Maldives Tourism Update

Dusit Thani Maldives Welcomes First Guest

2012-02-09T11:30:00.000+05:00

Dusit Thani Maldives has opened its doors and welcomed its first guests, Richard and Susan Griffith of the United Kingdom, on February 6th. The Griffiths, yielding from London, England, first visited the Maldives in 1982. Mr. Griffith is a diving enthusiast and eager to explore the resort’s 360-degree house reef and turquoise lagoon on Mudhdhoo Island. Located on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll,

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Introduces Over-the-Top Valentine’s Day Package

2012-02-09T11:27:00.001+05:00

Waldorf Astoria’s uber-luxe property on the Maldivian archipelago is second-to-none in pampering. And there is no better way to take advantage of its wonders than the indulgent package the hotel has introduced in honor of Valentine’s Day. Lasting through the end of February, the five-night program begins with a private transfer in the resort’s branded seaplane, replete with canapés, fresh juices

The Maldives once again is the place for UK customers

2012-02-04T21:51:00.001+05:00

The Maldives has once again topped Kuoni's annual poll of where UK customers want to spend their holidays. In the company's top ten selling destinations for 2012, the Indian Ocean archipelago has held on to the top slot since 2005. Where holidaymakers want to go is just part of leading tour operator Kuoni's annual Travel Trends Report. The 20-page report also tracks hot travel trends and the top

Viceroy Maldives resort to open 2 April 2012

2012-02-04T21:47:00.000+05:00

Viceroy Hotel Group have announced that the Viceroy Maldives resort will officially open on 2 April 2012. The intimate 61-villa island resort, part of the company’s steadily expanding Viceroy Hotels and Resorts brand, is set on the archipelago’s pristine Vagaru Island. Each of the resort’s luxury beachfront or water villas are nestled on the white sand beachfront or set directly on the

Baros Maldives Acclaimed as World’s Leading Water Villa Resort

2012-01-26T23:19:00.001+05:00

Baros Maldives (http://www.baros.com/), the award-winning resort in the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Maldives, has just won another important award, being acclaimed as the World’s Leading Water Villa. The award was presented at the World Travel Awards ceremony held in Doha in January 2012, as a result of voting by the world’s travel professionals. The awards are the most comprehensive, the

Dusit Thani Maldives resort to open in early February 2012

2012-01-26T23:10:00.001+05:00

Dusit International confirms the opening of Dusit Thani Maldives on 6 February 2012. Surrounded by a vibrant 360-degree coral reef and turquoise lagoon, this island property features pearl white sandy beaches and a rich landscape of verdant vegetation. Dusit Thani Maldives is considered a landmark addition to this fast expanding brand. Located on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll, Dusit Thani

One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives Partners with Institut Esthederm Paris in First for The Maldives

2012-01-11T21:16:00.001+05:00

One&Only Reethi Rah has opened an exclusive Sun Spa partnering with innovative French skincare brand, Institut Esthederm Paris. Sun Spa Esthederm at One&Only Reethi Rah is the only Sun Spa in The Maldives: providing tailored sun care and tanning programmes for guests. The Sun Spa Esthederm is a unique service which will identify each guest's individual skin sun potential and advise them on the

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa launches a new community development initiative ‘Hadahaa Thrive’

2012-01-11T21:09:00.000+05:00

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, which opened in the pristine and undisturbed Gaafu Alifu Atoll in April 2011, has launched Hadahaa Thrive – a new initiative enabling employees to continue to contribute to their communities despite living away from home. Currently more than 55% of the resort’s employees are Maldivian and despite most coming from the nearby islands, the remote location of Hadahaa

Conrad Maldives Unveils Three Spectacular New Suites

2012-01-11T21:04:00.000+05:00

Following an $8 million renovation, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has added three new suites to its roster of luxe accommodations. The award-winning six-star resort, situated over two islands, has been part of an ongoing refurbishment that started with the transformation of its 28 Water Villas, which were altered into contemporary overwater retreats in November. It has now upped the ante with

‘A World of Flavors’ at the Sheraton Maldives

2011-12-30T20:58:00.001+05:00

Miles away from home in the picturesque islands of the Maldives, whether you are just soaking up the sun or exploring the depths of the ocean, you are bound for sure to work up an appetite for a feast by the end of the day. With a similar thought in mind, the main buffet restaurant of Feast at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa has recently introduced special themed nights titled ‘A

Cristiano Ronaldo in Maldives for holiday

2011-12-26T00:01:00.001+05:00

Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo has arrived in Maldives Tuesday to spend his winter holidays. Ronaldo is holidaying at the Anantara Kihavah Villas in Baa atoll with his girlfriend, Russian model Irina Shayk, and four-year-old son. The Real Madrid striker also visited the Maldives in December 2010 to spend his winter holidays. Photos of him and his bikini-clad girlfriend holidaying

Floating Island development in Maldives takes next development step

2011-12-16T20:45:00.001+05:00

The Maldives Floating Island project, developed by the world-renowned Dutch Docklands company, the industry innovators in floating technology, has shortlisted six golf design candidates from twenty-four tender acknowledgements. The shortlisted six, which includes major champions and Ryder Cup legends, presented individual plans to the Dutch Docklands Board following the culmination of the

Maldives - A Video Diary

2011-12-16T20:41:00.001+05:00

A video diary entry from Billabong model/surfer & singer/songwriter Catherine Clark.

