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MALDIVES— From Thursday’s Globe and Mail

A travel writer’s honeymoon is not something to be taken lightly. The right destination has to be exotic yet decadent, adventurous yet romantic. Months are ticking down to my wedding this summer, and as I search for the ultimate honeymoon locale, my mind keeps returning to the Soneva Gili resort in the Maldives.

A nation of coral islands located south of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives represents pure self-indulgent escape. You see it on every paradise calendar: white sand, blue water, total privacy.

Like most tourists, I quickly departed the overcrowded island capital of Malé for the island resorts. While alcohol is illegal in Malé (my bottle of duty-free rum was even confiscated at the airport), the resorts function as their own kingdoms, accessible by boat or floatplane. On the island of Lankanfushi, just 20 minutes by speedboat from the capital, Soneva Gili has its own wine cellar, cures its own hams and serves cocktails and beer at the bar. The resort even sets its clock an hour later than the rest of the country, giving its guests more time in the day, literally running in its own time zone.

Forty-five villas built over the water branch off from the island, and are designed to be friendly on the environment and the eye. Ranging from 2,250 square feet to an incredible 15,000 square feet in the five-building “private reserve” area, the villas offer decks, large bathrooms, Bose surround-sound systems, Wi-Fi and a glass-walled shower accessible via an enclosed sea pool. Upstairs, the patio has a double bed, should you wish to sleep directly under the stars.

The attention to detail in each villa is staggering, with simple yet stylish decor that comes from spending plenty of time, thought and dollars. They call it “intelligent luxury.” Every window and deck looks onto the crystal sea, in which tropical fish, stingrays and harmless, small reef sharks swim right beneath your feet. The villas, like the resort itself, are designed for couples to enjoy their privacy, pampering and relaxation. I met honeymooners from the United States, Spain, Russia, France and Japan doing exactly that.

Soneva Gili belongs to the Six Senses chain of luxury resorts and spas, well known for an elite clientele including business and showbiz celebrities. Villas start at $1,000 a night, with meals and activities extra, and I got the feeling if I had to ask how much things cost, I really didn’t want to know.

On arrival, guests are greeted with a canvas bag for their shoes, labelled “No News, No Shoes.” Just in case I might step on anything sharp, the beaches and boardwalks are swept every day. As for the rest of the world, well, it may as well have not existed.

Each villa has its own bikes to pedal around the resort, along three main wooden jetties holding each villa like a pea in a pod. Lit up at night, the jetties look like runways, sparkling under the canvas of stars. Lavish buffets or à la carte meals are served on the beach, at the over-water bar, or brought to the villa for a romantic candlelight dinner. The cellar, built around a large piece of wood that washed up on the beach, stocks 500 wines, and the resort grows its own organic vegetables. Staff from around the world serve every whim, organizing sunset cruises, reef dives or whatever guests ask of them.

Of course, every honeymoon needs a spa. Specifically one that accommodates couples, since the missus might not be amenable to the beautiful blond Swedish masseuse rubbing me down. International therapists work out of the Six Senses Spa, offering various massages, facials, body wraps, yoga classes and Ayurvedic treatments. The couples room has thoughtful glass-bottom windows, to admire the marine life during the massage.

The water sports, diving, snorkelling, kayaking and windsurfing are all excellent and I quickly realized that if my marriage could survive figuring out how to sail a catamaran, we’d be in calm waters. I found a well-stocked book and movie library, and a gym too, which I avoided. Somehow, even though the resort was full, the island felt sparse and empty. Those craving absolute privacy, like the occasional Russian oligarch, can book one of the seven Crusoe Residences, accessible only by private pontoon and featuring a floating sundeck.

Rising sea levels, however, are threatening the very existence of the Maldives, which is just 2.3 metres at its highest point. With its 1,192 islands spread out over 90,000 square kilometres, many will soon be completely submerged. It makes the Maldives that much more precious and exotic, like a gem slowly slipping away into the sea. The ocean villas at the Soneva Gili await honeymooners like a dream, albeit an expensive one far beyond the budget of this travel writer. It may have been a plum assignment to shoot a TV show, but I envied the couples on my solo assignment. My search for the ultimate honeymoon destination continues.

Source: theglobeandmail.com

© 2011, admin. All rights reserved.

