Liveaboard Association of Maldives has participated on ADEX 2010 held in Singapore.

The Liveaboard Association of Maldives (LAM) have participated at Asia Dive Expo (ADEX 2010) held in Suntec City Convention Centre , Singapore. The following members of LAM have represented their boats at this event. It’s the 16th Year of this event and Maldives did participate last on 2004.

Liveaboard Association of Maldives have initiated with the members in promoting the Liveaboard industry on international exhibitions since from the 1st Year of forming the association. Likewise, LAM have successfully participated at Boot Fair held in Dusseldorf, London Dive Show in London and the current Fair in Singapore. LAM is also thinking of participating at the DEMA show to be held in Las Vegas, USA during November this year. And LAM develops it’s own annual publication in German and English language which is distributed free of charge on international travel fairs.

Source: http://www.visitmaldives.com

Discuss this article in forum Email this article Print this article The Beach House in the Maldives joins the Waldorf Astoria Collection

The Beach House, located at the northern tip of the Maldives, is scheduled to join the Waldorf Astoria Collection of Hilton Hotels Corporation on November 1 2009. Owned by the Maldivian company, The Beach House is a luxurious and private resort which has won many accolades.

The Waldorf Astoria Collection is a selection of some extraordinary hotels, each of which has its own character, architecture and history. The Waldorf Astoria Collection contains many hotels and resorts such as the Trianon Palace Versailles, the Rome Cavalieri, the Qasr AI Sharq etc.

The Beach House is fringed by white beaches and comprises 83 Maldivian-style villas, a luxurious spa, three restaurants and four bars with each villa including a private pool and butler. This romantic resort can provide guests with fantastic Asian fusion meal in the famous Maldivian sunsets.

The Beach House will also join the wider Hilton Family of Hotels. To make guests easily access reservations information, it will become part of the Worldwide Reservations Network and the Global Distribution System.

Source: etravelblackboard.com

Top travel magazine ranks Diva Maldives best Indian Ocean hotel

Diva, Naïade’s luxury resort in the Maldives, has obtained a new prestigious recognition. The renowned Condé Nast Traveller has announced its 2009 Hot List. Of all the hotels in the Indian Ocean, Diva is in first place in this ranking. Diva ranks 14th in the Hot List.

The Hot List is compiled based on the choice of professionals in Condé Nast. Several criteria are used: the design, ambience, food, among others.

Condé Nast was impressed with the design and feeling of space that one feels at Diva.

The excellent level of the six restaurants Diva also made a difference. The editorial team considers that the island Didhoonolhu is big enough for honeymooners to find an intimacy. The magazine recommended to its readers to book the Beach Villas. Condé Nast Traveller, with its 820,000 prints, remains one of the most prestigious travel magazines of the world.

Source: haveeru.com.mv

Bus Advertising Campaign of the Maldives in South Africa

The Maldives has launched a bus advertising campaign of Maldives in South Africa. Two double Decker buses will feature Maldives from 1st December 2007 to 31st May 2008. These buses will cover main bus routes in Johannesburg.

The objective of this outdoor campaign is to further promote Maldives in South Africa. China Eastern Airline operates four flights per week between Male’ and Johannesburg route using Airbus A340-300 aircraft.

Maldives also held road shows in three big cities in South Africa including Johannesburg during August 2007. South Africa is an important emerging market for Maldives. Maldives welcomed 2487 visitors from South Africa from January to October of 2007.

Source: MTPB

Maldives Participates in TTG INCONTRI 2007

The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) and representatives from tourism related companies in Maldives participated in TTG Trade Fair 2007. TTG Incontri which is held in Rimini from 12 to 14 October is one of the annual key travel trade fair in Italy.

TTG 2007 attracted 31,807 visitors, which is an increase of 7% compare to TTG 2006. One thousand executives representing 2300 companies including 550 international companies took part in the fair. Eight tourism related companies from the Maldives participated in the fair together with MTPB.

Interviews were given to the main Italian travel trade magazines, which include: L'Agenzia di Viaggi, Guida Viaggi, TTG, Travel Quotidiano, Il Giornale del Turismo. During the fair general information on Maldives and specific product information by the respective co – exhibitors were disseminated.

During the fair the Director General of ASTOI (Associazione Tour Operator Italiani) Mr. Alberto Corti visited the Maldives stand. He assured the support of ASTOI in promoting Maldives. Dr. Abdulla Mausoom briefed Mr. Alberto on the tourism developments in Maldives.

