Floating Maldives, the first and exclusive liveaboard magazine of Maldives, has been appointed as the Official Media Representative in Maldives for the Asian Diver magazine by Media Corp Publishing Singapore.

The first issue of Floating Maldives was officially launched by the Minister of Tourism & Civil Aviation of Maldives Dr. Mahmoodh Shougee at the Maldivian Night during ITB 2006 in Berlin. With this appointment, it is expected that local travel agents , tour operators, resorts and liveaboards will have more direct and easier access to feature their advertisements and offers in the Asian Diver magazine.

Floating Maldives also supports the members through the website www.floatingmaldives.com which provides information about Maldives, including scuba diving , surfing , cruising , and game fishing. Also, the site provides information of liveaboards from budget to luxury class and offers a 7 nights Free Holiday Lucky Draw each year for users accessing the website.

Rania, a luxurious 86-foot GulfCraft Majesty speed yacht from the Maldives with its own private island, has appointed Dubai-based Sharaf Travel as its first GCC agent.

Under the agreement, Sharaf Travel will package and sell ‘the rania experience’ to the region’s top end market.

“It’s estimated that there are over 200,000 multi-millionaires in the Middle East and Sharaf Travel will help us target these high net-worth individuals,” said Vijai Singh, General Manager, Rania & Water Garden Island Spa.

Originally acquired from a Dubai Sheikh and named after the word ‘rani’, which means queen in the Dhivehi language of the Maldives and Queen Rania of Jordan, this elite yacht is the only one of its kind in the Indian Ocean vacation paradise.

The yacht has two double and two twin rooms with en-suite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor lounge and dining areas, barbeque, Jacuzzi, air-conditioning and a full entertainment system with satellite TV and DVD.

Rania cruises the waters of the Indian Ocean, docking at Water Garden Island Spa, its own private island in the Maldives 122 kilometres south of the capital Male.

“This product is perfect for the region’s high net-worth individuals as this is the only experience of its kind in the Maldives to limit bookings for exclusive use,” said Salah Sharaf, Chairman, Sharaf Travel.

“Each custom-tailored package will provide guests exclusive use of the yacht and island, up to three and a half hours of sailing per day, all dining, drinks, unlimited spa treatments, unlimited diving and instruction, snorkelling and dive equipment, water sports and boat fuel. The package will also include a full yacht crew and island staff, a private chef, spa therapist, PADI dive instructor and butler.”

Designed with ultimate luxury in mind, the island includes the lavish Maldivian style air-conditioned Rania Suite, overlooking the pool area with king size beds, open air-bathrooms and a personal butler on hand.

“During their stay at Water Garden Island Spa, guests can enjoy exclusive use of the pool, spa, entertainment pavilion and beach. Here, every request is facilitated by a personal butler, who is always at hand,” explained Singh.

“We’ve already had tremendous success in Europe and America and with the help of local tour operators, we will now be intensifying our efforts to win Middle East tourists.”