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.

The Maldives archipelago has been nominated for the New 7 Wonders of Nature campaign. This campaign is a process in which seven natural wonders of the world are chosen by people through a global poll which will be declared in the year 2011.

The campaign is being organized by the Swiss based New7Wonders Foundation after their success in organizing the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. 261 qualified national and multinational nominees are now competing to make it to the top 77.

Voting continues from January 7th until July 7th 2009 to determine the top 77 in each of the seven competing categories. The New7Wonders Panel of Experts will select the 21 finalists from the top 77 nominees.

We would like to call all Maldivians, fans and well wishers of Maldives to join our effort to make Maldives as one of the Natural Wonders of the World.

Vote for Maldives

Tourist resort chain Club-Med has dropped the prices of their products in Maldives, Malaysia and Phuket, to avoid possible adverse affects the global financial crisis may have on tourism.

The Club-Med marketing office in Bangkok, says that a lot of people are purchasing their holiday products, as they are offering special discounts for the first 100 customers to their new holiday packages.

Although only Maldives, Malaysia and Phuket participated in the package, it now appears that Club-Med resorts in cities such as Bali have also expressed interest in joining the package.

Speaking from Club-Med Kanifinolhu Resort in Maldives, Abdul Samadh told Miadhu News that the resort is performing well this year, and that they expect it to remain so until May.

Experience tourism investors say that, the Club-Med resort lowering their package prices despite being one of the earliest international chains to be established it Maldives, indicates the possible obstacles that the tourism sector might face this year.

Source: Miadhu News

The Maldives has been ranked as the Best Country Brand for Beach and Best Country Brand for Rest and Relaxation for the year 2008. Maldives also ranked 2nd in the Best Country Brand for Natural Beauty and 3rd in the Best Country Brand for Resort and Lodging Options. The Country Brand Index was officially released during London’s World Travel Market in November 2008.

Country Brand Index is a comprehensive study of approximately 2,700 international business and leisure travellers from nine countries. It is conducted by FutureBrand, a global brand consultancy company and Weber Shandwick which is a public relations firm.

The main marketing slogan for the destination Maldives is “Maldives…the Sunny Side of Life”. The wellness and relaxation aspect is promoted under the theme of “Maldives…the Spiritual Side of Life”. Maldives was ranked number one in these two areas. Maldives emerged as the number one in both Beach and Rest and Relaxation categories after successfully competing with countries like Tahiti, Bahamas and Australia.

Maldives also won the ‘World’s Most Romantic Destination’ award at the WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS last year.

Source: visitmaldives.com

The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board and representatives from Maldives tourism industry participated in the China International Travel Mart 2008 held from 20 to 23rd November 2008 at China New International Expo Centre in Shanghai.

A total of 13 tourism related companies from Maldives participated in the fair. The four day long fair attracted over 90,000 visitors. The visitors included 40,000 public and 50,000 travel trade and media. Maldives takes part in this fair every alternative year when it is held in Shanghai.

China has emerged as one of the most important and potential emerging markets for Maldives from Asia region. China attracted 35,797 visitors to Maldives till the end of October 2008. This is an increase of 15.5 percent compare to the same period last year. Last year Maldives received a total of 35,976 Chinese visitors.

Source: visitmaldives.com