Italy is the leading generating market for Maldives. During the first eight month of 2007 Maldives welcomed 84,381 Italian visitors. This represents 18% of the total arrivals to Maldives. A total of 118,929 visitors from Italy visited Maldives last year.

Source: MTPB

"Shui" at The Beach House at Manafaru Maldives

You are cordially invited to embark on a journey……

A journey that will touch every sense of your being, will warm, soothe and balance the mind, and provide a calming sanctuary, far away from your everyday hectic life.

‘Shui’, the new oasis of pure indulgence to be managed by ‘Sun Spa Resorts Pvt. Ltd.’ – is due to open shortly at ‘The Beach House at Manafaru Maldives’. ‘Shui’ is South-East Asian for ‘water’ or ‘running water’, embodying our philosophy which is centred on the eternal cycle of water that is all around us – the essence of life itself and the element that links the human body with the natural world.

‘Sun Spa Resorts Pvt. Ltd.’ is a spa management company incorporated in the Maldives with the primary aim of developing and managing spa and wellness facilities. The company’s first
spa was opened in December 2005 at Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort and the second at Vilu Reef Beach & Spa Resort in February 2006.

Download Full Press Release

Source: MTPB

Sun Spa Resorts will introduce its new brand "Shui" at this years Spa Show UK

Sun Spa Resorts Pvt Ltd is proud to announce that it will exhibit at this year's Spa Show in London from November 2 until November 4.

We will take this opportunity to introduce our new luxury brand "Shui" to the UK market. Many of our highly valued clients come from the UK to spend their vacation on one of the paradisiacal Maldivian Island Resorts.

Download Full Press Release

Source: MTPB

Bulgaria's Top Models Show Their Extreme Sport Skills

Top Model Bulgaria' competition will be lead on August 18 in ‘Evrika' hotel complex in Sunny Beach resort. This will be the 7th edition of the event, organized by model agency ‘J Models'.

16 girls from all around Bulgaria will take part in it. The girls were selected with castings among 800 female competitors.

They will compete in 4 tours - sport cloths, in bath suits, in official dresses of ‘Astella Atelier' and in wedding dresses ‘Cymbeline'.

The event will be accompanied with a photo session on the beach. The girls should demonstrate their skills of extreme sports like surfing, wind surfing, jet ski and others.

The winner will compete in the 'New Models International' at the end of October, 2007. The event will take place on the Maldives.

Source: Bulgaria News

Maldives Promoted Via Magic Radio of UK

Maldives has initiated a 12 day radio promotional campaign on Magic Radio of the United Kingdom. The main objective of this campaign is to promote and portray the Maldives as an affordable luxury destination. The promotion will be aired 5 times a day.

Presented by Steve Priestley, one of the most popular DJs of the UK, Maldives promotion will be aired on the Magic 105.4 radio station of UK for 12 days from 18 to 30 June. Magic Radio has an audience of over 1.5 million listeners.

The listeners to this promotion have the opportunity to win a holiday in Maldives by participating in a destination quiz. This radio campaign is supplemented with a parallel online campaign on magic radio’s website: http://www.magic.co.uk/maldives

UK is the second largest generating market for the Maldives with a market share of 17.9 percent. Maldives welcomed 107,995 visitors from UK in 2006.

Source: MTPB

MTPB Wins The Best Tourism Publicity Award at KOTFA 2007

Maldives participated in the 20th Korea World Travel Fair (KOTFA 2007) held in Seoul from 7th to 10th June. Maldives won The Best Tourism Publicity Award during the fair.

KOTFA plays an important role in further strengthening the Korean market development efforts of Maldives. This year 2,734 participant exhibited in the KOTFA which received 8140 industry visitors and 77,826 public attendees. Maldives tourism sector was represented by 10 companies.

A dinner was hosted by MTPB to the top travel Agents and journalists with the industry participants on the 7th night at Coex Intercontinental hotel.

A total 16,157 Koreans visited Maldives last year which is a growth of 146.9% compared to 2005; 6,543 visitors. Korean market has a 2.8% market share arrivals up to April of this year and we expect total of 20,000 plus visitors this year.