Maldives tourism officials said they had not received any details about Lithuania-based multi-purpose company’s Olialia plans to install a resort staffed only by blondes in the Maldives, and had not issued any permits for such purpose.

Olialia (pronounced Oh-la-LA) has created a business empire in Lithuania, using its troupe of glitzy models with platinum hair to market just about anything from potato chips to pop music. There’s Olialia pizza and Olialia cola, even Olialia computers.

With the Maldives resort – and plans for an airline linking it to the Baltic republic – Olialia is taking its blond ambition to a new level, writes AP/LETA.

“Blond is light. It attracts people like sunshine,” brand manager Lauryna Anuseviciute, a 24-year-old former model, explained at the Olialia office in downtown Vilnius.

Simon Hawkins, director of the Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation, noted that: “We welcome any serious innovations and investment for discussions so long as it is backed by serious finance with a robust and realistic business plan.”

However, he did not appear to see the blond requirement as a major hurdle for employees from the Maldives, saying “perhaps they could work behind the scenes, or die their hair?”

Anuseviciute commented on the hair color requirements for the stuff the following way: “Staff who are not blond will wear a blond wig to make everyone look similar.” The wig will be considered part of their uniform.

Approximately 65% of the staff will be women, she said.

The resort plans are still in their infancy – the tentative launch date is 2015 – but Anuseviciute insisted Olialia already has secured financing.

Still, it will not miss a good chance to promote the project, like at next month’s international real estate fair in Cannes, France. Olialia plans to arrive in style, with 130 blondes flying in from Lithuania on a chartered plane. Back home, the small women’s rights movement is cringing in disgust. Not only is the “blond island” idea demeaning to women, but borderline racist, said Margarita Jankauskaite, director of the Lithuanian Center for Equality Advancement.

“I am ashamed that this initiative came from my country. This only sends a message to the world that Lithuania is a country of cheap beer and cheap blond women,” Jankauskaite said.

Anuseviciute dismissed such concerns. “It is not discrimination,” she said. “For example, if a ballet is casting for a male-only dance performance, is it discrimination against women when they only hire men?

“The same with our resort – everyone will be welcome to work but will have to wear the uniform,” Anuseviciute said.

Source: baltic-course.com

© 2011, admin. All rights reserved.

February 2010 has brought tourist arrivals to a record high as tourist arrival mark hit 77,063 tourists according to the statistics released by the Tourism ministry.
The February figures show a 14 percent increase from the numbers in January 2010 and a big 32 percent increase compared to February 2009; which saw just over 58,500 tourist arrivals.

The ministry’s statistics also shows that China had emerged, for the first time, as the biggest market for Maldives tourism in February, beating the European markets.
The Chinese New Year holiday period may have been a factor, but also China’s rapidly growing middle class has been credited with having a substantial impact on the international travel industry. Italy came in second, with 12,000 tourists, followed by the UK with just over 10,400 tourists.

Traditionally, the United Kingdom and Italy had always claimed the top two markets but with 13,345 Chinese tourists arriving in Maldives during February, China now holds the record for the highest number of tourist arrivals in Maldives during a one-month period. China is also the second biggest contributor to Maldives tourism so far this year, emerging with a 13 percent share.

According to the Tourism Ministry, the occupancy rate for the 20,312 beds in 91 resorts of the Maldives was just over 95 percent, while the average occupancy rate was a bit lower at almost 89 percent. Tourists spent on average 7.4 days in the Maldives, the Ministry added.

Download of the past year statistics are available here.

© 2010 – 2011, Editor. All rights reserved.

Spanning an expanse of 1500 square metres and featuring nine treatment suites, the Anantara Spa, Maldives innovatively brings the natural environment into each room with specially-constructed glass floor panels that enable guests to observe the vibrant marine life within the azure waters below. Two double treatment suites, both with an alfresco relaxation area and Jacuzzi, allow couples or friends to revel in the luxury of their treatments side by side. Dedicated treatment rooms for Ayurvedic and Thai therapies are designed and decorated to reflect the unique cultures in which these treatments originated, providing guests with an authentic experience.

Its dramatic setting in the sparkling turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean was conceived of and executed by Maldivian architect Mohamed Shafeeg, together with Thailand-based interior design company Abacus headed by John Lightbody. With a truly unique location, this over-water spa allows the tranquil sounds of the ocean waves and the expert hands of gracious therapists to lull every guest into a deep state of relaxation.

