Holiday Inn Hits Problems Again

Construction of Malé's Holiday Inn ceased again yesterday amid conflict between developers, local government and residents over the building.

The project has repeatedly been halted and resumed as it raises questions over the quickfire pace of development in the capital.

Minivan News received mixed messages about the immediate future of the project, unveiled last February.

And government departments gave conflicting accounts of their commitment to review the legal loophole allowing construction work in Malé without a prior Environment Impact Assessment (EIA).

Stalled Again

The 15-storey Holiday Inn will be owned by Maldives-based Malé Hotel Associates Private Limited and managed by InterContinental.

When plans were unveiled the deputy Tourism Minister said it would show the Maldives to be a “destination offering world-class infrastructure and service.”

The hotel is the first building on Malé's coral island to be built using the “deep piling” method in which metal load-bearing piles are driven to depths of 30 to 40 metres.

Work was first postponed in October, when the Environment Ministry instructed Malé Municipality to carry out an EIA after neighbours complained of tremors and cracks in their house walls. Yesterday it was halted again just two weeks after re-starting.

The Environment Ministry cited problems with vibration monitoring devices, but developer Abdul Sattar Ali told Minivan News he felt the real reason was residents’ reluctance to accept the “deep piling” technology.

Though the technique creates “scary” vibrations, he says, it reduces the weight of the finished building, offering an environmentally friendly solution.

Sattar also complained the letter ordering construction to stop was available on a local newspaper’s website before it reached him. [Read More on Minivan News]

Source: minivannews.com

SPECIAL REPORT: Searching for good light in the Maldives

the Republic of Maldives (SFSU) – Ahead, poncho-draped silhouettes stand and kneel along the harbors edge. A passing motorcycle headlight reveals dozens of rain soaked faces staring in my direction. Neither the late hour nor the steady rain has concealed my intrusion. I walk between rows of parked motorcycles and into the ever-quieting throng of local Muslim fisherman.

Lines of approaching headlights indicate the impending arrival of additional men from the nearby villages. This bustling outdoor fish market serves as the unofficial local news hub. Tonight, the men speak ardently about the previous days arrival of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

On December 15, 2007 elements of the 11th MEU began a Medical Civil Action Program (MEDCAP) and a Dental Civil Action Program (DENCAP) in order to foster good will between the U.S. and the predominantly Muslim nation of the Maldives. Both Civil Action Programs are scheduled to end in just five days time.

“Who will help us after the Marines go back to their ship?” Abdulla Ibrahim, a local fisherman, asks rhetorically. “What if there are unforeseen complications? I will not let the American doctors see my family.”

Behind Abdulla, I witness the outline of a large knife in motion. The wielder, an aged fisherman, squats over a mound of dead fish. Each pass of the knife-edge cleaves through scales and bones. Rainwater combines with blood from the gutted fish and streams into the crowded street. [Read More]

Source: xpress.sfsu.edu

Corporate Re-Branding of Hulhule Island Hotel

Hulhule Island Hotel was officially inaugurated on August 15, 2001 by the Hon’ President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. The hotel has earned a considerable number of compliments for both its high quality and personalised services since then. Hulhule Island Hotel was also adjudged as the ‘Best Culinary Establishment’ at Maldives in the last Hotel Asia Exhibition & Culinary Challenge.


The initial hotel operations commenced with the following on offer for the guests:

o 88 rooms
o Swimming Pool
o Faru Coffee House
o Captains Fun Pub

The market segments for the hotel were purely based on transit guests and short layover of airline crews. The average length of stay for a guest was less than 24 hrs as Hulhule Island Hotel was positioned as the transit hotel or an airport hotel only.

In Hulhule Island Hotel’s pursuit of continuous improvement and to serve the more discerning travelers even better, the following developments took place over the last couple of years:

* At-site cooking counter - Commenced operations in January 2005
* Gymnasium - Commenced operations in April 2005
* Champs Bar - Commenced operations in November 2006
* Spa - Commenced operations in June 2007
* Renovated lobby - Commenced operations in October 2007
* New Café for team - Commenced operations in November 2007

The new wing construction was planned and is nearing completion now comprising 51 deluxe and super deluxe rooms that will have superior style, design theme and finishes. To top it off, all the guest rooms will have a better sea view as this wing will be closer to the sea and with a balcony with each of the rooms. In this new wing, Hulhule Island Hotel shall also be extending other facilities such as a rooftop restaurant with a panoramic view of both Male and the Indian Ocean. The revised inventory for Hulhule Island Hotel shall be 136 rooms inclusive of various categories of rooms on offer.