Anantara Resorts Maldives resorts scoop top green certification

2011-12-16T20:37:00.001+05:00

Anantara Resorts has proudly achieved Green Globe Certification for its two resorts in the Maldives’ South Male Atoll, Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa and Anantara Veli Resort & Spa. The duo joins the luxury hotel operator’s latest Anantara Kihavah Villas deluxe sanctuary in a hat trick achievement. The exclusive Naladhu Maldives resort, managed by Anantara Resorts, has also been awarded this

Jumeirah Vittaveli Opens

2011-12-16T20:30:00.000+05:00

Jumeirah has announced the opening of Vittaveli Maldives, the ultra-luxury resort catering for couples, families and small groups. Located a mere 20 minutes by speedboat from Malé International Airport, Jumeirah Vittaveli is a convenient option for travellers visiting the Maldives and it is the second Maldives luxury hotel opened by Jumeirah in 2011. Nestled in a spot of astounding beauty,

W Hotels Director of Cocktail Culture introduces 2011 holiday cocktail menu at W Retreat & Spa - Maldives

2011-12-12T21:19:00.001+05:00

This holiday season, W Hotels Worldwide introduces a selection of festive cocktails to be offered at W Hotels around the world, courtesy of Joseph Boroski, the Director of Cocktail Culture for W Hotels globally. The 2011 menu includes unique creations such as Mint Wreather, a cool combination of fresh mint leaves, crème de cacao, crème de menthe and sparkling wine, garnished with a candy cane,

‘Unplug 2011 & Play 2012’ with Enur this New Year Eve at W Maldives

2011-12-12T21:15:00.001+05:00

This New Year Eve, amplify the night as W’s electric energy fuses with the Maldives sense of eternity at W Retreat & Spa – Maldives. Enur, the Danish DJ's who brought us the saxophone riff, hooky and thumping beat of the international hit 'Calabria' will countdown live to the New Year at W Happenings ‘UNPLUG 2011 & PLAY 2012’ in W Retreat & Spa – Maldives. The Copenhagen-based dance producer

Maldives wins Favourite Worldwide Beach Destination award

2011-12-02T20:33:00.001+05:00

The Maldives has been awarded the Favourite Worldwide Beach Destination by Sunday Times Travel Magazine readers. After counting this year's votes, the UK's leading travel magazine awarded the honour to the Maldives on Monday while listing Barbados on the second and Mozambique on the third. At a special ceremony held in the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel in King's Cross, London,

Centara Maldives wins Golden Award for best Indian Ocean hotel

2011-12-02T20:30:00.001+05:00

Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa Maldives has won the Golden Award 2011 for Best Hotel in Indian Ocean. Centara's Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing Chris Bailey received the award, which is presented by Virgin Holidays, during the World Travel Mart held in London in November. "The resort opened late in 2009 and has been immensely successful," Bailey said. Centara Grand,

Diva Maldives rebrands itself as Lux* Maldives

2011-12-01T20:45:00.001+05:00

Diva Maldives has rebranded itself as 'Lux* Maldives' in a move aimed at making a difference in the hotel industry and providing a unique experience to its guests. General Manager Dominik Ruhl told journalists and tour operators during a ceremony held at Traders Hotel's Azure restaurant yesterday that "not much is happening" at the "saturated" five star tourism market in the Maldives. "

Sheraton Maldives launches ‘Celebrate Good Times’

2011-12-01T20:42:00.001+05:00

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa has launched ‘Celebrate Good Times’ activities for the upcoming festive period. Activities ranging from gala dinners to musical performances and themed brunches have been planned among the activities. The activities begin on Christmas Eve with the special Christmas Eve dinner where guests can either enjoy the buffet dinner at the relaxed atmosphere in

Top 5 reasons why the Maldives is a honeymooner's paradise

2011-12-01T20:34:00.001+05:00

If you are considering destinations for your honeymoon, Maldives holidays are ofte recommended. Indeed, there are five factors that help to make the archipelago a must for newlyweds in search of sun, sea and relaxation together. The first is the unrivalled luxury of the accommodation that can be found dotted across the main islands of the archipelago, which consists of more than 1,000 dazzling

Djokovic to holiday in Maldives

2011-11-28T00:06:00.000+05:00

World's top tennis player Novak Djokovic will arrive in the Maldives on Thursday with his family for vacation, media reports say. The Serbian player faced defeat at the ATP World Tour Finals last week as he was eliminated from the season finale by compatriot and close friend Janko Tipsarevic. However, Djokovic and Tipsarevic are scheduled to travel to the Maldives this week with their families

Chongqing - Maldives ‎regular direct flights by Mega Maldives

2011-11-28T00:01:00.001+05:00

Mega Maldives celebrates a major milestone in its short history by launching a brand new service between China and the Maldives. Still within our first year, Mega Maldives Airlines is proud to announce our fourth scheduled route between capital, Male and the Chinese commercial powerhouse of Chongqing, in the heart of south-western mainland China. China has proven itself as being a prominent

EXPLORE STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS ASIA PACIFIC’S EXCLUSIVE VILLA COLLECTION

2011-11-14T16:32:00.003+05:00

With hundreds of luxury villas in Asia Pacific’s top resorts, Starwood’s Villa Collection offers the most savvy travelers a new way to stay and a new way to pla. Starwood Hotels and Resorts is pleased to announce the launch of the Starwood Asia Pacific Villa Collection, bringing together one of the region’s largest collection of luxury villas into one place for guests and travel professionals to

