Bangalore’s Orange County Resorts looking to offload 20% stake

Bangalore-based Orange County Resorts and Hotels Ltd that currently owns two holiday resorts in Coorg and Kabini and manages another in Hassan, Karnataka, is in discussions with New York-based investment firm Trikona Capital Ltd, private equity (PE) firm ICICI Venture, and a few others to sell up to a 20% stake for around Rs60-70 crore.

This money will part-fund the Rs220 crore the firm plans to invest in upgrading existing properties and opening four more resorts in the next three years. Orange County is also looking to expand to locations in Vietnam and the Maldives.

“We expect our valuation to go up to Rs1,000 crore by 2012. We want a strong investment partner that will not onlybring in expertise in finance, marketing and operational management, thus giving that value-addition to our brand, but also invest with us in our future and overseas expansion,” said Abe T. Ramapuram, vice-chairman and director (finance) at Orange County in a phone interview from Bangalore on Wednesday. He added that an investor would be identified within the next two months.

Ramapuram said that the company has already acquired land for its four new Indian resorts that will open for business by 2011.

Aashish Kalra, co-founder and managing director of Trikona Capital, said his company does not comment on future business initiatives.

“We have, however, said we will invest $10 billion (Rs46,300 crore) in India over 10 years in real estate and infrastructure,” he added.

An ICICI Venture spokesperson declined to comment.

The Indian hospitality business has grown 25-30% annually in revenues over the past three years on the back of an expanding economy that encouraged more business travel and put more money in the hands of domestic consumers. The concept of short weekend breaks has gained popularity.

Almost all of Orange County’s existing resorts are located within driving distance from Bangalore, India’s information technology hub.

An expert said that after infrastructure, PE firms would likely prefer to invest in any area that involves consumer spending.

“It is the right time for a one-two resort company like Orange County to bring in financial partners because they have been around for long, have well received properties, and will be able to replicate their model anywhere,” said Arun Natarajan, chief executive officer of Venture Intelligence, a research firm focused on PE and venture capital activity.

Orange County, which is privately held, claims its valuation is around Rs300-350 crore.

The company is part of the Ramapuram group, promoted by a family of seven brothers that also owns coffee and rubber plantations in Karnataka spanning 2,000 acres and valued at more than Rs200 crore.

Source: www.livemint.com

Centara’s First Hotel Outside Thailand to open in the Maldives

Centara Hotels & Resorts is to invest in and manage a new property in the Maldives, it will be the first property for Centara Hotels & Resorts outside of Thailand.

Scheduled to open in May 2009, Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa, located on South Ari Atoll, will deliver a Premium 4 star resort experience. The resort is relatively close to Male Airport with an air transfer time of just 25 minutes or transfer by speed boat in 85 minutes.

For diving enthusiasts the resort enjoys an excellent house reef complete with a sunken ship wreck and is within easy reach of the top dive spots in Ari Atoll.

Adults will enjoy premium levels of service with a variety of dining options, pools, recreational activities, sports and fitness options, bars and lounges with nightly entertainment, and Centara Hotels & Resorts very own 5 stars Spa experience - Spa Cenvaree. Children will benefit from the new Centara Hotels & Resorts Kids Club concept offering 2 venues - Kid Camp and E-zone for ages 4 to 9 and 10 to 17 respectively.

Guests will be able to choose from 7 categories of beach front and over water accommodation which will range from 76 sqm Beach Suites complete with separate living room, large terrace and indoor and outdoor showers, up to 146 sqm Luxury Beachfront Pool Villas which come complete with their own private pool and membership of the exclusive Island Club – which offers guests in selected categories of accommodation a “resort within a resort” experience specially designed for discerning travelers.

Based around the small pool, Island Club guests will be able to enjoy premium levels of attention and service including access to the exclusive Club Lounge with daily servings of complimentary meals, snacks and drinks including complimentary evening cocktails and canapés. The private pool features refreshing Spa Cenvaree mist sprays, complimentary mineral water, pre-lunch cold towel service, afternoon fruits and sun bed concierge service.

Mr.Gerd Steeb, President of Centara Hotels & Resorts, said, “This is our 14th property and we aim to grow to 25 properties within the year 2010. We signed the management agreement in July and we are very excited with this outstanding Resort. It is a completely newly built project entailing an investment of US$49 million (1.7 Billion baht) and our first outside of Thailand but with others to come.”

Source: www.asiatraveltips.com

Investment in new Maldives resorts falls

The Maldives Ministry of Tourism has cited a lack of interest by potential investors for the small number of bid proposals that were submitted for two proposed new resort islands.

