Male’, 27 October 2008; Maldives Tourism Promotion Board together with the Maldives tourism industry held road shows in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Singapore on the 17th, 20th and 21st of October respectively.

The main objectives of these road shows are to diversify further into South East Asian market. This new approach of promoting the Maldives as a destination for South East Asian visitors will further enhance the existing business collaboration and pave way for new business ties. South East Asia is a promising market in consideration of easy access to Maldives and a growing affluent population. It is the first time that MTPB has organized a road show targeting South East Asian market.

The road shows were mainly targeted to the travel trade and media. Maldivian event in Kuala Lumpur was attended by over 50 participants, while Bangkok event welcomed over 130 participants and Singapore event was attended by over 70 participants. The attendees included travel agents, tour operators, airlines companies and the media. Presentation about the Maldives as tourist destination was given to the participants by Maldives Tourism Promotion Board. In addition, industry participants gave presentations about their products. During each of these events a raffle was held and winner won a holiday for two in Maldives with complements of Adaaran.

Last year Maldives welcomed a total of 675,889 visitors. Asian market represented 144,363 visitors which is 23.3% of the market share.

Source: MTPB

MyMaldives.com launched the Maldives Web Directory. As the name suggests, this web directory is a listing of websites about or of the Maldives.

It is the aim of the developers to make this Maldives web directory the most comprehensive directory of Maldivian websites. MyMaldives team thus invites all websites either about the Maldives or operated by Maldivians to continue to submit their websites to the most relevant category of the Maldives Web Directory.

Please share with us if you have any comments or suggestions.

The Maldives has been nominated in five categories in the 14th Annual World Travel Awards to be held in the Turks and Caicos Islands on the 12th December 2007. The five categories that Maldives got nominated are World’s Leading Destination, World’s Leading Dive Destination, World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination, World’s Leading Romantic Destination and World’s Leading Travel Television Commercial. In addition Maldives Tourism Promotion Board has been nominated in the World’s Leading Tourist and Convention Bureau category.

Furthermore, some of the Maldives tourism industry players have been nominated in important categories. In this regard Inner Maldives has been nominated in the World’s Leading Travel Agency category, Baros Maldives got nominated in World’s Leading Villa and World’s Leading Beach Resort category, Hilton Maldives has been nominated in World’s Leading Resort category and Huvafenfushi has been nominated in World’s Leading Spa Resort category.

Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as the “Travel industry’s equivalent to the Oscars”, the World Travel Awards are the most comprehensive and most prestigious awards program in the global travel industry. The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the world’s travel and tourism industry. With thousands of votes cast by travel professionals from 167,000 travel agencies in over 160 countries across the globe, winning a World Travel Award has become one of the highest accolades a travel product can achieve.

The 2007 World Travel Awards world winners will be announced and presented at the gala ceremony which will take place in the islands of Turks & Caicos on the 12th December 2007. Candidates nomination for world winners categories are based on the results from the four regional ceremonies which took place in Abu Dhabi, New York, NewcastleGateshead and Bangalore in 2007.

MTPB won the Indian Oceans Leading Tourist and Visitor Bureau Award in Bangalore ceremony. Maldives also won the Indian Ocean’s Leading Destinations Award and Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination Award in the same ceremony. During this ceremony Maldives Tourism industry won awards in many categories.

Regent Hotels & Resorts announces plans to open a new luxury resort on Maalefushi Island, Republic of Maldives in 2008. The Regent Maldives will be a 50-villa luxury resort on the secluded coral island, just 50 minutes by seaplane from the capital city of Male. Regent Hotels & Resorts is part of Carlson Hotels Worldwide. The Regent Maldives will occupy the entire Maalefushi Island, an unspoiled 8-hectare (hectare=107,639 square feet) island paradise with lush tropical vegetation fringed with flawless white sand beaches. This magnificent villa development will redefine the concept of luxury resort hospitality, with its superb facilities, exclusive ambiance and world-renowned Regent service.

Paul Kirwin, president and managing director of Carlson Hotels Worldwide - Asia Pacific comments, “Everything about this resort - from the breathtaking location and distinctive architecture to the spectacular beautiful spa - will be the embodiment of The Regent Experience.”

Maalefushi Island sits at the heart of the Thaa Atoll, a natural wonderland of crystal clear waters, coral reefs, brilliant white beaches and spectacular sunsets. The Regent Maldives will feature 23 beach villas and 27 over-water villas, including two presidential villas, which will allow guests to observe the abundant marine life directly beneath their rooms. All villas are designed with private plunge pools and expansive timber decks offering breathtaking views across the turquoise lagoon.