Maldives was simply exhilarating!: Shraddha Kapoor

2011-11-10T17:02:00.000+05:00

A self-proclaimed adventurous person, actress Shraddha Kapoor took to Maldives to discover her true passion — scuba diving. After her return, the actress can’t stop gushing about the new experiences she had and discovering a whole new world! Shraddha’s trip to Maldives which lasted for a week was always on her places-to-visit list. “I definitely wanted to go to Maldives. People say that in 40-

Etihad Starts Flights to Maldives

2011-11-04T18:36:00.001+05:00

Etihad Airways has launched flights to two very exotic Indian Ocean island destinations - the Maldives and the Seychelles - making them 67th and 68th destinations on Etihad's global network, respectively. The airline hopes the flights will be popular among holiday makers from the UAE and those travelling from Europe with a stopover in Abu Dhabi. Both Maldives and the Seychelles are top

Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa opens New Marine Discovery Centre

2011-11-04T18:31:00.001+05:00

The new Marine Discovery Centre (MDC) at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa is an interactive research and education centre that introduces guests and local school children alike to the role everyone can each play in conserving the local and global marine ecosystem. The Centre features audio-visual presentations on specific areas of conservation close to the Kuda Huraa team’s heart,

Kurumba Maldives Wins "Maldives Leading Hotel" in World Travel Awards 2011

2011-11-04T18:23:00.002+05:00

Kurumba Maldives (http://www.kurumba.com/) does Universal Resorts proud again by wining for the second year in a row, the “Maldives Leading Hotel” title at the recent World Travel Awards 2011. The World Travel Awards is described as The Oscars of the global Travel & Tourism Industry. - The Awards, described by the Wall Street Journal as the 'Oscars' of the global travel and tourism industry

Ayada Maldives Resort Opens

2011-11-04T18:10:00.001+05:00

Ayada Maldives, a new resort in the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in the Maldives, is now open and welcoming its first guests. Located amidst a pristine reef within the southern rim of the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in the southern Maldives, 268 miles south of the capital Male, the island based resort occupies 150,000 square metres of undisturbed and indigenous vegetation and offers uninterrupted views of the

MALDIVES ADOPTS NEW TOURISM SLOGAN AND LOGO

2011-10-26T21:04:00.001+05:00

The Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation (MMPRC) today revealed the country’s new tourism slogan and logo, after over a year-long consultation and design process, involving industry and government. The new slogan is ‘Maldives – Always Natural’, which is accompanied by a logo highlighting the country’s unique natural characteristics. “The slogan and logo are designed to underscore the

Conrad Maldives welcomes Whale Shark Research Team back to the Maldives‏

2011-10-26T20:54:00.001+05:00

While Africa has its ‘big five’, the Maldives is gaining ever-increasing renown for its own big five: the whale shark, the manta, moray eels, grey reef sharks and turtles. Guests at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island will have an exclusive opportunity to get up close and personal with the largest of these, the whale shark, when the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) returns to the

INAUGURAL MALDIVES GAME FISHING CHALLENGE IN ASSOCIATION WITH DHIRAAGU OPENS ENTRIES

2011-10-26T20:39:00.003+05:00

The Maldives Game Fishing Association (MGFA) has officially opened entries for the inaugural Maldives Game Fishing Challenge in association with Dhiraagu, via the website, www.mgfa.org.mv. The tournament, set to take place in and around North and South Male’, and Vaavu atolls from 9 to 12 November this year, will be the first of its kind to be held in this pristine, ultimate and virtually

Maldives Tourist arrivals increase by 17.7 pct by September 2011

2011-10-24T23:41:00.000+05:00

Tourist arrivals to the Maldives from January to September 2011 increased by 17 percent compared to the period of 2010. Figures disclosed by the Tourism Ministry show that the number of tourists who visited the Maldives during the first nine months of the year increased to 669,172 from last year's 568,703, which is an increase of 82,469 tourists. Statistics reveal that the tourist arrivals

Jumeirah Dhevanafushi announces the opening of the Ocean Pearls

2011-10-20T22:25:00.001+05:00

Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, Jumeirah Group's first property on the Maldives and an exclusive all-suite resort, announces the opening of the Ocean Pearls, a cluster of water villas located 800 metres from the main island, suspended on platforms above the sea and entirely self dependent. Offering its own distinctive identity and atmosphere, the Ocean Pearls offer a unique over-water concept where

Sheraton Maldives Chef’s shares and teaches the secrets and tips of some of popular signature dishes

2011-10-20T22:04:00.001+05:00

It’s quite often, we wonder how a particular dish was made or why it tastes so good or even whether if we can try it ourselves once we go back home. But in most times, we are left pondering forever to the answers of our assumptions. The Chef’s at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa have literally stepped out of the kitchen for the ‘Cooking Class’ to show teach how to master their cooking

Hilton Maldives Breaks Local Record to Save Lives

2011-10-19T21:54:00.000+05:00

Over 130 staff members at Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort & Spa generously donated blood to the local community this week. The initiative was set out to meet the increasing demand for donated blood, and has set a new Maldives record for most blood donated in a single day. A total of 59.6 litres of blood was donated from 132 team members. “This achievement falls within our pioneering role in

Dusit International Debuts in Maldives

2011-10-19T21:48:00.001+05:00

Dusit Thani Maldives presents the blending of Thai gracious hospitality with the unparalleled luxury setting of destination Maldives. Located on Mudhdhoo Island, Dusit Thani Maldives is a 40 minutes breathtaking seaplane ride from the International airport and 10 minutes by speed boat from the new domestic airport. This exquisite resort scheduled to open on December will deliver a unique

