Pre bid meeting on Kaashidhoo resort held

A pre bid meeting was held on the 28 of this month at Nasandhura Place Hotel to provide information on the proposed construction of resort hotel after the reclamation of the Kaafu Atoll Kaashidhoo lagoon.

According to Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation the bid documents will be sold till 4 th of May 2008 till 1400 hours. The Ministry informs that for 100% local companies that a set of bid documents will be sold at Rf.2000 and for foreign companies bid documents will be sold for US $ 300.

Ministry says that bid documents are required to be submitted prior to 1300 hours on 5 th of May 2008 and that all bid proposals will be opened in the presence of all bidders at Nasandhura Palace Hotel.

The first of its kind where the lagoon of an inhabited island is reclaimed for the development of tourist resort requires a bid security of US $ 200,000. An area of 20 hector is required to be reclaimed from the lagoon for the construction.

The island of Kaashidhoo having an island of 2025 population has a lagoon of 276.7 hectors. The island having some important historical sites is mainly an agricultural island.

Maldives Promotion in South Africa

Male’, 28 April 2008: Maldives has been promoted in South Africa in association with Boost juice bars and China Eastern Airlines. The campaign themed as “Beach in the City” ran from 15 January to 15 March 2008. The winner of the lucky draw was awarded an all expenses paid trip to the Maldives.

Mr. Derek Karam emerged as the lucky winner from thousands of entries received to take part in the promotion. Mr. Karam will fly China Eastern Airlines to Maldives. They operate two flights per week between Male’ and Johannesburg.

The Maldives attracted a total of 3,293 visitors from South Africa during 2007. This is a 10.8 percent growth rate when compared to last year. The year 2007 has been a record year for the Maldives with a staggering 675,889 visitors.

Pre bid meeting for development of Marina & 80 bed hotel held

Hulhumale’ Development Corporation has held a pre bid meeting for the development of a Marina inclusive of an Eighty Bed Hotel in the western lagoon area of Hulhumale’ yesterday. The pre bid meeting was held at Nasandhura Palace Hotel yesterday at 1300 hours. The development of a Yacht Marina inclusive of a Hotel in the western lagoon of Hulhumale’ is HDC’s second venture into large scale undertakings.

The first was announced last year: a Five Star Hotel project awarded to State Trading Organization, now being developed under the Radisson brand of the internationally renowned hotel chain, Carlson Hotels Worldwide. Located at the Bay Front area of Hulhumale’, and backed by readily available demand as evidenced by the increasing number of safari boats and yachts anchored in the Hulhumale’ lagoon, the Marina project offers great potential for real estate developers and tourism investors alike.

Maldives Liveaboard Association (LAM), states that over 95% of vessels registered with them use the Hulhumale’ lagoon for anchorage. An area of 150,000 square meters of the western lagoon of Hulhumale’ is allocated for the project. Out of this approximately 40,000 square meters shall be reclaimed and the remainder would accommodate berthing facilities for at least 60 yachts / safari boats. The reclaimed area shall be utilized to house the Eighty Bed Hotel plus other ancillary services such as fuel refilling, water supply, cyber café, souvenir shops, etc. An equal investment opportunity for the project is open to both local and foreign individuals, partnerships and companies. The proposed lease period is 25 years; however the Corporation is flexible to extending the lease period with the successful bidder in compliance with the relevant laws and regulations of the country.

The Bay Front area of Hulhumale’, offers a multitude of retail, recreation and entertainment activities with the potential to cater to large segments of the international, regional and local consumer markets. Apart from the Five Star Hotel and the Yacht Marina, the Bay Front promenade is planned to feature a large shopping complex and an assortment of shops and café’s dotted along the promenade, which the Corporation plans to announce for bidding within the year.

Claridges Hotels and Resorts to enter Maldives

According Express Hospitality website Claridges Hotels & Resorts is all set to foray into the international market and is in advanced negotiations with companies in Maldives and the Middle East.

In an exclusive with Express Hospitality, Peter Leitgeb, its president and CEO, revealed, "We are on the verge of completing two acquisitions in the international market in Maldives and the Gulf in the next few months"

However, its international plans don't clash with its plans to expand in India. "We are already developing two luxury properties in the country (in NCR and Mumbai) and plan to take the figure of luxury properties in India up from three to ten in the next five years," he said reports Express Hospitality.

The group is looking at emerging cities like Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai and Udaipur to develop its luxury brand of hotels. It plans to open its upcoming property in NCR (The Claridges, SurajKund) in November this year and is also developing a property in Mumbai (Sea Rock Hotel), which is expected to open by 2010, according to Leitgeb. The group currently owns premium properties in New Delhi, NCR and Mussourie.

