Maldives' Six Senses Resorts Offer 5 Nights Free For Voluntourism

Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili by Six Senses are offering the opportunity to give something back. For the next six months, the Eco Season package provides five complimentary nights to guests who book and pay for five nights, in exchange for guests' committing to five hours of valuable and motivating work during the first five days of a luxurious 10-night stay.

This unique voluntourism offer will allow guests to work on local community projects, such as marine conservation, teaching children, planting trees and learning how to turn waste into wealth. Already well known for their support and respect for local communities, the Soneva resorts are inviting guests to put the strap-line "Intelligent Luxury" into practice.

While most people come to the Maldives to relax within the turquoise lagoons and enjoy the sumptuous Soneva villas, beaches and exceptional dining and excursion experiences, guests now have the chance to go behind-the-scenes and discover how much more there is to the wonderfully hospitable and cultural Maldivian atolls.

Guests can choose from the following areas of work to help give back to the Maldives:

Marine Conservation - divers and snorkelers will be taught how to boost coral reef recovery and learn more about how to protect the dwindling shark community.

Waste Management - learn how to create home-made compost, charcoal and biochar, to encourage locals into self-sufficiency and thereby reduce importation of food that can be grown at home.

Carbon Mitigation - plant trees on nearby islands to give Soneva neighbors much-needed shade and to mitigate levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Youth Education - give local island schools a 30-minute talk on the importance of waste management and composting and discuss Western culture and geography. Guests are invited to share their own relevant expertise in whichever field they specialize.

Boost Local Island Income - assist local families by learning the skill of making cadjan roofing material to sell and public rubbish bins for raising awareness of waste management. This not only helps create revenue streams for the islands that struggle to find alternative methods, but also helps to keep their islands in pristine condition.

The Eco Season package is valid June 1 to October 12, based on published rack rates. It is valid for combined resort stays (Soneva Gili and Soneva Fushi) with a total of 10 consecutive nights, or all 10 days may be booked at one resort. Guests are required to commit five hours per day to community work for the first days of their stay. Reservations must be made a minimum of two weeks in advance, in order to design a tailor-made voluntourism program. The five complimentary nights refer to accommodation only and are not granted according to the number of days volunteered at each resort.

www.hotelsmag.com

The Former veterans of RAF visits the Former RAF Base – Gan Island, Addu Atoll

The Former Royal Air force veterans have visited Maldives yesterday for a reunion in the former RAF base – Gan Island, Addu Atoll. The group who are visiting Gan Island consists of 49 members including family members, 29 of them are the former Royal Air force veterans who were employed in former base during the 1950’s. The group visit to Maldives was arranged by the UK Tour operator Cosmos Monarch Holidays. Together with Cosmos Monarch Holidays, Kaimoo Travels & Hotel services, Island Aviation services and Maldives Tourism promotion board extended a warm welcome for the visiting RAF veterans in both the international airports, in Male and Gan.

The whole of Addu Atoll was also prepared for the occasion. The entire team received a rapturous welcome from the locals. They were greeted by cultural performances from the Maradhoo youths club. A series of activities have been prearranged for the event which includes meeting the locals, a Tour of Addu atoll (Feydhoo, MFeydhoo, Hithadhoo, Gan Island, HulhuMeedhoo). Furthermore their itinerary includes visiting the significant historical locations in Gan which includes World War II memorial, the base used by RAF during World War II in Hulhu Meedhoo and visiting various structures used by the RAF during World War II. The locals of Addu have also arranged Volleyball Match and a Football Match between two selected teams amongst the youth.

The Royal Airforce Base in Gan Island – Addu atoll was formed during British was occupied. The Base was first used by the British Marine royals in 1941. In 1957 the Royal Air Force took over and construction of a permanent runway began. It was used primarily as a staging post for military aircraft. Other nation’s air forces also used it as a stopover. The base was finally closed down on 31 March 1976.

www.visitmaldives.com

Maldives won the top islands awards at 2009 Condé Nast traveler awards

The Maldives has topped the poles in 22nd Annual Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards leaving other popular beach destinations such as Bali, Phuket and Seychelles trailing behind in its wake.

The award, which was announced on Thursday, October 15th night, was for Top Islands Award. The Maldives scored consistently highly in categories which included variety of activities, atmosphere / ambiance, great beaches, friendliness of people, range of lodging, food and restaurants and scenery. The overall score was an impressive 87.50, out of a total of 100.

