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.

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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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

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.

World’s first ever underwater cabinet meeting was chaired by the President Mohamed Nasheed. The meeting was conducted at a depth of six meters (20 feet) just north of the capital Male’.

While in the underwater meeting the cabinet including president and the vice-president signed a document ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December, calling on all nations to cut their carbon emissions.
Ministers spent half an hour on the sea bed and communicated with white boards and hand signals.

World's first ever Cabinet meeting Underwater - Maldives

They will also participate in a bicycle ride in the capital Male later in the day.

source: http://presidencymaldives.gov.mv/

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

When Maldives Minister of State for Fisheries and Agriculture stood up to speak at the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission steering committee meeting in Mombasa, he talked extensively about the shark and how the tiny archipelago is changing its fortunes from the sea creature.

But to the surprise of many, especially the Kenyan delegation, the minister, Dr Hussein Rasheed Hassan, explained that his country was in the process of banning fishing of sharks from its waters, making it the first nation in the region to make such a move.

The majority of states in the region do not attach such value to the sharks.

But in Maldives, where the number of sharks has plummeted in recent years due to their killing by fishermen targeting them for their lucrative fins, the predator are a key feature of the tourism sector.

In 1998, a 10-year moratorium banning shark fishing was imposed to cover the seven atolls where tourism had been established on the assumption that many tourists visited the Maldives to see sharks.

However, with the spread of tourism to almost all islands in the country, the ministry decided to expand the ban to encompass all reef sharks fishing across the Maldives within a 12 nautical mile radius (22km).

Dr Hassan said the Maldives government has now given a one year notice of a total ban on reef shark fishing by March 2010.

“We have realised that it is more economically viable to leave the shark and other sea creatures unharmed because the country currently earns about $7 million annually from the diving industry,” Hassan said.

The reason for the ban, he said, was to increase the stocks and add value to diving tourism and attract more tourists who visit the islands for their beautiful underground coral gardens.

“The marine ecosystem is very fragile and that is why we have to regulate activities that coupled with the treats of climate change could adversely affect the major sources of income for the country,” he said.

With most of its 1,000 scattered islands without electricity, Maldives has in the past few years become a favoured tourist destination for honeymooners as well.

Dr Hassan said that, today, the country receives tourists twice its 350, 000 population every year.

In Maldives, sharks have a particularly valuable role in the tourism industry, which generates some 30 per cent of the country’s GDP.

According to surveys, about 30 per cent of tourists visit the Maldives for its underwater marine with life, viewing sharks and manta rays as their top priorities.

Source: http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news

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

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.

Marriage tourism In the Maldvies

If you’re experiencing marital strife, the thought of sharing your two-week holiday in the Maldives with a marriage guidance counsellor may not be conducive to patching things up.

But if one Indian travel firm’s idea to use holidays to pull couples back from the brink of divorce catches on, the concept could be heading for Britain.

Mumbai-based KV Tours and Travels is offering ‘divorce tourism’ packages where couples are accompanied by a relationship counsellor to encourage them to give things another go.

Despite the fact that India has one of the world’s lowest divorce rates with one in 100 married couples breaking up, it is apparently on the rise.

KV Tours and Travels chief executive Vijesh Thakker, who was inspired by the break-up of a friend’s marriage, said: ‘With divorce tourism, what we’re trying to do is to bring together couples who are heading towards divorce to stop them.

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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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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

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