Maldives welcomes everyone with free tourist visas

The beautiful country of the Maldives welcomes everyone with open arms. Accordingly the Maldives is one of the easiest countries in terms of visa and immigration arrangements.

Any tourist from any nationality is granted a free 30-day visa on arrival to the Maldives. Hence, there is no need to undergo any hassle with regards to obtaining a prior visa. Once visitors reach the airport, Immigration personnel will assist with the visa procedures.

Obtaining a Tourist Visa

The free 30-day visa is granted upon complying with the following procedures. Visitors should have:

•A valid passport or travel document authorized by a sovereign state.

•A valid return ticket to exit the Maldives.

•The financial capacity to cover the expenses for the duration of the stay or a confirmed reservation from a tourist hotel or resort in the Maldives. The financial capacity is measured at the rate of US$150 per day.

Visa Conditions

The Department of Immigration and Emigration reserves the right to issue a visa for any number of days, not exceeding the 30-day limit. The Immigration department reserves the right to deport any person using the tourist visa to work in the Maldives, participate or incite unlawful activities, disrupt the political and religious harmony of the country, or become a nuisance to the public. So relax, enjoy, and behave.

Extending a Tourist Visa

The free 30-day visa period can be extended for a further 60 days, totaling 90 days including the original free visa period of 30 days. To extend the tourist visa tourists must complete a “Visa Extension Application Form” with the Department of Immigration and Emigration, before the free 30-day visa expires. The Department of Immigration and Emigration will re-evaluate the financial capacity of the applicant, and in addition a fee of MVR 750 (US$49) will be levied for a visa extension.

It really is that easy to visit the Maldives, so start packing!

Click here for more information.

Source: http://www.eturbonews.com/61780/maldives-welcomes-everyone-free-tourist-visas

Cruise service connecting Kochi-Colombo-Maldives expected to commence from Oct

A one-of-its-kind product that could give major boost to regional tourism in South Asia, a cruise ship linking Kochi with Colombo and Maldives is expected to commence operations from October this year. This information was given by G Kamala Vardhana Rao, Secretary –Tourism, Government of Kerala. He said that a Sri Lankan company has come forward to launch a cruise service with a capacity of 500 pax connecting the three ports.

The company has had discussions with Cochin Port Trust to work out modalities and concessions recently. A lot of Chinese and Japanese tourists who visit Sri Lanka and Maldives generally skip India. This cruise product might help Kerala to lure these tourists to their shores for couple of nights. Sri Lanka and Kerala had recently agreed to work closely to develop tourism circuits and undertake joint promotions.

Joint promotional activities will be conducted by Kerala and Sri Lanka to target travellers from big source markets like China, Germany and Russia. This will help in bringing more tourists to both these destinations. When asked about the long pending sea plane project, Rao said that the services are expected to re-commence from next month, coinciding with Onam festival season.

Source: http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com/detailNews.aspx?aid=21607&sid=1

46 global companies interested in resort ventures in the Maldives

Forty-six companies have submitted applications to begin developing resorts in the Maldives in partnership with the Maldives government, the Tourism Ministry said on Wednesday.

The deadline for submitting expressions of interest for resort development with the Maldivian government ran out on Monday.

Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb had told local media the government was upbeat regarding the high number of global companies that had expressed interest in beginning resorts in the Maldives. The proposals will begin evaluation presently.

"Forty-six parties have submitted expressions of interest to develop resorts. We will decide how the government will venture on with these private parties after having evaluated their proposals, " he said.

The minister said that if the government does make a resort in a joint venture with a private party, then they would consider doing it with the most financially capable party. Also, he said that the government will evaluate the party's experience in tourism.

"The most important factor considered will be financial capability, because the purpose of this venture is to develop many resorts," he said.

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen has vowed to open 10 resorts in a year, pledging 50 new resorts in his five-year term.

Sixty islands have been granted for resort development at various time periods to different parties, which still remain incomplete. Two or three resorts are opened on average in a year.

Maldives tourism topped 1 million arrivals in 2013 with China continuing to lead the way. However it was not reported whether any of the 46 proposals are from Chinese companies.

Source: http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/846390.shtml#.Uxsq0z-Sw40

New Family Water Villas open at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

MALDIVES - Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is opening new two-bedroom Family Water Villas this month. “Our philosophy is to offer our guests the ultimate in resort accommodation on two islands and we’re constantly updating to ensure we remain an innovator in luxury hospitality,” said Peter Nilsson, general manager, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island.

“We’ve noted an increase in demand for two-bedroom over-water villas and have introduced these family water villas as a response to this need.  Parents have the peace of mind that comes with having their children staying in the same villa, while the children will enjoy the privacy of their own separate bedroom.”



Built in traditional Maldivian thatched-roof style, the 150-square metre villas are clustered around the Spa Retreat, one of two spas at the resort.  Their spacious design blends contemporary Maldivian style in a natural harmony of wooden interiors and a breezy indoor-outdoor feel where the Indian Ocean is always in view. Luxury touches include a split-level sundeck with Jacuzzi, sun beds and dining area, as well as an indoor dining-and-lounge area next to the master bedroom and plenty of daybeds dotted around the villa.  The bathroom’s clever design ensures that the windows can be fully opened to create an ‘outdoor bathing experience’.  Steps from the private sundeck make it easy to snorkel to the nearby coral reef.

The two bedroom Family Water Villas are priced from $2,000 per night based on two adults and two children sharing.
Younger travellers are welcomed at Conrad Maldives, with an active Kids’ club and a host of activities and excursions to do every day.


