This is an old post from 2010:

The Atolls of the Maldives are very complex structures and the country itself is formed from 26 natural atolls which are now divided into 20 for administrative purposes.

Built vigilantly over thousands of years, like necklaces draped along an undersea plateau, 1,200 coral islands, each island is unique in its shape and full of wonders. These ring shaped coral structures can be tens of kilometres in diameter with individual reefs large enough to support the beautiful islands.

A British Captain Robert Moresby drew the first accurate maritime charts of the Maldives in 1834-36 and they were used by Maldivian navigators to sail through Maldives until the 1990s.

Perhaps one of the most interesting features of the Maldives, apart from its breath taking beauty, is the unique shapes of the islands. From about, we could spot islands with a green, white, turquoise blue surrounded by navy blue or deep blue combination. Again, this could vary in unimaginable shapes, at time only the sand deposit shifts around the island, changing the shapes of the island seasonally and some island look really interesting from the time of its creation.

Here is some of the visual process of the most beautiful islands in the world in the making.  Largely the islands take share similar to the base reef the island is built on.

On some rare cases where the reef is excessively large, and the island that come through the surface is small, it may take many different shapes before settling with vegetation where roots or lose coral may define boundaries.  This is how the islands are “born”.

This is an interesting shape of reef which i thought was worth sharing.

First that little island roots out from the depth of the Indian Ocean. Than we see little island or sand bank buds from the reef and starts collecting drifting waste, woods and almost anything that will prepare the sand bank capable of attracting birds of seed.  Than little greens patches starts appears..

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Here is the same process with different shape of the islands.

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It is sad that at the end we go and damage the beauty in the name of life, development and living. Male’, as and island would have been a beautiful place now no more!

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Here are some of the islands which are distinctively different and beautiful in their shape.

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© 2011, Editor. 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.

The way the world economy is trending the tourists from world over will have a good treat to travel to the Maldives in 2010. There is an overall increase in supply of flight seats and hotel beds in the Maldives. This combined with Global financial crisis, the market has changed from sellers’ to buyers’ thereby increasing the bargaining power of buyers pulling down the ADR (average daily rate) for the traveller advantage.

Maldives is going through a time that it has never been through before, even during the time of natural and man-made disasters such as tsunami and 9/11. Predictions are that there might even be some unsold hotel beds through Christmas and New year in the Maldives. For an experienced traveller this might be an opportunity to get an extreme value for money and for those who want to visit the Maldives for the first time, this is the TIME!

Try some of these large hotel and travel groups

Universal Resorts
Villa Hotels
Sun Hotels
AAA Hotels
J Resorts
Crown Tours
Inner Maldives
Intour Maldives
Lets Go Maldives
100 percent Maldives

© 2009, Editor. All rights reserved.

Maldives 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.

For the Finalist stage, the 28 New7Wonders of Nature Finalists have been put to popular vote in July 2009. Voting will continue throughout 2010 and into 2011. During this time, the New7Wonders World Tour will visit each of the Finalists to allow them to present themselves to the voters across the globe.

The New 7 Wonders campaign aims to promote cultural diversity by supporting, preserving and restoring monuments and natural sites. It relies on private donations and revenue from selling broadcasting rights.

Please vote for Maldives by visiting www.new7wonders.com and make its beauty known to the world as one of the natural wonders of the world.

The Maldives guide team 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.

You can also join the facebook group and follow on twitter.

© 2009, admin. All rights reserved.

British Airways is to launch its new thrice-weekly direct flights from Gatwick to Male, Maldives from October 25, 2009.
The new service will be the first time ever British Airways has offered flights to the Maldives. As of now, the new flights to Male will depart on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

Holidays in The Maldives will introduce British Airways customers to a fantastic selection of tiny palm fringed coral islands each with its own exclusive resort hotel. Each of these international standard hotels in the Maldives is four or five stars in quality offering a great range of activities such as diving, snorkelling, sailing and fishing, or you can simply laze your days away sunbathing on a stunning white, sandy beach.

The routes will be operated by Boeing 777 aircraft with a three-class configuration: World Traveller, World Traveller Plus and Club WorldBritish Airways is to launch its new thrice-weekly direct flights from Gatwick to Male, Maldives from October 25, 2009.The new service will be the first time ever British Airways has offered flights to the Maldives. As of now, the new flights to Male will depart on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

Holidays in The Maldives will introduce British Airways customers to a fantastic selection of tiny palm fringed coral islands each with its own exclusive resort hotel.

Each of these international standard hotels in the Maldives is four or five stars in quality offering a great range of activities such as diving, snorkelling, sailing and fishing, or you can simply laze your days away sunbathing on a stunning white, sandy beach.

The routes will be operated by Boeing 777 aircraft with a three-class configuration: World Traveller, World Traveller Plus and Club World.

Source: pr-canada.net

© 2009, admin. All rights reserved.

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives : 7 nights from £1945 pp – SAVE £1895pp – DEPARTS 4th October 2009

Recently opened in July, this ultra-luxurious resort is the first of its kind to be found south of the equator in the Maldives. Seven nights are available on a full board basis from £1945 pp, saving £1895 pp.

Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa Maldives

This includes international flights from London and onwards to Gan, transfers to and from the island, a CHI spa experience for 2, a guided nature trail tour, a bicycle tour and 7 nights full board accommodation in a pool villa with a private pool. Based on two sharing, departing on 4th October 2009.