Source: MTPB

MTPB organized Road Shows in three major cities in Australia

Maldives held road shows in Perth on 31st May, in Melbourne on 4th June and in Sydney on 6th June. It was the first road show to be held in Australia by MTPB. The main objective of the road show was to diversifying into Australian market and also to try new ways of promoting Maldives as a destination for Australian visitors.

There were a total of 130 attendees in Perth, 110 in Sydney and 79 in Melbourne. The attendees included tour wholesalers, travel agents and media. 10 Suppliers from Maldives participated while 10 wholesalers exhibited from Austrlia who currently sell Maldives.


Australians made up 1.3 per cent of the visitors to the Maldives upto April of this year. A total of 6,892 visitors from Australia visited Maldives last year which is a growth of 35.5% compared to 2005.

Source: MTPB

Sunny side of life “The Maldives” Hits Australia

The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) once again hit L’Aqua in Sydney on Monday, bringing a team of suppliers and wholesalers with them in an effort to draw more tourists to the Maldives.

While much of the tourism in the Maldives comes from Europe, many of the suppliers and wholesalers hoped to attract a large Australian market. Already, the number of people who attended the on Monday was an increase from last year’s exhibition. Many suppliers and wholesalers also commented that the reaction from the Australian market at the Perth exhibition was also incredibly positive.

MTPB official, Abudalla Naim, commented on the MTPB’s hopes of increasing tourism in the area. He revealed that already, another 50 islands have been dedicated towards attracting more tourism and are planning to be ready in 2 to 3 years.

Naim also commented on the appeal of the Maldives to the Australian society, saying that it is not only attracting honeymooners now but also tourists seeking adventure as well as families hoping to spend time together on their holidays.

The roadshow included representatives from ClubMed, Wildlife Safari and Creative Holidays.

AAA Hotels are launching two new upmarket island resorts, Midhufushi and Filitheyo, which offer pure relaxation and escape from daily stress. Their resorts also include private access, for guests who desire a more intimate and secluded accommodation.

Other representatives included Sun Travel & Tours which launched their products that have been specially catered for their male residents. This includes a Gentlemen’s lounge, martial arts lessons, water sport activities and a giant trampoline.

Six Senses Resorts & Spas also provides for the more environmentally conscious travelers, with plans to be carbon free by 2008 and zero emission free by 2010. The resort also uses solar power and desalination to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Their resorts also feature a private swimming area for each guest and a sundeck.

While the 2004 tsunami devastated parts of the Maldives which forced many resorts to rebuild and tourism numbers dropped, Naim says it is now a thing of the past and that the future for Maldives’ tourism industry is now brighter than ever. And judging by the large turnout on Monday, it seems that he was right.

Source: E-Travel Blackboard

MTPB concludes its Gulf Region Road Show at the Bahrain International Travel Expo, 2007Participation at the Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE),

Participation at the Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE), held at the Kingdom’s International Convention Centre, was the last of three events to be organised by the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB). Following the successful conclusion of their participation at the Arabian Travel Market 2007 in Dubai, MTPB took eight resorts and destination management companies on a road show to Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. The companies involved were: Naiade Resorts, Villa Hotels, Island Holidays, Cross Asia Travel, AAA Hotels and Resorts, Sun Travels & Tours and Crown Tours.

Mohamed Adam, Deputy Director, Maldives Tourism Promotion Board commented. “From May onwards, consumers across the Gulf region are beginning to plan and book their summer holidays. So far, the visitor numbers to the Maldives from this region are small, however there is great potential. We are confident that our events in Qatar and Kuwait, as well as our participation at BITE, 2007 will have significantly improved destination awareness among resident expatriates and Gulf nationals.”

The Maldives Tourism Road Show started in Qatar on the 6th May, with a reception and dinner at the Movenpick Tower & Suites in Doha. More than 150 travel agents and tour operators were invited to a presentation on selling the Maldives to travellers from the Gulf Region. Emphasis was placed on the warm welcome that GCC nationals and resident expatriates will receive when visiting the islands. The Republic of the Maldives is an Islamic nation, providing Arab travellers with easy access to Mosques, even on the resorts islands

Mohamed Adam continued by saying “The flying time to the Maldives is around four hours from the Gulf region. With daily flights from a combination of airlines, the consumer has plenty of choice on how to get there.” Our aim at the road shows was to ensure that as many travel agents and tour operators as possible have the tools they need to be able to effectively promote our island resorts.” Mohamed Adam added “The Maldives is currently the ultimate getaway for those who are attracted by private islands, stunning beaches and crystal clear waters. The Maldives provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxing, rejuvenating holiday, which is a welcome contrast to the frantic pace of life in the Arabian Gulf.”