Newfound reason to visit the Maldives

2011-10-15T22:04:00.003+05:00

From left to right; Mr. Sheng, Mr. Jonathan Ooi, Mr. Josen and Ms. Mei While many visit the Maldives for its pristine beaches and breathtaking underwater beauty, a group of bloggers have a newfound reason to visit the Maldives. Bloggers behind two of Asia’s popular food blogs ‘Cumi & Ciki’ and ‘A lil fat monkey’ has visited the Maldives recently to spend a little bit more time in the

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa Unveils “The Night Spa”

2011-10-12T09:25:00.002+05:00

Open from 10:00 pm to 1:00 am nightly, The Night Spa offers a choice of four 150-minute open-air lunar rituals on The Island Spa’s private, starlit beach. Devised by Sodashi to attune the body with nature’s purest rhythms, each ritual features exclusive treatments that combine the magic and mysteries of the infinite night sky with Sodashi’s therapeutic-grade extracts, essences and techniques.

Sheraton Maldives shares the recipes of their Signature Cocktails

2011-10-10T22:44:00.001+05:00

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa has introduced Cocktail Classes to share the recipes of their most requested and signature cocktails. Speaking regarding the cocktail class, Executive Assistant Manager for Food & Beverage Mr. Moon Kang said that “A lot of our guests are enticed by the signature cocktails that have been conjured by our skilled bartenders. We wanted to go the extra step

SHERATON MALDIVES APPOINTS RAJBHAN SINGH AS DIRECTOR OF ROOMS

2011-10-04T22:59:00.001+05:00

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa has promoted Mr. Rajbhan Singh to the position of Director of Rooms. Mr. Rajbhan who previously held the position of Director of Guest Services began his career with Starwood Hotels & Resorts almost 15 years ago with Sheraton Sana’a Hotel in Yemen and prior to joining Sheraton Maldives in 2009 he has served with W Retreat & Spa – Maldives and with

Ayada Maldives picks up two awards at World Travel Awards

2011-10-02T20:54:00.002+05:00

Ayada Maldives, a brand new luxury 112 villa resort located in the Maldives has been awarded Maldives' Leading New Resort and Indian Ocean's Leading New Resort at the 2011 World Travel Awards, confirming their commitment to offering the highest standards of quality and service. The awards, which took place at a gala ceremony on 16th September 2011 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, serve to acknowledge,

W MALDIVES APPOINTS MIJUNG KIM AS OFFICIAL W INSIDER

2011-09-30T20:18:00.002+05:00

The W Retreat & Spa Maldives is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Mijung KIM as the retreat’s official W Insider – W Hotels’ adaption of a concierge that assists the retreats guests to have access to all that that Maldives has to offer in terms of W Happenings, entertainment, sightseeing and once in a lifetime activities whilst in the Maldives. Mijung, a native of South Korea holds a

Marie Claire and August Man photo shoot takes place in the Maldives

2011-09-24T21:48:00.002+05:00

Two of the world's leading publications, Marie Claire and August Man has conducted a photo shoot in the Maldives featuring the upcoming Louis Vuitton fall/winter collection for their Malaysia editions. The much anticipated, September issue cover of the Marie Claire features the model Elena Adeeva wearing a Lozenge embroidered dress on the first cover and a Patent leather coat with corset belt

Diva Maldives - GLOBAL WINNER Best Luxury Beach Resort 2011‏

2011-09-24T21:44:00.002+05:00

Regarded as the highest accolade within the luxury hotel industry, the “World Luxury Hotel Awards” (WLHA) 2011 has declared Diva Maldives as the Best Luxury Beach Resort -among a selection of properties from across the world. Hosted at the world-renowned Regent Esplanade Zagreb Hotel in Zagreb, Croatia on September 16th 2011, the glitzy gala ceremony of WLHA turned on the spotlight on some of

Soneva Gili by Six Senses wins double at the World Travel Awards 2011

2011-09-22T21:25:00.001+05:00

Soneva Gili awarded the Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Resort and the Maldives’ Leading Luxury Resort Six Senses is delighted to announce that Soneva Gili by Six Senses has been honoured with two awards at the World Travel Awards 2011 – hailed by Wall Street Journal as the ‘Oscars’ of travel and tourism. Soneva Gili by Six Senses received the awards at the official gala ceremony in the Egypt

Coco Palm Resorts, Maldives Launches New Global ‘Chef in Residence’ Programme For 2012

2011-09-22T21:18:00.002+05:00

Coco Palm Resorts, Maldives is launching a new global ‘chef in residence’ programme for 2012 at its five-star Coco Palm Bodu Hithi. Bringing a slice of the world’s culinary capitals to the Indian Ocean island resort, this new offering will see high-profile British, Italian and Australian chefs spend one week per year in resort serving up bespoke dishes in the á la carte Aqua restaurant, running

STARWOOD RESORTS MALDIVES APPOINTS FRANCIS AMBATT AS DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES - MALDIVES

2011-09-22T20:29:00.005+05:00

Starwood Resorts Maldives has appointed Mr. Francis Ambatt as the Director of Human Resources – Maldives for its two leading resorts, the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa and the W Retreat & Spa - Maldives. Francis, who joins Starwood Resorts Maldives from The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace in India, brings to the team over 15 years of human resources’ experience in a number of

