen Faiz

About

Matheen Faiz is a Maldivian brand and communications strategist, currently Marketing & Communications Manager at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, Baa Atoll.

Most of what people believe about a resort comes from someone other than the resort: a journalist, a guest, a travel agent, an AI answer. My job is to make sure they all tell the same story.

I work on brand strategy and communications for luxury resorts. Day to day, that means taking a commercial goal and turning it into something a guest, a journalist or a travel partner wants to hear.

I started out as a graphic designer, then moved into photography, production and resort marketing. So I know how a brand looks as well as what it says. As a Maldivian, I also get to tell the stories of the place I come from.

  • Brand strategy
  • Communications & PR
  • Creative direction
  • Visual identity
  • UX & UI design
  • Photography & film

Selected work

Travel + Leisure

A full review of Anantara Kihavah, from a stay I pitched and hosted

I pitched Anantara Kihavah to Travel + Leisure and hosted the stay that became their full review of the resort.

Read the review

From No. 5 to No. 1

I led the award campaign that took Anantara Kihavah from No. 5 to No. 1 in Dreaming of Maldives' reader vote for Best Maldives Resort, 2026.

Showing up in AI answers

I lead the resort's GEO programme, tracking how ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Copilot and Claude describe Anantara Kihavah and working to shape those answers.

Presenting in Japanese to 100+ agents

At the 2025 Minor Hotels roadshow in Tokyo I presented Anantara Kihavah in Japanese and met tour operators including Inpac.

United Creatives

A youth leadership programme funded by the European Union and UNDP and supported by Love Frankie. Out of nearly 600 applicants, I was one of 40 young creatives chosen for ten weeks of training and mentorship on digital campaigns that counter online hate and build social cohesion.

Funded byEuropean UnionUNDP Supported byLove Frankie

I have also worked with UNFPA, the Maldivian Red Crescent, Rotaract Maldives and MOPA.

More workShow less
  • Anantara Kihavah

    A seaplane livery, drawn by hand

    I explored many directions on iPad before settling on a black livery for the resort's seaplane. It was built for real and now flies as 8Q‑RAG.

  • Dublin, Ireland, 2025

    Festive season at Anantara The Marker

    Cross training with the marketing team in Dublin. I helped prepare the hotel's festive season and its rebrand. I taught them how we work in the Maldives and learned a lot from how a city hotel runs.

  • The Signature Collection

    Pre-opening brand shoots

    I photographed the residences of The Signature Collection by Hideaway before the first guests arrived.

  • Alimas Academy

    Basics of Visual Storytelling and Photography

    A course I taught with Alimas Academy to four cohorts of young Maldivians. Many of my students now work as professional photographers.

  • UX & UI design

    Web applications

    Interface design for web applications for Hardware Lab, Villa Air, MVHotels and IM Maldives.

Journal

2022 · Photography Capturing the essence of the Maldives Read the essayClose

I have spent my career in the Maldives, and much of it photographing the architecture of its resorts. Each island has its own character, and every shoot teaches me something about the place and the people who live there.

Drone photography showed me the islands from a new angle. I have flown for Anantara Kihavah, The Signature Collection, Lily Beach Resort & Spa, You & Me Maldives and Cocoon Maldives.

With video, I want people to feel the story of a place while they watch.

Working with Anantara has been the highlight. The images I made at Kihavah mean the most to me, because each one is an invitation to a place I know well. The industry has also put me alongside some of the best creative professionals in the world, and that has shaped how I see.

Photography and video are how I tell stories about the Maldives and share them with people who haven't been yet.

What people say

“Matheen was a cornerstone of our ‘lean but mean’ marketing communications team at Anantara Kihavah, consistently bridging the gap between complex technical requirements and high-level artistic vision.”

Read the full recommendationShow less

I’ve seen how his creative evolution and collaborative mindset can transform a team’s output. He doesn’t just capture images; he builds immersive visual narratives that elevate every project he touches.

Beyond his talent, what sets him apart is his presence. He is a supportive collaborator who handles high-pressure environments with a calm, solution-oriented grace. He is a visionary creator who prioritizes collective success, making him an invaluable asset to any team and a genuine joy to lead.

Joanna HuangJoanna Huang Director of PR & Communications, Luxury, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International. Previously Director of Marketing and Communications at Anantara Kihavah, where she managed me directly. On LinkedIn, April 2026

“I remember at the time he was determined to learn Japanese and had a dream of travelling to Japan. Years later, seeing that he’s achieved exactly that is a true testament to his focus, adventurous spirit, and determination to turn goals into reality.”

Read the full recommendationShow less

I had the pleasure of working with Matheen at Anantara Kihavah Maldives, where he held the role of Marketing Coordinator. He was an absolute asset to the team, always supportive and eager to help wherever he could.

Matheen played a key role in managing our social media and content, and his creativity, photography, and drone skills consistently brought a fresh, dynamic edge to our visual storytelling. He’s someone who’s always looking to experiment, push creative boundaries, and elevate the work beyond the expected.

Polite, thoughtful, and genuinely curious, Matheen was always keen to learn and grow.

He’s a team player and a joy to work with!

Clare BromilowClare Bromilow Regional Director of Public Relations and Marketing, EMEA. Previously at Anantara Kihavah, where she managed me directly. On LinkedIn, October 2025

“…to describe him as just a content creator would be an understatement. Matheen is a passionate, self-driven, and innovative professional who consistently goes above and beyond.”

Read the full recommendationShow less

I had the privilege of working with Matheen during my time at Anantara Kihavah, where he held the role of Content & Marketing Executive. But to describe him as just a content creator would be an understatement. Hence he had a very well deserved promotion as Assistant Marcomms Manager.

