THE Republic of Maldives is inviting Malaysian businesses to participate in the proposed development of another 40 island resorts to cater to the country’s expanding tourism sector.

Targeted sectors for investment include the hospitality industry, fishery, construction and infrastructure.
“The current development in our tourism industry offers numerous opportunities for Malaysian businesses in investing in resorts and hotels, trading and construction,” Maldives Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Dr Mahmood Shougy said in a statement.
He was in Kuala Lumpur recently to meet with outbound Malaysian tour operators and representatives of chambers of commerce on the opportunities available in Maldives’ tourism industry.

“Malaysia is a key target for inbound investments and trade because of its excellent record as a regional player. Malaysian entrepreneurs are well known for their creative energies and willingness to take risk,” Maldives High Commissioner to Malaysia Midhath Hilmy added.

The Maldives has been enjoying impressive economic development over the past two decades. With annual GDP growth averaging 7.4 per cent over the last 10 years and inflation maintained at low levels, it is keen to open its doors for Malaysian businesses to participate in its exotic island tourism product.

To create more awareness of the opportunities available, an investment trade show titled “Maldives Open for Business” will be held in July this year.

The trade show will provide a platform for Malaysian business representatives to meet with their Maldivian counterparts and explore the possibilities for future collaboration.

The High Commission has also established a Business Service Centre or helpdesk, to provide information and facilitate business-to-business contact.

“The number of foreign companies investing in the Maldives, particularly in the tourism sector, has been increasing steadily.
“With the ongoing expansion plans, more big name international hoteliers are expected to come in,” Mahmood added.
The Maldives comprises 1,190 islands known for their white beaches and enchanting scenery. Its economy is largely based on tourism and fishing.

BANGKOK, Thailand, April 10 /PRNewswire/ – 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.

Coupling the ingenious talents of Maldivian architect Mohammed Shafeeq and Thai-based interior designer Julian Coombs, 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 ocean houses – each named after a Maldivian plant – has been designed to make every guest’s wish become reality.

Each elite dwelling is a colossal 225 square meters in size and punctuated by a lofty white-gabled roof, expansive glass panelled doors and generous living, dining and bedroom spaces. 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.

Yet while the historic elements are intrinsic to Naladhu’s atmosphere, each detail of the Naladhu house has been conceived to serve every guest’s whim. A personal plunge pool, landscaped garden and vast teak sundeck make for an exotic experience within the privacy of the enclosure. As highlighted within the resort’s features, the objective of Naladhu is to provide and pamper guests with unsurpassed quality and service. The personalized, “House Master” professional butler service ensures that every desire is met.

Each Naladhu house contains an espresso machine, a fridge stocked with delicacies such as foie gras and vintage cheese and a wine cellar pre-stocked according to personal preferences.

Guests have the choice of dining under an open canopy of stars in their house Sala, or in the comfort of the Living Room restaurant. Otherwise, Naladhu has many unique dining options aimed at indulging romanticists. Meals can be served aboard a local dhoni (Maldivian boat) or perhaps on the Wave Breaker dining platform hovering over the ocean.

For reservations please telephone +960 664-4100 or email: info@naladhu.com.

Ms. Marion Walsh Brand Public Relations Director Email: mwalsh@naladhu.com Mobile: + 66 (0) 89 811 3829 http://www.naladhu.com/

Windsurfing, originally uploaded by shiham.

Enjoying all day!

A 5 Star Prime Rated World Qualifying Series (WQS) event for men held in the idyllic paradise of the Maldives from 3 – 9 June 2007. The prize money of USD100,000 event was sponsored by SriLankan Airlines and with presenting sponsorship from the Maldives Tourism & Promotions Board, the 2007 ‘Maldives presents SriLankan Airlines Pro’ will be a definitive ASP WQS Tour event.

Enter to the Event online

For further information please contact:
ASP Australasia
P: 02 6674 9888
F: 02 6674 9887
E: hollyt@surfingaustralia.com

Condé Nast Traveller has included Huvafen Fushi Maldives in their 2007 Gold List – a compilation of the hotels around the world that have the best service, rooms, food, ambience & design, location and leisure facilities.

Starting with the properties that received the highest ratings in the Readers’ Travel Awards 2006 survey and adding the Editors’ choices and the stand-out quality for each hotel, the result yielded the ultimate guide to the world’s hotels featuring those establishments which set the Condé Nast Traveller Gold List standard.

Mark Hehir, Area General Manager Maldives, commented on this wonderful news: “We are delighted to be recognized in the Gold List, especially in the category for Best Service. It reflects the hard work and dedication of the team at Huvafen Fushi. It is service from the heart. Every hotel operates on service standards and that is what we have implemented here. From Food and Beverage to Housekeeping, Front Office, Kitchen and all other departments, everyone plays a part to ensure the operation is run smoothly and all guests’ needs are met or exceeded in expectation”.

Recently implemented, FISH ( Fast Island Service Host ), which consists of Food and Beverage, Front Office and  Housekeeping specialists, working together as a team to provide our guests with anything, anytime, anywhere”. “With just a touch of a button, expect to get extra towels, pillows, restaurant reservations, pick-up, CD’s & DVD’s, In-Bungalow Dining and so much more!”, says Mark. The Pavilions on the other hand come with a 24-hour Butler service.FISH is conceptualized around the idea of providing guests with a one-touch access to anything, to be delivered anywhere and at anytime. Guests communicate with only one team member and the action takes place behind the scenes to get
the food and beverage request, delivered within 30 minutes and everything else within 10 minutes.

Huvafen Fushi is managed by Per Aquum Resorts ?Spas ?Residences, a division of Universal Enterprises, which is extensively involved in the tourism industry of the Maldives. Tom McLoughlin, CEO of Per Aquum, attributes Huvafen Fushi’s deserved recognition to The Per Aquum Difference. “From the beginning we decided that we didn’t want to be another big brand with ‘cookie-cutter’ resorts. We are a young company with a lot of fresh ideas, passion and enthusiasm and we wanted this zeal to come through in our properties. Our passion is within our belief that we make a difference, not only to guests and shareholders but to our team members as well. This Per Aquum Difference is what really sets us apart. The Per Aquum Difference is made up of four key elements ?Passion, Vision, Naturally Modern Design and Imagination. These elements ensure we offer the utmost in guest experience which in turn means that our partners and stakeholders will realise unprecedented returns from this vision.”