Source: http://www.traveldailynews.asia/news/article/54976/new-family-water-villas-open

Space-age underwater hotel planned for Maldives

(CNN) -- With its luminous body seemingly hovering above the water, and five spidery legs plunging deep into the sea, this futuristic building could be the mothership in a sci-fi film.

In fact, it's the design for one of the world's largest underwater hotels -- and it could be coming to a beach near you.
Introducing the Water Discus Hotel, a luxury multi-million dollar resort featuring 21 moveable rooms found in the heart of spectacular coral reefs.

Maldives to Dubai
The space-age hotel is now set to be built on the remote -- and postcard perfect -- tropical island of Kuredhivaru in the Maldive Islands, with the National Ministry of Tourism giving the go-ahead to the ambitious plan last week.

The United Arab Emirates may soon be the next home of the high-tech hotel, with a Dubai construction company also in negotiations to build the surreal structure.

It might look like a spaceship, but this remarkable design is in fact a luxury underwater hotel.

"There are many people who will never have the courage to dive to these beautiful reefs," designer, Pawel Podwojewski, told CNN.

The Water Discus Hotel, to be built in the Maldives

"But here you will have the chance to explore an underwater world from the comfort of your bedroom."

Space-age seascape

Described as "Star Trek meets the undersea world of Jacques Cousteau," the remarkable building -- valued at up to $50 million -- is the brainchild of Polish company Deep Ocean Technology, backed by Swiss investors.

Wake up to different ocean views in the underwater hotel

The luminous hotel features two large disc-shaped lounges seven-meters above the water, housing a luxury restaurant and spa.

The lounges are connected to a glass tunnel plunging 30-meters below the water, leading to 21 opulent bedrooms.

"A lot of people have said it looks like something from a James Bond film," said Podwojewski. "I'm a big fan of the movies, so perhaps that was an inspiration."

"I wanted to keep it as sleek and simple as possible -- so the sphere shape is very efficient."

Deep end

The cutting-edge hotel may plunge deep beneath the ocean, but its luxury facilities are sky-high, including a helicopter landing pad and rooftop swimming pool.

The sleek design, which can cost up to $50 million, is now set to be built on the remote tropical island of Kuredhivaru in the Maldives.

Guests can sit back and enjoy views of vibrant reefs and tropical fish, all from the comfort of their bed.

Those wanting to explore the spectacular underwater world, can also dive straight in from the hotel's airlock compartment, including its own decompression chamber.

The more adventurous can even take a ride in a three-passenger deep-sea submarine.

Moving on up

Not only does the hotel look like a spaceship -- it actually moves like one, with the largest underwater saucer-shaped room able to slide to the surface in emergencies.

Guests can enjoy views of vibrant coral reefs and sea creatures, all from the comfort of their bedroom.

"If you need to replace a window for example, it's very difficult underwater," explained Podwojewski. "So we wanted to build a building that can surface any time for maintenance or safety."

"It's a bit like a balloon underwater -- when we let go of the water from the room's huge tanks, the balloon will surface automatically. It doesn't need to rely on electricity."

Environmental concerns

Developers hope to limit the impact on coral reefs by laying the foundation in as few points as possible.

More adventurous guests can dive straight into the water from a special airlock compartment, including its own decompression chamber.

There are also plans to rebuild coral reefs, by growing the vibrant eco-systems in a special plantation before relocating them around the hotel.

"To preserve the natural environment we have developed couple of kinds of foundations depending on the local conditions," said Podwojewski. "The key is to touch the sea ground in just few points."

The unique hotel may soon be built in the United Arab Emirates, with Dubai construction company Drydocks now in negotiations with designers.

"Most probably the hotel will land on a flat sand area to reflect the sun rays inside the rooms and the reef will be additionally planted around the hotel rooms to enrich the view."

The space-age design might seem like something from the future. But it seems this unique underwater hotel will be much closer than you think.

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/06/10/travel/space-age-underwater-hotel-maldives/index.html?iref=allsearch

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa achieves 'Silver EarthCheck' certification for second year

One of only 6 resorts in the Maldives – and 212 resorts globally – to be certified to the internationally recognised EarthCheck company standards

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, located in the heart of one of the largest and deepest natural atolls in the world, has achieved Silver EarthCheck Certification for the second consecutive year – making it one of the few resorts worldwide to gain such recognition..

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa was the first property in the Maldives to follow the EarthCheck Planning and Design Standards during construction, which resulted in the resort becoming bronze benchmarked in 2009 by EarthCheck – the world's leading sustainable travel and tourism certification organisation. Following an extensive audit in 2012, the resort reached the programme’s coveted Silver certification, and in 2013 was recognised for a second year, firmly placing the resort as a leader in the unique worldwide group of sustainable tourism operators.

As the Hyatt Group’s first sustainable tourism development, one of the primary objectives was to ensure that the resort was planned, designed and constructed in an environmentally sensitive manner. In addition, it also required that during operation, the resort should take great care to minimise its effect on the environment, enhance the Maldivian experience and to be as energy efficient as possible – a responsibility that the resort still places as a priority today.

Following the EarthCheck assessment in 2013, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa was highly commended for our use of reusable glass bottles for drinking water, which is bottled onsite reducing plastic bottle waste by approximately 100,000 per year. EarthCheck also identified that the apparent awareness of our staff on environmental initiatives was highly commendable.

