SUMME^rise your Holiday Experiences at Taj Leisure Hotels

This summer discover… that hugging your daughter helps her grow stronger, that gifting your wife doesn’t only mean paying her bills, that a candlelight dinner is more that just eating in dim light, that every time your son falls at an adventure sport, he rises a better man, that every moment you spend imbibing other cultures, it’s invested something more in your own, that a Chef doesn’t only blend ingredients but also his experience and warmth… Presenting Taj Holidays Summer Offers, there’s always something new to know. What will you discover this summer?

Charge your camera, put that straw hat on and slip into the holiday t-shirt as the golden suntan wraps you amidst all the excitement and enthusiasm to commence your Summer Holidays!! It’s this time of the year when work takes a backseat and your wife takes the front, when you begin substituting the laptop with your kids and when you book tickets with your family name and not your company’s. Taj Leisure Hotels present the unmatched Taj Holidays Summer offers, valid from 15 April 2007 - 15 June 2007 at Taj Leisure Hotels in India as well as at International destinations. What will you discover this summer?

The Taj Summer Holiday Offers for Maldives:

Taj Coral Reef Resort, Maldives (For a stay of 3 nights, with Breakfast)

(USD) $660

What’s more, make us a part of your experience…and win an exclusive Taj Holiday this summer. In an innovative scrapbook contest, create an e-scrap book narrating your most memorable holiday at a Taj Hotel, Resort & Palaces. We will select the most creative and out-of-the-box design and send the winner for an enchanting Taj Holiday. (Conditions apply). All you need to do is create a scrapbook on a word or pdf document and mail your entry to holidays@tajhotels.com. Winners would be selected on the basis of creativity displayed in the scrapbook.

With the ‘Taj Holidays’ setting a benchmark for diverse holiday experiences at exotic locales, few can resist the allures of all that these destinations have to offer. So here’s your chance to unearth the secrets of this tourist paradise, the magnificent Kerala! The ‘Taj Holidays’ leisure experiences can be found across various exotic destinations, which include idyllic beach resorts, genuine palaces, turn-of-the-century garden retreats, hotels located close to historic monuments, pilgrim centers and some of India’s best wildlife sanctuaries.

About Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces

Established in 1903, Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces is one of Asia’s largest and finest groups of hotels, comprising 59 hotels in 41 locations across India with an additional 17 international hotels in the Maldives, Mauritius, Malaysia, Australia, UK, USA, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East. From world-renowned landmarks to modern business hotels, idyllic beach resorts to authentic Rajput palaces, each Taj hotel offers an unrivalled fusion of warm Indian hospitality, world-class service and modern luxury. The Taj, a symbol of Indian hospitality, has recently completed the centenary of its landmark hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is part of the Tata Group, India’s premier business house.

Idyllic seclusion. Exotic surrounds. Luxury comes to paradise.

Splash down to a remote island paradise in a seaplane. Take a morning plunge in your villa’s private pool over the water. Kayak to lunch on a desert island. Let the beauty of Anantara touch you in the Maldives.

Located on South Male Atoll,  occupies its own island set in a tranquil lagoon. Long celebrated as the ultimate romantic destination, the Maldivian islands are the very definition of desert island paradise. Anantara Resort Maldives offers luxury, impeccable style and Anantara’s signature warmth and gracious service in what may be the world’s last unspoiled tropical paradise.

*Note: The resort is on island time from 15th April 2007, one hour ahead of Male, to allow you to make the most of the glorious Maldivian sunshine.

Two cutting edge brands merge in a deal which pairs chic new designers Orlebar Brown’s range of beach and swim shorts exclusively with Per Aquum Resorts in the Maldives.  have one simple philosophy – to create great swim shorts for men that are perfectly cut in good solid colours. Per Aquum will stock quantities of hero products from the Orlebar Brown collection including celebrity favourites the Setter, Dane and Bulldog designs, at their ‘can’t live without’ boutiques at both Huvafen Fushi andDhoni Mighili.

Glorious tropical surroundings at One&Only Maldives at Reethi Rah provide a perfect island hideaway for celebrating a new life together. Against the stunning backdrop of the Indian Ocean, with a gentle breeze rustling the palm trees, guests can experience a chic wedding ceremony or enjoy a truly special honeymoon.

Wedding ceremonies take place on one of the resort’s 12 pristine white sandy beaches, down a petal-strewn ‘aisle’ through a fresh flower arch; at the Wedding Pavilion under a traditional thatched roof adorned with fresh flowers and orchids; or at Reethi Restaurant, with its dramatic high ceilings, vast pillars and temple-like décor.

At the end of each ceremony, the ‘bridal buggy’ whisks the new couple off to enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner under the stars on a private beach. A stunning table, prepared using natural local materials including the island’s signature orchids, serves as the setting where a special souvenir menu created for this most memorable occasion is presented by a private waiter.