Bidding closed on 3 September for resorts on the two islands of Haa Alif atoll Kelaa and Laamu atoll Gadhoo, with only two firms submitting bids for Kelaa, and none submitting bids for Gadhoo.

The ministry says that financing difficulties are the reason for the lack of proposals. With the rise of construction costs, investors of existing projects are going back to their funding sources for additional monies. It was also noted that none of the 64 resort properties currently under construction will be completed on schedule.

On top of the financing issue, there has also been a decline in tourist numbers, which were down by 6.6 per cent for July of this year, as compared with July of 2007. This is the largest drop that the Maldives has experienced since the months following the tsunami of 2004.

“There has been a decrease in the number of bid proposals,” noted the executive director of the Tourism Ministry, Mohamed Waheed. “Developers are saying it is difficult to get investments in this sector…All current projects are delayed.”

In the last two tenders received by the ministry, both submissions were for the development of Kelaa, but not for Gadhoo, even though three bid packets had been purchased.

Mahmoud Shaugee, the tourism minister who resigned his post in July, commented that the “lack of investor interest… [is] associated with the economy and number of projects under way.”

Source: www.asap.co.uk

Singapore firm buys The World's Nova Island

Singapore based firm Cinnovation Group has purchased Nova Island, part of Nakheel’s The World manmade islands project, and intends to build a $200 million resort and spa on the development.

Varun Chaudhary, director of Cinnovation’s Dubai operations, said on Monday that the project will be a private luxury retreat, offering both tourist and residential facilities. He did not reveal the island's purchase price.

Nova Island represents the northern Russian archipelago Novaya Zemlya, situated next to Russia and Serbia. The development will feature ocean front guest villas and fractional ownership residential villas.

The palm-thatched luxury guest villas will be built entirely over water, while the private residential villas will match the guest villas in architecture and location, he said.

Work on the 400,000 square foot island is expected to commence later this year.

Cinnovation Group already own resorts in Maldives, Sri Lanka and Malaysia, including its flagship Maldives property Taj Exotica Resort & Spa.

Islands on The World, located four kilometres offshore from Dubai, are being offered for sale on a freehold basis to selected investors, and are only accessible by marine or air transport.

The average price for an island ranges from $15 million to $50 million, but the total cost of developing an island is much higher as owners are expected to provide all necessary infrastructure. The most expensive island costs $263 million.

Around 50% of the 300 islands that make up The World have been sold so far. Some of The World islands represent countries, while others represent cities.

Nakheel, part of state-owned conglomerate Dubai World, has remained tight-lipped about many of the islands' owners, and numerous high-profile celebrities, businessman, royalty and sports stars have been linked with the development.

Source: arabianbusiness.com

Maldives Sees Unexpected Growth in Tourist in 2007 and 2008

The Maldives tourism industry has been experiencing a period of unbridled growth over the 2006-2007 period, and with improved and expanded tourist facilities in the pipeline for 2008, the boom is predicted to continue in the coming year.

An 8.5% increase in the number of visitors to the Maldives was anticipated for 2007, although the actual figure has been recorded as an unprecedented 12.3% rate of growth when compared to 2006, which was also a record year.

The Maldives attracted the majority of their visitors from Europe, with most tourists coming from the UK, Italy, Germany and France; there was also a marked increase, however, in the number of Asian visitors, in particular from Japan and China.

The total bed nights for 2007 were 5,293,224, which represents a 9.7% increase compared with 2006; the average stay per tourist has also shown a slight rise, from 8 days in 2006 to 8.5 in 2007.

Maldives Tourism Promotion Bureau Director General Dr. Abdullah Mausoom said: “2007 was a record breaking year in the history of tourism and we look forward to a similar year in 2008.

"Increased accessibility with greater air transportation and the diversity of the product that is the Maldives have attracted so many tourists into the country.”

Many projects are underway to encourage an even higher number of visitors in 2008.

On January 29th, for example, the Maldives second international airport in Addu atoll had its grand opening; during the ceremony, President Gayoom emphasised that this project would result in a huge boost to the local economy.

The opening of Gan International Airport was compounded by the news that the adjoining Herathere Resort, consisting of 600 beds, was also now ready for business.

To further accommodate the rising number of tourists to the Maldives, another hotel on the Addu Atoll is now under construction, and is due to open by late summer 2008.

The Villigili Resort has been jointly funded by the government and Addu Investment Private Ltd., and upon completion will offer 142 rooms.