This year, 25,008 readers responded the annual Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice survey and the results were announced at the Readers’ Choice Awards gala which was held at New York City’s IAC Building hosted by Stanley Tucci and Mary Louise Parker.

On top of this accolade, the Maldives also bask in the reflected glory of a number of its resorts was recognised in the Top Resorts – Asia category. These resorts includes Soneva Fushi by Six Senses, Maldives at number fifteen, Soneva Gili by Six Senses, Maldives which took twentieth place and One & Only Reethi Rah, Maldives which came in at number twenty four.

Condé Nast Traveler’s annual reader awards are regarded as one of the most authoritative in the US tourism industry. The magazine has an unbending ‘truth in travel’ policy and is renowned for its editorial integrity. The questionnaire was available to all readers through a secure Wed site and the results were collated and analysed by Mediamark Research, Inc., of New York City.

www.visitmaldives.com

The Maldives offer "breathtaking beauty"

Strictly Come Dancing star Bruno Tonioli has claimed the Indian Ocean location provides holidaymakers with stunning natural landscapes and modern wonders.


People who like to enjoy the best of both worlds should visit the Maldives, it has been claimed.

Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli, writing for the Daily Mail, said his Indian Ocean holiday had both stunning natural wonders and contemporary offerings.

"From first thing in the morning to last thing at night, you are surrounded by breathtaking beauty," he remarked, adding that while the Maldives "feels otherworldly" it also has "modern connections".

Those with a BlackBerry have access to 3G networks, Tonioli explained, while Wi-Fi is also available for laptop users.

However, technophobes were told that the biggest attraction of the island country is the ocean, with small fish swimming in the local reef like "little jewels".

According to the dancing expert, he himself took a dip with sharks and witnessed turtles.

 
www.wexas.com
Photo: www.dailymail.co.uk

Travel agency seeks 'honeymoon tester'

A travel company is seeking a couple to spend six months visiting the world's most romantic and exotic destinations to review honeymoon breaks.

Sipping champagne, lying on a white sandy beach and swimming in crystal clear waters isn't your typical day at the office, but for one lucky couple it will involve just that after a travel agency advertised for a 'honeymoon tester'.

In what could possibly be the world's greatest job, one fortunate pair will be paid £18,000 to sip champagne and relax on beaches in locations including the Maldives, Thailand and Zanzibar.

According to the job description, they will be required to sample cocktails, test outdoor waterfall showers and '"lie in hammocks slung between two palm trees".

After six months of travelling, the hard-working couple are then asked to report back their findings to the travel agency.

According to the company, candidates must "appreciate good service, fine dining and luxurious surroundings" as well as have a "friendly personality".

The position, billed as the "Ultimate Job", was announced by Irish travel agency Runaway Bride and Groom.

Applications for the job can be made online until 12am on April 1.

Rosemarie Meleady, managing director of Runaway Bride and Groom, said: "The job is so horrendous that we are willing to pay the candidate 20 thousand euro for six months of their time.

"And, as it would be very difficult to test out the rose petal Jacuzzis, hammocks made for two, the outdoor waterfall showers and the infinity pools alone, we will pay for their romantically linked other half to accompany them on the trip.

"The successful candidate will be required to report back their verdict to us."

To qualify, potential employees will make a 90 second video marketing Ireland as a wedding destination of choice and to say why they and their romantically-linked other half are the best couple for the job.

They must also write 200 words stating why they should be chosen for the job.

The 'honeymoon tester' is said to rival 'the world's best job' which was last year named as caretaker of an Australian tropical island which went to Ben Southall, from Hampshire.

www.telegraph.co.uk

Maldives Dive Travel Launches Affiliate Program

Maldives Dive Travel today launched the Maldives Dive Travel affiliate program, making it the first provider of liveaboard scuba diving holidays in the Maldives to offer paid commissions to affiliates. The Maldives Dive Travel affiliate program comes complete with comprehensive affiliate training and a wide selection of banners, light boxes, text links and other promotional features that can all be easily added to the affiliate’s website, blog Facebook profile. Or Twitter account. Maldives Dive Travel is the leading provider of liveaboard scuba diving holidays in the Maldives, offering a selection of ten liveaboard dive boats that suit a variety of tastes and budgets.