Visit the website: www.claridges-hotels.com

The 2008 World Travel Awards announces nominees for Indian Ocean

The 2008 World Travel Awards announces nominees for Indian Ocean. The destination Maldives together with the Maldives resorts and companies have been nominated in the 15th World Travel Awards regional ceremony to be held in Abu Dhabi during October 2008. This year’s nominees for the Indian Ocean have been announced in the World Travel Awards website where by the nominees will be given awards based on the voting’s by travel agents worldwide. The Maldives has the highest number of nominees in the Indian Ocean category, where 20 Maldives resorts and companies are competing in 10 categories.

The Maldives has been nominated as the Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination, whilst The Male’ International Airport has been nominated as the Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport. In addition to the above, the following resorts and companies have been nominated:

-Indian Ocean’s Leading Boutique Hotel category:
Dhoni Mighili (Dhoni Mighili, Maldives)
Maafushi (The Rania Experience, Maldives)

-Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort category:
Soneva Fushi Resort & Spa, Maldives

-Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Resort category:
Angsana Resort & Spa, Maldives
Banyan Tree Maldives, Vabbinfaru
Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel category:
Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island
Soneva Gili, Maldives
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives

-Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort category:
Coco Palm, Dhuni Kolhu
Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
Huvafen Fushi, Maldives
Kurumba, Maldives
Soneva Gili, Maldives
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives

-Indian Ocean’s Leading Spa Resort category:
Baros, Maldives
Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
Huvafen Fushi, Maldives
Island Hideaway at Dhonakulhi Spa & Resort & Marina, Maldives
Soneva Fushi Resort & Spa, Maldives

-Indian Ocean’s Leading Travel Agency category:
Go Maldives
Vermillion International

Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as the "Travel industry's equivalent to the Oscars", the World Travel Awards are the most comprehensive and most prestigious awards program in the global travel industry. The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry. The winners of the World Travel Awards are based on thousands of votes cast by travel professionals from 167,000 travel agencies in over 160 countries across the globe.

The voting for this year’s Indian Ocean Awards is open until 21st July 2008. Votes can be casted by registering and logging into the voting system available at www.worldtravelawards.com.
Last year Maldives won the Indian Ocean’s Leading Destinations Award and Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destinations Award. MTPB also won the Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist and Visitor Bureau Award and Maldives Tourism industry won awards in many categories.

Annual Report of MTDC for 2006

Click here for annual report of MTDC 2006

MTDC subleases Embudufushi and Olhuveli

Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has subleased Embudufushi and Olhuveli of Dhaalu Atoll to Dr. Ibrahim Umar Manik to develop and operate as a 220-bed tourist resort. The sublease agreement was signed on 17th April 2008 at MTDC’s Head Office.

The island is expected to commence its operation at the end of 2009.

Shangri-La Maldives to open in September

Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Dr. Mahmoud Shaugy has revealed that development of the resort at Villingili of Addu Atoll will be complete in September this year.

Dr. Shaugy said after his recent visit to Vilingili to inspect the ongoing work he can see that the previous completion date of July cannot be achieved and that September was more likely.

“We all hoped that Vilingili can be completed by July, but on my last visit I noted that July deadline would be a bit difficult to achieve but it will be completed some time in September” said Dr. Shaugy.

Dr. Shaugy said work is being slowed due to delays in transportation of required items to these islands as well as due to adverse weather conditions. Mr. Abel Damagy General Manager of Shangri-La Maldives Resort and Spa has said that resort development in Vilingili of Addu Atoll was due to changes to the design of the resort. He further said more than USD80 Million will be spent on resort development. He has given assurances that Shangri-La will realize the dreams of Adduans.

Shangri-La Maldives has recently commenced a hospitality training program to the youths of the atoll wishing to take up positions in the resort.

Shangri-La Vilingili Resort and Spa will be first international resort to be opened in Addu Atoll and is just 8 minutes from Gan International Airport by speedboat and 70 minutes from Male’ International Airport by air.

3 resorts to be opened this year in Noonu atoll

Ministry of Tourism has revealed that out of the resorts under development in Noonu Atoll, 3 resorts will be completed and opened this year.

Ministry said that the inspection carried out from 4 to 5 of this month revealed that 70 % of the work is already complete in Maavelavaru, Kudafunafaru and Medhufushi. Ministry said barring any unforeseen circumstances, it is expected the 3 resorts would commence operation this year.

Ministry revealed that Kudafunafaru Island is being developed by Moosa Shiyam Abdulla of M. Three A. Kudafunafaru is developed as 100 bed resort Ministry said. Maavelavaru is being developed by Big Island Resort as a 100 bed resort and Medhufushi is being developed by Sun Travels and Tours Pvt. Ltd. Medhufushi is developed as a 200 bed resort.

Maavelaavaru was one of the 11 island leased by the government in 2005 said the Ministry. Kudafunafaru and Medhufushi are 2 islands out of the 20 islands leased out by the government for resort development in 2006.