Such projects which expand tourist accommodation across the Maldives are much needed at the moment; Dr. Mausoom explains: “Another 3,000 beds are required in order to meet the rising demand of tourist arrivals for this year.”

Source: emerging-market.org

The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board showcases its stunning island resorts at the 2008 Bride Show in Abu Dhabi

The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board's presence at this year's Bride Show represents a commitment from the tourism authority to market the Maldives Islands direct to consumer.

Exhibiting for the first time at a consumer exhibition in the Gulf region, the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board is showcasing a range of beautiful island resorts which will appeal to both GCC nationals and expatriate residents living in the region.

Already popular with honeymooners from all over the World, the Maldives attracts visitors who are in search of peace and tranquillity in an island paradise setting. With luxury hotels and resorts, award-winning Spa's and probably the best snorkelling, fishing and scuba diving in the world, the Maldives offers a unique, unforgettable experience.

The Maldives is a relatively new leisure destination for the Gulf Region and the tourism board is now placing greater emphasis on driving destination awareness. The islands are easily accessible from the Arabian Gulf with a short flight time of around four hours. With daily flights from Emirates, Qatar Airways and Sri Lankan Airlines, as well as twice-weekly flights from low cost airline Jazeera Airways, the consumer choice continues to grow. Today, consumers have the opportunity of planning their own honeymoon or holiday online or they can rely upon the expert tour operators and travel agencies who can develop the perfect honeymoon or holiday package, catering to the individual needs of the traveller.

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.

Mohammed Adam, Deputy Director, Maldives Tourism Promotion Board said.

'We are very pleased to be exhibiting at the Bride Show in Abu Dhabi. We understand that UAE nationals pay great attention to planning their wedding and honeymoon. We offer one of the most romantic destinations in the World and over the four days of the show, we will be talking to consumers about what makes the Maldives Islands so special.'

The weather in the Maldives is consistent year-round. With temperatures ranging from 25-32c and refreshing tropical rains, the lush green islands are a welcome change from the dry, arid desert of the Arabian Gulf. Today, travellers from the GCC account for a small part of the current total visitor numbers to the islands. However, with visitors assured of a warm welcome, with no visa restrictions, amazing scenic beauty and luxury hospitality services, the destination is ready to attract many more visitors from the Gulf region.

Source: ameinfo.com

The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board showcases its stunning island resorts at the 2008 Bride Show in Abu Dhabi

The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board's presence at this year's Bride Show represents a commitment from the tourism authority to market the Maldives Islands direct to consumer.

Exhibiting for the first time at a consumer exhibition in the Gulf region, the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board is showcasing a range of beautiful island resorts which will appeal to both GCC nationals and expatriate residents living in the region.

Already popular with honeymooners from all over the World, the Maldives attracts visitors who are in search of peace and tranquillity in an island paradise setting. With luxury hotels and resorts, award-winning Spa's and probably the best snorkelling, fishing and scuba diving in the world, the Maldives offers a unique, unforgettable experience.

The Maldives is a relatively new leisure destination for the Gulf Region and the tourism board is now placing greater emphasis on driving destination awareness. The islands are easily accessible from the Arabian Gulf with a short flight time of around four hours. With daily flights from Emirates, Qatar Airways and Sri Lankan Airlines, as well as twice-weekly flights from low cost airline Jazeera Airways, the consumer choice continues to grow. Today, consumers have the opportunity of planning their own honeymoon or holiday online or they can rely upon the expert tour operators and travel agencies who can develop the perfect honeymoon or holiday package, catering to the individual needs of the traveller.

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.

Mohammed Adam, Deputy Director, Maldives Tourism Promotion Board said.

'We are very pleased to be exhibiting at the Bride Show in Abu Dhabi. We understand that UAE nationals pay great attention to planning their wedding and honeymoon. We offer one of the most romantic destinations in the World and over the four days of the show, we will be talking to consumers about what makes the Maldives Islands so special.'

The weather in the Maldives is consistent year-round. With temperatures ranging from 25-32c and refreshing tropical rains, the lush green islands are a welcome change from the dry, arid desert of the Arabian Gulf. Today, travellers from the GCC account for a small part of the current total visitor numbers to the islands. However, with visitors assured of a warm welcome, with no visa restrictions, amazing scenic beauty and luxury hospitality services, the destination is ready to attract many more visitors from the Gulf region.

Source: ameinfo.com

JKH confident of excellent returns from

Keells Hotels Limited, which has invested USD 10 million in refurbishing and reconstructing its Maldivian properties, re-launched two of these resorts under the Chaaya brand last weekend hopes to earn around USD 2 million on its Maldivian operation next year on four resorts in the Maldives, JKH Deputy Chairman Ajit Gunawardena said yesterday.