Ciara McCarten, Resident Marine Biologist and EarthCheck Coordinator commented: “We are extremely proud to be one of only 6 resorts in the Maldives to have reached this level, and are delighted that our ongoing commitment to the environment has been recognised by EarthCheck. We are aware that we have a big responsibility to continue our growth as a sustainable company, and we will therefore continue to work closely with EarthCheck to maintain and develop our environmental and social responsibility programmes.”

In April 2013, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa was recognised in the ‘Best Sustainable Hotel’ category at the Asia Pacific Hotel Awards, receiving an international 5* award for their ongoing commitment to the environment. This achievement also follows the latest Hyatt Thrive initiative, the company’s global corporate responsibility platform, which focuses on community development work in the fields of education, the environment and promoting the cultural heritage of southern Maldives.

Source: http://www.incentivetravel.co.uk/news/hotel/16790-park-hyatt-maldives-hadahaa-achieves-silver-earthcheck-certification-for-second-year

The Maldives opens up to backpackers

Most visitors arrive at the Maldives' airport island, take a speed boat or seaplane to their expensive coral-fringed private resort and spend the next week relaxing in blissful ignorance of the country around them.

THE Maldives is one of the world’s most exclusive holiday destinations but it has quietly opened up to backpackers in the last five years with a reform that has upset religious hardliners.

Most visitors arrive at the country’s airport island, take a speed boat or seaplane to their expensive coral-fringed private resort and spend the next week relaxing in blissful ignorance of the country around them.

It has been this way for decades, the result of a deliberate policy of keeping the wealthy holidaymakers – mostly Westerners and often newly-weds – on uninhabited islands separate from the local Muslim population.

The Islamic Republic applies different laws for both: travellers are free to drink alcohol, eat pork, and for those not on their honeymoon, enjoy pre-marital sex. Elsewhere, Maldivian women can be flogged in public for fornication.

”Since Maldives is a Muslim country, we have always supported the idea that the tourism industry should be separate from the inhabited islands,” says Mauroof Hussain, vice president of the conservative Adhaalath Party.

”If the hippy-type of travellers come, along will come drugs and narcotics which even now our society is suffering from,” says Mauroof whose party has been a minority partner in successive governments since 2008.

While the archipelago is still far from the hippy trail, the sight of backpackers wandering around Male and the nearby island of Maafushi is growing thanks to a new policy to attract budget travellers.

”Things like nudity are not acceptable in a place where people are living,” adds Mauroof. “The people complain that they are praying in the mosque and just outside there are tourists in bikinis.”

Since a reform under the country’s first democratically-elected president Mohamed Nasheed in 2009, Maldivians have been allowed to open their own guesthouses on populated islands.

While fundamentalist interpretations of Islam imported from the Gulf and Pakistan are progressively taking root in the Maldives, Mauroof’s views lie far outside the mainstream and are ridiculed by many.

What started as a trickle of guesthouses has become a torrent with entrepreneurs like 25-year-old Ibrahim Mohamed converting properties and profiting from what is the islands’ biggest business and foreign exchange earner.

”Maldivians are very welcoming people. It wasn’t Maldivians that wanted separation, it was the government and a few businessmen saying that they should be isolated,” Ibrahim told AFP. “The Maldives can’t hide from the world anymore.”

His three-roomed Sundhara Palace located on a busy street of the cramped capital Male opened at the beginning of September, offering basic en-suite accommodation for US$30 (RM94) a night.

The cheapest resorts are usually about 10 times this, with prices stretching up to several thousand dollars a night – with expensively priced food and drink on top.

Ibrahim stresses that the guesthouse policy is also “a good system to get money to the people instead of to wealthy businessmen”.

A handful of well-connected resort owners who prospered under the 30-year autocratic rule of strongman Maumoon Abdul Gayoom continue to control the Maldives economy and are active in politics.

These oligarchs have united against Mohamed Nasheed, who was ousted in February 2012 following a mutiny by security forces which he branded a “coup.”

His efforts to return to power through the ballot box have since been thwarted with the country wracked by protests and uncertainty after the Supreme Court annulled elections he won on September 7.

The court order came in response to a legal challenge from the third-placed candidate Gasim Ibrahim, one of the country’s wealthiest tycoons who is in alliance with the Adhaalath Party.

A re-run of the polls was ordered for Oct 19, with the British government warning travellers to avoid demonstrations and take precautions in the capital.

(Note: voting was delayed and will now be held on Nov 9.)

If re-elected, Nasheed has promised in to expand the guesthouse policy as part of his ambitious social and economic reform programme.

”The industry is flourishing very rapidly. We feel there is so much more scope for that,” he told reporters days before voting in the first round of the election in September.

One of the people to take advantage of the changes is Dutch tourist Chris Constandse, a 27-year-old web designer who works for a travel website in Amsterdam.

He booked a few nights at a hotel in the capital, but plans to spend the rest of his two-week holiday staying in guesthouses dotted around the country of more than 1,000 islands.

”Backpackers go to India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and I was like ‘I always do things different’, so I thought I’d go backpacking in the Maldives,” he told AFP shortly before leaving on a ferry for one of the nearby islands.

”The most important thing is that you get in touch with the people. I’ve stayed in Male for three nights and I’ve already met some people and made some friends.” – AFP Relaxnews

Source : http://www.thestar.com.my/Travel/Asia

TUI Europe’s biggest Tour Operator expects a travel boom for 2010

Reuters.com reports that the head of TUI Germany, Mr. Volker Boettcher revealed that TUI expect a record breaking increase of 4.8 million long-distance trips from Germany in 2010. He also noted that key focus of the company will be to increase and develop the growth of long-distance trips for upto 2020.