CONRAD MALDIVES COLLECTS FIVE AWARDS IN TWO WEEKS‏

2011-09-22T20:21:00.002+05:00

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is the proud winner of five different awards in the past two weeks; collecting two from the prestigious annual World Travel Awards, one from VIP Traveller magazine and two more from the online travel magazine www.smarttravelasia.com. “At Conrad Maldives we always strive to be the best in everything we do and we take great pride in setting the standards that

2011-09-14T21:54:00.002+05:00

1. What is TGST? Tourism Goods and Service Tax (T-GST) is charged on the value of all goods and services consumed by tourists in tourist establishments in the Maldives. The Tourism Goods and Service Tax Act (Law Number 19/2010) will be repealed from 2 October 2011, i.e. from the date of commencement of Goods and Service Tax Act (Law Number 10/2011). 2. What is GST? Goods and Service Tax (GST)

Mega Maldives sparkles with the launch of direct flights from Korea

2011-09-11T20:35:00.001+05:00

MEGA Maldives Airlines, the international airline of the Republic of Maldives, has today successfully launched a direct route to the Maldives from Incheon Korea. Carrying 158 passengers, the flight landed at a specially arranged time at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) at 9 am, where the airport was in a festive mood in anticipation for this historical direct flight from Korea by a

2011 Rugby World Cup fever in the Maldives

2011-09-09T21:19:00.001+05:00

The 2011 Rugby World Cup taking place in New Zealand is just a day away from kick off and the fever is catching on nearly half a world away in the tropical island destination of the Maldives. Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, one of the two Starwood Resorts in the Maldives, has joined the enthralling fever surrounding the tournament and is set to broadcast live telecasts of the game

Sheraton Maldives appoints Sven Cepon as Executive Chef

2011-09-09T21:14:00.001+05:00

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa has promoted Mr. Sven Cepon to the position of Executive Chef. Born in Oberhausen of Germany, Sven began his career at home and served with a number of 5 star hotels in Cyprus and Switzerland for over 5 years before moving to the Maldives in 2008 as Executive Sous Chef for the W Retreat & Spa Maldives. After having served W Maldives for nearly 2 years,

Sheraton Maldives and W Maldives participates in the “Upgrade” Campaign by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific

2011-09-09T21:03:00.003+05:00

Guests can book a premium room at 20% discount off the regular rate Maldives, September 2011 – Sheraton Maldives and W Maldives participates in the ‘Upgrade’ campaign which was launched today by Starwood Hotels and Resorts Asia Pacific. This campaign allows travelers to book a premium room at 20% discount off the regular rate and enjoy upgraded benefits associated the respective room

Amari Addu Maldives Travel Trade Opening Offer

2011-09-04T21:14:00.001+05:00

Amari, the hotel and resort group, introduces an exciting offer to launch its new property in the Maldives - Amari Addu Maldives. Situated in the southernmost atoll of the Maldives, nestled at the edge of the world, Amari Addu Maldives is a stunning island sanctuary offering stylish tropical accommodation and a wide variety of recreational pursuits. The idyllic island resort is a 70-minute

Centara expands in the Maldives with acquisition of Giraavaru Island Resort

2011-08-18T22:55:00.000+05:00

Centara Hotels & Resorts has announced its expansion in the Republic of Maldives with the acquisition of Giraavaru Island Resort, which it will both own and manage. This is Centara’s second property in the Maldives, following the opening of the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives in December 2009. Giraavaru is located in the South Male Atoll and is only 12 minutes by speedboat from Male

Police search for two tourists missing in Maldives resort

2011-08-18T14:14:00.000+05:00

Police are searching for two tourists missing in Adaaran Huduranfushi Island Resort after they did not return to their villa after Tuesday’s dinner. Police declined to disclose details of the case but said they have not found any sign of the two unidentified tourists in the ongoing search. Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said the resort management reported the incident to the armed

ENTRIES NOW OPEN FOR THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL MALDIVES GAME FISHING CHALLENGE

2011-08-18T14:09:00.001+05:00

The Maldives Game Fishing Association (MGFA) has officially opened entries today for the inaugural Maldives Game Fishing Challenge via its website, www.mgfa.org.mv. The tournament, set to take place in and around North and South Male’, and Vaavu atolls from 10 to 12 November this year, will be the first of its kind to be held in this pristine, ultimate and virtually untouched open water fishing

Tropical sustainability at Diva Maldives

2011-08-18T14:00:00.001+05:00

Often stated as an objective of management strategies for island resorts, sustainable development joins two otherwise separate entities, the island and the property, in one. Diva Maldives, located at the heart of the South Ari Marine Protected Area* registered as the largest MPA in the country, explores several solutions that support multiple interpretations of sustainability on the island. “We

Maldives cuts T-GST from 10 percent to 8 percent

2011-08-16T23:23:00.001+05:00

The government has agreed to reduce the Tourism Goods and Services Tax (T-GST) from 10 percent to eight percent. The Tourism Goods and Services Tax Bill submitted to the parliament proposes to increase the current amount of 3.5 percent to six percent next year and 10 percent in 2013. However, a presentation given by Economic Development Minister Mahmood Razi last evening said that eight

Six Senses to host the third S.L.O.W. LIFE Symposium in October 2011

2011-08-14T20:56:00.000+05:00

High profile attendees to include President Nasheed, president of the Maldives and environmentalist-explorer David de Rothschild. Soneva Fushi, Maldives, 6 – 9 October 2011. Six Senses, the pioneer ofIntelligent Luxury is to host the third S.L.O.W. LIFE Symposium this October. Convening world-leading thinkers, policy makers and business leaders, the Symposium aims to accelerate progress

