MTDC invites proposals for Herethere

Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has opened the opportunity for interested parties to submit proposals to operate Herethere Island Resort.MTDC said the Directors Board of the company decided that it will be better for an experienced and capable party to run the 456 bed resort in Addu Atoll.

According to the tender announcement, the opportunity is open to both local and international parties with a minimum experience of running a 4 or a 5 star, 300 bed hotel for five years. The applying company should be able to procure funds from an international bank.

The company should also pay a non-refundable deposit of US$ 7 to 10 million at the time of signing the contract.Managing Director of MTDC said the advance payment will ensure that the successful company is capable of managing the resort.“Herethere has received a permanent license to run the resort. There are 150 tourists in the resort, at present.

The company will earn income even at the beginning. We considered everything and decided that a large sum of money should be paid in advance by the company, as a commitment.” He said.According to the announcement, the successful company will be selected by referring to the experience and financial capabilities. The company should submit supporting documents as proofs for its experience, financial situation and availability of funds.MTDC has not revealed the duration of the agreement.

The company however, said the duration of the contract will be concluded by referring to the proposal submitted by the successful party.Government issued the license to MTDC at US$2500 per bed rate.MTDC signed an agreement on May 26, 2008 with Yacht Tours to operate the resort for 20 years at a rate of US$ 18,196 per bed. However, MTDC is managing the resort since 25 December 2009, as the agreement with Yacht Tours was terminated. Disputes between the two companies were settled outside the court.

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MATATO urges allotment of beds to local tour operators

Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has urged Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), to allot at least 51 percent of beds at Herethere Island Resort, to Maldivian tour operators.

The proposal was made days after MTDC invited both local and international parties to submit proposals to run the resort.In a letter to Mohamed Mihadh, the Managing Director of MTDC, the Association said it was important to open opportunities to local tour operators, in the current downturn faced by the industry.

“While selling the management of a resort owned by a company, where many Maldivians hold shares, it is crucial to include an item in the management contract, making it mandatory to allocate at least 51 percent of beds to local tour operators,” MATATO said in the letter.

Mohamed Maleeh, Secretary General of MATATO noted local tour operators have competitive and minor opportunities in the industry. He also emphasized that MTDC can change the present situation faced by local tour operators.“Even if we look at the situation in Sri Lanka, they give priority to local tour operators.

As many Maldivians hold shares in MTDC, we need to open more opportunities to Maldivian tour operators,” he said. MATATO was formed in mid-2006, when MTDC was developing Herethere Island Resort in Addu Atoll. Since its foundation, the Association has been urging MTDC to allocate more beds of its resorts, to Maldivian tour operators.

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Jumeirah expands in Maldives with offering of luxury resort

The Dubai-based luxury hotel operator that manages Burj Al Arab, yesterday said it has signed an agreement with Xanadu Holdings Private Limited to manage Jumeirah Meradhoo, a new five-star deluxe resort located in Gaafu Alifu Atoll, south of the Malé Atoll.

"This is the second phase of the group's expansion strategy in an area which is recognised as the world's top luxury resort destination," Jumeirah said in a statement. The 36-villa resort is located on an uninhabited island of 45,000 square metres, with 16 of the villas forming a unique water village separated from the main island by one kilometre of coral reef, providing guests with an exclusive "two resort" island. Each of the water village villas will measure a spacious 240 square metres, while the 20 luxury beach villas on the main island will be approximately 300 square metres.
Jumeirah Meradhoo will also feature a dive centre, offering guests access to one of the best reefs in the Maldives; three restaurants and a bar, and a Talise spa. The resort will complement Jumeirah Maldives, the group's other development in the Maldives, which also offers a selection of water and beach villas, three restaurants and a bar, a Talise spa, and a dive centre. With these two distinctive properties Jumeirah will be able to cater to guests looking for an exclusive retreat over two islands.

The proximity of Jumeir-ah Maldives to Malé International Airport will be beneficial to guests of both resorts as the group plans to develop innovative combination packages. Jumeirah Meradhoo is the second management agreement signed by the group in the Maldives and brings the total number of properties under development or in operation by Jumeirah globally to 42.

www.zawya.com

See also: Jumeirah Maldives opening in early 2011

Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo wins TripAdvisor 2010 award

Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo a John Keells Hotels in the Maldives has won the coveted TripAdvisor 2010 Travellers Choice award and is in the fifth position of the top 10 resorts in Asia in the Romance Category.

TripAdvisor, the world's most trusted source of travel advice, announced the winners of its 2010 Travellers' Choice awards. With 719 properties around the world winning awards this year, the eighth annual competition is the largest ever, including new categories such as trendiest hotels, best relaxation/spas and world's top hotels by region.


Unlike any other hotel honors in the world, TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice winners are based on the millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions from travellers on TripAdvisor.com.
"Inspired by millions of trusted traveller reviews and opinions on TripAdvisor.com, the Travellers' Choice awards once again highlight the finest hotels in the world," said Christine Petersen, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. "Travellers worldwide are recognising more than 700 hotels for their outstanding service, value and quality."