Similar format was adopted for the event in Kuwait on the 7th May, where more than 100 travel agents and tour operators were invited to the Holiday Inn Downtown in Kuwait City. MTPB’s participation at the BITE 2007 was from the 8th to the 10th May and provided Maldives Tourism with an opportunity to show case the destination to visiting travel trade, meetings and incentives buyers as well as consumers from Bahrain and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Official attendance figures have yet to be confirmed however they were expected to be up on last year’s number of 16,800 visitors.

The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board has recently appointed Afkar Marketing Company W.L.L. as its PR & Marketing Agency for the Gulf Region. Mohamed Adam concluded by saying “Our focus now is to ensure that the travel trade in the GCC understands the Maldives product and how to sell it effectively to both expatriates and GCC nationals resident in the Gulf region”. He added “Our presence in the region will ensure that we actively promote the ongoing infrastructure developments in the Maldives and as new resorts are opened, we grow visitor numbers by working closely with our travel trade partners”. We are confident that our efforts over the past week will have taken us a step further to achieving this goal”

-ends-

For further information contact:

Mark Senior
Director
Afkar Marketing Company W.L.L.
Tel: +971 502977129
Tel: +973 39630801
e-mail: mark@afkarmarketing.com

Source: MTPB

MTPB consolidates its regional marketing activities at the 2007 Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board’s presence at this year’s Arabian Travel Market in Dubai was its strongest ever. From the 1st to the 4th May, 2007 the Maldivian delegation profiled a wide range of products and services to the Gulf region’s travel trade. A total of 44 participants from the hospitality industry, representing some 24 companies, were on the stand to meet with tour operators, travel agencies and media.

The 2007 Arabian Travel Market confirmed record breaking attendance figures of more than 12,000 visitors during the first three days of the show which were focused on visiting travel trade. There was a significant growth in visitors from around the Gulf region, which reflects each country’s buoyant economy and the strong demand for outbound travel. The Maldives is a relatively new leisure destination for the Gulf Region and the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board is now placing greater emphasis on driving destination awareness across the Gulf Co-operative Council (GCC) countries of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

The Maldives is easily accessible from the Arabian Gulf with a short flight time of around four hours. With daily flights from a combination of airlines, the consumer choice continues to grow as more tour operators and travel agencies feature the destination. The Maldives is currently the ultimate getaway for those who are attracted by private islands, stunning beaches and crystal clear waters. The Maldives provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxing, rejuvenating holiday, which is a welcome contrast to the frantic pace of life in the Arabian Gulf.

Travellers from the GCC account for a small part of the current total visitor numbers to the islands. However, with a high percentage of the population being Muslim and with no visa restrictions, the destination is preparing to attract many more visitors from the Gulf region. Dr Mahmood Shougee, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation for the Republic of the Maldives said “Over the past 30 years, tourism has played a vital role in the sustained development of the Maldives economy. Today we enjoy high hotel occupancy levels and this is set to continue. The low season of June, July and August is relatively short and this coincides with the high season for outbound travel from the GCC.” Dr Shougee added “Our short term strategy is to continue to encourage new business from the Gulf region, by placing greater emphasis on the development of strong relationships with the region’s travel trade. We need to give them the tools to effectively sell the destination.”

Today, the Maldives attracts visitors who want to enjoy the peace and tranquility of an island paradise. With luxury hotels and resorts, award-winning Spa’s and probably the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the world, the Maldives offers total relaxation. Currently, the islands attract more resident expatriates living in the Gulf region than GCC nationals. Dr Shougee commented “Our medium term strategy is to grow the business from the Gulf region by developing resorts which are focused on the preferences of Arab nationals.” “Today we attract Arab honeymooners and water sport enthusiasts, however we see the opportunity to develop family-focused resorts which are located on the inhabited islands, where GCC nationals can interact with the local Muslim community and enjoy many of the activities associated with town life”.

