COLOMBO (AFP) - The Indian Ocean island of the Maldives plans to open 11 new islands to foreign investors to develop upmarket tourist resorts, an official said Wednesday.

The new resorts, some to be built on reclaimed land, will add to the 33 resorts islands currently under development, the island’s Planning Ministry executive director Mohamed Shareef told AFP by telephone.

“The government wants to build resorts on the outskirts of some of the highly populated islands, to bring tourism development closer to the local communities,” Shareef said.

Potential investors also win the right to 100 hectares of coral reef, from which they can reclaim up to 15 hectares for additional resort land.

Shareef said the concept aimed to create jobs for local communities, allowing them to commute daily to work. Expatriate workers from Asia and Europe currently take up over half of the jobs on each resort.

Tenders for the new “resort reef” islands are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, Shareef said.

In 2006, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s government leased 35 islands to foreign and local investors for resort development. Only two of those are currently in operation.

The government is also building 10 new regional airports to compliment the booming resort development and allow locals to commute quickly between the chain of 1,192 islands.

About 700 kilometres (435 miles) southwest of Sri Lanka, Maldives is a magnet for upmarket tourists, where guests pay up to 14,500 dollars a night to scuba dive and sleep in wooden cabins built over turquoise blue waters.

Tourism accounts for over a third of Maldives’ economy of just under a billion dollars.

It has enabled the nation of 369,000 people, mainly Sunni Muslims, to emerge as the richest in South Asia, with a per capita income of 3,400 dollars.

Veligandu Island Resort reopened on December 23, 2007. This resort named after its spectacular, long strip of sandy beach was closed for renovation in May this year. According the General Manager Mr Fathulla Ibrahim the 146 bed resort is now reopen with a number of new facilities and services that were not available before.

The arrival of 84 tourists in the afternoon marked the opening of the refurbished Veligandu Island Resort.

Veligandu is situated in Rasdhoo Atoll in North Ari Atoll, about 51 km from Male International Airport.

Veligandu Island Resort Photos

Veligandu Island Resort
North Ari Atoll
Telephone: (960) 666 0519
Facsimilie:  (960) 666 0648
Email: reservations@veliganduisland.com
Website: www.veliganduisland.com

With the unveiling of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts new Banyan Tree Maldives Madivaru property, the resort has decided to offer great savings as a promotion for the event.

The promotion is valid from 1st July to October 31st 2007 and the resort offers:

1. 50% savings on accommodation
2. 25% savings on seaplane transfers
3. in-villa couple spa treatment
4. complimentary meals and selected beverages
5. scheduled marine excursions on the Banyan Madi.

Located in southwest North Ari Atoll, the property offers the first Tented Pool Villa concept in the Maldives. The castaway island is easily accessible by 30-minute seaplane journey or exclusive overnight sail on the Banyan Velaa. The resort features six Tented Pool Villas priced from US$ 3900++ per night.

Each Tented Pool Villa comprises of three individual tents, distinctively equipped to function as living, sleeping, and bath areas. The spacious bath tent features a pair of spa beds for enjoying in-villa treatments that include signature Banyan Tree Spa massages and facials. Interior furnishings exude a warm and tropical ambience, replete with timber flooring, rattan and teak furniture, handcrafted wooden and canvas accents, and luxurious ceiling canopies.

Special bookings are also possible for guests who wish to have the island all to themselves, including hosting exclusive functions for two to 18 persons.

Banyan Tree offers an intimate retreat experience featuring its own signature blend of romance and Asian sensuality. The philosophy behind the hotels, resorts, spas and galleries is based on providing a place for rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul - a Sanctuary for the Senses.

Banyan Tree resorts are found in Phuket, Thailand (1994), Maldives Vabbinfaru (1995), Bintan, Indonesia (1995), Bangkok, Thailand (2002), Seychelles (2002), Ringha, China (2005), Lijiang, China (2006) and Bahrain (2007). Flagship Banyan Tree Phuket was the first to introduce a tropical garden spa concept.

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.

A timeless moment in the Maldives

The perfect moment begins with the perfect setting. A private tropical island. Powder-white sands. The beauty of the Maldives. Naladhu.

Free-flowing spaces. A symphony of rolling waves and rustling palms. The feel of warm, turquoise-blue lagoon waters and exotic Indian spice rubs. The familiar cool of hardwood floors and goose-down pillows. White clapboard shutters and infinity-edge plunge pools. The comforts you know and love. The romantic island getaway you’ve imagined.

More than a holiday, more than a resort. A collage of perfect, timeless moments in the Maldives.

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Story

On a tranquil palm-covered atoll surrounded by a coral lagoon, Naladhu - Maldivian for “beautiful island” - offers a mosaic of timeless moments of seclusion and serenity.