Travellers reviewed Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo as "Paradise Found", "Could this be Heaven", "Fantastic, would go back in a Flash" and "Paradise in a Small Package". Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo situated in the North Ari Atoll of the Maldives is considered to be one of the best locations for scuba divers and snorkelers in the world with its easily accessible house reef teeming with a myriad of marine life in every hue of the rainbow.

The resort with a 112 bungalows which includes 24 over water bungalows is a perfect romantic getaway and a paradise for divers. The four John Keells Hotels in the Maldives are Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo, Chaaya Island Dhonveli, Chaaya Lagoon Hakura Huraa and Cinnamon Island Alidhoo.

www.dailymirror.lk

Maldives government to average the resorts rent

The government decides to introduce a national average rent for the resorts, an official said on Sunday. When questioned about the meeting between the president Mohamed Nasheed and officials of Maldives Association of Tourism Industries (MATI), press secretary Mohamed Zuhair said the government has established a committee to research the national average rent. The committee members are attorney general Husnuh Suood, minister of transport and communication Mahmood Razee and minister of environment and housing Mohamed Aslam.

He added instead of increasing the resorts rent, the government’s policy is to introduce mid-market tourism. “The president has discussed how to lower the existing rent rates,” he said. “Government believes if the mid-market is introduced for the holiday makers, the resorts can be operated with a low rent. Also if the 65 developing resorts are targeted for the mid-market, the president believes the rent would be low and also would be easier to expand the investment,“At the meeting, the president discussed on finding a solution for the high rented 65 developing resorts.

”The chairman of Villa Hotels and Resorts MP Gasim Ibrahim and other the officials have requested the president to fix a formula to fix resorts rent, he added. Including Gasim, also the vice-president of MATI, other members participated at the meeting were Ahmed Nazeer, MATI financial controller; MATI secretary general Sim Ibrahim Mohamed; Ibrahim Nooradheen, MATI deputy secretary general; Dr Ali Sawad, minister of tourism, arts and culture and the ministry’s permanent secretary Ahmed Solih.

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Astronaut sends Twitpics of Maldives from space

Now that the International Space Station has been hooked up to the Web, the astronauts onboard have been going Twitter-crazy. One of them - expedition flight engineer Soichi Noguchi - has been sending all manner of Twitpics back to solid ground.


While flying over Moscow, Singapore, Munich, Rome, Haiti, Florida and many other places, Soichi aimed his phone (or, more likely, camera) out of the window and snapped a shot. The results can be seen on his Twitpic feed - and are rather impressive, particularly the shots of the Maldives, Mt Fuji and Tokyo at night.

Read the original news.

Maldives Tourism Statistics - November 2009

At the end of November 2009, the total registered bed capacity of 96 resorts and 14 hotels
was 21,792 (20,604 beds in resorts and 1,188 beds in hotels). Out of the registered capacity,
on average 20,065 beds were in operation during this period. Tourist arrivals to the Maldives
recorded a decline of 4.9% for the period and tourist bed nights of resorts and hotels also
dropped by 5.9% compared with the same period in 2008. Average occupancy rate of resorts
and hotels was 70.1% for the period and the average duration of stay was 8.7 days. Read more

Centara offers all-inclusive packages at newly opened Maldives resort

Centara Hotels & Resorts is offering an all-inclusive package at its newly opened Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives with which guests can enjoy a four-night stay inclusive of all meals and unlimited beverages at rates starting from USD599 net per room night, depending on the category of room and the season.

The offer is available between now and 21st December 2010, with all prices quoted being inclusive of service charge and prevailing government tax.

Guests selecting the Maldives On Sale package can choose from any of the room types at the resort and inclusive with the accommodation will receive daily buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner at Reef restaurant.

Also included is a one-time opportunity to dine at Lotus, the Thai restaurant, or Azzuri Mare, the Italian restaurant. Additional visits are available with a credit against a la carte consumption of USD 40 per adult and USD 20 per child.

The price includes an open-bar service with house pouring brands of spirits and mixers, white, red and sparkling wine, beer, and cocktails of the day between 11am and midnight daily, with soft drinks and mineral water available throughout the day.

Afternoon tea and an afternoon ice cream station for the children is part of the package, as is complimentary use of non-motorised water sports excluding diving and snorkeling equipment.
Prices are based on a two-person occupancy, or four-person for the two-bedroom accommodation, with a daily surcharge of USD175 per adult and USD75 per child plus government bed tax of USD8 net per person.

Set amongst the perfect islands and blue ocean of South Ari Atoll in the Republic of Maldives, 25 minutes by seaplane from Male, Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives offers the ultimate in barefoot luxury along with a range of exciting activities that will appeal both to couples and to families.

Featuring 112 suites and villas, the resort offers diving and snorkeling enthusiasts outstanding opportunities including an excellent house reef complete with a dedicated sunken ship wreck, and is within easy reach of the top dive spots in the Maldives.

For details, visit website at http://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/package/MaldivesOnSales.asp