The island nation of the Maldives celebrates National Pavilion Day today.

An official ceremony was held in the Expo Center this morning. Maldives would showcase the country’s cultural heritage and society to the world via the platform of the Expo, Mahmood Razee, Maldives’ Minister of Economic Development, said at the ceremony.

Mahmood Razee

Shao Qiwei, director of China’s National Tourism Administration, said Chinese and Maldivian people have long-term friendly exchange and he believed visitors would learn more about the country’s modern lifestyle via its exhibition.

The Maldives Pavilion is in the Asia Joint Pavilion I in Zone A.

The pavilion theme is “Maldives, Tomorrow.”

In the past decade, the Maldives has grown into a model of tourism and environmental protection with tourism and fishery as the pillars of its development. It is also a leader in the fight against global warming, since rising waters encroach every year on the small island.

The pavilion showcases the country’s modern life by describing efforts in cultural preservation and environmental protection while developing industries.

Displays include folk art.

Marine resources include tuna, skipjack, lobster, shark and hawksbill sea turtles.

Source: en.expo2010.cn

The Maldives is nominated as an Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination in the Word Travel Awards 2009 announced on Friday, July 31, 2009. Maldives is also a favorite nominee form a number of other categories. 16 Maldivian Resorts/Hotels are nominated from 9 different Indian Ocean Categories, including 7 in the Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort category. In total, The Maldives has 35 nominations in Indian Ocean’s category.

Categories in which Maldives is nominated are:

Only a few weeks remain before voting for these categories close on August 14, 2009. The whole tourism industry awaits the 16th Annual World Gala Ceremony, scheduled to be held at the Grosvenor House, London on November 08, 2009. Voting for this monumental event will commence on August 17, 2009.

Find more about the Maldives.

The Angsana Resort & Spa Maldives Ihuru is celebrating the summer season with a “Summer 3-2-1” promotion which allows guests to stay three nights on full-board and get the third night free. Rates start from US$800++ per night in a Deluxe Beachfront Villa (double occupancy).

The promotion is valid until 31 October 2009. For stays in July, full-board meals will also be included during the complimentary one-night stay, but not in the subsequent months.

Located on the North Malé Atoll just 20 minutes by speedboat from Malé, the capital of the Maldives, and the Malé International Airport, Ihuru is one of the most picturesque islands in the Indian Ocean.

The Angsana Resort & Spa Maldives Ihuru features 25 Beachfront Villas and 20 Deluxe Beachfront Villas each complete with a private garden, a veranda with a Maldivian swing, and an outdoor shower. In addition, each Deluxe Beachfront Villa comes equipped with a private jet pool.

As one of the best dive sites in Maldives, the resort naturally provides a wide variety of sea sports facilities, including a diving school which was awarded the PADI ‘Gold Palm Resort’ certification. Snorkelling is just a step away, as the coral reefs are located a few metres from the beach.

Guests at the Angsana Spa can indulge in soothing treatments that focus on the healing sense of touch and the use of natural ingredients to pamper the body, mind and spirit. Duet, a specially created couple spa package and other tailored male and female spa packages are treats that complement a sunny vacation. The spa treatments are carried out at eight luxurious spa pavilions, two of which are equipped with outdoor jet pools and steam baths.

To tempt the discerning diner, the resort boasts an excellent restaurant, Riveli, offering a marriage of Asian and Mediterranean cuisine with a touch of local flavour. Guests can also opt for a private in-villa barbecue or a romantic dinner for two on a remote sandbank. To end the evening, guests can relax at the Velaavani Bar as they enjoy the cool sea breeze and maybe spot a turtle swimming by in the lagoon.

The Maldives cabinet members have decided to hold Asia’s first Beach and Water sports tournament in the Maldives. The tournament is planned to be held in 2010.

The members of the cabinet noted that hosting this event would be an opportunity for the Maldives to promote its tourism as well as to promote sports tourism in the Maldives.

A committee was also appointed to organize the tournament. The committee would include State Ministers at the Ministry of Human Resources, Youth and Sports; Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Ministry of Defence and National Security; Ministry of Home Affairs; Ministry of Finance and Treasury; and, Ministry of Economic Development.

When you stay at Soneva Resorts Maldives you know that you are in harmony with the environment and the local community. Not only are you in tune with our Six Senses SLOW LIFE philosophy: Sustainable – Local – Organic – Wholesome Learning – Inspiring – Fun – Experiences, now you also have the opportunity to join us in our special projects.

Soneva Resorts Maldives have designated the period from 01 June – 22 December 2009 as its Six Senses Social Season, during which guests are offered the opportunity to give a little of themselves to the Maldivian community in return for an extended stay at Soneva Resorts Maldives.

The programmes offer activities such as teaching at local schools, hospital volunteer work, assisting with the waste-to-wealth projects, working on local farms or any other project ideas which the resort would be delighted to support based on the guests individual profession and expertise. The guests’ participation will not only help the local community but will also provide them with a greater understanding of the traditions and challenges of the local culture, resulting in a mutually beneficial and enriching experience for all.

The Offer:

STAY FOR 14 NIGHTS AS A PAYING GUEST AND get 14 MORE COMPLIMENTARY NIGHTS!
In return you participate for a total of 4 days in one of our community projects.
Validity period: 01 June – 22 December 2009

Terms & Conditions:

• Valid for stays booked directly with the Resort or via third party.
• For the total of a consecutive 4 weeks stay, the guests have to do 4 days community work, either on individual days or consecutively.
• Bookings need to be made with a minimum lead time of 3 months to allow a tailor-made program.14 nights complimentary includes accommodation ONLY.