Deepak Booneady – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sun Siyam Resorts

With over 25 years in hospitality, Deepak brings a wealth of experience and a clear strategic vision to his role as CEO of Sun Siyam Resorts. Since joining the group in 2019, he has played a key role in driving commercial growth, navigating industry challenges, and leading the brand through transformative change. His background with international brands shaped his focus on innovation, product development, and brand positioning.

Now overseeing a diverse portfolio of Sun Siyam Resorts, he ensures each property delivers exceptional experiences while staying true to the brand’s Maldivian roots. In this exclusive interview, he shares his journey, leadership insights, and how Sun Siyam Olhuveli and the wider group are evolving to meet the demands of today’s travellers.

With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, could you describe your journey to becoming a CEO and the major challenges you encountered and overcame during this period?

I first joined Sun Siyam Resorts in 2019 as the Group Director of Business Development. In 2021, I was promoted to Vice President of Commercial, where I played a crucial role in driving the company’s growth. Prior to joining Sun Siyam, I worked with the Mauritius-based LUX* Resorts and Hotels as the Regional Director of Sales and Marketing, where I was responsible for overseeing product promotion and business development. This experience taught me the importance of strategic positioning and product development, both of which have been pivotal in my approach to growing Sun Siyam Resorts.

One of the major challenges I faced in my journey was navigating the complexities of the hospitality industry during periods of significant change, particularly during the global pandemic. However, these challenges have been valuable learning experiences that taught me the importance of resilience, adaptability, and teamwork. When I became the CEO of Sun Siyam Resorts in January 2023, I took on the responsibility of leading the company through a transformative phase. A key part of my role now is ensuring that we continue to innovate and provide exceptional experiences while maintaining the core values that have defined Sun Siyam Resorts. Overcoming these challenges and focusing on both short-term goals and long-term growth has been an incredibly fulfilling journey.

After several years with Sun Siyam Resorts, how have its core values influenced your leadership, and what part of being CEO is most fulfilling to you and fuels your passion for hospitality?

The core values of Sun Siyam Resorts are rooted in integrity, innovation, and creating memorable experiences for our guests. As CEO, these values are at the heart of everything I do. The most fulfilling part of my role is seeing how our team embraces these values and contributes to a unique guest experience. The passion for hospitality, driven by our strong commitment to Maldivian culture and the delivery of innovative, one-of-a-kind experiences, fuels my motivation daily. Knowing that our resorts serve as a platform for both local talent and global guests to connect is a huge source of pride for me.

With multiple properties in your portfolio, including the renowned Sun Siyam Olhuveli, how do you ensure that each resort maintains its individuality while aligning with the overall brand vision of Sun Siyam Resorts?

Each property under the Sun Siyam Resorts umbrella is distinct, and we celebrate that individuality. For example, Sun Siyam Olhuveli, with its recent upgrades and additions, stands out due to its spacious designs, family-friendly offerings, and wide range of experiences, such as the longest pool in the Maldives. We ensure that each resort’s unique character is preserved while also aligning with our overarching brand vision: to deliver exceptional, innovative, and immersive experiences to all our guests. Our emphasis is on maintaining a balance between our identity as a Maldivian brand and catering to diverse guest preferences.

How do you ensure that Maldivian culture remains a core part of your brand identity, and how do you incorporate local traditions into the resort experience while maintaining consistency across all properties?

At Sun Siyam Resorts, Maldivian culture is at the heart of our brand identity, and we strive to reflect this in every aspect of our guest experience. From the very beginning, Mr. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, our founder, has been dedicated to ensuring that local communities play a central role in the resort experience. We celebrate Maldivian traditions by showcasing local craftsmanship, offering locally inspired cuisine, and providing cultural experiences that immerse our guests in the heritage of our islands.

Our resorts maintain consistency across properties by upholding the highest standards of service, attention to detail, and guest satisfaction, while always ensuring that the essence of Maldivian culture is present. From the design of our resorts and the activities we offer to the personalised service provided by our staff, we aim to deliver an authentic experience that aligns with the exceptional standards our guests expect.

We have integrated local communities into our operations by sourcing fresh produce from nearby islands and engaging local women in preparing traditional Maldivian dishes. Guests have the opportunity to witness the daily lives of the Maldivian people, adding a unique and personal touch to their stay, whether it’s enjoying traditional cuisine at Kaage, an authentic Maldivian restaurant at Siyam World, for example. This approach, combined with a deep love for what we do, allows us to offer a truly distinct experience while maintaining a consistent, high-quality standard across all our properties. The personal connections we foster with our guests, many of whom return multiple times, are what truly set us apart.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in managing a multi-resort group like Sun Siyam Resorts, and how do you address those challenges while maintaining the standards across the resorts?

Managing a multi-resort group comes with its challenges, particularly in ensuring that all properties uphold the same high standards of service and quality while still allowing for individuality. This requires careful coordination and continuous communication between resorts, management teams, and stakeholders.

Another challenge is ensuring that innovation is consistently introduced at each property without compromising the core brand values. By fostering a collaborative environment, continuously training our teams, and listening to guest feedback, we can overcome these challenges and ensure that every guest at every resort receives an exceptional experience.

Having seen Sun Siyam Resorts grow as a brand, how do you see Sun Siyam Olhuveli evolving over the next 5–10 years in terms of new experiences, innovative strategies, and staying ahead of industry trends?

Over the next 5–10 years, Sun Siyam Olhuveli will continue its transformation into an even more innovative and experience-driven destination. The recent upgrades, including the addition of the longest pool in the Maldives, the beach pavilions, grand Beach Suites with pools, and watersports experiences such as the Jet Car, represent just the beginning of our commitment to providing cutting-edge high-end experiences.

We will continue to elevate our offerings by focusing on wellness, adventure, and culturally immersive activities, ensuring that we meet the growing demand for meaningful and personalised travel experiences. Our approach to attainable holidays will also be featured across all Sun Siyam properties, as we recently introduced the all-inclusive experience in the Maldives with the launch of our 24-hour, resort-wide all-inclusive benefits that allow travellers round-the-clock access to dining, drinks, activities, and entertainment, enabling them to embrace island life without limitations.

Our strategies will focus on enhancing guest experiences through new technologies, seamless connectivity, and sustainable practices that resonate with modern travellers. We aim to integrate sustainable designs, eco-friendly initiatives, and advanced technology to stay ahead of evolving consumer preferences, all while maintaining a genuine connection with the local Maldivian culture and community

At the same time, we will continue to build on Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s reputation as an affordable destination, offering excellent value for money while consistently exceeding expectations. With these ongoing enhancements and innovations, we strive to elevate Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s status as one of the top resorts in the Maldives, delivering unforgettable experiences and unparalleled value to our guests.