Anantara Spa was designed in harmony with the natural landscape and the resort’s architecture, focusing on the exotic beauty which evokes a feeling of ‘spiritual tranquillity and harmony’ with nature. Emphasis has been placed on light and space whilst respecting the environment and allowing for the free flow of energy.

With so many spa treatment options, guests may desire the advice of the professionally trained therapists found in a private consultation area.  Those who are unsure of which treatment to select, as well as those with specific goals in mind, can receive personalised guidance and necessary information to make a well-informed decision.

The Anantara Spa massage menu offers techniques from Thailand, Hawaii and India as well as indulgent Aromatherapy to calm the senses. Aromatherapy, Thai and Oriental Foot Massage can also be enjoyed under the sun by the pool or beachside, or in the privacy of guests’ villas or suites.

The curative Anantara Detoxifying Signature Treatment invites guests on a healing journey through the use of mud, steam, and massage that have the power to cleanse the body and mind.  Rhassoul, or moor mud, long used for its richness in vitamins and minerals, is applied to the body before a period of luxurious relaxation to promote cleansing and aid the skin in the absorption of active ingredients. Guests are encouraged to linger in their peaceful repose while a therapist applies the light massage of a manual lymphatic drainage that stimulates lymphatic circulation, reduces fluid retention, and assists in the continued elimination of toxins from the body.

The blissful 60-minute skin-nourishing White Sesame Body Treatment, a popular choice after a day in the sun, uses a mixture of crushed sesame seeds and yoghurt, enriched with the finest oils to hydrate and calm dry and sensitive skin.  After a morning of tennis, a day of kayaking, or a stressful work week, muscle tension and fatigue can be relieved with the Elemis Musclease Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap, which uses a warm seaweed body mask infused with soothing pine and purifying rosemary essential oils.

The epitome of luxury can be experienced in one of the spa’s signature baths, like the Exotic Ginger Bath to restore harmony or the anti-oxidant rich Detoxifying Green Tea Bath to purify.  Both are perfect preludes to the sumptuous Cellutox Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap or the therapeutic Lymphatic Drainage Massage.

Rituals of Wellbeing, borrowing from traditional and ancient techniques, range from the 90-minute Beautifying Hand Ritual to the 145 minute Asian Ritual, which includes a peaceful Oriental Spa Bath, stress-relieving Back Massage, and an Oriental Foot Massage based on an age-old therapy that links the reflex zones on the feet to organs and systems in the body.

The three to five day Anantara Spa Voyages of Wellbeing packages combine the essence of herbal steam, body rejuvenation, massage, and facials for an indulgent head to toe experience that restores the senses to a natural state of peace and balance.

Set in the idyllic archipelago of the Maldives, the Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa is a luxurious five-star hideaway spread across five acres of tropical terrain on Dhigufinolhu (island) on the South Male Atoll and is conveniently located only 30 kms from the Maldivian capital of Male. The resort has 68 deluxe beachfront villas, two deluxe beachfront pool villas, 38 deluxe over water suites and two deluxe over-water pool suites all set around a natural, private lagoon.

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For more information please visit www.maldives.anantara.com

© 2009, admin. All rights reserved.

Maldives Resorts

This is the first time the Maldives Tourism Board would like to invite tour operators, travel agents, airlines and members of the media from Scandinavia to join the Road show for a travel trade, presentation and seminar.

Welcome light snacks and drinks will be available and fabulous prize give-a ways for free holidays in Maldives. There will be a five star line up of Co- participants for example Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, Angsana Hotels & Resorts and Island Pearl Hotels.

The Seminar offers you an opportunity to discover the possibilities of Maldives and get first hand information about this true paradise. At the same time you have an opportunity to meet hoteliers and tour operators from the Maldives who will present the attractions of this luxury destination as well as their products and services.

Indivo Global Consultancy – a leading Scandinavian marketing company who have been representing destinations and resorts through out the world, will be organizing this world class event. Indivo Global Consultancy have specialised in promoting and positioning foreign resorts into Scandinavia since 1997.

The Maldives road show takes off in Stockholm Sunday the 20th of September 2009 in Quality hotel Globen and on Tuesday 22th September 2009 in Oslo, Radisson SAS BLU Hotel. Last show will be held in Copenhagen on Thursday 24th September 2009 in Radisson SAS Scandinavia.

© 2009, admin. All rights reserved.