He also noted in the interview to the Focus Magazine, that TUI group will be targeting couples and older age groups in developing their packages in the future.

Rewe group; German’s third-largest tour operator said they also see an increase in demand for the travel this year from last December onwards. Mr. Norbert Fiebig, in an interview to Wirtschaftswoche magazine noted that the number of bookings for this summer has increased compared to the same period last year.

He also noted that if we are to maintain quality and sustainability in tourism; we have to stop reducing prices, except with the special offers only during selected periods.

This would certainly mean a positive tourism growth to the Maldives from the German market.

Maldives recorded 67,478 tourists for the month of January 2010 making it the strongest month in tourist arrivals for the past five-year period. Overall all the European markets did well and Germany had a growth of 9.8% with 5,890 arrivals.

Source: http://www.visitmaldives.com

Encouraging sustainable tourism for development in Maldives

Most of the world’s least developed countries (LDCs) are avoided or overlooked by tourists. However, tourism can make valuable contributions to the economic growth of a country, and many LDCs have amazing things to offer their visitors. For those who wish to help make a difference in the world, there are great options for adventure and relaxation all while helping a developing country’s economy grow in a sustainable and eco-friendly fashion.

Impact on economic development

The Maldives already has an impressive rapport with travelers worldwide, and lists its main economic industries as tourism and fishing. The World Travel and Tourism Council ranks the Maldives travel and tourism sector 4th in the world for its relative contribution to the national economy. In 2009, this sector made up 63.4 percent of GDP, provided 54.8 percent of total employment, and accounted for 60.5 percent of total exports. So while the tourism industry in the Maldives is already a huge contributor to its economic growth, the challenge now is how to continue to reap the economic benefits without furthering the countries environmental issues.

At its highest points, the Maldives is no more than 6.5 feet (2 meters) above sea level, and is currently at risk of being totally annihilated from the effects of global warming. Therefore the Maldives has been one of the leaders in advocating global binding agreements on carbon emissions and other steps to fight climate change. Also looking to lead by example, it has voluntarily set the goal of eliminating all of its carbon emissions by 2020.

Already there are many great eco-friendly accommodations for tourists, and there are restrictions in place to help preserve the local environment and culture. For example, the country is made up of about 1,200 separate islands, of which 200 are inhabited, and all abide by the “one island, one resort” policy, which limits one resort being built per island. Furthermore, all resort structures may only occupy 20 percent of the islands’ land area, and are not to be built higher than the tallest palm tree.

Going forward, it will be difficult to figure out how to transform the Maldives into an emissions-free country without loosing the economic revenue from tourism. Taking all this into consideration, the most important thing now when traveling to this country, is to make as many eco-friendly choices as possible so as to support their emissions reduction goal while still making a crucial contribution to the economy.

Why you should go

Maldives is the Mecca for divers, snorkelers, and anyone who loves beaches. Its reputation as one of the best places in the world for ocean lovers is almost undisputed. First-time snorkels paddling around in the shallows and lifelong divers exploring the Maldives Victory Wreck will be equally amazed at the reefs, biodiversity, clear warm waters and white sand beaches. Some of the most famous diving and snorkeling sites in the world are in the Maldives, such as Girifushi Thila, Kuda Haa, and Lion’s Head, as well as many lesser-known yet equally impressive locations. Many of these dive sites are also off spectacular beaches. Cocoa Island, Nika, and Banyan Tree Island are all recommended, though if you choose to go explore some of the islands that do not have tourist accommodations on them, you will probably be the only one there, except maybe for some local fisherman. Windsurfing and fishing are two other popular water sports that can be found.

Apart from what the ocean has to offer, there are many cultural aspects to explore. The National Museum in the capital Male boasts a trove of the countries treasurers. Many beautiful mosques can be found here as well, including the 17th century Huskuru Miskily or “Friday Mosque.” The central fish market is always bustling with tourists and locals alike, and is filled with all sorts of goods well beyond fish. If you are looking to test out the nightlight, Male is also a great and authentic place to explore. The island of Isdhoo also has great old architecture to explore, as does the site of great Maldivian Buddhist ruins, which includes one of the largest stupas in the country that precedes the Islamic period.

Recommendations

Being a responsible traveler is key to aiding development. Here are a few recommendations on travel companies, hotels, guide groups, and other travel aids that focus on sustainable tourism through being eco-friendly and operating in synch with local communities to raise living standards while preserving local culture.


World Hotel Link

This Website is great for searching all sorts of activities in almost any country, and for a few destinations, there is a section on responsible accommodations. This section for the Maldives has a wide range of ecologically and socially sustainable lodgings, and each has a description of how their establishment helps the local community and ecosystem. While some places listed are better than others, World Hotel Link is a great place to begin your search.
Website: www.maldiveshotels.mv/responsible_accm

Responsible Hotels of the World/Responsible Travel
Responsible Hotels of the World is part of the group Responsible Travel, which has been recommended so many times in these series of articles. While Responsible Travel offers full tours, with planned activities and accommodations, Responsible Hotels of the World reviews and suggests accommodations, and helps with booking. Though the site also provides information about nearby sites and activities, it leaves the guest to plan it on their own. Like its parent site, each review includes a lengthy section on how their accommodation makes a difference. This is a great site for people wanting a good place to stay, but wanting more freedom in planning their own activities.
Websites: www.responsibletravel.com/hotels/destination/maldives-hotels.htm www.responsibletravel.com


