DOHA • The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) is hoping to attract more visitors from Qatar and other GCC states. At present, GCC nationals to the picturesque islands account for a negligible portion of the country’s tourist inflow.

A presentation was held yesterday at the Movenpick Tower and Suites for city-based travel agents and tour operators to highlight the Maldives as a tourist destination. Among the advantages pointed out were that the islands are a mere four hours away from the region, the population has a high percentage of Muslims and there are no visa restrictions.

According to the Maldives’ Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Dr Mahmood Shougee: “Over the past 30 years, tourism has played a vital role in the sustained development of the Maldives economy. Today, we enjoy high hotel occupancy levels and this is set to continue. The low season of June, July and August is relatively short and this coincides with the high season for outbound travel from the GCC.”

He added; “Our short-term strategy is to continue to encourage new business from the Gulf region by placing greater emphasis on the development of strong relationships with the region’s travel trade. We need to give them the tools to effectively sell the destination.”

Incidentally, Qatar Airways offers five flights a week out of Doha to the Maldives capital Male using Airbus A320 aircraft. However, right now the islands attract more resident expatriates living in the Gulf than GCC nationals.

MTPB deputy director responsible for the Middle East, Mohamed Adam, stated: “Our focus now is to ensure that the travel trade in the GCC understands the Maldives product and how to sell it effectively to both expatriates and GCC nationals resident in the Gulf region.”

Source: The Peninsula

Naladhu, Maldives, has been named one of the world’s hottest new resorts by Conde Nast Traveler in the 2007 “Hot List”. The list, featured in the May edition, comprises 138 hotels, and Naladhu, Maldives is the one of the “Hottest” new properties worldwide.

The Conde Nast Traveler Hot List recognizes hotels and resorts for design, service and ambiance, making it one of the most coveted designations. Each year, an anonymous group of writers evaluates new hotels and resorts around the world for the publication. Naladhu was chosen as one of only 138 properties whose offering surpass expectations. Of the chosen properties, each is awarded a “Hot”, “Hotter” or “Hottest” title, Naladhu, Maldives claimed the position as “Hottest” in the magazine’s listing.

In describing Naladhu, Conde Nast Traveler says “this intimate resort provides a level of privacy and personal attention impressive even in the Maldives”. In addition “Dedicated butlers, or VGCs (Very Good Chaps), exceed expectations with quiet, smiling service”.

The magazine concluded “Naladhu represents the Maldives’ most convenient exclusive destination yet”.

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.

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 Houses – each named after a Maldivian plant - has been designed to make every guest’s wish become reality.

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.

Naladhu provides the canvass and colour palette to those who wish to make their holiday picture perfect.

Windsurfing, originally uploaded by shiham.

Enjoying all day!

The Maldives was announced as one of the UK’s coolest brands at the exclusive CoolLive event held at one of London’s rare hidden gems - the ‘Gymnasium’ in King’s Cross.

As a CoolBrand, the Maldives as a destination ‘has become extremely desirable among many style leaders and influencers.’  The Maldives consists of 1,190 natural coral islands with white sandy beaches surrounded by clear turquoise waters. The 88 resort islands in the Maldives range from ultra-luxurious hideaways to properties which epitomise true barefoot chic.  The resorts in  the Maldives have an enviable reputation for trendsetting and recent developments in the Maldives – among them some world firsts – include an all-glass underwater restaurant, an underwater spa, an underground nightclub and an open-air cinema showing classic black and white films.  The archipelago recently won Condé Nast’s ‘Traveller’s Reader Award’ for Best Island.

CoolBrands is an unprecedented initiative from the Superbrands organisation and is considered a key barometer of the nation’s coolest brands, people and places.

At its core is the CoolBrands Council who judge which brands have successfully created a cool reputation at this moment in time.  This year’s council includes MTV presenter and Radio One DJ Trevor Nelson, designer Ben de Lisi and Dazed & Confused Editor Nicki Bidder.  Adding a further dimension to the expert opinion and new for 2006, Superbrands has joined forces with YouGov, the UK’s most accurate research agency, to ask the consumers themselves which brands they rate as ‘CoolBrands’.

Stephen Cheliotis, Chairman of the CoolBrands Council for 2007 commented, ‘with ever-evolving trends and interpretations of what is ‘Cool’, this vital step forward makes the consumer knowledge and experience a fundamental part of the programme.’ CoolBrands ‘have a magic about them, signifying that users have a sense of taste and style.’

MTPB

The Maldives has been awarded the “World’s Leading Dive Destination” and “Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination” at the World Travel Awards 2006.

The Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Dr. Mahamood Shougee accepted the Awards on behalf of the Maldivian tourism industry at this year’s World Travel Awards held at the Beaches in Turks & Caicos on 20th September.

In addition, in the Regional category Hilton Maldives Resort and Spa won the “Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort” award and Soneva Gili Resort and Spa won the “Indian Ocean’s Leading Spa Resort” award.

In the national category of World Travel Awards, Coco Palm Resort and Spa won the “Maldives’ Leading Hotel” award; Soneva Fushi Resort and Spa won the “Maldives’ Leading Resort” award and Hilton Maldives Resort and Spa won the “Maldives Leading Resort Award”.

The Maldives received these prestigious awards after receiving the highest number of votes in the respective categories among thousands of online voters from travel agencies in over 200 countries worldwide.

The World Travel Awards has become the Oscar equivalent of the global tourism industry since its establishment in 1993. This distinguished endorsement of the Maldivian tourism product by the World Travel Awards further accentuates the uniqueness of the Maldives a destination consisting of 1,190 natural coral islands, unspoiled white sandy beaches, and pristine waters of all hues of blue.