Matheen is a passionate, self-driven, and innovative professional who consistently goes above and beyond. From planning and executing multiple luxury photo and video shoots to even writing video scripts, his creativity and eye for detail are truly inspiring.

What stood out the most was his can-do attitude and willingness to take on new challenges. He seamlessly handled agencies, supported multiple internal stakeholders, and proved himself to be not only a strong team player but also a great mentor for junior team members.

His passion for helping others, combined with his creativity and innovation, makes him an invaluable asset. I have no doubt Matheen has a brilliant future ahead of him as a marketing leader and role model in luxury hospitality. Any high-performing, innovative brand would be lucky to have him on their team.

Laurean SahilicesLaurean Sahilices Cluster Director of Marketing and Communications, Minor Hotels. Now Strategic Hospitality Advisor and Founder, The Hotel Marketing Lady. On LinkedIn, October 2025

“One of the key projects we worked on together was the caviar restaurant concept campaign, where he demonstrated strong visual storytelling skills, bringing the concept to life with his impressive attention to detail.”

Read the full recommendationShow less

I had the pleasure of working closely with Matheen during my tenure at Anantara Kihavah Maldives where he worked as a Content & Marketing Executive. He has consistently proven himself to be a valuable asset to the team.

Matheen has a natural ability to go above and beyond. He steps in where needed and makes proactive suggestions when he sees opportunities to improve.

Beyond being a talented visual marketer, Matheen was also a great support in driving operational marketing initiatives. He stays informed on digital trends, which contributed positively to our online efforts. He is solution-oriented, takes initiative with confidence, and approaches every task with a strong sense of ownership.

I am confident that Matheen will continue to grow professionally and is a true standout talent.

Earle EnriquezEarle Enriquez Marketing, PR and Communications, Anantara Retreat Santorini Abu Dhabi. Previously at Anantara Kihavah, where she managed me directly. On LinkedIn, March 2026
Solve the problem before it becomes obvious.
A lesson from a mentor at Tech Camp, Chennai, 2017. I still work by it.

Recognition

Awards Anantara Kihavah won while I was on its marketing team. I led the campaigns marked below.

  • No. 1Best Maldives Resort, 2026Campaign I ledDreaming of Maldives
  • WinnerBest Hotel in the Indian Ocean, 2025Campaign I ledULTRAs
  • WinnerMaldives' Leading Villa Resort, 2026World Travel Awards
  • ListedTravel + Leisure 500, 2026Travel + Leisure
All press, awards and brandsShow less

Press

Stories I placed, wrote for or photographed.

Awards by year

2026

  • No. 1Best Maldives Resort, up from No. 5Dreaming of Maldives
  • WinnerMaldives' Leading Villa ResortWorld Travel Awards
  • ListedTravel + Leisure 500Travel + Leisure
  • No. 2Best House ReefsT+L Luxury Awards Asia Pacific
  • No. 3Best Resorts in the MaldivesT+L Luxury Awards Asia Pacific

2025

  • WinnerBest Hotel in the Indian OceanULTRAs
  • No. 9Resorts in the Indian OceanCondé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice

2024

  • No. 20Resorts in the Indian OceanCondé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice

2020

  • No. 16Resorts in the Indian OceanCondé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice

2019

  • No. 6Resorts in the Indian OceanCondé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice

2018

  • WinnerMaldives' Leading Villa ResortWorld Travel Awards
  • WinnerWorld's Leading Underwater Hotel RestaurantWorld Travel Awards

Brands I've worked with

Resorts and hotels

  • The Signature Collection
  • Hideaway Maldives
  • Lily Beach Resort & Spa
  • The Cocoon Collection
  • Cocoon Maldives
  • You & Me Island Resort
  • Safari Island Maldives
  • Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll
  • Villa Resorts
  • Villa Nautica
  • Marukab Plaza
  • SKY Beach Dhiffushi
  • Tropical Tree Fehendhoo

Aviation and liveaboards

  • Trans Maldivian Airways
  • Villa Air
  • Beond
  • Maldives Legends
  • National Boating Association of Maldives

Media, tech and education

  • Maldives Financial Review
  • OTASync
  • Bollirun
  • Alimas Academy

Non-profits and community

  • United Creatives (UNDP and EU)
  • MOPA
  • Maldivian Red Crescent
  • Rotaract Maldives
  • Rotary Club
  • UNFPA
  • Thulusdhoo Council

I have also taken part in hackathons, including Ocean Hack.

Career

From freelance designer to marketing and communications manager.

  1. 2013 to 2017Graphic DesignerFreelance
  2. 2017 to 2018Professional PhotographerPicturesque Photography
  3. 2018 to 2021Marketing CoordinatorAnantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
  4. 2021 to 2024Productions Manager, then Creative DirectorMVHOTELS.Travel, Maldives Ad Agency, IM Studio and IM Maldives
  5. 2024 to 2025Content & Marketing ExecutiveAnantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
  6. 2025 to 2026Assistant Marketing & Communications ManagerAnantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
  7. 2026 to nowMarketing & Communications ManagerAnantara Kihavah Maldives VillasCurrent role. Promoted twice in two years since returning in 2024.

Languages

  • EnglishFluent
  • DhivehiNative
  • JapaneseProfessional
  • HindiConversational

Education

  • TNFThe New Fundamentals of BrandEugene Healey · In progress
  • AIHMDigital Content MarketingAsian Institute of Hospitality Management · 2024
  • GoogleFundamentals of Digital MarketingGoogle · Certified
  • MATIAdvanced Digital Marketing WorkshopMaldives Association of Tourism Industry · 2019
  • TechCampTechCampUS Consulate, Chennai · 2017

Let's tell yours well.

LinkedIn Instagram Unsplash X
© 2026 Matheen Faiz · Made in the Maldives