Sheraton Maldives

The Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa has opened 40 Island Cottages.

“We believe the new category will provide our guests more options and of course a very warm and welcoming atmosphere,” said Brian Segrave, General Manager of Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. “At Sheraton Maldives, our guests will find a truly home away from home accommodation whilst they are enjoying their once in a life time experience in the Maldives.”

The 40 Island Cottages at Sheraton Maldives are ideal for those wanting extra space and privacy.

Each stand-alone thatched cottage, features the comfortable Sheraton Sweet Sleeper bed, an open-air tropical bathroom, vaulted ceilings for an even greater sense of space, a daybed for lounging as well as a private balcony with spectacular garden view.

The new Island Cottages are in addition to the 55 Beach-Front Cottages the hotel was already selling to travellers.

Browse some Pictures of Sharaton Maldives

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© 2009, admin. All rights reserved.

Alila Villas Hadahaa

Surrounded by turquoise waters and fine white beaches, Alila Villas Hadahaa offers the ultimate Maldivian experience. Guests at this all-villa resort can choose from one of 14 stilted, over-water Aqua Villas or 36 Island Villas. All living spaces feature vast sliding windows that afford stunning ocean views.

In-resort facilities include two swimming pools, a fully-equipped gym, a Maldivian speciality restaurant offering a sampling of local and regional cuisine and a main restaurant, a library and a star-gazing deck. Alila Villas Hadahaa is the first property in the Maldives to achieve the prestigious Green Globe “Building, Planning and Design” benchmark and was designed to best adapt to the tropical climate and natural environment of the island. This includes rainwater harvesting, waste treatment, high roofed areas and open ceilings. To confirm their local social responsibility, the resort has just launched a “Gift-to-Share” programme. Guests can also participate by donating to support any of the three community programmes that the resort has initiated. This includes building up a reference and research library in the local schools; re-introducing Maldivian traditional crafts into primary schools; and introducing community farming projects.

alila villa hadahaa design maldives

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Alila Villas is one the newest and hotels bringing about the new hotel design trends in the Maldives.

Alila Villas Hadahaa is set on a tropical island in the North Huvadhoo Atoll, about 400 km to the south from Male international airport.

The islands here feature diverse landscapes covered by lush vegetation such as palm, coconut and banyan trees and tropical flowers, and fringed by pristine sandy beaches. The diving is unbeatable with long stretches of unspoilt coral reefs and a huge abundance of marine life unequalled by other visited locations in the Maldives. From lazing on an empty beach to breathtaking ocean adventures, Alila Villas Hadahaa will offer the absolute best experiences of the Maldives.

Alila Villas Hadahaa
H.Asfaam, Bodufungadu Magu, Male’
Republic of Maldives
P : +960 682 8888
F : +960 682 7777
E: hadahaa@alilahotels.com

Read more at Travel Daily News

© 2009, admin. All rights reserved.

Maldives is to be showcased at Monarch Beach which is held being between mid-June and mid-September this year.

Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) together with the High Commission of Maldives in UK has celebrated a Maldivian day on 15 August 2009. The week commencing from 14 August was marked as the Indian Ocean week at the Monarch Beach bringing the colors of the beach destinations like Maldives, Goa, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.

The High Commission of Maldives in UK jointly with members of the Maldives Students’ Association in UK (MSA) and Maldivian families and volunteers living in UK portrayed the island lifestyle of the Maldives and provided information about the destination at the beach.
The Monarch Beach is the only city centre beach in the UK located at the
Chamberlain Square; and covers 577 square metres and makes use of over 110 tonnes of sand. Free and opened daily to the Birmingham public and tourist visitors, this popular city centre beach is opened on Sunday to Thursday from 11am till 6pm and on Fridays and Saturday from 11am till 9pm which is thought to be a great family friendly attraction, and also provide an idyllic urban oasis for city centre workers and visitors to relax.

The United Kingdom is one of the largest travel markets in the world and is one of the top markets to the Maldives in terms of visitor attracted. At the end of June 2009 UK attracted 51,069 visitors to the Maldives while Maldives received 116,821 visitors at the end of 2008.

Source: miadhu.com.mv

© 2009, admin. All rights reserved.

Maldives Special Offers

MaldivesSpecialOffers.com, a website specialised in listing the best of the available travel and holidays offers in the Maldives has officially been launched. This website provides, the visitors information about the best of the offers available for them when travelling to the Maldives.