The two resorts that have been re-launched were Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo and Chaaya Island Dhonveli which are now running at full occupancy.

Gunawardena said that the company invested USD 8 million in refurbishing the 112-room Chaaya Reef adding new "over water villas" (previously called water bungalows) to the property they purchased one-and-half years ago. The resort had been closed over a long period while the new construction and refurbishment proceeded.

In the case of Chaaya Island, the resort was not closed completely and it was running at half its strength of 150 rooms, Gunawardena explained.

The sub lease on another Maldivian resort, the oldest of the John Keells Hotels’ Maldivian operation, runs out at the end of March and the property is being handed back to the lessor, Gunawardena said.

"Once that happens we will be running four island resorts in the Maldives," he said.

Asked whether the lag in the Sri Lanka segment of the group’s leisure operations will be caught up in the Maldives, Gunawardena said that this has happened in the past.

He said that they were getting "excellent rates" on their Maldivian resort with rooms sold between an average of USD 200 to USD 550 in the peak season with considerably higher rates commanded for the Presidential Suites.

"We sold one for 10 days at USD 1,100 a day," he said.

Gunawardena was hopeful that running the four resorts at optimum capacity would yield good results to the JKH leisure segment.

Chaaya Reef is a popular destination for diving in groups looking for sunken shipwrecks in addition to the famed underwater aquatic world available all over the Maldives.

Chaaya Island Dhonveli has 136 villas and bungalows together with 24 over water suites equipped to top international standards.

This resort is particularly attractive to surfers who the company said "come from far and wide" seeking the pounding surf at Pasta Point. The resort offers five restaurants and three well designed bars with live music and dancing every night.

JKH Deputy Chairman Gunawardena and Executive Vice President Jayantissa Kehelpannala running the group’s resort hotel segment along with distinguished Maldivian invitees and others were present at the re-launching of the two resorts on January 13 and 14.

Source: island.lk

The first batch of tourists have arrived to Herethere

The first batch of tourists have arrived in Addu atoll\'s Herathere resort which has had an informal opening.

Maldives Tourism Development Cooperation\'s Chairman Hussain Afeef said that 16 tourists had arrived on Saturday and had expressed satisfaction with the resort.

The first international flight is scheduled to arrive at Gan airport next Sunday and many more tourists are expected to arrive thereafter, Afeef told a press conference.

The Condor flight is scheduled to arrive directly from European with 80 Italian tourists.

Maldives Tourism Promotion Board\'s Marketing Executive Mohamed Maleeh said that a special ceremony will be held to mark their arrival.

This resort was originally scheduled to be opened in early November but the opening had to be delayed because some construction works were yet to be finished.

The 600-bed resort will first operate with 273 beds until all works are completed by January 15.

Source: Haveeru News Service

Kandooma-Maldives.com Achieves More Than 100 Growth

The newly launched website of Kandooma~Maldives at www.kandooma-maldives.com has more than doubled its number of visitors, with overall traffic to the website in the 4th week increased by over 100% compared to the 2nd week of the launch.

This impressive growth was registered in both the number of page visits and the number of web visitors, and with new content to be continuously added in the months leading up to the resort’s opening in mid 2008, it looks set to maintain this upward trend.

Most of the visitors accessed the website from Germany, where it registered almost 20% of the total web visitors, followed by Australia and the UK. The rest came from Italy, Switzerland, Hungary, India, Singapore and Malaysia. The top three most-viewed pages on the website are “Island Resort”, “Villas” and “Photo Gallery”. Divided into 10 easy-to-navigate sections, the website was conceptualised to make the visitors’ online experience an informative and effortless one.

Most of the visitors were direct traffic, a result of HPL Hotels and Resorts’ aggressive direct marketing efforts. Figures revealed that HPL Hotels&Resorts website also plays a key referral role in providing the link to www.kandooma-maldives.com while about 10% of the traffic came from major search engines such as Google, Yahoo! and MSN.

Construction work on the resort is progressing according to schedule. Owned and managed by HPL Hotels&Resorts, Kandooma will feature 160 villas, namely beach and garden villas, duplex villas, family villas and water villas.