Tourism Ministry earlier said that 5 resort islands would commemce operation this year in Huvadhu Atoll. The 5 islands are Ga. Funamauhda, Ga. Hadaha , Gdh. Konatta , Gdh. Lonudhuahuta and Gdh Vatavehreha. The ministry also said Addu Atoll Vilingili would also commemce operation this year. Ministry noted that thus a total 9 resorts would be opened this year.

Resorts in Huvadhu Atoll to open in September – Dr. Shaugy

Dr. Mahmoud Shaugy Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation has revealed that development of the resort at Villingili of Addu Atoll will be complete in September this year.

Dr. Shaugy speaking to Miadhu Daily said after his recent visit to Vilingili to inspect the ongoing work he can see that the previous completion date of July cannot be achieved and that September was more likely.

“We all hoped that Vilingili can be completed by July, but on my last visit I noted that July deadline would be a bit difficult to achieve but it will be completed some time in September” said Dr. Shaugy.

Dr. Shaugy said work is being slowed due to delays in transportation of required items to these islands as well as due to adverse weather conditions. Mr. Abel Damagy General Manager of Shangrilla Maldives Resort and Spa has said that resort development in Vilingili of Addu Atoll was due to changes to the design of the resort. He further said more than US $ 80 Million will be spent on resort development. He has given assurances that Shangirlla will realize the dreams of Adduans.

Shangrilla Maldives has recently commenced a hospitality training program to the youths of the atoll wishing to take up positions in the resort.

Shangrilla Vilingili Resort and Spa will be first international resort to be opened in Addu Atoll and is just 8 minutes from Gan International Airport or just 70 minutes from Male’ International Airport.

Konatta Resort, 80 % complete – Dr. Shaugy

Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Dr. Mahmoud Shaugy has revealed that one of the resorts being developed at Huvadhoo Atoll is 80% complete.

Dr. Shaugy speaking to Miadhu Daily out of the resorts under construction in Ga and Gdh Atolls and to be opened this year, the development of Konatta Resort is 80 % complete.

“I am confident that 5 resorts will be opened, work is going on at considerable speed , work of one resort is 80 % complete, I have absolutely no doubts the resorts will open this year” said Dr. Shaugy.

Dr. Shaugy revealed that masonry work of the building on as well as work to obtain people from the atoll to work in the resort is going on.

Nasandhura Palace Hotel to be closed on 25 of May 2008

Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has informed that Nasandhura Place hotel is to be closed on the 25 of next month.

Assistant Director General of Ministry of Tourism Mr. Mohamed Waheed said a date when the building would be demolished would be determined later as a decision has yet to be on the facilities of the hotel. Mr. Waheed said as these belong to the government, the Ministry can only reach a decision a date to commence demolition of the hotel, when the government decided what to do with the equipments.

Mr. Waheed further said that Ministry would award suitable compensation package to the staff of the hotel. Mr. Waheed further said the compensation package would depend on the service and the period. He further said in future a park is to be established where Nasandhura Hotel is now stands.

The hotel which began operations in 1981 with only 31 rooms includes a seminar hall plus a restaurant capable of accommodating 150 people. The hotel has been in operation for over 26 years. Although major changes have brought to the structure of the Hotel since it began operation, the hotel still uses its original building which it began operations with. The hotel currently has 110 staff of which 96% are Maldivians.

Government has informed that a new five star hotel 200 bed hotel is to be constructed on vacant land behind Dharubaaruge.

MTDC says it owns 20% of resort to be developed at Ekulhivaru Island

Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has revealed that the corporation owns 20 % share in the resort to be developed in Ekulhivaru Island of Noonu Atoll.

Managing Director of MTDC Mohamed Solih speaking to Miadhu Daily said that MTDC owns 20 % share in the 180 bed resort to be developed in Ekulhivaru Island of Noonu Atoll.

MD Solih revealed that the 180 bed resort to be developed by 2010 will be marketed as high end resort.

“This is going to be 180 bed resort hotel and will be completed by the end of year 2010, the resort is going to be high end resort catering to the very rich, it is going to be one of the best resort hotel in the Maldives” said Mr. Solih.

Mr. Solih said that the resort is being developed by Ritz Carlton Group one of the best in the business, ranked among the top 4 in the world. Mr. Solih said resort is a US$ 115 Million investment.

Tourism Training Island bid documents to be ready soon - Ministry

Tourism Ministry has revealed that work on bid documents on Tourism Training Island will be completed in the next two to three weeks.

Mr. Mohamed Waheed Assistant Director General at the Tourism Ministry speaking to Miadhu Daily said that in order to encourage more Maldivians to take up carriers in the tourism industry and to provide them with necessary skills, Training Schools are to be set up in the north and south of the country. Mr. Waheed said that the concept of the Training Island and other necessary logistics on the bid documents of these training establishments will be complete in the next week.