Investment in the tourism infrastructure of the Maldives continues to gather pace. Today there are many new projects underway and future foreign investment is being encouraged by the Maldivian Government. Dr Shougee concluded by saying “GCC real estate developers are currently transforming the face of the Gulf region. We will be sharing our vision for the future development of the Maldives with many of these organisations and offering them exciting investment opportunities here”. “We are confident that the marketing activities that are now being implementing in the region will ensure that there is a greater awareness of our beautiful islands, which will stimulate foreign investment and more inbound travel from both resident expatriates and GCC nationals.”

-ends-

For further information contact:

Mark Senior
Director
Afkar Marketing Company W.L.L.
Tel: +971 502977129
Tel: +973 39630801
e-mail: mark@afkarmarketing.com

Source: MTPB

‘Beyond the Tourist’s Eye’ art exhibition to be opened

The National Art Gallery is to open an art exhibition titled “Beyond the Tourist’s Eye: Issues of Identity in Maldivian Art” on Thursday showcasing works of contemporary artists.

The exhibition will run until June 7 and explores political, social and cultural themes reflected in the works of six “new contemporary artists”: Ablow Arif, Afzal Shafiu Hassan, Fathmath Zuhura, Mariyam Naeema Omar, Mohamed Azzam, and Nina Mohamed Manik.

Contemporary artists depend on producing commercial art for sale as souvenirs to tourists, but this exhibition aims to give a venue to artists to express themselves, their thoughts, feelings and emotions in the face of a fast changing Maldivian society, the NAG said.

A preview of the exhibition was given to the press on Thursday morning before the official opening which is scheduled for Thursday evening.

Journalists at the press event commented that the display was “shocking” and “thought-provoking” and that the exhibition “raised consciousness to new levels.”

One of the exhibits, by Zuhura, contrasts blind rosy innocence against the stark open realities in Maldives; the exhibit titled The Wardrobe, comprises of two dresses depicting life in two different circumstances. One portrays a rosy picture showing the bliss that comes with a protected upbringing. The black dress shows a woman and man embracing in a black backdrop of flowers on a mannequin which has been blindfolded. The second dress shows violence in society: half of the mannequin’s face is disfigured and the dress she wears depicts on white clothing what appears to be a dissection of a body. Visually, the exhibit appears bleeding to the eye, and preview visitors were reminded of the recent Hussain Solah post mortem saga though Zuhura completed the work last year.

Azzam, whose exhibits depict the hectic pace of life in Male, told reporters that what he wants is “a little quiet from the noise of the heavy traffic.”

Ablow Arif’s art is claustrophobic and even paranoid at times while Afzal, who is known for his art work in Maldives’ postage stamps, has presented a more abstract form of art.

-Haveeru-

Magical Maldives Back forSecond Australian Roadshow

After the success of its inaugural Australian roadshow last year, the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board is coming back for a new series of trade events with its Australian marketing representative, The Unique Tourism Collection.

UTC Managing Director Jonica Paramor said last year’s roadshow had sparked a surge of trade and consumer interest that the MTPB hoped to build upon. Its upcoming Sydney event was already booked out, but places remain at events in Perth and Melbourne.

“The number of Australians visiting the Maldives was up 35 per cent in 2006 and we’re on track for another big increase in 2007, with this year’s first quarter up more than 90 per cent over the same period last year,” Ms Paramor said. “The MTPB is delighted with the response to its new presence in Australia and is keen to support the travel trade further with events like our upcoming roadshow.”

The Maldives Roadshow will bring a team of top suppliers and wholesalers to spread the word on the destination, its airlines, resorts, activities and unforgettable experiences.

Travel agents who attend will boost their product knowledge, gain confidence in selling the destination and have a chance to win some sensational Maldives holiday prizes.

“All around the world, the Maldives are hot right now, especially with jetsetters from New York and Paris,” Ms Paramor said. “Yet for Australians the Maldives are only a relatively short hop into the Indian Ocean.”

The Maldives Roadshows will be held from 5.30pm to 8pm in:

* Perth, May 31, Frasers Restaurant, Kings Park
* Sydney, June 4, L’Aqua, Cockle Bay Wharf – BOOKED OUT
* Melbourne, June 6, Carousel, Albert Park.

Places are limited. Please RSVP by May 11 to the Unique Tourism Collection on 02 9211 6590 or register online at www.uniquetourism.com/maldives

Roadshow partners will include Sun Travel and Tours, Lets Go Maldives, Taj Maldives, Per Aquum (Huvanfen Fushi resort), AAA Hotels and Resorts, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Naiade Resorts White Sands.

Source: E-Travel Blackboard