Blessed with white sands, azure skies, lush tropical greenery and clear turquoise waters, facilities and services on the island are created with the aim to satisfy, engage, entertain, inform, educate and luxuriate. For a sneak preview into this new experience, visit www.kandooma-maldives.com

Source: Forimmediaterelease.net

Banyan Tree ‘grows’ on Palawan Island

Singapore-based hotel and resort operator Banyan Tree Holdings Ltd. will invest $80 million in building two hotels in Palawan, which are expected to be completed in 2010.

Ho Kwon Ping, the executive chairman of Banyan Tree, said this initial investment is a portion of a major long-term investment plan by Banyan Tree in the Philippines, adding the company may expand to other parts of the country to build similar businesses.

“The plan is to have an integrated chain of hotels and resort in the country as what we did in other countries. We want to have similar business in the Philippines because we believe that this country has the potential to compete not only in the region but also throughout the world,” Ho said during a press conference in Malacañang.

Putting up an integrated chain of hotels will have an overall cost of between $700 million to $800 million, Ho said, adding his company could employ as many as 8,000 Filipinos once an integrated hotel business is put in place.

The company is already running a similar chain of hotels and resorts in Vietnam and Thailand. It has seven hotels in Thailand that directly employ 4,000 people.

Banyan Tree’s plan in the Philippines will be similar to its business in Thailand.

But while the country’s tourism potential is world-class, Ho said there is still a need for the government to invest in building additional infrastructure such as roads, airports and seaports.

“This country already has infrastructure that is way ahead of its Asian neighbors but more investment in this area is needed. Its potential in tourism is superb: it has the excellent food, natural resources, and culture. What you need is additional infrastructure,” he said.

Banyan Tree, which already invested before in the Philippines, considered returning to the country after President Arroyo visited Singapore last year.

Ho said the Department of Tourism assisted them in choosing Palawan as the best location for their business.

The company also operates in India, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, Maldives and Seychelles.

Source: The Manila Times By Angelo S. Samonte

Vista Co & Travel Services adds a new Luxury Safari Boat to its ‘Island Safari’ fleet

Given the huge success of Island Safari I – one of the very few Deluxe Safari Boats operating within the Maldives, Vista Co & Travel Services have launched their second Luxury Safari Boat – Island Safari II (Royal).

Island Safari I operates on a fixed itinerary (Sunday to Sunday) and the boat has now become extremely popular for its consistent delivery of service, time keeping and for the overall quality of the product.

Vista Company management strongly believes in ensuring that the Island Safari fleet of Luxury Safari boats, always maintain its standards vis a vis its personnel, quality of food and other services onboard, along with the quality of dive equipments used.

Island Safari II (Royal) has a total 10 air-conditioned, spacious and beautifully designed cabins with en-suit attached toilets, hot and fresh water shower, two sun decks, bar and restaurant , a boutique shop, television, video/cd facilities and a library with a wide collections of books, international direct dialing facility. A fully equipped dive center with PADI International Certified Dive instructor and Dive master. All the necessary equipments can be rented.

This luxury safari will follow a Saturday to Saturday schedule and will usually cover the Male` and Ari Atoll. If an operation is chartered, the itinerary can be made flexible as per customer requirements.

Additionally, Island Safari dive fleet has some of the finest and knowledgeable diving instructors and captain onboard, whereby the customers stand to enjoy this unique and wonderful experience of exploring the islands of Maldives!

Source: MTPB

HotelsGuru.com Adds More Luxurious Resorts in Maldives

The leading online travel agency, HotelsGuru.com adds more luxurious hotels and resorts in Maldives which provides the cheapest and lowest rates. HotelsGuru.com is the online travel agency and reservation services based in Bangkok, Thailand established since 2002. We provide the large choice of hotels worldwide, up to 40,000 hotels with low price saving entire of year.

Maldives, as it is popularly known “The pearls of the Indian Ocean”, are situated in the South West of Sri Lanka, on the equator. The numerous coral reef islands, 1,190 in total, form an archipelago of 26 major atolls (groups of neighboring coral islands). The country stretches 820 km north to south and 120 km east to west. Out of the incredibly large number of islands only 200 islands are inhabited, with 44 islands adapted as exclusive resort islands. The climate is generally warm and humid. Sun shines all year through with average temperature around 29-32 degrees Celsius. The country’s 2000 population census shows a total of 270,101 people living in the country. Almost 2/3 of this figure resides in the capital island Male.

The island of Male is also the Maldives capital city. Many fascinating hours can be spent wandering through the maze of streets and selecting souvenirs from the markets. Also popular for shopping is the group of stores known as the ‘Singapore Bazaar’, where local handicrafts are on sale. Male includes over 20 mosques, from tiny one-room structures to the huge Grand Friday Mosque which can be seen from virtually any point on the small island. The oldest of Male’s mosques, the Hukuru Miski, features highly detailed stone carvings which date back to the 13th century.