The tourism training center in the north is to be set up Hdh. Nolhivarum and the training center in the south is to be set up in Gasgadufinolhu and Bodufinolhu of Laamu Atoll.

Ministry says when the training resorts are established it will have a bed capacity of 150 to 200 and will have all the modern conveniences plus administrative offices, lecture rooms, classrooms and accommodation blocks for students and staff.
Additional points will be awarded to proposals which contain agreements from schools of international reputation to conduct training in these resorts say the Ministry.

Ministry also says during the first year diploma courses acceptable to Maldives Accreditation Board will be held and that during the third year degree courses will be held. Ministry also revealed that these resorts will take up training of foreign students as well.

First phase of Uligamu Resort development underway - MTDC

Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has revealed that the first phase of the development of the resort under construction at the island of Uligamu in Ha Atoll is underway.

Speaking to Miadhu Daily Managing Director of MTDC Mr.Mohamed Solih said that the first phase of the construction of the 100 bed resort hotel is underway. He said currently construction of accommodation facilities and warehouses is going on and that necessary materials required for the construction of resort has been brought to Uligamu.

“Surveys have been carried out, areas where accommodation blocks are to be constructed have been marked, identified, necessary materials have been ordered, and work is underway to bring some of the materials to the island are ongoing” said MD Solih.

According to MTDC a 100 bed resort will be developed at Uligamu and that necessary marketing activities are already underway. MTDC also informs that some European companies have already expressed interest and that construction work is to be completed by the end of the year.

Angsana Maldives Ihuru welcomes coral scientist to the Maldives marine lab

During his second stint at the Lab in March 2008, Prof Harrison will be working closely with the Lab's renowned Director of Conservation, Mr. Abdul Azeez Abdul Hakeem, in training the Marine Lab associates, interacting with resort guests, giving presentations to the Ministry of Fisheries, and setting up long term programmes to collect raw data for future scientific research purposes.

Marine Recovery in the Maldives
Professor Harrison is one of the many leading scientists invited to the Maldives Marine Lab in its efforts to further understand and safeguard the diversity of the Maldivian reefs and ocean.Following the Maldives mass coral bleaching incident in 1998, Angsana Maldives Ihuru has been a pioneer of mineral accretion technology as well as planting coral gardens using a variety of man-made materials.Guests are invited to take part in the remediation of small natural reefs in the lagoon, with the intention to relocate corals from areas where it is at risk of damage or where coral colonies are already broken.Located in the South Nilandhe Atoll, partner facility, Banyan Tree Maldives Marine Lab, Velavaru began operations in 2007, and has recently installed a new goshi coral bed in the lagoon next to the previously installed one.

Goshi is an iron bar structure with the shape of a volcano, measuring 4m tall and 4m wide. Currently the Lab maintains five cement gardens and four iron bar structures (including the two goshis).Monthly reef and lagoon clean-ups, supported by both Marine Labs, are scheduled to involve guests and associates in the delicate and important task of preserving the marine environment and keeping it free of any foreign debris brought in by the currents. In addition, regular talks and marine conservation presentations are held weekly to introduce guests in a lively and immediate manner to the origins and types of Indian Ocean corals and fishes.

Findings
On 24 March 2008, the research team from the Banyan Tree Maldives Marine Lab, Vabbinfaru led by Professor Peter Harrison from Southern Cross University, Australia, saw some spectacular coral spawning on the reefs around Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru and Angsana Ihuru Resorts.

More than 30 colonies of nine different species of corals spawned between 8 and 11 pm including branching corals, brain corals, vase corals and massive corals."Coral spawning is critically important to the survival and recovery of coral reefs and will produce new coral larvae that will settle on the Banyan Tree reefs and allow the coral communities to remain healthy in the future" Professor Harrison said.

Professor Harrison
A patron to the Banyan Tree Maldives Marine Lab since early 2007, Prof Harrison is a leading marine scientist from at the Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia. He was also one of the first discoverers of coral spawning at the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland. During his first visit to Banyan Tree Maldives Marine Lab, Vabbinfaru, in April 2007, Prof Harrison conducted coral spawning and reef monitoring research, which he intends to use in presenting scientific papers in upcoming international coral reef meetings. Furthermore, Prof Harrison is exploring new methods for effectively promoting coral regrowth and recovery from near catastrophic events.


About Angsana Resorts & Spa

Angsana is the sister brand of Banyan Tree, comprising contemporary, chic and vibrant retreats. Based in pristine natural locales and exciting city hubs, Angsana hotels, resorts, residences, spas and retail galleries exude the spirit and conscience of its environment.Managed by the Banyan Tree Group, Angsana Resorts & Spa operates over 10 resorts and hotels, over 40 spas, and in excess of 40 retail galleries.