Banyan Tree Madivaru & Vabbinfaru
These two resorts are from the same parent company, but are on different islands. Villas on Vabbinfaru were built on footprints of old buildings, so as not to further damage the environment, while on Madivaru, the buildings were built clearing only the exact area needed for the villas, and all trees that were removed were replanted elsewhere on the island. All the boats used at these resorts have special engines that prevent fuel leakage. The parent company, Banyan Tree, has also challenged all its resorts to plant 2,000 trees per year, for the next ten years, and has set a goal to reduce its energy consumption and emission by 10 percent each year. The Vabbinfaru site also supports the Green Sea Turtle Conservation Program, as well as a variety of coral and reef preservation and restoration projects.
Website: www.banyantree.com/en/madivaru/overview

Angsana Resorts-Ihuru & Velavaru
The parent company of these two resorts is also associated with the Banyan Tree Company, so many of the environmental goals are similar. The Ihuru resort supports the Ihuru Barnacle project, which helps restore reefs by transplanting coral onto man-made structures and stimulating growth by subjecting the coral to small electrical currents. The parent company of these resorts also partnered with local committees to establish a preschool on a neighboring island, and also helped to provide the needed administrative and educational tools.
Website: www.angsana.com

Safety
A free visa valid for 30 days is issued to visitors upon arrival so long as they have a valid passport from any recognized country, and proof they plan to leave (for example a return ticket). There was a bombing incident in 2007, where people were wounded, however this was determined to be an isolated incident and all suspects were arrested. No security problems threatening tourists have been experienced since. Other than petty theft, the Maldives is a very safe place to travel. Recommended immunizations include all routine shots, as well as hepatitis A and B and typhoid.

For more information on safety, visit:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_961.html
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/maldives.aspx

For more general information about visiting the Maldives, please see the following sites:
www.tourisminmaldives.com
www.themaldives.com
www.lonelyplanet.com/maldives
www.tropicaldestinationmaldives.com/maldives.php

Source: http://mediaglobal.org

Maldives President proposes green tax for tourists

The Maldives, an archipelago of over 1000 islands in the Indian Ocean known for their stunning beauty and expensive, luxurious resorts, aren't exactly cheap to visit. And they aren't about to get any cheaper. The President of the Maldives has proposed a $3 per day "green tax" on tourists.

The tax would help fund the President's plans for fighting climate change and for making the Maldives a carbon-neutral country within the next decade. He has a vested interest in stopping global warming - the Maldives are the lowest-lying islands on the planet, with an average elevation of only 7 feet above sea level, and it is estimated that they could be completely submerged by rising sea levels within the next ten years.

With an average of 700,000 visitors, who each stay around three days, visiting the Maldives annually, the tax could provide the country with over $6 million per year for environmental initiatives. With most resorts in the Maldives costing $500 (or much more) per night, $3 per person, per day is a small price to pay to help protect this vulnerable country from the dangers of climate change.

Source: gadling.com

The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board showcased the destination at 13th annual Unique Choice Road Show

Maldives Tourism Promotion Board participated for the first time at the 13th annual Unique Choice Road Show held in 6 cities of GCC countries namely Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Dammam/Al-Khober, Riyadh, Jeddah from 30th May till 3rd June 2009.

Unique Choice group is identified as one of the top wholesale tour operator in the Middle East region. These workshops are marked as one of the important events each year due to its success targeting tour operators/ travel agents in the GCC region. The main objectives of Maldives participation in the road show was to increase market share from the Middle East countries by providing the travel trade with the most updated tourism information on the Maldives and secure commitments for the future promotions of the Maldives among their clients. Furthermore, to ensure that as many travel agents and tour operators as possible have the tools they need to be able to effectively promote Maldives island resorts.

The workshops started in Abu Dhabi on the 30th May, with a networking session followed by a lunch at the Crowne Plaza in Abu Dhabi. More than 50 travel agents and tour operators were invited to the work shop, while majority of the visitor showed a keen interest in visiting the Maldives booth to collect information. Emphasis was placed on the warm welcome that GCC nationals and resident expatriates will receive when visiting the islands and the easy accessibility to the country in terms of flight connections and visa procedures.

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.

The workshop session was concluded by a raffle draw held among the visitors by giving away several free vacation prizes from the participating hotels/resorts. Among other participants include destination such as Malaysia, Singapore, Oman and a collection of resorts/hotels from these destinations.

Similar format was adopted for the event in Dubai on the same day, where more than 75 travel agents and tour operators were invited to the JW Marriot Hotel in Dubai which was concluded by a dinner.

Last year Maldives welcomed a total of 683,012 visitors while a total of 9,141 tourists represented the Middle East region. By end of May 2009 Maldives received 3,082 tourists from the region showing a growth of 2.5 per cent compared to the same period of 2008.

Source: visitmaldives.com

Tourism industry takes travel advisory in its stride

The Union health ministry’s advisory urging travellers to defer their foreign travel plans for the time being till swine flu is globally brought under control, has been welcomed by the travel and tourism fraternity despite the financial implications.

“Till yesterday, there was no real push for cancellations. However, following the statement of the ministry, we have seen movement and a drop of 10-15% forecast over the coming days,” said Rajinder Rai, president, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI). He added that the industry, which has also been impacted by the economic slowdown, was looking forward to April-July season that is the peak outbound season for signs of recovery, though with growth figures at or below last year. Around 8 million Indians travel abroad every year. Some of the most frequented countries Indians travel to include US, Europe, Far East, Egypt, Turkey, Maldives and Mauritius.