The Maldives resort islands are simply stunning. Most are located in the atolls of North Male, South Male and Ari, which are close to the capital. Their palm-fringed white sands, clear waters and tropical plant life seduce every visitor. Scuba-diving is the number-one activity in the Maldives, offering you the chance to see the beautiful underwater vistas close up.

The Maldives could hardly be more romantic, which make them the ideal setting for your wedding day. As you exchange your vows in these tropical surroundings, you can be sure that it is an experience you will never forget.

Source:

Aviation boosts Cape Verde tourism

The introduction of direct flights to Cape Verde has made the group of islands an increasingly popular holiday spot, experts have stated.

Homes Worldwide said that since direct flights between the UK and Cape Verde were introduced in 2006, it has grown in stature as a tourist destination.

The archipelago, located off the west coast of Africa, was said to be attracting a growing number of tourists at the expense of other popular areas, such as the Maldives.

According to Homes Worldwide, the region is now accessible from the UK in approximately five and a half hours.

The site commented: "It is beginning to steal significant numbers of visitors away from the likes of the Maldives because of its improved accessibility."

Cape Verde was said to have "strong tourist appeal", which was also partly attributed to the growing range of facilities in the region.

Earlier this week, Emerging Real Estate said it had "huge expectations" for the property market in Cape Verde, due to its appeal among investors.

Source: Property Showrooms

Tourism synergies between Sri Lanka and the Maldives

The Maldivian tourism industry, riding on its slogan ‘The sunny side of life’, is booming. The country has made giant strides and is now a leading destination in the Indian Ocean. Last year, 602,000 tourists stayed an average of 8.4 days in that country and spent US$ 115 per day (excluding payment for the hotel). Officials expect arrivals to increase by 10-15% during 2007.

Culture, nature and adventure are the mainstay of tourism in Sri Lanka, while beaches are the prime attraction in the Maldives. Besides, the Maldives attracts a more premium leisure tourist, exactly the kind of traveler that Sri Lanka has been attempting to woo recently. Hence, there is ample scope for a symbiotic relationship between the tourism sectors of both countries.

Addressing a press briefing in Colombo on Tuesday, Abdul Hameed Zakariyya, Maldivian Deputy Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation, emphasized, “We are not competing destinations, we are complementary destinations.” He described tourism as a very dynamic industry and said that his visit was intended “to explore further opportunities for investors and industry on both sides”.

Immediately prior to the briefing, the Sri Lanka – Maldives Joint Task Force on Tourism (JTFT), consisting of representatives from the public and private sectors, discussed ways and means to protect each country’s tourism turf. The task force also decided to work on jointly promoting their countries to travelers from China.

Faiszer Musthapha, Deputy Minister of Tourism, seemed upbeat at the prospect of collaboration. He announced that Milinda Moragoda, Tourism Minister, had offered 25 scholarships to Maldivian students in the Sri Lanka Hotel School. In a move that is perceived as significant, the hotel school will provide certificate- or diploma-level training to these students. They will then form the nucleus for the skilled labour needed to staff the 44 new resorts opening in the Maldives.

Sri Lanka is inextricably linked with Maldivian tourism, playing a significant role in transporting passengers. Zakariyya pointed out that 35% of his country’s leisure traffic prefers flying SriLankan Airlines. Musthapha drove home the point, saying, “Through John Keells and Aitken Spence, Sri Lanka owns 12% of the Maldivian hotel sector.” Interestingly, of the 22,000 employees in Maldivian resorts also, 12% are Sri Lankans. Besides skilled labour, Sri Lanka also supplies fruits and vegetables.

Thus far, Maldivian tour operators have been pushing inbound tourism but will start promoting dual destinations soon. Last year, 26,500 Maldivians visited Sri Lanka - on holiday, to study or for medical purposes, making it the fourth largest source market.

The JTFT first met during 2004 in the Maldives but, with both countries suffering from the impacts of the tsunami, it has taken three years before this second meeting. It was decided that the JTFT would meet twice a year henceforth. An Action Committee will also be created – with six representatives from each side - to address any impediments. A smoother process for Maldivian investments in Sri Lanka and vice versa was also considered.

Source: Sunday Times

Srilankan hoteliers eye the Maldives

Srilankan hoteliers are exploring the possibilities of investing in the Maldives after the authorities there offered joint ventures for the development of resorts on four islands, industry sources say. “Hemas Group, Jetwing Group and the Mount Lavinia Hotel Group are interested in putting up hotels in the Maldives,” an industry source said.