W HOTELS WORLDWIDE AND BURN ENERGY DRINK LAUNCH INNOVATIVE DJ LAB TO SUPPORT RISING TALENT

2011-08-13T22:01:00.000+05:00

Emerging International DJs to be Mentored by Top Industry Leaders Such as Cassius, Jason Bentley, Mode-F and W’s Michaelangelo L’Acqua and Tour W Hotels Globally Ibiza, Spain (August 4, 2011) – W Hotels Worldwide, in collaboration with burn studios, an innovative music platform developed by burn, a globally leading energy drink from The Coca-Cola Company, today unveiled the W Hotels and burn

Seychelles and Maldives tourism meet to discuss joint actions

2011-08-12T14:27:00.002+05:00

The meeting, which took place at the Seychelles Tourism Board’s Bel Ombre offices, was also attended by Mrs. Elsia Grandcourt, the Deputy CEO of the Tourism Board. The discussions centered on joint actions between Maldives and the Seychelles and on the participation by Maldives at the 2012 Seychelles Carnival. The Maldives Tourism Minister and the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board discussed

Sheraton Maldives and W Maldives participates in 'Weekend Sale' by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific

2011-08-12T14:25:00.001+05:00

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific provides travelers an added reason to take a weekend break with the launch of the ‘Weekend Sale’ promotion. Weekend getaways just got easier with more than 115 participating hotels and resorts across Asia Pacific offering a “20% off standard rates” deal that includes complimentary breakfast for 2 people. The promotion runs from 8 August to 4 September

Sheraton Maldives appoints Moon Kang as Executive Assistant Manager - Food & Beverage

2011-08-03T20:44:00.000+05:00

Sheraton Maldives has announced the appointment of Moon Kang as Executive Assistant Manager - Food & Beverage. Prior to his appointment at Sheraton Maldives, Moon served as Director of Food & Beverage at W Seoul Walkerhill from 2008 onwards. During his tenure with W Seoul Walkerhill, Moon was instrumental in the growth of the property’s food & beverage revenues and also for a number of acclaimed

Third batch of cabin crew recruitment day a great success for Mega Maldives Airlines

2011-08-03T20:34:00.001+05:00

On-going recruitment drive by Mega Maldives Airlines continued on the 27th July 2011. From 9 am to 4 pm, hopeful applicants for the third class of cabin crews, awaited eagerly for their turn to be evaluated, interviewed and tested for the opportunity to get into one of the most exciting jobs currently available for Maldivians. As the big day arrived, more than 110 persons applied for the job

Centara Maldives offers underwater wedding package

2011-07-12T21:35:00.001+05:00

Centara Grand Island Resort&Spa Maldives has introduced an underwater wedding package that provides an unforgettable setting against a background of the picturesque Kudhimaa Wreck, with its colorful marine life. The Kudhimaa underwater wedding package is priced at US$700 and includes a dive master and master of ceremony. The resort has its own house reef complete with shipwreck, and the

Mega Maldives boosts Asian services

2011-07-12T21:32:00.002+05:00

Mega Maldives Airlines is opening new routes into Asia, chasing the lucrative tourist market. And the airline, which recently began direct flights between Hong Kong and Malé, has enlisted some famous Chinese celebrities to boost its brand awareness. Mega Maldives will start flights to Shanghai on the July 15 and to Beijing on July 21. Miss Asia Pageant of 2008 and ATV artist, Eunis Yao,

Anantara Launches a Customised Honeymoon Registry

2011-07-04T23:13:00.000+05:00

Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa Maldives In coveted destinations where romance goes hand in hand with truly personalised service, one-of-a-kind proposals evolve into wedding celebrations that are completely unique to each couple. Extending the dream of a fairytale wedding story, Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas in Thailand and the Maldives are now transforming fantasy honeymoons into a convenient

Maldives records 56.7t% rise in Chinese tourists

2011-07-04T23:06:00.002+05:00

The Maldives received more than 65,000 Chinese tourists in the first five months of this year, a 56.7 percent increase over the same period of 2010, according to the latest figures. Figures from the Maldivian tourism authorities show that the number of Chinese tourists to the Maldives accounted for 16.6 percent of the total foreign tourists from January to May, ranking top of foreign visitors,

Four Seasons Resorts Maldives hosts surfing champions

2011-06-20T21:24:00.004+05:00

The Maldives is set to host the world’s most exclusive surfing event this August featuring six world champions, a leading five-star surfing resort, a luxurious 39-metre three-deck catamaran, and perfect reef break waves. Conceived in conjunction with luxury surf pioneers Tropicsurf, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy will see the sport’s biggest legends – including four-time

Mauro Gomez appointed as Executive Chef, W Maldives Retreat & Spa

2011-06-20T21:08:00.000+05:00

W Maldives Retreat & Spa announces the appointment of Gomez Mauro as Executive Chef. An Argentinean by birth, Mauro has been in kitchens since he was 12 years old. His family owned a traditional Argentinean / Italian restaurant in Argentina. Mauro’s passion for food, cooking and kitchens has been with him ever since. With a desire to travel and live abroad, Mauro moved to Miami Beach, Florida

