Maldives Tourism Development cooperation (MTDC) announces that HotelPlan and Thomas Cook will start their charter flights to Gan island in Addu atoll in December this year.

During the press meeting held on 19 March 2007 , HotelPlan said that charter flights will travel on the route to Milan/Male’/Gan on Blue Panaroma airlines. Thomas Cook also announced that in November fights will start from Frankfurt to Gan by Condor airlines.

The two tour operators said that resorts for middle income tourists are important for the Maldives tourism industry and that the government should open more resorts in southern region for middle class travellers so they can fly direct from Europe to Gan, without making a stop in Male’ or any other transit points.

Operators expressed their special interest to this region as it will be a “unique” Maldives experience; tourists will be able to get first hand experience of the local culture, second most populous atoll.

Tropical Paradise Pvt. Ltd, a leading travel publishing firm based in Maldives has launched its official website; www.maldives-traveller.com the privately owned publishing firm that helps in promoting the tourism industry of Maldives around the globe five years ago launched the publication “Maldives Travel Guide” which became an instant hit in the international travelers market.

Though the publication began in Japanese, aimed at the lucrative Japanese tourist market, the firm has now expanded the Maldives Travel Guide into English, Russian, German, French and Italian.

Like its travel guide, Tropical Paradise’s website is also one of the most comprehensive guides on Maldives tourism.

The firm said on its website that one of its visions was to “continue its growth by increasing the number of publications in different languages which are most suited to promote the tourism of Maldives.”

The firm’s Maldives Travel Guide is a customer oriented publication and one of the most comprehensive, informative, user-friendly and entertaining guides on Maldives.

Tropical Paradise also explores new markets with an in-depth understanding of cultural diversity of each nation to develop the Guides in-accordance with the tastes of different market segments, the firm said on its website.

Ten Dive Centers from Male Atoll will be joining thousands of scuba divers,snorkelers and ocean lovers from around the world to celebrate Dive for Earth Day, an international Earth Day event during the week of 22 April.

150 divers from Maldivers Diving Center, Planeta Divers, Divers Lodge, Ocean Diving Desk, Vadoo Diving Club, Sea Explorers Associates, Bolifushi Diving Center, Multi Marine Services, Dive Centre Laguna and the Coast Guard will come together on 22 April 2007 for the underwater clean up of Old Shark Point, a dive site located on the outer reef of Thilafushi Island.

In addition, an awareness program for a 100 students from schools in Malé will be conducted on 23 February 2007.

Dive for Earth Day 2007 is exclusively sponsored by Dive Shop, sole distributors of Scubapro products in Maldives. This event is supported by PADI Project AWARE and Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water.

Our main aim is to bring attention to the growing threats faced by our fragile underwater ecosystems. At the moment the state of our environment is simply a non-issue in the politics of our country. We hope to influence the policy makers to do something about it, says Azim Musthaq, Dive Instructor from Maldivers Diving Center.

This is the first time that divers from such diverse backgrounds are uniting to act together. We hope by the end of this event, we would have built a network of proactive divers who will in the future act in a united effort for the protection of our environment, he says.

For more information please contact:
Azim Musthag,
T: +960 771 9555
E: maldivers@gmail.com.

THE Republic of Maldives is inviting Malaysian businesses to participate in the proposed development of another 40 island resorts to cater to the country’s expanding tourism sector.

Targeted sectors for investment include the hospitality industry, fishery, construction and infrastructure.
“The current development in our tourism industry offers numerous opportunities for Malaysian businesses in investing in resorts and hotels, trading and construction,” Maldives Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Dr Mahmood Shougy said in a statement.
He was in Kuala Lumpur recently to meet with outbound Malaysian tour operators and representatives of chambers of commerce on the opportunities available in Maldives’ tourism industry.

“Malaysia is a key target for inbound investments and trade because of its excellent record as a regional player. Malaysian entrepreneurs are well known for their creative energies and willingness to take risk,” Maldives High Commissioner to Malaysia Midhath Hilmy added.

The Maldives has been enjoying impressive economic development over the past two decades. With annual GDP growth averaging 7.4 per cent over the last 10 years and inflation maintained at low levels, it is keen to open its doors for Malaysian businesses to participate in its exotic island tourism product.

To create more awareness of the opportunities available, an investment trade show titled “Maldives Open for Business” will be held in July this year.

The trade show will provide a platform for Malaysian business representatives to meet with their Maldivian counterparts and explore the possibilities for future collaboration.

The High Commission has also established a Business Service Centre or helpdesk, to provide information and facilitate business-to-business contact.

“The number of foreign companies investing in the Maldives, particularly in the tourism sector, has been increasing steadily.
“With the ongoing expansion plans, more big name international hoteliers are expected to come in,” Mahmood added.
The Maldives comprises 1,190 islands known for their white beaches and enchanting scenery. Its economy is largely based on tourism and fishing.

BANGKOK, Thailand, April 10 /PRNewswire/ — Located in the aquatic setting of the Maldives, one of the world’s most celebrated tropical havens, Naladhu, Maldives offers a unique lifestyle to those who appreciate the sophistication and charm of times past.

Coupling the ingenious talents of Maldivian architect Mohammed Shafeeq and Thai-based interior designer Julian Coombs, Naladhu has captured the elegant aesthetics of a slightly colonial era, with hints of Sri Lankan regality in its design. However, the resort also proffers every modern convenience imaginable to the luxury traveller.

Naladhu means “pretty little island”, and each of the exclusive 19 ocean houses — each named after a Maldivian plant — has been designed to make every guest’s wish become reality.

Each elite dwelling is a colossal 225 square meters in size and punctuated by a lofty white-gabled roof, expansive glass panelled doors and generous living, dining and bedroom spaces. With a commitment to perfecting every detail, Naladhu fuses modern facilities with a sense of the nostalgia. White- washed timber wall panels juxtapose the zesty Indian motifs and colours of the house upholstery. Antique furnishings, such as an early 20th century writer’s desk and the decorous bar cabinet conjure up images of a romantic, bygone age.

Yet while the historic elements are intrinsic to Naladhu’s atmosphere, each detail of the Naladhu house has been conceived to serve every guest’s whim. A personal plunge pool, landscaped garden and vast teak sundeck make for an exotic experience within the privacy of the enclosure. As highlighted within the resort’s features, the objective of Naladhu is to provide and pamper guests with unsurpassed quality and service. The personalized, “House Master” professional butler service ensures that every desire is met.

Each Naladhu house contains an espresso machine, a fridge stocked with delicacies such as foie gras and vintage cheese and a wine cellar pre-stocked according to personal preferences.

Guests have the choice of dining under an open canopy of stars in their house Sala, or in the comfort of the Living Room restaurant. Otherwise, Naladhu has many unique dining options aimed at indulging romanticists. Meals can be served aboard a local dhoni (Maldivian boat) or perhaps on the Wave Breaker dining platform hovering over the ocean.

For reservations please telephone +960 664-4100 or email: info@naladhu.com.

Ms. Marion Walsh Brand Public Relations Director Email: mwalsh@naladhu.com Mobile: + 66 (0) 89 811 3829 http://www.naladhu.com/