The Maldivian government called for fresh bids to seek proposal from interested parties to undertake Joint Venture activities with Airport Investments Maldives Pvt Ltd. (AIM), for the development of a 200-bed tourist resort on each of the four islands - Dh. Maafushi, Th. Olhugiri, Sh. Farukolhu and G.Dh. Raalhe’odegella.

Jetwing officials said they had evaluated it but felt it was too expensive. “The investment that was talked about is something like US$ 20 million to enter the country and for most of us it is too expensive,” one official told The Sunday Times FT. However, the other two groups along with several others are keen on the proposals. Officials from those companies were unavailable for comment.

Aitken Spence, John Keells and a few Sri Lankan operators already run resorts in the Maldives, helping these companies to cushion the blow from their properties in Sri Lanka where the sector has been shaky due to the ethnic conflict.

Source: Sunday Times

Sri Lanka joins hands with Maldives to promote tourism

Sri Lanka has teamed up with the neighbouring island paradise of the Maldives to woo tourists from China, Russia and the Middle East, officials said Tuesday.

The Maldives, South Asia's most exotic holiday destination, hopes the joint effort will help convince well-heeled tourists to stop in Sri Lanka and then visit the Indian Ocean atoll nation.

"The Maldives offer beach tourism while Sri Lanka offers beach, nature and cultural packages to visitors. We see synergies for joint marketing," Maldivian deputy tourism minister Abdul Hameed Zakariyya told reporters here.

The archipelago attracted more than 600,000 visitors last year, mostly celebrities and big spenders from Britain, Germany, Italy and Japan.

Zakariyya hopes to see 690,000 tourist arrivals by year's end.

Tourism accounts for the bulk of the Maldivian economy of just under one billion dollars, making it the richest nation in South Asia with a per capita income of 2,674 dollars.

Sri Lanka, which attracts around 560,000 holidaymakers, has struggled to fill hotel rooms amid an escalation in violence between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels.

Colombo is planning to offer a series of discount packages to encourage Maldivians to visit Sri Lanka.

"Around 27,000 Maldivians visited Sri Lanka last year and we hope this partnership will bring in more traffic," said Sri Lanka's deputy tourism minister Faizer Musthapha.

Sri Lanka's 26-billion-dollar economy earned nearly 400 million dollars from tourism last year, the fourth largest foreign currency earner behind tea, clothing and remittances from abroad.

Source: LBO

Maldives invites bids to build luxury hotel in capital

The Maldives has invited international investors to bid for the right to construct the tropical nation's first luxury hotel on the island capital Male, officials said Thursday.

The proposed development is part of the Maldives' plan to attract a million tourists by 2010 and increase its hotel bed capacity some 80 percent to 36,700 by 2012.

The government has offered an area of 40,000 square feet (3,716 square meters) on a 25-year lease for the 200-bed hotel, Tourism Minister Mahamood Shougee told AFP.

Male, which measures one square mile (2.5 square kilometres), has over a dozen guest houses and small hotels but no five-star property.

"We don't really have a proper five-star hotel in the city, and we expect to fill the void with this proposed hotel development," Shougee said.

Bids are expected to close on September 16. No estimate has been given for the value of the project.

The successful bidder must also sell a 30 percent stake in the new venture through a stock market flotation within three years of signing the contract, according to the bidding rules. Shougee said the new hotel would be a replacement for Male's Nasandhura Palace Hotel, which is owned by the state and is to be demolished to make way for a city park.

Besides Nasandhura, the Maldivian government owns the Farukolhufushi Island and a substantial stake in the Hulhule Island Hotel.

Since opening its first two resorts with 280 beds in 1972, Maldives now has luxury resorts sitting on 89 coral islands, with occupancy rates averaging 95 percent.

A further 51 new islands were opened to investors last year to develop a combination of resort and hotels alongside 10 regional airports that are to be built.

South Asia's most exotic holiday destination attracts over 600,000 visitors each year, mostly celebrities and high spenders from Italy, Germany, Britain and Japan.

For the six months to June 2007, tourist arrivals rose 15 percent to 342,515, according to the Maldives Tourist Promotion Board, which is aiming for 690,000 visitors by the end of the year.

Holidaymakers have made Maldives the richest nation in South Asia, with a per capita income of 2,674 dollars. Tourism and fishing account for a large share of the nation's economy of just under one billion dollars.