The individual villas are designed to maximize privacy and comfort, and combine traditional Maldivian architecture with internationally-sourced materials and contemporary fabrics and furnishings selected by renowned interior designers Hirsch Bedner Associates. The bathroom of each villa opens to either a lush private garden area or ocean vistas and features indoor and outdoor showers. The two exclusive Presidential villas set over the coral lagoon include extra indulgences such as a luxurious dining pavilion with a viewing and relaxation platform, spacious bedroom suites with walk in wardrobe and private sun decks.

Integral to the theme of indulgence is the 850 square-metre Spa which resides over the lagoon, with the eight private treatment pavilions open to the ocean breezes. Specializing in innovative spa treatments, each pavilion will feature a plunge bath, outdoor shower and relaxation deck.

Dining options at The Regent Maldives will include the Maldivian Chic over-water signature grill restaurant/bar, showcasing local seafood prepared using variations of grill cuisine from nations surrounding the Maldives. Complemented with spectacular views over the water and to the sunset, The Café will offer continental style buffet for breakfast and a wide range of a la carte dishes while a more casual dining experience by the pool is available at the Ocean Terrace and Lounge. For private dining each guest villa features both indoor and outdoor dining facilities.

For recreation, a myriad of water sports and activities are available such as scuba diving, with a fully equipped dive school and qualified dive masters, snorkelling on the reef, wind surfing, parasailing, deep sea fishing or romantic picnics on nearby uninhabited islands. There will also be a fitness centre with state-of-the-art exercise equipment.

On the beachfront is a 38 metre infinity pool, while the lush sculpted gardens include a tennis court, volleyball court and yoga pavilion. Those with a taste for adventure can explore the remote and seldom-visited atolls of the Maldives in the comfort of the resort’s luxury motor launch. A library and lounge will also provide a full range of business services.

The Regent Maldives joins the growing portfolio of new Regent hotels and resorts under development around the world. Regent Hotels & Resorts currently has eight hotels and resorts worldwide.

The sublime ‘Rania Experience‘ Private Residence in the Maldives, featuring barefoot luxury on a private tropical island complete with its own luxury yacht, has been voted one of the world’s most “scene-stealing” new hotels and resorts.

The exclusive castaway retreat which includes unlimited gourmet dining, drinking and spa treatments “raises pampering to a new level”, say the judges for Conde Nast Traveler’s annual ‘Hot List 2007′.

It was recommended as both the “ultimate romantic getaway” for affluent couples and as a peerless Maldivian retreat for groups of up to 15.

“The high price tag buys you all the creature comforts, including unlimited spa treatments, yoga on demand, fishing, and diving (Rania has its own dive instructor), as well as meals prepared by chefs who consult with you prior to arrival and serve up freshly-caught seafood,” says the prestigious travel magazine.

“Nights should be reserved for lychee martinis, which you can drink on a stool dug into the surf or for sailing in a dhoni under the stars. The most memorable care comes from the three butlers, who expertly anticipate every guest’s needs.”

Offered for a minimum of three nights, the ‘Rania Experience’ is a private island in Faafu Atoll, a picture postcard paradise of white sands and turquoise blue waters surrounded by a myriad of desert island atolls, 35-minutes by seaplane from Malé International Airport.

The ‘Rania Experience’ includes private use of ‘The Rania’, a luxury 86ft yacht with indoor and outdoor lounges and dining areas, Jacuzzi, air-conditioning and a full entertainment system including home-theatre.

Designed with barefoot luxury in mind, the island encompasses the lavish air-conditioned three bedroom Rania Suite overlooking a plunge pool and a stones throw away are three individual beach villas with thatched roofs and traditional Maldivian open-air style bathrooms.

Guests can enjoy unlimited pampering at The Rania Spa, offering Ayurvedic and other specialised treatments. Massages and treatments can be taken anywhere, from the beach at sunset to the privacy of their villa or aboard the yacht at the time preferred by the guests.

Gourmet dining is cooked and served anytime and anywhere, either on the island or aboard ‘The Rania’.

Blessed with some of the world’s most spectacular sunsets, a variety of cultural shows can also be arranged on request and at an additional charge, from a lively traditional Bodu Beru (local drums) dance to a laid-back local Maldivian band.

Additional amenities on the island include a small personal gym, state of the art karaoke system, billiards, beach volleyball and badminton, satellite TV, a selection of films and a host of board games.

The ‘Rania Experience’ is limited to just one exclusive booking at any one time, making the guest(s) “king of their own island” instead of just another guest at a resort.