For more information please visit Shangri-La Maldives

Shangri-La Villiongili Maldives Photos

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Read more about Maldives Resorts

© 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.

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.

Bandos Maldives Offers relaxation package with minimum 3 nights booking of Garden Villa, Jacuzzi Beach Villa and Water Villas.

Offer includes:

Upto 50% off one of the selected Spa Treatments

Offer validity:

1/2/2009 till 30/04/2009

For more information please visit Bandos Maldives

© 2009, admin. All rights reserved.

President Mohamed Nasheed has announced that he will be visiting Italy on the 14 th of this month and that the visit is aimed at increasing the number of Italians tourists arriving Maldives. President said the target is to bring in an additional 5000 Italian tourists this year. President Nasheed made the announcement speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office on Monday.

Speaking at the press conference President said world tourism industry has slowed down and that he believed Maldives tourism will be exceptionally slow during June and July this year. He said he will be working to bring in more Italians during this period to offset the losses.
He noted that tourists initially came to Maldives from clubs and that most Italians came from clubs like Vacanze and Valtur. He said clubs like these used to sell Maldives at attractive prices and that prices went up as a direct of the increase in the lease rent of the resort islands. He further said such high prices have caused difficulties for clubs to bring in regular tourists to Maldives.

President said during the period when Maldives were marketed at low prices, number of Italians tourists was considerable and that it declined by some 20 percent when the government increased rental charges of the resorts. The losses incurred by the tourism industry as a result of the decline in number of arrivals far out weighed the additional revenue the government generated by increasing the rental fees of the resorts President said.

He also revealed that all expenses to participate in Milan Fair this year will borne by the Italian government and that discussions on the matter is underway with Italian Ambassador accredited to Maldives and Italian Trade Minister.

Some Facts on Italian Market for our President

1- December 2000 ended with 106451 Italians visiting the Maldives. This is a 20% growth over 1999.

2- End of 2000, Italian market share among the generating markets was 22%. Overall tourism arrivals grew by 8.7% in 2000.

3- 2001, Italian Arrivals grew by 8.7% with claiming 25.1% market share overall. The same year, overall tourist arrival growth was negative at -1.3%

4- End of 2002 there was negative growth of -0.7% on Italian arrivals and maintained a market share of 23%. In 2002 the total tourist arrival to the Maldives grew by 5.1%

5- 2003, Italian market grew by 22.1% and overall market share grew to 24.9%. Overall arrival to the Maldives grew by 16.3%

6- 2004, Italian market showed a negative growth of -6.6% and the market share was reduced to 21.2%. The same year Maldives enjoyed and overall growth of 9.4%.

7- 2005, Italian market had a negative growth 46.5%, (largest single drop) and the market share was reduced to 17.7%. The same year there was an overall negative growth on the tourist arrival to the Maldives at -35.9%

8- 2006, the Italian arrivals grew by 69% while the market share was increased to 19.8%. The same year total tourist arrival to the Maldives grew by 52.3%

9- 2007, there was a negative growth of 1.42% on overall tourist arrival from Italy. Overall growth of arrival to the Maldives from all generating markets increased by12.29%.

10- 2008, Italian market had a negative growth of -11.4% and held a market share of 15.2%. The same year Maldives tourist arrival grew by 1.1%

Why is it the way it is?

1- Italian market trends fluctuated along with the time frame between 1972 -2008
2- Propensity to travel and purchasing power parity remained unimpressive over the years
3- Short haul destinations become more accessible and cheaper with comparable product

What have we done?

1- We have failed to predict these trends and take preventive measures
2- Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) has over the years equated marketing and advertising
3- Ministry of Tourism would have too much control on MTPB
4- Ministry of Tourism (MOT) has failed to realize the importance of the medium range markets and charter markets
5- Charter Airlines found it too expensive to run the operation to the Maldives (get the corruption out of the way)
6- MOT/MTPB is not properly armed with statistics and research capabilities, thus resulting in blunt decisions costing the country far too much
7- New islands with controlled rent was a disaster as there is no way to control the prices for market mix maintenance in the destination.
8- No proper leadership in one of the most important organizations (MTPB) in the Maldives.
9- Failed to realize the emerging markets and look to grow them for benefits in the long run.

© 2009, admin. All rights reserved.

In deed the luxury travelers love the Maldives Holidays and the luxury it has to offer. In the Maldives are famous for the sunny white beaches, turquoise blue lagoons and tropical climate, the Maldives is also popular for its luxury class resorts accommodation.

A luxury traveler must pamper oneself with the deluxe amenities. Luxury resorts in the Maldives offer you private hideaways with the concept – no shoes, no news. it offers to you being as lazy, naughty and active as you want withing the frame of the world class luxury. Surrounded by the calm, natural beauty and pampered with extravagant amenities, you will soon master the art of doing nothing and be happy about it!

The luxury resorts of the Maldives, offer satisfaction-guaranteed hospitality and top in class customer service. From elegant and stylish villas with private swimming pools and Jacuzzis, top notch dining and spa facilities will make your luxurious holiday one that you would treasure all your life.

In the Maldives you will experience the taste of splendor and luxury in the heart of a natural paradise.

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