Source: LBO

Private Island with Luxury Yacht in the Maldives launches Wedding Promotion

The Rania Experience in the Maldives has launched a private wedding package for lovers to renew vows, honeymoon or celebrate a wedding anniversary. The exclusive castaway retreat on a private island in the Maldives even comes with with its own luxury yacht.

Grooms start the day diving or fishing, followed by a massage, facial, manicure and pedicure before being escorted to the blessing at a beach pavilion or aboard ‘The Rania’ yacht to the sound of local Maldivian drums.

Brides enjoy a sumptuous breakfast before being whisked away to the spa for a full day of pampering with beauty treatments and styling.

The simple and elegant ceremony takes place just before sunset over the Indian Ocean, performed by an Island Senior in the local Dhivehi language - with a transcription presented in English along with the Blessing Certificate.

Following the exchange of rings, cutting of the Blessing Cake and photos taken by a private butler, couples board a private yacht for a sunset cruise with Dom Perignon Champagne and canapés.

On returning to the island, a candlelit five-course dinner is served on the beach or other island venue – with the option of a bed on the beach to sleep under the stars.

Offering unlimited gourmet dining, drinking and spa treatments, along with yoga, fishing or diving on demand, The Rania Experience was this year hailed by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the world’s most “scene-stealing” new hotels and resorts, “raising pampering to a new level”.

The “ultimate romantic getaway” on Faafu Atoll is a picture postcard paradise of white sands and turquoise blue waters 35-minutes by seaplane from Malé International Airport.

Guests can enjoy private use of ‘The Rania’, a luxury 86ft yacht with indoor and outdoor lounges and dining areas, Jacuzzi, air-conditioning and a full entertainment system including home-theatre.

Designed with barefoot luxury in mind, the island encompasses the lavish air-conditioned three bedroom Rania Suite overlooking a plunge pool and a stones throw away are three individual beach villas with thatched roofs and traditional Maldivian open-air style bathrooms.

Guests can enjoy unlimited pampering at The Rania Spa, offering Ayurvedic and other specialized treatments. Massages and treatments can be taken anywhere, from the beach at sunset to the privacy of their villa or aboard the yacht at the time preferred by the guests.

Gourmet dining is cooked and served anytime and anywhere, either on the island or aboard ‘The Rania’.

Blessed with some of the world's most spectacular sunsets, a variety of cultural shows can also be arranged on request and at an additional charge, from a lively traditional Bodu Beru (local drums) dance to a laid-back local Maldivian band.

Additional amenities on the island include a small personal gym, state of the art karaoke system, billiards, beach volleyball and Badminton, satellite TV, a selection of films and a host of board games.

The 'Rania Experience' is limited to just one exclusive booking at any one time.

The ‘Wedding Blessing’ package price of US$ 1,100 per couple is in addition to the Island Rental Rate and Inclusive of 10% service charge which is paid directly to staff. Couples holding their Blessing Ceremony on the island are also offered a first year anniversary discount of 15%.

Source: Asia Travel Tips

HPL signs Second Resort in The Maldives

HPL Hotels & Resorts, a hospitality management company owned by Singapore public-listed company Hotel Properties Limited, has signed a contract to manage its second resort in the sunny paradise of The Maldives.

Currently under construction in the Maldives, Kandooma Island, from which the resort takes its name, is located on the South Male Atoll. It can be reached by a 30-minute speedboat trip. The resort will feature 160 villas ranging from standard to duplex and over-water units. The island’s name is derived from the Kandoo trees which flourish in healthy numbers.

Kandooma will feature several spectacular high-domed buildings that contain the reception and restaurant complexes. The domes, nestled in a lush tropical landscape, are inspired by sea barnacles and showcase high ceilings, natural light, fresh air and a sense of being outside even when indoors. Accommodations for guests are housed in white-washed, wood structures that are unique in design and uncluttered. Most villas have views of the turquoise blue waters for which the Maldives are most famous.

Conceptualized to be a place where guests come to unwind and relax, Kandooma greets guests with an informal and friendly welcome, making them want to kick off their shoes and enjoy the sensation of fine sand between their toes as soon as they come ashore. Fringed by sparkling white beaches and turquoise lagoons of clear, warm waters and coral reefs that teem with marine flora and fauna, the island is especially popular amongst scuba divers for its close proximity to some of the best dives on walls, channels, caves and sea mounts in The Maldives, making it a marine haven for both diving and snorkeling. Kandooma also offers keen surfers consistent and quality reef breaks on the eastern side of the island, where it faces the open sea

Source: Asia Travel Tips