Says, Madhavan Menon, managing director, Thomas Cook India, “Yes, we have seen some cancellations but is less than 10%. However, in a year when volumes are anyway low, a single booking lost is felt badly.”

None of the countries, including the United States (US), from where it started, have come up with a travel advisory on the same, despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) directing its member nations and declaring a swine flu pandemic, the first global flu epidemic in 41 years. Last Thursday, WHO in a statement sent to member countries had said that it is raising the pandemic alert level from phase 5 to 6, meaning that a global outbreak of swine flu has begun. The said move was undertaken as infections climbed in the US, Europe, Australia, South America and elsewhere.

Indicating that WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A(H1N1) virus, Arup Sen, executive director, Cox & Kings India Limited, said, “Customers are enquiring with us on the situation in countries that they intend travelling and we give them an idea based on the inputs we get from these locations. However, no one has called yet to cancel trips. We are coming to the end of the outbound season and it is business as usual.”

“There is a need to disseminate information regarding the disease and ramping up of precautionary measures at the gateways to the country,” said PR Srinivas, industry lead, tourism, hospitality and leisure, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India Private Ltd.

Meanwhile, hoteliers in the country are also on guard and facing the brunt. Talking to Fe, Pascal Dupuis, general manager, The Leela Kempinski Goa, said, “Our staff is aware of Swine flu and ready to handle any emergencies. We are asking travellers about the last destination they visited and are watchful.”

Rajeev Menon, area vice-president, India, Malaysia, Maldives and Pakistan, Marriott International Inc said, “There has been a marginal impact on our business due to the swine flu. Some cancellations have happened though are predominately in the corporate travel coming in from US and some Asian countries.”

Source: financialexpress.com

Maldives plans Middle East focus

The Republic of Maldives intends to focus on the Middle East in an overhaul of its tourism strategy.

Republic of Maldives Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture Dr. Ahmed Ali Sawad said the aim was to make the new democratic system a success in the global market and part of that was through tourism.

“For the tourism sector I think the Maldives is known throughout the world as a luxury destination and we have a lot of tourist products,” Sawad said.

“Our exercise is to focus on areas where we have not had a strong presence, particularly the Middle East and India so the new government policy is to strengthen those ties.”

The new government is looking to expand and diversify the capacity over the next five to six years, with an additional 11,000 beds on the current stock of 20,000, according to Sawad.

“We realised the boom happened in the late 80s and 90s based on a strong mid-market tourism and it expanded into the high-end — it upgraded,” he said.

“In the industry right now we are saying there is a lot of room for both these segments and we are putting a lot of emphasis into that mid-market product, while strengthening access for our key markets.”

Source: hoteliermiddleeast.com

Maldives: An ocean full of catwalk colour

Nobody goes to the Maldives for culture. Nor do they go for hills, lakes or rivers – there aren't any. But for people who love water, there is no place on earth quite like it. You wake to the hypnotic sound of oceanic waves. When you step into the water, it is like being in your own private aquarium. Imagine a designer like Kenzo or Missoni being let loose on fish: those ravishing catwalk colours and patterns are exactly what you see when you look under the waters of the Indian Ocean.

The curious mixture of honeymooners and scuba divers drawn to this island nation stay in luxurious water villas built over lagoons and connected to the land by narrow jetties. So compelling is the ocean that it is very difficult to get anything done. Isolated in your own little slice of hotel heaven, you can either retreat into blissful, self-imposed purdah, gazing for hours at the ocean, or spy, Rear Window-style, on other guests. Normally this kind of undercover people-watching is one of the quiet joys of hotel life, but here it is the fish that are the greatest distraction. Who wants to look at love-struck couples downing margaritas in the hotel bar when you could be swimming with the fishes in a warm, deserted lagoon with no jet skis or speedboats to spoil things?

Of the 87 resort islands, I picked Baros as my first stop because it has a tiny diving school that offers one-to-one tuition for novices. Off-season (July), there were so few guests that I felt as though I had the place to myself. There was no danger of bumping into anyone I knew. And I was comforted by the size of the island: it is so small that in only half an hour you can swim around it – and that's without flippers.

On my second day, I looked out at a sea so calm and benevolent it would have been a crime not to go underwater. Of course I could have gone snorkelling, but I had always wanted to learn to dive in a beautiful, sunlit place, free from other people and the municipal misery of a public pool in Britain. Until now I had always been too scared to try, even when foreign holidays offered the opportunity. It wasn't fear of sharks but of all the technical things that could go wrong. What if my goggles leaked, or my tank ran out of oxygen?

After breakfast, I grabbed my swimsuit and went in search of the island's diving instructors, Derk and Margreet Molenaar, a free-spirited Dutch couple who operate from a timber-roofed hut at the end of a jetty. Could they teach me one to one? It was early in the morning and none of the other guests had surfaced. Margreet took me under her wing.

After she ran me through the rudiments and taught me a few signals – an "o" with my fingers to indicate I'm OK, a fluttering of one hand to show there's a problem – she helped me into a light wetsuit, cut off at the knee and elbow. "Baros is a very good island for beginners because of the house reef and lagoon," she said, as we walked along a beach shaped like a crescent moon.

At the water's edge, a small tank was hoisted onto my back and an astonishingly hefty belt tied at my waist. "Any sharks?" I asked, nerves in shreds, as I lowered myself into the water, wondering if I would drown under all that weight. "Yes, there are white- and blacktip reef sharks in the lagoon, but they don't go after humans unless you provoke or tease them," she said, tightening my belt. "There must be a reason."