Hulhule Island Hotel held the groundbreaking ceremony for its new guest wing on July 17, 2006 to formally kick off the construction for the new wing and is scheduled to commence operations in January 2008.

The team of Hulhule Island Hotel has already been working towards these developments and will boast of the following facilities in next couple of months:

o 51 guest rooms – Deluxe, Super Deluxe and Super Deluxe with Jacuzzi
o New accommodation for team
o New recreation room for team
o Rooftop restaurant Uduvilaa
o Sunset deck
o Beach with service counter
o Tennis court
o Soft refurbishment of all existing rooms
o Refurbishment of Faru Coffee House
o Golf putting green
o New landscaping

As is evident from the upcoming developments, Hulhule Island Hotel has not only focused on creating the new facilities for the guests but the upgrade of the existing guest facilities and the facilities offered to the team members has also been an integral part on the agenda.

The segment of clientele for Hulhule Island Hotel has expanded over the years as the business clientele and guests on leisure have also started patronizing the hotel. Moreover, with the enhanced offer, the positioning of Hulhule Island Hotel has improved tremendously as earlier it was considered as an ‘Airport Hotel’ or a ‘Transit hotel’ only reflecting on the limited facilities on offer for the guests.

The on-going journey towards continual improvement in the product and services has been in line with the market need since Hulhule Island Hotel caters to the clientele of a lot of top-end resorts. The improved Hulhule Island Hotel will continue to make their stay in Maldives more memorable.

The corporate re-branding of Hulhule Island Hotel will provide a competitive edge and a better positioning in the market. The right positioning will further facilitate Hulhule Island Hotel to be able to reach the target markets and explore the newer market segments.

The new corporate branding signifies the new look of Hulhule Island Hotel i.e. more dynamic, vibrant, fresher, modern and contemporary, symbolising the hotel's aspirations and the renewed vigour of the entire Team.

It will be the endeavor of the Management and entire Team to take the hospitality of Hulhule Island Hotel to even greater heights with the completion of exciting project. It demonstrates the efforts of Hulhule Island Hotel to support and grow the aviation and tourism industry in Maldives.

Source: visitmaldives.com

Five new Ambassadors appointed

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on Sunday appointed five new Ambassadors. The appointments are as follows;

- Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Anbaree Abdul Sattar, who resides in New Delhi as the Maldivian High Commissioner to India, was appointed as the concurrent Non-resident Ambassador to Afghanistan.

- Hussain Shihab as the Ambassador of the Maldives to Saudi Arabia.

- Dr. Mohamed Asim as the High Commissioner of the Maldives to the United Kingdom.

- Ali Hussain Didi as the High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka.

- Abdul Hameed Zakariyya as the Ambassador of the Maldives to Japan.

The ceremony to hand-over the Letters of Appointment was held at the President’s Office.

After the ceremony, the President met with the Ambassadors and congratulated them and spoke about their responsibilities.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid, Minister for Presidential Affairs, Mohamed Hussain and the Deputy Minister at the President’s Office, Dr. Hala Hameed attended the meeting.

Source: Haveeru.com.mv

Malaysia MP quits over sex DVDs

Malaysian Health Minister Chua Soi Lek has announced his resignation after admitting being filmed in a sex video.

The widely circulated recording showed the married father of three having sex with a female friend in a hotel room.

On Tuesday, amid mounting speculation, he shocked the nation by admitting to being the man featured in the DVD.

This is the latest in a series of problems for PM Abdullah Badawi, who is expected to call an election in the coming weeks.

Apology

According to Malaysia's Star newspaper, the DVDs are believed to be CCTV recordings made in a hotel suite. The hotel and the date are reportedly unknown.

Copies were reportedly left at various locations in Mr Chua's home state of Johor, on Saturday "for people to pick up".

Mr Chua made his admission on Tuesday, hours after the Star reported that the DVDs were being widely distributed in Johor, his home state.

"I am the man in the tape," Mr Chua, 60, told reporters. "The girl is a personal friend."

"I would like to emphasise I did not make the tape myself," he added.

"Who [did] this is not important. What is most important is that my family, wife and children have accepted my apology." As health minister, Mr Chua has advocated giving out free condoms to reduce the spread of HIV, in the face of religious opposition.

Source: BBC World