“This program is an obvious win-win for Maldives Dive Travel and our affiliates, both large and small,” said Mona Sutherland, Maldives Dive Travel’s Affiliate Director. “By working with affiliate websites, we're not only expanding access to Maldives Dive Travel, but are giving site owners the ability to connect to a renowned and reliable provider of Maldives holidays, creating a quick and easy way for them to generate additional revenue online.

”Maldives Dive Travel welcomes affiliates that are connected with the scuba diving and travel industries, as well as specific Maldives websites. Joining the affiliate program is free and all affiliates are given a $50 credit upon sign up.Other benefits of the Maldives Dive Travel affiliate program include:
• 8% commission on all sales originating from affiliates’ websites.
• The biggest selection of scuba diving holidays in the Maldives.
• Friendly, competent and knowledgeable sales team.
• Constantly-updated website complete with valuable information which makes your users come back more often and eventually make a booking.
• All affiliates are paid by check or PayPal each month. On time every time.
• Complete support system for affiliates.

The Maldives Dive Travel team (maldivesdivetravel.com) has over 20 years of experience in the Maldives, one of the finest scuba diving destinations in the world. Particularly popular among divers from Europe and Asia, who flock to the Maldivian waters to dive with whale sharks, manta rays, hammerheads, napoleonfish and other amazing marine life, the Maldives is now gaining popularity among scuba enthusiasts from other parts of the world, including the Americas and Australasia.

www.newswiretoday.com

Centara Maldives gets 5-star ratings on TripAdvisor website

The first overseas property to be opened by Thailand's Centara Hotels & Resorts, the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives, located at the South Ari Atoll in the Republic of Maldives, is attracting favourable reports from guests, according to TripAdvisor.com. The resort, which opened in November 2009, is regularly attracting five-star ratings from holidaymakers, the highest level that can be awarded.

TripAdvisor.com is a free travel guide and research website that assists customers in gathering travel information, posting opinions of travel related issues and engaging in interactive travel forums.
"We regard TripAdvisor as an extremely valuable feedback resource that lets us know, no-holds-barred, what our guests really think of our hotels and resorts," says Chris Bailey, senior vice president for sales and marketing at Centara Hotels & Resorts.

"Ninety percent of guests contributing on TripAdvisor have given us a full five-star rating, and we are consistently attracting very favourable comments across our entire range of services."
"My wife and I went there for a week on our honeymoon, and I have to say it was the perfect choice," wrote one guest. "Overall, a stunningly beautiful, friendly, relaxing high quality place, absolutely perfect for a honeymoon. We've been looking at the photos wishing we were back there."

"I went to Centara for my honeymoon," wrote another newly-wed. "I stayed in a Luxury Sunset Water Villa. It was just like a dream and I can tell you it was the best vacation I have ever had. Villa was very, very good and the sea was so clear." "This is my first time at Maldives and second time at a Centara Group hotel. I can say that I am 100 percent satisfied," wrote another guest. "We won't hesitate to stay at this hotel again and we suggest Centara Grand Resort and Spa Maldives to all our friends."

Quality of the food was commented on by many of the guests. "Being Thai, the attention to detail was wonderful - the food particularly was amazing, every lunchtime and night a different buffet. Beautifully presented, fresh and a great variety," was a typical comment. The quality of the snorkelling has been reported on by many guests, as snorkel diving is an integral part of the resort.

"The snorkelling and scuba diving at the Centara were excellent," wrote one guest. "We spent every day snorkelling from our water villa, and with the house reef directly in front of our villa we regularly saw reef sharks, rays, puffer fish and hundreds of different types of reef fish."
Another guest wrote that, "The snorkelling off the decking was fantastic. The reef was at the bottom of the steps! Our two children, age seven and nine, had an amazing time and enjoyed the snorkelling."Everyone commenting on the staff had favourable comments to make. "The staff were outstanding, have not experienced better service. Pampered you to every extent possible and largely responsible for all of us gaining a couple of pounds and inches," wrote one guest.
"Staff. Undoubtedly the resort's greatest asset. The Maldivian staff were universally wonderful," commented another.