Dusit takes over a resort in Maldives

2011-06-03T20:12:00.001+05:00

Dusit Thani is in the process of taking over a five-star resort in Maldives in a deal worth US$77 million (about Bt2.3 billion). The company's board of directors approved the investment in principle on Wednesday. Subsidiary Dusit Thai Properties will conduct the acquisition. The board also approved the non-refundable deposit payment of $500,000 for the exclusive rights to the appraisal of

Appointment of Marcus Reinders as Managing Director, Starwood Resorts - Maldives

2011-05-25T09:10:00.000+05:00

Starwood Resorts Maldives (Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa + W Maldives Retreat & Spa) are very pleased to announce the appointment of Marcus Reinders as Managing Director. New Zealand born, Marcus brings over 22 years of luxury hotel experience to his new role in the Maldives. With more than 10 years’ experience with W Hotels Worldwide, Marcus will oversee the operation of the

Ursula Schofel Joins Sheraton Maldives as General Manager

2011-05-25T09:07:00.003+05:00

Ms. Ursula Schofel has been appointed as General Manager of the Sheraton Maldives. With a two-decade career dedicated to Starwood Hotels & Resorts that has spanned twelve countries, Ms Schoefl’s varied overseas experience has fostered her ability to adapt to new cultures and environments, and she plans to direct this talent into orchestrating the operation behind Sheraton Maldives Full Moon

Peter Dietze Appointed General Manager of Amari Addu Maldives

2011-05-20T10:06:00.002+05:00

Thailand-based Onyx Hospitality Group has appointed Peter Dietze as General Manager of its newest project, Amari Addu Maldives, the 273-villa property with one of the longest beaches of any resort in the Maldives. In his new role, Dietze will oversee all the pre-opening aspects of the hotel which is located on Addu, the Maldives’ southern-most atoll, approximately 480km south of the capital

GMR issues notice for US$25 fee from Maldives airport

2011-05-20T09:59:00.001+05:00

GMR Male International Private Limited has asked airlines to take the Airport Development Fee (ADF) of US$25 from every international passenger, commencing January 1, 2012. A company official said prior notice was given to the airlines to take the fee, approved by the government under the airport lease agreement, in order to give enough time for the airlines to prepare. The fee is to be

Maldives remains in New Seven Wonders of Nature: organiser

2011-05-18T19:49:00.001+05:00

The decision made by the Maldivian government to withdraw its nomination to the New Seven Wonders of Nature has no effect on the Maldives continued participation in the campaign, New Seven Wonders said yesterday. In a statement, New Seven Wonders said the organisation has accepted the resignation of the Maldives Ministry of Tourism as the Official Supporting Committee for the Maldives.

SIX SENSES LAAMU, Maldives

2011-05-18T08:47:00.002+05:00

No need of any description. Just have a look at the video below.

Maldives withdraws from New Seven Wonders of Nature

2011-05-17T20:40:00.000+05:00

he Cabinet has today decided to withdraw the Maldives’ nomination to the New Seven Wonders of Nature, citing the lack of a proper awarding criteria and the requirement to make a payment to proceed with the competition. The President’s Office said the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture presented a paper on the matter to the Cabinet meeting held on April 24, where members of the Cabinet

China becomes Maldives' largest source of tourists

2011-05-12T21:48:00.000+05:00

The Maldives received 120,000 Chinese tourists in 2010, representing an increase of 96 percent from a year earlier and marking that China has become its largest source country of foreign tourists for the first time, Mariyam Zulfa, Maldives' minister of Tourism Arts and Culture, said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency on May 11. The Maldives is an island country in the Indian Ocean

Maldives assures safety of tourists amid political unrest

2011-05-05T19:19:00.002+05:00

Maldivian Tourism Minister Dr. Mariyam Zulfa has assured tourists visiting the Maldives, an upmarket tourist destination in the Indian Ocean, of their personal safety amid the series of protests in the Maldivian capital, Male over the soaring commodity prices. The Tourism Minister’s assurance comes a day after the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government issued an amber Outbound Travel

BEACH HOUSE MALDIVES RESTORING THE CORAL REEFS OF THE MALDIVES

2011-04-28T15:18:00.002+05:00

HAA ALIFU ATOLL, Maldives – (28 April 2011) – In keeping with the old adage ‘leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photos’ Beach House Maldives, a Waldorf Astoria Resort offers its guests a perfect memento of their stay: a patch of coral reef to call their very own. For US$150, the luxury resort’s coral reef regeneration project allows guests to select and ‘plant’ a small area of

Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Leads the Way in MICE Business

2011-04-28T12:32:00.001+05:00

Exclusive Maldivian Resort Becomes Preferred Choice For MICE Professionals Seeking Something Special The Maldives – 28 April 2011 - How does a resort with no meeting rooms become a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Event) specialist? Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort & Spa rises to this creative challenge with the launch of its new ‘barefoot’ MICE programme that incorporates a host of

Pilot strike forces Air India cancellations to Maldives

2011-04-28T12:02:00.004+05:00

Air India has cancelled its flights to the Maldives today, after pilots staged a strike over pay. The airline’s Maldivian agent, Villa Travels said the flights scheduled for today have been cancelled. “We can provide a refund for tickets purchased for today’s flights, or else we can transfer the passengers to the next flight. But we don’t know whether the flights for tomorrow have been

Six Senses to Host Annual Watermen Event in the Maldives

2011-04-27T14:21:00.000+05:00

Six Senses Resorts & Spas will host Six Senses Watermen, the Maldives’ first gathering of water sports icons and the world’s leading water conservationists, between 30 September and 4 October 2011. Watermen, from legendary surfers, windsurfers and kite surfers to divers and free divers will offer clinics to Six Senses Laamu guests while renowned musicians jam on the sandbanks.