The offers are arranged in a way that visitors can choose from among the categories, that is best suited for them. This include Honeymoon, Relaxation, Package tours and Specials.

With a quick look around of the properties and the offers, details are also available with entitlements and validity. The most interesting and the most important of the available features is the ability to book  right from the website.

This website is owned and operated by www.100percentmaldives.com, a local inbound tour operator.

For more information please visit www.maldivesspecialoffers.com

© 2009, admin. All rights reserved.

Guangdong Nanhu International Travel Service has announced that the maiden flight on the charter route from Guangzhou to the Maldives will depart on September 26, 2009.

Chen Zhichao, the deputy general manager of Nanhu Travel, said that the charter flight is scheduled to fly twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It will only take six hours from Guangzhou to the Maldives, which is six hours shorter than taking transit flights through Kuala Lumpur, Doha, or Dubai.

The charter flight will fly for one year, according to Chen. Tickets for the direct charter flight will be cheaper than those for transit flights.

© 2009, admin. All rights reserved.

Machchafushi in the Maldives was officially renamed Centara Grand Island in honour of the little island’s Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa.

A little piece of history was made as the first flight to the Island since the renaming took place on February 9 from the capital Male.

All the Flight Departure Boards at the Airport clicked over to reveal the destination of flight 142205 as Centara Grand Island, and the airport flight departure announcers got used to pronouncing the new name.

Shakespeare once famously wrote that we shouldn’t take much stoke in names: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet”, however, it is hard to be blasé about an entire Island being renamed in a hotel chain’s honour, especially when only 200 of the country’s 1192 Islands are inhabited.

The island is relatively close to Male Airport with an air transfer time of just 25 minutes or transfer by speed boat in 85 minutes.

With 112 suites and luxurious villas Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa is ideal for both couples and the family market, combining Barefoot Luxury with an active and varied social program for both adults and children alike.

Adult guests can enjoy a variety of dining options, pools, recreational activities, Sports and Fitness options, bars and lounges with nightly entertainment, and the ultimate in indulgence- Spa Cenvaree.

Whilst children will benefit from the Centara Hotels & Resorts Kids Club concept offering 2 venues – Kid Camp and E-zone for ages 4 to 9 and 10 to 17 respectively.

The Resort boasts 7 categories of beach front and over water accommodation from 76 sq m Beach Suites complete with separate living room, large terrace and indoor and outdoor showers, to 146 sq m Luxury Beachfront Pool Villas complete with their own private pool and membership of the exclusive Island Club.

Island Club guests are given premium levels of attention and service, they will enjoy access to the exclusive Club Lounge with daily servings of complimentary meals, snacks and drinks including complimentary evening cocktails and canapés and use of the private pool which features refreshing Spa Cenvaree mist sprays, complimentary mineral water, pre lunch cold towel service, afternoon fruits and sun bed concierge service.
For reservations and further information e-mail reservations@chr.co.th or  website www.centarahotelsresorts.com

© 2009, admin. All rights reserved.

Will also promote honeymoon and leisure segment

Island Holidays a Mumbai-based consolidator for Maldives now plans to tap the Bollywood segment by facilitating movie producers with shooting locations in the island nation and also arrange their travel plans. Elaborating on the plans for promoting Maldives through Bollywood, Aman Bhatia, Partner, Island Holidays said, “We recently facilitated the shooting of Kites, a movie by Rakesh Roshan in Maldives. We are in talks with Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) to promote movie shoots and advertisements at different locations in Maldives through Island Holidays and we are expecting it to materialise within a month or so.”

From the 1900 islands that form Maldives, there are certain islands where there is no habitation and are used for picnics by locals. Island Holidays will be promoting these islands and also the local villages for shooting, though to access these islands one needs government’s permission. To tap the Bollywood segment, the company will promote their offerings through their network of Bollywood producers. “Our offerings will also be promoted through actor Kumar Gaurav who is a part of the company,” stated Bhatia. It will also organise familiarisation trips for produces to get a feel of the destination. Apart from promoting the destination through Bollywood, Island Holidays will also promote the honeymoon and leisure segment for Maldives along with other destinations like Sarawak in Malaysia, Turkey, Tanzania and Fiji.

Source:travelbizmonitor.com

© 2009, admin. All rights reserved.