Naladhu is designed to be as familiar as a favourite vacation home by the sea. In its soul is the spirit of the local Maldivian culture, drawing on the rich traditions of the islands. It is a place where everything is as it should be, where everything is familiar - not because you’ve been here before, but because it is just as you’d imagined it to be.

Every Naladhu moment is an experience to treasure - an immersion in comfortable elegance that never goes out of style.

Come with us, and create your own timeless moments…

Houses

Free-flowing spaces that allow you to drift - at your own pace - from one perfect moment to the next. Each of Naladhu’s secluded houses incorporates timeless design, idyllic views and a feeling of home.

Your private house is appointed with elegant hardwood furnishings that hearken back to a romantic, bygone era, with touches of contemporary style. With natural fluidity, the living area gives way to a spacious, cool-toned open-air bathroom. Soak in a romantic outdoor bath or feel the interplay of fresh air and soothing water in an open-air shower. Unwind at the end of the day in your house’s own private steam room.

Outside, hardwood decks and a private infinity-edge pool offer the perfect vantage point for stargazing or toasting a picture-perfect Naladhu sunset. Inside, your Naladhu house is your private sanctuary, equipped with all the modern luxuries and familiar comforts you deserve. Every house is outfitted with wi-fi capabilities to keep you connected to loved ones back home, while a Bose home surround theatre system and LCD satellite TV are the perfect accompaniment to laid-back evenings at home. Create the perfect soundtrack to each moment with an in-room Ipod and CD player.

At night, the sublime feather mattress and 300-thread count cotton bed linens coax the sweetest of dreams, as you fall asleep to the ebb and flow of the Indian Ocean just steps away.

Meanwhile, to help make every moment all the more perfect, your house’s own House Master is always available to cater to every whim and is attentive to every detail that matters to you. From your favourite type of flower to your favourite midnight snack, your favourite scented soap or a fondly remembered novel, you will love being treated to all your treasured favourites - and introduced to new ones with a Maldivian twist.

Diversions

At Naladhu, the day is your canvas. We provide a palette of local colours. You create the masterpiece.

Some of Naladhu’s best views can be found below the surface. Our on-site PADI Dive Centre offers a full range of courses - from first-timer to fanatic - to help you explore one of the world’s premier diving destinations.

Or, if you’d prefer to stick to the surface, enjoy an afternoon of windsurfing, kayaking, snorkelling, deep-sea fishing or sailing to deserted islands off the horizon. For a true adrenalin rush and the ultimate view, nothing beats a seaplane adventure. Soar over this resplendent island paradise and touch down to discover some truly off-the-beaten-path destinations.

In search of local colour? Let a motorboat whisk you away for a day of shopping in the bustling markets of Malé, one of the world’s most unique capital cities. Or, unwind on the decks of a luxurious dhoni, the traditional Maldivian sailboat. Cruise at your whim or picnic on a completely deserted island. Return just in time to enjoy the perfect Naladhu sunset from your private plunge pool.

Back on the island, Naladhu also features a fully equipped air-conditioned fitness centre and beachfront lap pool. Our on-staff yoga and meditation instructors can help you elevate your state of mind through individual guided sessions or organised group classes.

Rejuvenation

As the perfect Naladhu day winds down - or, as the perfect beginning - nothing beats unwinding in the privacy of your house with your choice of in-room spa therapies designed to pamper your body and restore your soul. Our international team of expertly trained therapists are skilled in providing therapies that draw from the timeless wisdom of the ages and the best of contemporary holistic practices. Allow them to personalise the perfect treatment for the perfect moment.

Inspired by the rich natural traditions of the islands and surrounding ocean, a range of luxurious spa therapies are available to unwind the mind and spirit. Four-hand massage, herbal steam and al fresco flora bath are just a few. You’ll discover the rest.

Choose where you want to get pampered. The comfort of your spacious bedroom. Your sun-bleached deck as twilight falls. At Naladhu, relaxation is never more than a few steps away.

Setting

Most dream of it. Few actually realise it. The fantasy of an exclusive, private island getaway is as timeless as Naladhu itself.

Set on Velighandu Huraa in the South Malé Atoll, Naladhu is the realisation of this dream. The azure waters of the Indian Ocean. The powder-fine white sand of a desert island beach. The spectrum of greens in a tropical coconut grove. It’s just as you’d imagined it would be.

And while the secluded beauty of our coral-fringed island, set in its own emerald lagoon, is the main attraction, the journey to Naladhu enhances the story.

Your personal House Master will await your arrival at Malé International Airport. After a warm welcome, your House Master will guide you to a private luxury boat. Seasonal cocktails and snacks, an Ipod and sound system with your favourite music are among the elegant trimmings that surround you as you are whisked to your personal paradise.

The 13-kilometre ride to Naladhu takes approximately half an hour. But with every comfort available, you’ll feel at home even before you reach your Naladhu house.

For more information please visit www.naladhu.com

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