Kuoni launches its 'smart' holidays online

2011-04-27T14:18:00.002+05:00

Kuoni, the specialist operator, has launched 'smart' by Kuoni, a collection of three to four-star holidays that have been handpicked and designed to give customers more holiday for their money. The value range is the 'smart'er choice for those looking for a great holiday in a fantastic location that doesn't have to break the bank. And customers can still expect great value holidays with the

Troon Golf to manage world’s first 18 hole floating golf course in groundbreaking Maldives Development

2011-04-23T10:45:00.002+05:00

World’s leading golf management company trusted with delivering a state of the art golf product at unique island project Geneva, Switz. – Troon Golf ®, the leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing is delighted to announce its appointment as technical advisors in one of golf’s newest and most exciting projects recently unveiled in the Maldives. conceptual design Koen

Biosphere Expeditions and Six Senses offer Maldivians a unique chance to take part in coral reef & whale shark research expedition

2011-04-18T14:09:00.001+05:00

Renowned international conservation organisation Biosphere Expeditions and two Six Senses properties, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili, have teamed up to create two scholarships for Maldivians with a dive qualification and English language skills to take part in a new coral reef & whale shark study being conducted in September 2011. Scholarship recipients will be trained in reef and whale shark

Ayada Maldives to open in the 4th quarter of 2011

2011-04-14T23:44:00.000+05:00

Recognized by the World Travel Awards as Europe's Leading Tourism Development Company & Asia's Leading Inward Tourism Development Company; Aydeniz Group introduces its first property "Ayada Maldives" in the stunning Maguhdhuvaa island in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, . This exceptional luxury resort features 112 villas with breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean, six outlets offering world-class cuisine,

Conrad Maldives: Reshaping the concept of luxury

2011-04-14T23:24:00.004+05:00

30 Water Villas Will Undergo A Complete Transformation In 2011 Having set the standard for luxury travel in the Maldives for over 15 years, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island raises the bar once again with the complete renovation of 28 Water Villas and two Premier Water villas from 15 May. Expected to run for six months, the renovation work will see a complete transformation of these villas into

Maldives is the number one dream destination for Germans

2011-04-14T17:17:00.002+05:00

White Beaches, palm trees and blue water, national parks or city tours? What are the dream destinations for Germans and their neighbors? Hotel.de asked their clients if money was no object - what would be their dream destination to visit. The Maldives is the number one dream destination for Germans, while many other Europeans named the U.S. as their number one. For Germans 10.88% voted for

Shangri-La resort introduces Villingili’s Green Friday

2011-04-14T17:14:00.000+05:00

As part of its commitment to protect the environment and in celebration of Earth Day, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives will launch a weekly programme of green activities and fine dining options on 22 April 2011 aiming to inspire guests in sharing the resort’s responsibility of caring for nature. Featuring eco-friendly experiences such as a family nature walk in the resort’s

Maldives invites William and Kate for royal honeymoon

2011-04-10T14:25:00.000+05:00

The Maldives has invited Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton to spend their honeymoon in the Maldives, an up-market tourist destination in the Indian Ocean, after their marriage on April 29. Maldivian Tourism Minister, Dr. Mariyam Zulfa, said the invitation was sent to the royal couple last week and is pending a reply. Dr. Zulfa stressed that Prince William, the second-in-line to

Sri Lanka and Maldives makes plans to jointly promote tourism

2011-04-09T17:11:00.002+05:00

As a result of the recent tourism boom in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan government is taking steps to work jointly with the Maldives in order to promote tourism in both countries. Several Sri Lankan and Maldivian tour operators and hoteliers are currently making arrangements to work jointly in order to introduce tour packages by giving tourists the opportunity to visit both destinations.

Hotel Leelaventures to foray into Maldives, Mauritius

2011-04-07T18:54:00.000+05:00

Hotel Leelaventures Ltd is planning to foray into Maldives and Mauritius through management contracts in FY12, even as it readies to launch a brand in the mid-market segment in India, a top official told reporters on Thursday. The Mumbai-based company, which owns and operates five-star hotels across India, has received requests for managing hotels in Maldives and Mauritius, its President Rajiv

Maldives fourth among New Seven Wonders of Nature

2011-04-05T14:00:00.000+05:00

The Maldives climbed a spot higher to the fourth place in the list of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, after being stuck in fifth for months, the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) revealed. The Maldives was third in January before falling to fifth position. MTPB Director, Mohamed ‘Mode’ Adam, said new efforts are being taken to promote the Maldives to the international community. “We are

Centara Maldives offers free night

2011-04-05T13:52:00.000+05:00

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives has a special summer offer in which guests staying between 28 April and 31 July 2011 pay for two nights and receive the third night free of charge, with all benefits included. During this period the rate per room night for a Beach Suite is USD 699 net, with service charge included but subject to government bed tax of USD 8 per person per day. The

Anantara Kihavah Villas wins prestigious HIDEAWAYS Awards

2011-04-01T19:18:00.001+05:00

Anantara Kihavah Villas has been named ‘Newcomer of the Year’ by the prestigious travel magazine HIDEAWAYS at an event that recently took place in Berlin. The award honors just three new, extraordinary and fascinating hotels and resorts around the world. The winners are chosen by the HIDEAWAYS editorial team who evaluate new properties in the following categories: service, location, architecture,