So that's OK, then, I told myself. So long as I behave, they will. Not quite the reassurance I had hoped for, but I was quickly distracted by what was going on below me. One moment I was snorkelling merrily, hearing the splash of my flippers and the encouraging cries of my friends on the beach; the next I was plunged into a mesmerising underwater world, clutching Margreet's hand as I swam through shafts of sunlight, the only noise the rasp of my breathing.

As we circled and swooped, she pointed out shoals of stripy Oriental sweetlips, spotted eagle rays and red-tailed butterfly fish. All these deceptively Disney-like creatures were going about their business with supreme indifference to us, and it was strangely reassuring. Slowly we swam deeper until we could see parrot fish nibbling on the coral and sea cucumbers coiled like snakes on the waterbed. When we eventually came up, it was in slow stages. We had been underwater for almost an hour, but it felt like only 10 minutes.

Back at the diving centre, as I peeled off my wetsuit, Margreet told me about Kuda Haa, a reef known locally as "fish soup", which is heaving with turtles, reef sharks, Napoleon fish and moray eels. All I needed to go there was to pass my PADI certificate – just four more days of training. As I headed back to my water villa, barefoot, wet-haired and giddy with joy, I suddenly understood why diving was so addictive. Before I saw the islands for myself, I had always dismissed the Maldives as the default choice of honeymooners with lots of cash and no imagination. Now, having explored a teeming underwater world fraught with perils yet oddly soothing, my visit felt like the adventure of a lifetime.

Source: telegraph.co.uk

Maldives is competing in the “New 7 Wonders of Nature” Campaign

The Maldives archipelago has been nominated for the New 7 Wonders of Nature campaign. This campaign is a process in which seven natural wonders of the world are chosen by people through a global poll which will be declared in the year 2011.



The campaign is being organized by the Swiss based New7Wonders Foundation after their success in organizing the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. 261 qualified national and multinational nominees are now competing to make it to the top 77.

Please vote for Maldives by visiting www.visitmaldives.com or www.new7wonders.com. Voting continues from January 7th until July 7th 2009 to determine the top 77 in each of the seven competing categories. The New7Wonders Panel of Experts will select the 21 finalists from the top 77 nominees.

We would like to call all Maldivians, fans and well wishers of Maldives to join our effort to make Maldives as one of the Natural Wonders of the World.

Source: visitmaldives.com

Luxury liner to set sail for Maldives from city dock

Kolkata: Around 6 pm on Sunday, a sleek 90-feet luxury liner will slip into a berth at the Kidderpore docks a princess of sorts among the large, dull merchant vessels, the port of Kolkata is used to receiving. The MV Island Sky will disembark 75-odd passengers and prepare for its next cruise from Kolkata to the Maldives.

The 4,280 DWT vessel has been rated as Superior' class and has a crew of 72. Its maximum passenger capacity is 118. European and American tourists will fly into Kolkata on Monday and board the vessel.

Before it departs, the tourists will be taken around Kolkata in luxury buses and will also have lunch in the city. They will visit Victoria Memorial, Kalighat and the Indian Museum before embarking on the 17-day voyage.

Among those who will join the cruise from Kolkata is said to be former MP Krishna Bose and a group of scholars from Harvard University. "On Tuesday, the ship will cruise down the Hooghly on its way to the sea. On the way to Male, the ship will anchor at Paradip, Vizag, Chennai, Colombo, Tuticorin, Trivandrum, Lakshadweep and Cochin.

The ship has 60 spacious cabins. It has a swimming pool on deck and facilities for water sports. Earlier known as Renaissance VIII, the ship was refitted in 2003. It's a safe vessel with modern lifesaving equipment," an officer said.

It's not cheap, though. Tourists will have to shell out anything between £4,500-5,000 (upward of Rs 4,00,000) for the cruise. The cruise operator recommends that the crew be paid a handsome tip of US$12 (nearly Rs 500) per passenger per day.

Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) officers said they will provide all assistance to the cruise liner including pilotage and berthing facilities. Special care will be taken to ensure that the tourists do not face any hassles.

"Nowadays, we get few cruise or passenger vessels at the port. Earlier, we even had a library' ship calling on Kolkata every year. People would be allowed into the ship to read books and purchase rare collections. It is part of our plan to develop better cruise facilities," a senior officer said.

The last time a cruise liner had called on Kolkata was in January 2007, when the French cruise liner MV Le Levant dropped anchor. The skipper of the vessel had not felt too comfortable in handing over control of his vessel to a Hooghly river pilot.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

‘Winner’ of ‘World Luxury Hotel Award 2008’ conferred on Hulhule Island Hotel, Maldives

It was a historical moment when the winners of ‘World Luxury Hotel Awards 2008’ were announced at Cape Town on October 18, 2008. Top Luxury Hotels and Resorts from 30 countries participated in the prestigious event. Apart from the Republic of Maldives, it included Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Germany, India, Latvia, Mauritius, South Africa, Singapore, Bulgaria, USA, China, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, North America, France, Italy, Paraiso de la Bonita, Argentina, Zambia, New Zealand, Mexico, Fiji islands, Cook Islands, Malta, Spain, Indonesia and Mozambique.

The gala ceremony was opened by the Provincial Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism in the Western Cape, MEC Garth Strachan with a key note address to the distinguished gathering from all across the globe. “The sheer number of participants in my humble view shows that there is indeed a demand internationally for an award system for Luxury Hotels, Lodges and Resorts”, said Brandon Lournes, CEO and Founder of World Luxury Hotel Awards.