For ease of planning, the Legendary Sunset Wedding is a comprehensive offering which includes: choice of ceremony venue, decorated with fresh flowers and signature Reethi Rah orchids; Master of Ceremony and wedding certificate; a bridal bouquet of orchids, roses or lilies, a fresh flower buttonhole for groom, a floral head piece, and fresh flower petals showered on couple – all custom designed by the in-house florist; celebratory bottle of champagne; custom wedding cake; newlywed golf buggy decorated with fresh flowers; and, candlelit dinner with personalised menu served in private villa or on the beach. The package also includes music customised by the resident DJ, the services of a professional photographer providing 20 digital negatives and commemorative album upon departure, choice of bridal manicure or pedicure, and the full services of the resort’s Celebration Consultant.

For those who have already married in their home country, One&Only Maldives at Reethi Rah welcomes newlyweds with a sublime ambience - from water sports and spa indulgences to dining on fabulous cuisine or dancing barefoot on the sand. When staying for a minimum of five nights, honeymoon guests can enjoy a complimentary candlelit dinner (exclusive of beverages) and a signature honeymoon amenity with flower bed decoration.

For the honeymooning couple just arriving at One&Only Maldives at Reethi Rah, a visit to the One&Only Spa by ESPA is an ideal way to unwind and celebrate their future days of life together. The Private Spa is the ultimate personal spa experience for couples wishing to retreat to total privacy, with each of the two exclusive Private Spa suites suspended over the turquoise Indian Ocean. Deeply relaxing and exquisite side-by-side ESPA rituals are personally prepared by individual therapists.

Newlyweds will cherish the chance to escape to a private sandbank for a romantic dinner under a starlit sky. For pure romance, couples might consider a private catamaran charter ideal for snorkelling a deserted sandbank, fishing or simply sipping champagne while watching the sun set. Perhaps a seaplane journey to a deserted island to snorkel crystal clear waters, sunbathe on a private beach, dine on a gourmet picnic, and toast a new beginning.

Participation at the Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE), held at the Kingdom’s International Convention Centre, was the last of three events to be organised by the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB). Following the successful conclusion of their participation at the Arabian Travel Market 2007 in Dubai, MTPB took eight resorts and destination management companies on a road show to Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. The companies involved were: Naiade Resorts, Villa Hotels, Island Holidays, Cross Asia Travel, AAA Hotels and Resorts, Sun Travels & Tours and Crown Tours.

Mohamed Adam, Deputy Director, Maldives Tourism Promotion Board commented. “From May onwards, consumers across the Gulf region are beginning to plan and book their summer holidays. So far, the visitor numbers to the Maldives from this region are small, however there is great potential. We are confident that our events in Qatar and Kuwait, as well as our participation at BITE, 2007 will have significantly improved destination awareness among resident expatriates and Gulf nationals.”

The Maldives Tourism Road Show started in Qatar on the 6th May, with a reception and dinner at the Movenpick Tower & Suites in Doha. More than 150 travel agents and tour operators were invited to a presentation on selling the Maldives to travellers from the Gulf Region. Emphasis was placed on the warm welcome that GCC nationals and resident expatriates will receive when visiting the islands. The Republic of the Maldives is an Islamic nation, providing Arab travellers with easy access to Mosques, even on the resorts islands

Mohamed Adam continued by saying “The flying time to the Maldives is around four hours from the Gulf region. With daily flights from a combination of airlines, the consumer has plenty of choice on how to get there.” Our aim at the road shows was to ensure that as many travel agents and tour operators as possible have the tools they need to be able to effectively promote our island resorts.” Mohamed Adam added “The Maldives is currently the ultimate getaway for those who are attracted by private islands, stunning beaches and crystal clear waters. The Maldives provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxing, rejuvenating holiday, which is a welcome contrast to the frantic pace of life in the Arabian Gulf.”

Similar format was adopted for the event in Kuwait on the 7th May, where more than 100 travel agents and tour operators were invited to the Holiday Inn Downtown in Kuwait City. MTPB’s participation at the BITE 2007 was from the 8th to the 10th May and provided Maldives Tourism with an opportunity to show case the destination to visiting travel trade, meetings and incentives buyers as well as consumers from Bahrain and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Official attendance figures have yet to be confirmed however they were expected to be up on last year’s number of 16,800 visitors.

The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board has recently appointed Afkar Marketing Company W.L.L. as its PR & Marketing Agency for the Gulf Region. Mohamed Adam concluded by saying “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”. He added “Our presence in the region will ensure that we actively promote the ongoing infrastructure developments in the Maldives and as new resorts are opened, we grow visitor numbers by working closely with our travel trade partners”. We are confident that our efforts over the past week will have taken us a step further to achieving this goal”