The full list of comments on Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives can be found on the TripAdvisor site athttp://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298324-d1576423-Reviews-Centara_Grand_Island_Resort_Spa-South_Ari_Atoll.html

International hotel chains express interest in Herethere

Four international parties have expressed interest in managing Herethere Island Resort in Addu Atoll, Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has said.MTDC opened the opportunity on February 6, for interested parties to submit proposals before March 9, and there were no local proposals, the company said.

The companies include, Santra Hotels and Resorts of Thailand, Amaary Kalaz and Rhythms of Thailand, Pan Pacific Hotel Group of Singapore and Switzerland’s Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts.Santra Hotels has 30 years of experience with 20 resorts in operation while Amaary currently manages 11 resorts with 45 years of experience in the industry. Pan Pacific Hotels, formerly Hotel Plaza Limited (HPL) has 30 resorts and hotels in operation and Mövenpick runs 90 hotels specializing in first-class service.

MTDC said it would provide opportunities to submit bids, after evaluating the interested parties, according to the Memorandum of Information (MOI). The MOI requires MTDC to complete the evaluation process within seven days and give a 21-day period for submission of bids.“The Directors Board will decide on the eligible bidders after considering the proposals. We shall provide the opportunity to all the eligible parties,” an MTDC official said.According to the tender announcement, the opportunity to submit proposals was open to both local and international parties with a minimum experience of running a four star, 300-bed hotel for five years.

The applicant should be able to procure funds from an international bank and pay a non-refundable deposit of US$ 7-10 million to MTDC, at the time of signing the contract.MTDC also requested the companies to submit supporting documents as proof for their experience, financial situation and availability of funds.

www.haveeru.com.mv

Maldives To Fight Rising Sea Levels With Floating Islands

The tiny island nation of the Maldives is under serious threat from rising sea levels caused by climate change. No part of the 1200 islands which make up the Maldives is more than six feet above sea level, so as sea-levels rise (as they will if rampant climate change is not stopped), the entire nation will be under water. Because of this, the Maldives government is pulling out all the stops in the fight against climate change.


Not only has the entire country gone carbon neutral, educated all of their children in environmental science and furiously built retaining walls around every island, but the government is buying up land in nearby nations as a place to retreat to when the Maldives disappears. Now it appears that the intrepid Maldivians have come up with a new strategy to fight the rising tide: creating mini floating islands!

The Maldives government and Dutch Docklands/Dutch Watervalley just signed an agreement today to develop several floating facilities for the islands, including a convention center and golf courses. Designed by architect Koen Olthuis of Waterstudio.NL, the people who brought you the Citadel floating apartment complex and these amazing floating homes, the renderings for the amphibious mini-cities appear depict star-shaped, tiered islands with indoor spaces hidden under lush green-roof terraces, complete with interior pools and beaches.

While exact design details of these new floating islands are still unavailable, we do know that Dutch Docklands knows a thing or two about creating water developments using methods and procedures that reduce impact on underwater life and minimize changes to coastal morphology. We also know that architect Koen Olthuis is a force to be reckoned with, so we can’t wait to see these creative designs come to fruition.

At the signing ceremony, Mahmood Razi, Chairman of the Privatisation Committee said the Maldives plans to seek the assistance of Dutch Docklands to develop floating housing units in the Maldives in the future.

www.inhabitat.com

The Beach House Maldives Joins Waldorf Astoria

The Beach House Maldives has joined Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts. The resort was renamed, ‘The Beach House Maldives, The Waldorf Astoria Collection’ on Monday.
Located on the pristine, lagoon-ringed Haa Alifu Atoll which is fringed by powder-white beaches and has unspoilt leafy jungle at its centre, the 35-acre resort comprises 83 Maldivian-style villas, three restaurants, four bars and a luxurious spa. Each villa comes complete with a private pool and butler.

“An independently branded hotel since 2007, The Beach House Maldives has built a solid reputation for world-class luxury and quality that epitomises the Waldorf Astoria name,” said Martin Rinck, President Hilton Worldwide – Asia Pacific. “The Maldives remains one of the most sought-after luxury leisure destinations in the world, and we are delighted to be able to offer our guests the unique experience of Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts on the beautifully private and breathtaking island of Manafaru.”

Hilton Worldwide’s management team has been in situ at the resort since 1st July 2009 and has overseen a number of key developments as part of the US$58 million renovation project, which has led to resort becoming the first Waldorf Astoria property in Asia Pacific. The resort’s four restaurants and three bars have been redesigned to incorporate local heritage and ingredients with global influences. Including over-water fine-dining restaurant Saffron, a Tapas and Sangria bar with a Maldivian edge at the Mediterranean-themed Salt Water and martinis and cocktails inspired by Waldorf Astoria properties around the world at Infiniti; each dining experience offers a local twist.

The new Art Gallery showcasing local art together with a café serving traditional Maldivian High Tea has also just been introduced. And 30 Degrees offers private dining in a glass-floored over-water pavilion. New wine experiences created by renowned Master of Wine, Ron Georgiou, include the introduction of a wine-tasting journey at the underground Cellar restaurant. And for those looking to truly experience a desert island getaway, neighbouring private island Medafushi offers a wealth of experiences including a four-poster bed on the beach complete with lanterns, chill-out tunes and food.

Upgraded villa and restaurant interiors and new spa programmes from UK based Aromatherapy Associates, Ayurvedic philosophies and traditional Maldivian treatments are also in place, with developments to the Kids Club, and new designer retail boutiques. The opportunity to sample an insight into the history of the Maldives will be on offer with excursions to the nearby island of Utheem, home to a Sultan’s Palace. Transfers to the resort have also been improved with a direct 75-minute seaplane transfer offered as an alternative to a domestic flight and boat transfer.

www.asiatraveltips.com

Maldives will be the top long-haul destination for 2010

With concerns about the weakness of the pound lingering, British tourists may find long-haul destinations offer better value for money than hotspots closer to home.
Frances Tuke, spokesperson for the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), has claimed that there are many long-haul destinations offering exceptional holiday money value at present.
She added that even in traditionally expensive holiday hotspots such as the US are now cheaper because the global economic turmoil has brought down the cost of living, making a weak pound stretch further.


"Certainly any developing nation is good for us too. If you are going to five-star hotels you are going to [be] paying western prices," she explained, clarifying that the lower cost of living in countries such as Thailand, Egypt, Sri Lanka and Malaysia may offset this.

Her comments followed recent research carried out by ABTA and Kuoni, the Maldives will be the top long-haul destination for 2010, followed by Thailand and the US.



www.corporate-fx.co.uk

Ten of the world’s most amazing bedrooms - fit for a king

Specialists in proving luxury holidaysabroad, sovereign.com, has discovered 10 of the world’s most amazing 5-star hotel bedrooms fit for a king with aquarium views, glass floors, bling beds and even healing waters!

• Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Maldives
If you fancy a change then how about a room with a round bed! The Sunset Villas at the Conrad Maldives not only have this focual point but also have the relaxing charm of being in crystal clear waters and the chance to eat 16ft below sea level in the world’s first all-glass restaurant.




• The Beach House at Manafaru, Maldives
The Maldives ooze decadence and water villas at The Beach House in Manafuru have a glass floor at the end of the bed looking down into the crystal clear water. You can spot tropical fish and have the relaxing reflection of water in your room without even leaving the bed!

Read the full article: click here

Shark fishery banned in Maldives

Update: 3rd March 2010 [ The circular has been withdrawn and shark fishery ban would be implemented later]

Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture has imposed a total ban on all forms of fishing for any species of sharks in the Maldives waters.The ministry said in a press release, recent researches have revealed that shark finishing had negative impacts on tourism and fishery. The ministry added that sharks played an important role in maintaining the underwater habitat, as they were at the highest level in the food chain.


The press statement also read the population of sharks in Maldives was endangered, as shark species have slow growth, late maturity, and low fecundity. “The researches carried out on the situation of shark fishing in Maldives, have proved that shark species might be completely wiped out from Maldives,” the release added.



http://www.haveeru.com.mv/

Tourist arrivals to Maldives increase by 9.7 percent

Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has revealed that the number of tourists who visited the country last January increased by 9.7 percent, compared to January of last year.

A press release issued by the Ministry read, while 53,000 tourists visited in January of 2009 67,478 tourists visited Maldives last month.

The Ministry said that according to the statistics received from Immigration Department, most tourists visited from European countries, adding that European countries shared 76.1 percent of tourist arrivals in January, with 53,334 tourists.

The Ministry also said tourists used 79,562 beds in 88 resorts last month, out of 20,804 beds registered in 97 resorts.

www.haveeru.com.mv