The ‘World Luxury Hotel Awards’ are accepted as the pinnacle of achievement for Luxury Hotels worldwide. This Award was established as a celebration of ultimate achievement in hoteliering. It is about congratulating hotels that have taken the extra step and have as such differentiated themselves from “good hotels” to “exceptional hotels”. The World Luxury Hotel Awards accounts for all categories in the Luxury Hotel industry. Award winners set the benchmark for luxury hotels in achieving recognition for their world class facilities and service excellence.

Hulhule Island Hotel was one of the three finalists under the ‘Luxury Airport Hotel’ category of ‘World Luxury Hotel Awards 2008’ - the other two finalists being, the newly opened Crowne Plaza Hotel, Singapore and Emperor’s Palace, South Africa – each with more than 300 rooms. During the award ceremony, Hulhule Island Hotel was officially declared the ‘Winner’ under the ‘Luxury Airport Hotel’ category.

Hulhule Island Hotel was officially inaugurated by His Excellency Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, President of Republic of Maldives in 2001. Since then, the Hotel has been a key member of the travel and trade business in the Maldives. The Hotel has become well-known for its excellent services and the hospitality offered to tourists.

Hulhule Island Hotel has 136 rooms in all inclusive of various categories of rooms on offer including Superior, Deluxe, Super Deluxe, Super Deluxe with Jacuzzi and the Suites. The facilities for the guests at the hotel include the Spa, Gymnasium, Swimming Pool, Beach area,Landscaping, Tennis court, Golf putting green and extensive Food & Beverage options. The diverse dining selections include a rooftop restaurant ‘Uduvilaa’ with a panoramic view of both Male and the Indian Ocean catering to the multi-cuisine creations for the International clientele.

It is worth mentioning that Hulhule Island Hotel was adjudged as the ‘Best Culinary Establishment’ at Maldives in the Hotel Asia Exhibition & Culinary Challenge successively twice i.e. in 2006 and 2008. Hulhule Island Hotel is an ISO 9001-2000 certified hotel and has also been certified for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) which is unarguably the ultimate food safety certification worldwide, with a reputation of covering A-Z of the food processing cycle, right from purchase and selection of suppliers, to the storage, preparation and service of the food products.

On receiving this coveted award, Mr. Utkarsh Faujdar, General Manager - Hulhule Island Hotel stated ecstatically, “This is indeed recognition of the par excellence Hulhule Island Hotel has attained by achieving the highest standards in the hospitality industry”. He further added “The relentless efforts of the team have been instrumental in bringing this International award of repute to the Republic of Maldives.”

Source: www.visitmaldives.com

Tourism Day Supplement 2008

Please Click HERE to view the Tourism Day Supplement 2008.

Source: www.visitmaldives.com

New edition of 'Maldives Traveller' released

2009 edition of 'Maldives Traveller' has released by Minister of tourism and civil aviation Dr. Abdulla Mausoom on 18th September 2008, to coincide with the beginning of JATA World travel fair in Tokyo, Japan.

The launching of 'Maldives Traveller' was held at Hotel Nikko in Japan, at the Maldivian dinner reception hosted by the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board. Several travel agents, tour operators, media from Japan and JATA travel fair delegates from Maldives participated in the event.

'Maldives Traveller' is annually published premier guide for people eager to explore the Maldives with its unique Resorts Islands, history, culture, people and attractions. The 2009 edition has included new resorts opening in 2008 and early 2009.

The 'Holiday in the Maldives' section provides information how to spend a holiday in the Maldives plus well-known surf breaks; 'Maldives Resort Catalogue' covers the resorts in the Maldives; 'Diving in the Maldives' covers basic information on diving, most popular dive sites in the country and commonly seen fish by diving and snorkelling; 'The Maldives' section highlights its history, culture, festivals, Maldivian way of life etc. and finally 'Guide to Male' and Atolls' covers attractions and sights to see in capital Male' and the Atolls.

And plus the English language version has included 'Maldives Traveller Forum’, which includes, letters from readers, a tale from traveller, an interview with former Minister of tourism and little bit history of beginning of Maldives tourism etc.

'Maldives Traveller' is available through its partners and distributors worldwide and as well online on www.maldives-shopping.com

Tropical Paradise has started publishing Maldives guides by educating travellers’ needs since 2002. Now these guides are available in six different languages, English, Japanese, Russian, Italian, German and French. Tropical Paradise hopes to introduce Chinese and Korean Languages versions in 2009.

Source: www.visitmaldives.com

British tourists turn their back on the Maldives

There has been a sharp decline in the number of Britons visiting the Maldives, according to the islands’ minister for tourism.

Figures from July show a drop of 18.9 per cent compared with July 2007, part of an overall fall of 6.6 per cent in tourist numbers.

This is the largest slump since the aftermath of the tsunami in 2004, which killed at least 82 people in the Maldives and flooded the capital, Male. The decline has been blamed on construction delays, rising fuel surcharges and worldwide economic woes.

The Maldives, popular with honeymooners, usually attracts 100,000 Britons per year.

Abdulla Mausoom, the Maldives minister for tourism, said he was optimistic that the downturn would not last. He added that the number of Russian and Chinese visitors had increased by 63 and 24 per cent respectively over the past year. Last week, tour operator Kuoni named the Maldives as its second most popular destination, with bookings up 20 per cent on 2007.

Several new resorts have opened in 2008, with a further 63 resorts under construction. But a plan announced in June to lease another 31 islands for development will not go ahead, according to the ministry of finance.

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk